te,
which are not unknown to the more enterprising and persevering
pioneers, who have led the way through the wilderness, and are now
engaged almost single-handed in their labors, not shrinking from the
privations and sufferings which are sure to surround these first
settlements in our new districts.

The Grand Traverse region, with its excellent soil, comparatively mild
climate, and abundance of timber of every description, is attracting
much attention, and extensive settlements have already commenced in
many localities in that region. The coast of Lake Michigan, from Grand
River north, for upward of one hundred miles to Manistee River,
presents generally a barren, sandy appearance, the sand hills of that
coast almost invariably shutting out from the view the surrounding
country.

North of the Manistee, however, this characteristic of the coast
changes, and the hard timber comes out to the lake and presents a fine
region of country extending from Lake Michigan to Grand Traverse Bay
and beyond, embracing the head waters of the Manistee River. This
large tract of agricultural land is one of the richest portions of the
State, and having throughout its whole extent extensive groves of
excellent pine timber interspersed, it is one of the most desirable
portions of the Peninsula. Grand Traverse Bay, the Manistee and the
River Aux Becs Scies are the outlets for the pine timber, and afford
ample means of communication between the interior and the lake for
such purposes. The proposed State roads will, if built, do much toward
the settlement of this region.

A natural harbor, which is being improved by private enterprise, is
found at the mouth of the River Aux Becs Scies, and a new settlement
and town has been started at this point. This is a natural outlet for
a consideration portion of the region just described.

The lands here, as in other localities in the new portions of the
State, are such as must induce a rapid settlement whenever the means
of communication shall be opened.

The valley of the Muskegon embraces every variety of soil and timber,
and is one of the most attractive portions of the Peninsula. The pine
lands upon this river are scattered all along the valley in groups or
tracts containing several thousand acres each, interspersed with hard
timber and surrounded by fine agricultural lands.

The Pere Marquette River and White River, large streams emptying into
Lake Michigan, pass through a region possessin