Yates County 



later she established herself permanently in the town of Jerusalem, 

 going out occasionally to speak to her followers in. the surrounding 

 section. After her death the society passed out of existence. A 

 •notable fact in connection with these people is that the first grist 

 mill in this part of the state was erected by them at City Hill, 

 and for some time it supplied the whole region of what was then 

 eastern Ontario County with flour, except such as was brought 

 from the east. 



DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY 



After the enactment of a law relating to wool, in 1828, the 

 raising of sheep became a great source of wealth. From that 

 time until the completion of the railroad" from AVatkins to 

 Oanandaigua, thus furnishing transportation for fruit and other 

 perishable articles, wheat -and wool, with some barley, were the 

 principal products. Agriculture .then became more diversified, 

 and more fruit and cereals, especially barley, were raised. 



The grape industry was originated in this locality at about 

 1836, although but few grapes were planted previous to 1865, 

 and then only in small vineyards. At about that time plantings 

 increased rapidly, and during the next five years became a leading 

 industry in many localities. At the present time vineyards 

 entirely surround Lake Keuka, reaching back from the water 

 from V 2 -to lV-2 miles, the acreage being roughly estimated at from 

 10,000 to 12,000 acres. According to the 1918 census, Yates 

 County ranks second in grape production. 



Sheep raising is the main live-stock interest at the present 

 time, and the breeding of pure-bred swine occupies considerable 

 attention. Poultry is kept on nearly every farm, the average 

 number to the farm being approximately fifty-five. 



Other important products of Yates County are corn, wheat, 

 hay, beans, and apples. The canning industry is very important. 



The largest plant in this country manufacturing grape and 

 fruit baskets is located at Penn Yan. 



CLIMATE AND RAINFALL 

 The climatological records here given for Yates County were 

 taken at Penn Yan and Keuka Park at an elevation of 750 feet. 

 Keuka Park being only four miles distant from Penn Yan, the 

 records have been treated as coming from a single station. 



