INFORMATION FOR ALIEN IMMIGRANTS.

CUSTOMS DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Immigrants to the United States may bring with them the following articles without being required to pay duties thereon:

Books and "household effects," used abroad by them not less than one year, and not intended for any other persons or for sale. [The words "household effects" include furniture, family pictures, pianos and similar musical instruments, etc.]

Wearing apparel in actual use, and other "personal effects." [By "personal effects" are meant jewelry, ornaments worn on the person, and like articles.]

The tools, implements, instruments, and professional books of the immigrant's trade, occupation, or employment. This does not include "machinery or articles imported for use in any manufacturing establishment, or for sale.”

Teams (with harness and wagon) actually used by the immigrant in transporting his property over some part of the journey between his foreign residence and the United States. Such use of the team for even a short distance is sufficient, if that distance is actually part of the journey.

All the baggage of immigrants is examined by the customs authorities of the United States at the frontier. If the immigrant does not accompany his luggage he should not fail to go to the office of the American Consul nearest his point of departure and obtain an owner's certificate, and comply with certain forms whose nature he can learn there.

The customs authorities of the United States are instructed to deal liberally with immigrants in construing the laws admitting their property free of duty.

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.

Any alien may become a citizen of the United States by complying with the following conditions:

1. He must first declare his intention to become a citizen and to renounce his foreign allegiance before the clerk of some court of record. He may do this at any time after his arrival in the United States, and this is all that is necssary to enable him to take up a homestead upon United States land.

After a continued residence of five years in the United States, and at least two years after his declaration of intention, he may become a citizen by taking the required oath in open court of record in any State or territory in which he has lived for one year preceding.

2. Any alien of the age of 21 years who has served one year or more in the United States army (regular or volunteer), and has been honorably discharged, can become a citizen by showing these facts and proving that he has resided in the United States for one year preceding his application.

3. Any alien who has resided continuously in the United States for five years, three years at least of which must have been during his minority, may become a citizen of the United States without any previous declaration of intention.

4. The minor children of naturalized aliens are, if residents of the United States, citizens thereof.

5. The widow and children of any alien, who dies after the declaration of intention but before full naturalization, are considered citizens of the United States.

6. Any alien who, having declared his intention to become a citizen, shall serve three years on any merchant vessel of the United States may at the end of that time become a citizen by application to the clerk of any court of record and the production of his certificate of discharge and good conduct.

VOTING IN MICHIGAN.

Voting in Michigan is regulated by the State, subject to that provision of the constitution of the United States which forbids any State from "denying or abridging" the right of citizens to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." All voting is done by secret ballot, and the right to vote is conferred on two classes: 1. Males over 21 years of age who are citizens (that is, natives or naturalized aliens), and have resided in the State three months and in any township or ward ten days preceding any given election. 2. Male aliens of twenty-one not. yet fully naturalized, who have resided in the State two years and six months, have declared their intentions to become United States citizens six months preceding any election, and have lived in any township or ward ten days preceding such election.

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GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.

The best time for immigrants to come to Michigan is in the spring or early sumThe mild months of the year are those in which new comers can most comfortably select their homes and most easily become accustomed to a strange climate. No one who has a family dependent upon him should start without some money beyond the amount necessary for the journey. Young and single men can get along with very little if they are willing to work, but no one should come in an absolutely penniless condition, unless through friends here he has secured employment before leaving his home.

The advice of trustworthy acquaintances already located in Michigan will be of great value to any immigrant, and those proposing to come to this State who have friends already here are urged to correspond with them before starting.

The immigrant should plan his journey at its outset, and should buy his tickets through to his destination if possible. If he brings any large sum of money it should be in the form of drafts, and care should be taken to get them paid either by the house upon which they are drawn or at some established banking house. Money brought on the person should be in gold coin. Immigrants should not bring bulky furniture, farming implements, or stock; it is more economical to sell off such articles and buy anew here. Clothing, bedding, mechanics' tools for actual use, and household cutlery may be brought, and all such articles are passed without duties by the customs officers of the United States. All luggage should be closely packed, strongly corded, and plainly marked.

