Onondaga Count? 439 



the rapidly increasing shipments eastward of the products of 

 the great grain fields farther west, brought about by the canal 

 and railroads, caused the farmers of this county to turn their 

 at rent ion more to dairying and to the growing of crops less 

 affected by western imports. Fruit growing and the production 

 of barley and other grains increased. The cultivation of tobacco 

 was introduced in 1845, and it soon became an important crop. 



Onondaga County now has a large dairy and cattle raising 

 industry, and is noted for its pure-bred stock. There are 190 

 Ilolstein breeders in the county owning nearly 4,500 head of 

 cattle, besides several large breeders of Guernseys, Ayrshires, and 

 Jerseys. 



At Fayetteville, on the farm of Mr. F. E. Dawley, is a flock 

 of Karakul sheep. These sheep, which are peculiarly interesting 

 and valuable because of their fur-producing qualities, are natives 

 of West Turkestan. Onondaga County was noted at an early 

 day for its fine-wooled sheep, as well as for those grown for 

 mutton. 



Alfalfa has been grown continuously in this county since 1848, 

 which is the longest record of successful cultivation made by 

 any section in the East. 



The census of 193 8 places this county at the head in the pro- 

 duction of alfalfa and tobacco. With the exception of Con- 

 necticut Valley tobacco, the Onondaga quality is said to be the 

 best grown. Eleven hundred acres are devoted to this crop. 

 Other products are wheat and potatoes, also oats, corn, and othe^r 

 grains. As a fruit and garden section Onondaga has an excellent 

 reputation. 



Two notable special crops are teasels and willows. Teasels, 

 which are used for raising the nap on woolen cloth, are produced 

 in the towns of Marcellus and Skaneateles, about 300 acres being 

 devoted to their production. With the exception of a few acres 

 in Oregon, the teasel production of the country is confined to 

 these two towns. The willow production of Xew York exceeds 

 that of all other states combined. Liverpool is the center of the 

 willow industry of Onondaga County, and is extensively engaged 

 in the manufacture of wiDow furniture and baskets. 



