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peared, leaving in my mind tbe impression that the clay was brought there and 

 deposited for some purpose. We found the skeleton of one man only, it was 

 entire, but crumbled up soon after exposure. There was nothing else except a 

 considerable number of spear and arrow flint heads very well formed. 



The population of Sauk county, at the date of the last census, June 1850, 

 was 4,372. 



Sauk county is bounded on tbe east and south by the Wisconsin river, on the 

 ■west by Richland county, and on the north by Adams county, and contains 1,044 

 square miles. 



The soil near the river is generally sandy, but strong and quick, does not leach, 

 bringing forward crops from its natural warmth rapidly ; as the land recedes from 

 the river it increases in strength and richness until black mould, with very little 

 stiff clay soil ; the subsoil is generally sand, and rock composed of mixture of 

 lime and sand ; there is not much clay subsoil, and that is sandy. The face of 

 the county, with exception of the prairie, is hilly, say one-third fine level prairie, 

 one-third handsomely undulating, the rest hilly ; but the hills are principally rich 

 black loam, and a great part of them susceptible of tillage. 



Corn is the principal crop, avei'age 40 bushels to the acre; oats are a heavy 

 crop, averaging also 40 bushels; wheat in this county fills well, and is a good 

 sample; the corn and oats cannot be surpassed ; agriculture and tools generally 

 good ; cattle and horses plenty, but not much attention paid to improvement of 

 stock; some few have commenced to improve. 



Three years, out of eleven, only have produced good crops of winter wheat, 

 owing to be killed out for want of snow suflicieut to protect the roots from the 

 February and March frosts and nipping winds; the three good years, there was 

 plenty of snow. The remedy I have tried is early seeding, and sowing rather 

 more seed to the acre than is customary here, say seven pecks to the acre, plough- 

 ing the seed in, if possible, and leaving the ground rough, as the rough sods 

 breaks the cold wind fi'om the small plant; also scattering litter, stable manure, 

 or straw, on tbe wheat field, after the braird is well up ; this I have practised 

 sviccessfuUy. About one-half of the county is well adapted for grazing, especially 

 the hilly part, as the bluffs are well timbered, yielding rich grass, and we have 

 as much marsh land as is necessary to make it a good grazing county ; from the 

 supply of hay for wintering, there can be no doubt of its being a better grazing 

 coimty than cropping, and farmers are generally turning their attention to feeding 

 and dairy stock. 



The principal streams are the Wisconsin River, the Baraboo River, and the 

 Honey Creek and several minor creeks. 



The principal Prairies are Sauk and Spring Prairies, both noted for their beauty 

 and fertility. 



