2*8 THE CULTIVATOR. 
gravel, and water-worn masses, from a great variety 
of rocks, with occasional local beds of clay. 
The peculiarities of the soils thus constituted, are, 
first, their extreme depth, and loose, gravelly texture; 
permitting the copious.absorption, retention, and per¬ 
colation of rain water, and giving rise to great abun¬ 
dance of springs, streams, and lakes; allowing a wide 
range for the roots of plants; rendering the soil easily 
arable, and less susceptible to the effects of drouth. 
Secondly, the fertile nature of the materials. Lime¬ 
stone being one of the most abundant rocks of the pe¬ 
ninsula and the adjoining lake country, lime constitutes 
a large ingredient in those soils; the abundance of 
that mineral being apparent, not only as a constituent 
of the soil, but in numerous and extensive beds of marl. 
To this fact, in an eminent degree, is to be attributed 
the superior adaptation of the soils of Michigan for 
wheat; that grain, as is well known, demanding a 
large supply of lime. 
The trap rocks, which exist to a great extent in the 
region of lake Superior, also furnished a large propor¬ 
tion of the constituents of this deposit, and these rocks 
are known to produce some of the most fertile soils on 
the globe. To this character of the soil is added a 
rolling surface, with sufficient descent from the higher 
grounds, (which are about 600 feet above Lake Erie,) 
t-o give rapidity to the streams, and furnish a vast 
amount of water power. 
These characteristics, in connection with some al¬ 
ready alluded to, tend to give a salubrity to the cli¬ 
mate which is not found to an equal extent in other 
parts of the Mississippi valley. Probably no new 
country is more free from prevalent diseases than those 
parts of Michigan which have not been rendered un¬ 
healthy by artificial agency. The unusual number of 
mill dams, which are not unfrequently made to flood 
large tracts covered with timber, are rendered by the 
haste and imprudence of settlers, a chief source of 
febrile disease, and have helped to give erroneous im¬ 
pressions of the true character of the country. 
None of the new states have been more fortunate 
than Michigan in the character of its inhabitants, most 
of whom are thrifty and intelligent farmers and capi¬ 
talists from the eastern and middle states. The amount 
of capital expended in public improvements, roads, and 
mills, since 1836, equals that of many parts of the Uni¬ 
ted States which have several times its population. 
Yet the annual surplus of its great staple, for exporta¬ 
tion, much exceeds its capabilities in that particular. 
With a population of 300,000, the wheat crop of the 
last two years probably exceeds 15,000,000 of bushels; 
a proportion greater by at least one third, than that of 
any other state in the union. The average yield of 
wheat may be stated at 20 bushels per acre, and the 
price per bushel at from 50 to 80 cents. The price 
of unimproved lands varies from $1 to $5 per acre; 
that of improved farms from $5. to $20. From these 
data my eastern readers may calculate for themselves 
the comparative profit of farming here and with them. 
The advantages of Michigan as a wool-growing 
state are beginning to be appreciated. The surface, 
broken into gentle hills and valleys, is covered with 
a. spontaneous growth of grasses, which are relished by 
sheep and cattle, and will alone furnish them sus¬ 
tenance for at least eight months in the year. The 
export of wool from Detroit alone in 1844, but a few 
years from the first introduction of sheep into the 
state, was 236,000 lbs. Since then, the hills and 
meadows of many parts of the state have been covered 
with fine flocks. 
All the varieties of fruit which ripen in the eastern 
and middle states, are found to flourish luxuriantly in 
Michigan. Many plants and fruits which belong to 
much lower latitudes, are either found growing here 
August 
naturally, or are easily acclimated. It is an evidence 
of the mildness of the climate that the sweet potato 
and tobacco plant are cultivated successfully in many 
parts of the state. The apples, pears, and plums, 
produced by the orchards upon Detroit river, though 
little pains have been taken in their cultivation, are 
not surpassed for flavor and vigor in any part of the 
world. Peaches are raised in great perfection through¬ 
out the state, though liable occasionally to be cut off 
by late frosts in spring. 
Pine and oak lumber constitute a large and increas¬ 
ing article of export. Ohio and Illinois are principal¬ 
ly supplied from this source, and a hundred millions of 
feet are annually exported to all the neighboring 
states, and to New-York. 
The extensive coasts abound with fisheries of white 
fish and salmon trout, esteemed the finest of fresh wa 
ter fish, and which constitute a valuable item of ex 
port. 
The lower peninsula of Michigan is very generally 
surrounded by a belt of timbered lands, embracing the 
greater part of the border counties. On the eastern 
side this tract rises gradually from the water, present¬ 
ing a somewhat level surface, and is frequently flat and 
wet. On the western side the surface is more broken, 
and the soil more gravelly and dry. Throughout a 
large portion of the interior, and occasionally amid 
these timbered tracts, occur openings and plains, with 
some small prairies. 
If the above remarks are favorably received, I pro¬ 
pose in two succeeding communications, to describe 
these two classes of lands, into which Michigan may 
be considered as mainly divided, viz., oak openings, 
and timbered lands. Bela Hubbard. 
Detroit , May 4, 1847. 
A RURAL PICTURE. 
{By Michael Bruce —published in 1770.) 
Now sober Industry, illustrious power l 
Hath raised the peaceful cottage, calm abode 
Of innocence and joy: now, sweating, guides 
The shining plowshare ; tames the stubborn soil 
Leads the long drain along the unfertile marsh; 
Bids the bleak hill with vernal verdure bloom, 
The haunt of flocks; and clot lies the barren heath 
With waving harvests and the golden gram. 
Fair from his hand behold the village rise, 
In rural pride, ’mong intermingled trees ! 
Above whose aged tops the joyful swains, 
At even-tide descending from the hill, 
With eye enamoured, mark the many wreaths 
Of pillared smoke, high curling to the clouds. 
The streets resound with Labor’s various voice. 
Who whistles at his work. Gay on the green. 
Young blooming.boys, and girls with golden ha ! r, 
Trip, nimble-footed, wanton in their play, 
The village hope. All in a reverend row. 
Their grey-haired grandsires, sitting in the sun, 
Before the gate, and leaning on the staff, 
The well-remembered stories of their youth 
Recount, and shake their aged locks with joy. 
How fair a prospect rises to the' eye, 
Where beauty vies in all her vernal forms. 
For ever pleasant, and for ever new! 
Swells the exulting thought, expands the soul, 
Drowning each ruder care : a blooming train 
Of bright ideas rushes on the mind. 
Imagination rouses at the scene; 
And backward, through the gloom of ages past, 
Beholds Arcadia, like a rural queen, 
Encircled with her swains and rosy nymphs, 
The mazy dance conducting on the green. 
Fat on the plain, and mountain^ sunny side, 
Large droves of oxen, and the fleecy flocks, 
Feed undisturbed; and fill the echoing, air 
With music grateful to the master’s ear. 
The traveller stops, and gazes round and round 
O’er all the scenes that animate his heart 
With mirth and music. Even the mendicant, 
Bowbenf with age, that on the old gray stone. 
Sole sitting, suns him. in the public way, 
Feels his heart leap, and to himself he sings. 
