SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 



31 



The mixed hardwoods have been culled of pine, they have not been burned and 

 are now cut for the hemlock and hardwoods, and the land, being of good qual- 

 ity, is being settled. 



The third form, the swamps, were lightly culled here and there in logging 

 times and are now more systematically exploited. Part of these swamps have 

 been burned over but generally the swamps have escaped great injury. Some 

 ■of the swamps make fine farms and as time goes on many of these will be set- 

 tled and improved. 



On the whole, this half of Michigan, is still sparsely settled in spite of the 

 fact that settlement in almost every county began as early as thirty or more 

 years ago. 



The following table shows the proportion of settlements and improved land 

 and at the same time fairly indicates in figures the amount and distribution of 

 the lighter sandy soils which form the most important part of the subject here 

 under consideration. 



The state is divided here into four districts (not contiguous,) according to 

 the proportion of land settled in the counties composing the district. 



Area, land in farms and improved lands in Michigan. 

 U. S. census 1900. (Numbers rounded off.) 



Since the above refers to the land area as per United States Land Office 

 Reports, and since the amount of land in towns and highways forms certainly 

 less than five per cent, even if all highways were cut out, it appears that fully 



