68 J'ORFST RRGi;!.ATIOX 



cut over (logged) and mostly burned over. Xumerous streams,. 

 with clear water, and moderate fall, some good watcrpower ; streams 

 drivtable for soft woods, no regular navigation. (Jver io% of land 

 area in fine clear water lakes. 



b. Climate, typical of North Michigan and Lake Region. 



1. Temperature: Long severe winters, with much zero 

 weather, sliort, luit rather warm summers. Too cold, i. e., north 

 of the natural limit of Hickory, Walnut, Chestnut, Sycamore, etc. ; 

 too cold for corn as crop. Low temperature and short season result 

 in slow growth, small amount of seed; affect sprouting of some of 

 the hardwoods. On the pine land the sand heats up in summer to 

 point of injury to seedlings. 



2. Precipitation, about 30" per year; comes largely as snow. 

 Dry springs produce a regular spring fire season. Summer com- 

 monly quite dry. 



Extremely dry seasons at intervals of 6-10 years have caused 

 great forest fires of which 1871, 1881, i8f)4, 1907 and 1908 are 

 famous. In 1008 practically no rain from May to October. Snow 

 deep and can be depended upon for sleigh haul. Usually over 100 

 days of good sleighing. Covers seedlings ; but deep wet snow breaks 

 much timber, especially young pine. 



3. Frost, especially late frosts, severe and injurious to native 

 forest trees. In 1907 and 1913 late May and June frosts killed new 

 foliage on Oak, Aspen and even killed young pine. Frosts may 

 occur in any month. 



4. Prevailing winds West and Northwest and Southwest, the 

 latter quite dry. often hot and injurious. Windfall not rare, acci- 

 dental, i. e., no regular storm roads. 



c. Population and Industries. 



1 . The population of county is about 7,000 and has been nearly 

 stationary for ten years ; the area is about 360,000 acres. Popula- 

 tion mostly in three small towns ; dependent upon the forest indus- 

 tries. A sparse rural population, likewise still depends largely on 

 work in logging camps and mills. 



2. Population is the usual American mixture, which gathers 

 in forest districts ; no colored or Indian settlements. 



3. Sentiment favors agricultural settlement and clearing of 

 lands and is kept alive by local papers, merchants, land dealers, etc. 



