167 



per acre tbau winter — not counting the large fields of sviuLer wheat ploughed up 

 and never harvested — and it will usually average ten cents per bushel less in our 

 market. 



Our soils seem well adapted to a luxurious growth of straw, and are not want- 

 ing in ingredients to form the berry — all other obstacles can be overcome by our 

 farmers; Avhen sufficient attention s given to the subject, they will doubtless 

 find some variety which their skill can carry safely through our winters, and 

 thus make winter wheat one of our most important crops. Of sprincr wheat 

 many expect more, but I expect less. 



Our markets for Grain have thus far been found in the immigration and 

 rapidly increasing towns along the Fox, Wolf, and Wisconsin Rivei-s, and in the 

 lumbering regions of the two latter, and their tributaries. Such has been the 

 system of barter that it would be difficult to say what has been the price. As 

 soon after this time as a good crop of wheat is received, it will have to seek an 

 Eastern market, and thus establish a market price for us on the Fox River; 

 which I'iver must make our shipping channel for produce. 



Of our other agricultural products, Wool I'anks fiist. Every experiment at 

 keeping sheep in our district has been successful. They winter well and do well 

 in summer; wolves are not tj'ouhlesome ; and disorders have scarcely appeared. 

 There are several good flocks in our district; one in Ceresco, belonging to Russell 

 Smith, which may be taken as an example. In 1851 his flock consisted of 350 

 sheep — clip, three pounds of wool per head; and sold at home at thirty-eight 

 cents per pound at the time of shearing. Our district is yet too newly settled for 

 much attention to be turned to wool-growing or stock-raising. Of stock, the 

 district is not yet supplied — hence none are raised for a foreign market; but our 

 lands are well adapted to grazing, and the raising of horses, mules, and neat cattle. 

 For Butter and Cheese no part of the West is more favorable. Butter is 

 packed here to a considerable extent, and finds the same market as our grains, 

 ranging usually from ten to twenty-five cerits per pound. I will give one instance 

 only : — A neighbor of mine, Mr. H. W. Walcott, of Rosendale, packed six hun- 

 dred pounds fi-om four cows, and used both milk and butter for a family of three 

 persons from the same cows; he sold at twelve and a half cents per pound — the 

 cows have had no extra feed or care. 



Pork, which is no favorite of mine, ' should have its place next ; it is raised to 

 some extent for the lumber market, but is not packed for an Eastern market. 

 It usually brings, at the time of slaughtei'ing, from three cents to five cents per 

 pound, and helps to turn the corn crop into cash or other necessaries. Hogs thrive 

 well on our burr oak and white oak acorns, and will eat the black oak ; there are, 

 however, not euouQ-h in our district to do more than fairlv start and fit them for 

 shutting up to fatten — corn is the principal fattening food. 



