The climate of the lower peninsula is so tempered by the proximity of the lakes that it is much milder than that of other regions in the same latitude. The northern penin sula in winter is very cold. The average annual difference of temperature between the two peninsulas is 7°. Oak openings and prairies are the most characteristic feature of the lower peninsula. In the forests the prevailing growths are the sugar-maple, oak, walnut, ash, hickory, elm, linden, locust, dogwood, beech, sycamore, cherry, pine, hemlock, spruce, tamarack, cypress, cedar, and chestnut. Iu the n. portion of the peninsula the white pine is a source of wealth. The soils on the lower peninsula are well adapted to the production of fruit. Apples are produced in large quantities. Poaches grow well on the shores of lake Michigan, while grapes are extensively produced on the shores of lakes Michigan and Erie, and in the river valleys. Pears, quinces, plums, cherries, and the small fruits generally, are raised in perfection in the interior as well as on the borders of the lakes.
The extensive forests of northern Michig,au are a covert for large numbers of wild animals, among which are the black bear, wolf, lynx, wildcat, panther, fox, weasel, marten, badger, skunk, mink, otter, raccoon, opossum, beaver, marmot, hare, rabbit, and squirrel. Deer are plenty in some parts, and the elk is not yet extinct. The birds are of great variety, and the waters of the state are well stocked with edible fish.
As an agricultural state Michigan ranks high. The number of farms in 1879 was 111,822, embracing 5,78'5,102 acres of improved and 4,530,486 of unimproved land—in ttll, 10,315,588 acres. Number of horses, 272,603; of milch cows, 291,243; of other cattle, 338,910; hogs, 493,109; sheep, 1,772,312; number of acres in apple orchards, 229,262; in peach orchards, 10,771. The latest crop statistics are those of 1878, from which the following items are gathered: Bushels of wheat raised, 29,511,889; corn, 36,663,299; oats, 13,454,517; clover-seed, 166,465; barley, 806,463; peas, 641,061; pota toes, 6,190,406; tons of hay, 1,124,931; lbs. of wool, 8,666,467; bush. of apples sold, 3,944,206; of peaches, 107,244; lbs. of grapes sold, 1,014,950; bush. of cherries, currants, plums, and berries, 100,493. The cash value of farms in 1870 was estimated at $398,240,578; of farming implements and machinery, $13,711,979; wages paid during the year, $8,421,161; value of farm productions, $81,508,623; of orchard products, $3,447,985; of produce of market crardens, $352,658; of forest products, $2,559,682; of home manu ,, factures, $338,000; of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter, $11,711,624; of live stock, $49,809,869. In 1873 there were sold, of dried fruits, 2,664,709 lbs.; of cider,
182,347 bbls.; of wine, 50,858 galls.; of 2-1b. cans of fruit, 1,003,803; of maple sugar, 4.319,793 lbs. The aggregate value of real estate assessed in 1875 was $308,753,036; of personal property. $66,127,992. These figures are supposed to represent but one-third of the real value of the property.
According to the census of 1870 there were in the state 9,455 manufacturing estab lishments, giving employment to 63,694 persons, of whom 2,941 were females above 15, and 2,406 were under that age. The capital invested was $71,712,283; wages paid, $21,205,355; value of products, $118,394,676. The principal industries, with the value of their products respectively in 1870, were, Agricultural implements, $1,569,596: black smithing, $1,581,357; boots and shoes, $2,552,931; carpentering and building, $3,976,333; carriao.es and wagons, $2,393,328; railroad cars, $1,488,742; Clothing, $2,577,154; coop erage,11,176,768 ; copper, milled and smelted, $9,260.976; flouring and grist mill products, $21-,174,247; furniture, $1,953,888; iron products, $4,938,947; leather, $2,670,608; dis tilled and fermented liquors, $1,321.286; lumber, planed and sawed, $33,078,241; machinery, $2,330,564; printing and publishing, $1,071,523; salt, $1,176,811; sash, doors, and blinds, $1,868,596; tobacco and cigars, $2,572,523; woolen goods $1,209,518. Other industries, the products of which ranged from $96,000 to $967,006 respectively, were ma.sonry, brick and stone; tin, copper, and sheet-iron ware; wooden ware; ship-building: meat packed; paper; maddlery and harness. The lumber statistics of 18'79 show: Num ber of mills, 64; men employed. 4,003; lumber cut, 2,289,066,8'35 ft. ; shingles cut, 685,619,150. The salt product of 1879 was 2,058,040 bbls. ; the wheat product, 10,290,200 bush.; product of iron mines, 1,453.765 tons, valued at $7,413,114. The total product of the copper mines in 1877 was 24,958 tons; total product from 1845 to 1877 inclusive, '289,188 tons; ingot copper, 1877, 19,966 tons, valued at $7,586,480; total value of prod uct from 1845 to 1877, $116,928,280; total assessments from 1845 to 1877 by workind mines, $3,960,000; total dividends paid in same time, $21,780,000; dividends paid in 187'7, $1,745,000. The catch of fish from the lakes in 1870 was valued at $567,576.