Cattaraugus County 137 



duces grapes abundantly. Excellent pears are grown in limited 

 quantities. Plums thrive and bear well, as do also cherries and 

 berries of all kinds. 



A largo portion- of Cattaraugus County is better adapted to 

 grazing than to the growing of grain, vegetables, or fruit, and it 

 early became apparent that stock raising would become one of the 

 principal industries. The raising of young stock for market was 

 for a time the leading branch of agriculture. Sheep husbandry 

 was not very successful because of the depredations of wolves. 

 From 1843, the business increased rapidly for twelve or fifteen 

 years, when the daily industry came to the front. From 1870 to 

 1880 many new cheese factories were built and dairy interests 

 have since taken the lead in agricultural pursuits. 



At Randolph is the Dow Stock Farm, where breeding and 

 developing is extensively carried on. The Fancher Farm, which 

 also has a large live stock interest, is located at Salamanca. 



Hay in connection with dairying has become one of the im- 

 portant products of the farm. Xot only are vast quantities con- 

 sumed at home, but a considerable amount is shipped to eastern 

 markets. The shipping of hay is, however, more limited than 

 formerly, owing to the increased amount of dairying. 



Oil production, tanning, and the manufacture of glue and cut- 

 lery occupy a prominent place in the business of the county. 



CLIMATE AND RAINFALL 



Climatological records here given for Cattaraugus County wera 

 made at Humphrey. The location was one of the highest in the 

 state at which such records have been made, the elevation being 

 1,950 feet, 



Average dates for the last killing frost in spring and the first 

 in fall are May 14 and September 27, respectively, giving a grow- 

 ing season of 136 days. 



The following table, compiled from observations covering the 

 period 1884 to 1002, shows both normal and extreme temperatures 

 and precipitation. Maximum and minimum thermometers were 

 not used at Humphrey until June, 1890. 