On the journey immigrants should carefully observe the instructions of the officers of steamship and railroad lines, who can be distinguished by their uniforms. In the

large American cities the policemen also wear uniforms, and will furnish any information on application. Too much care cannot be taken in avoiding swindlers, and no prudent man will tempt thieves by publicly exhibiting valuables or money. A basket of portable food will be found exceedingly convenient on the railroads.

Michigan offers especial attractions to farmers. They can secure homes cheaply, are their own employers, and can always find markets for their crops. Mechanics, miners, and skilled workmen are also needed, and unskilled laborers can usually secure work without much delay. Clerks, salesmen, and professional men will find it much more difficult to obtain employment. A good plan for an immigrant is to

accept the first kind of labor that offers itself on reaching Michigan, and then take time to look about him before locating permanently.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN BY COUNTIES.

ALCONA COUNTY.

Alcona county was organized in 1869. It is bounded on the north by Alpena, on the east by Lake Huron, on the south by Iosco, and on the west by Oscoda. It has an area of 720 square miles, and had a population in 1880 of 3,110. Harrisville, a town of 700 inhabitants, situated in the eastern part of the county on Lake Huron, is the county seat. The surface of the county is comparatively level, with the exception of the townships along the lake shore, which are more or less rolling. Swamps are scattered here and there throughout the county, but most of them have their origin in springs and can be easily reclaimed. In the western portion of the county are found large tracts of sandy land, much of which is believed to have a soil suitable for agricultural purposes.

The county is well watered by the Pine, Au Sable, and Hubbard rivers and their tributaries, ample water power for all milling purposes being found in a number of localities. The soil of the eastern townships is generally a heavy clay with a clay subsoil; while that of the "plains" is either a sandy loam or a clear sand. The timber consists of white and yellow pine, hemlock, beech, maple, cedar, oak, and some black birch. The older portions of the county produce good crops of winter and spring wheat, oats, barley, etc., in fact, few counties can show a larger yield to the acre, as wheat has been produced yielding an average of 45 bushels to the acre. Peas and all kinds of vegetables are also grown in great abundance. The experiments in fruit raising in this comparatively new county have been uniformly successful. Young orchards present a thrifty appearance, and the lighter fruits will, no doubt, amply repay those who attempt their cultivation. Berries are indigenous to the soil, and as a rule yield bountifully. The cost of clearing the heavier timbered lands will average about $18 per acre. There are good wood markets at various points, $2.50 being the uniform price for cordwood.

On May 1st, 1883, there were subject to entry 9,000 acres of government, 9,801 acres of State swamp, 6,483 acres of primary school, and 22,970 acres of agricultural college land. A State road runs west from Harrisville 36 miles, connecting that town with the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central railroad. Lands are accessible by good roads throughout the entire county. The climate is equable, the winters beginning about Dec. 1st, and continuing steadily up to March 15th. The snow-fall averages about eight inches in depth, the ground freezing but little. Ploughing is usually begun by April 1st, and seeding by May 1st. The schools of the county are comparatively few, but are well sustained. The health of the inhabitants has been generally good, the invigorating influence of the lake breeze being felt to a remarkable extent, particularly during the summer months. Every branch of the lumber trade is carried on with success. Labor is in good demand, wages ranging from $28 to $38 per month with board. Improved land can be had at prices ranging from $10 to $25 per acre. Unimproved lands are proportionately less. A railroad is projected from Standish, on the Mackinac division of the Michigan Central, to Alpena, which will extend along the eastern border of the county. Harrisville already enjoys an extensive lake commerce. Alcona county, with its cheap lands and productive soil, offers every inducement to the man with limited means, and a good class of immigrants would receive a hearty welcome from its inhabitants.

ALLEGAN COUNTY.

Allegan county was organized in 1835. It is bounded on the north by Ottawa and Kent, on the east by Barry, on the south by Van Buren and Kalamazoo, and on the west by Lake Michigan. It has an area of 828 square miles, and had a popula

tion in 1880 of 37,806. Allegan, a city of 2,500 inhabitants, situated near the geographical center of the county, is the county seat. A few of the townships in the eastern and western portions of the county have a comparatively level surface, while the remaining townships present an undulatory appearance. There are several large swamps along the Black and Gun rivers, also smaller tracts of marsh land scattered here and there over the county, all of which are reclaimable. The county is well watered by the Kalamazoo, Black, and Gun rivers, also by a number of inland lakes. Plenty of available water power is to be found along the streams, particularly on the Kalamazoo between Allegan and the county line.

Almost every variety of soil is found throughout the county, and the large crops raised speak well for its richness. Originally there were large bodies of pine along the rivers, but the only remaining forests consist of beech, maple, elm, hemlock, and oak. Wheat is the great staple, although large crops of the other cereals are annually raised. The reclaimed swamp lands are especially adapted to onion raising. Hay, cabbages, and celery are also marketed in large quantities from these low lands. The entire coast line of Western Michigan is noted for its productiveness of fruit, and Allegan is not behind her sister counties in this respect. The peach is the most successful fruit crop, followed by the apple and smaller fruits. Berries, in particular, are extensively cultivated, chiefly for the Chicago market. The cost of clearing averages from $10 to $15 per acre, and the wood product finds a ready market at prices ranging from $2 to $2.50 per cord. There were subject to entry on May 1st, 1883, 308 acres of State swamp, and 2,505 acres of primary school land. Unimproved lands owned by individuals are generally held at from $25 to $30 per acre. Where the better class of timber has been cut off, the price varies from $10 to $15 per acre. There are also large tracts of stump land, which will develop into valuable farms, and which are now held at from $2 to $10 per acre. Improved farms are held at from $40 to $100 per acre, according to location, soil, etc. Good roads traverse the county in every direction. The winters are not unusually long, the snow falling to an average depth during the season of 15 inches. Plowing generally commences by April 1st. The privileges incident to schools and churches are first-class in every respect. ing and fruit-raising are the principal industries, creating a fair demand for labor, wages ranging from $1 to $1.50 per day, without board. The county is traversed by the Chicago and West Michigan, Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, Grand Rapids and Indiana, and Allegan and Southeastern railroads. It enjoys unrivaled market facilities, there being a steady demand for all of its productions in the Grand Rapids and Chicago markets.

ALPENA COUNTY.

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Alpena county was organized in 1857. It is bounded on the north by Presque Isle, on the west by Montmorency, on the south by Alcona, and on the east by Lake Huron. Alpena, a flourishing city of 8,000 inhabitants, is the county seat. It has an area of 540 square miles, and had a population in 1880 of 11,000. The surface of of the country is gently rolling, and is well watered by .Thunder Bay and Hubbard rivers, also by innumerable springs, brooks, and lakes, which abound with all varieties of fish, and afford ample water power in many townships. There are but few sand plains in this county, but a considerable quantity of swamp land may be found, nearly all of which is subject to drainage. The soil in the western portion of the county is chiefly a dark loam with clay subsoil; in the eastern portion it is of a sandy nature, though quite fertile in many localities. The prevailing varieties of timber are beech, maple, elm, ash, hemlock, and large quantities of cedar. Winter wheat, oats, peas, and barley are successfully grown. Corn, though not a staple product, often yields a large crop. Apples, pears, and all varieties of plums are grown on every farm, and always find a ready market in Alpena. The cost of clearing averages about $20 per acre, and the wood cut brings from $2.50 to $3.50 per cord.

There were 4,040 acres of government, 21,108 acres of State swamp, 5,520 acres of primary school, and 880 acres of agricultural college land subject to entry May 1, 1883. Plenty of desirable unimproved lands in the hands of private parties are to be had at prices ranging from $2 to $5 per acre. Some of the most valuable lands in the county have been pine lands originally. The best farming lands are located three or four miles back from the mouth of the rivers, and when improved are held at from $10 to $50 per acre. The Alpena and Torch Lake State road leads due west from Alpena, through the center of the county. There is also a good local State road system, which makes all parts of the county accessible.

Alpena has about six months of fair weather, three months of steady winter, and