136 
the kinds mostly used in the early settlement of Wisconsin, and they are . 
very common at the present time. They turn a wide furrow, from two 
to three and a half inches deep, which will be quite thoroughly rotted in 
the course of twelve months, while the land will be in readiness for a 
wheat crop at the end of four months from the breaking. The pioneer, 
desirious of raising something as early as practicable for subsistence, often 
planted corn and potatoes as soon as the turf was turned over; with an 
axe or hatchet the seed can be placed in the soil, a stroke into it makes a 
place to receive the seed, which can be conveniently covered with the 
loot. He plants potatoes by dropping them and turning a furrow on 
them. Expecting a few bushels of corn to the acre he is not disappointed 
in harvest, but comforted with the reflection that it will materially aid 
him in beginning a farm. The corn will fatten some hogs, and the stalks 
will make excellent fodder for his cattle. The expense of growing such 
crops is trifling, since the planting and harvesting are all the labor de¬ 
manded. The tough nature of the turf precludes the idea of pulverizing 
it till several months after plowing. 
The first settlers in Central and Southern Wisconsin universally tried 
winter wheat for their first crop, and to a certain extent they succeeded 
in their efforts; for several years wheat was grown of an excellent quali¬ 
ty, and a large yield obtained. In the month of September it was usually 
sown, and harrowed with such means as could be readily procured at 
that time—these often consisted of only a wooden toothed drag, a very 
inefficient farming implement. It required several trips across a field 
©ver the same ground, ere its marks were discernable, but it did its work 
in time. There were then less obstacles in the way than at the nresent 
time; the country, even in the oak openings, was free from oa^ bushes 
and underbrush of every description, so that in case of necessity a poor 
farming tool could be used. 
The early settler having established himself in his cabin, broken the 
soil and put in his crop next turns his attention to fencing it, and provid¬ 
ing for approaching winter. The first fences of a country are generally 
made without regard to the future, less attention being paid to economy 
in using timber; in fact, present necessities were the considerations that 
governed nearly all operations in farming, and the pioneers are well ex¬ 
cused for so doing. Rails were the cheapest fencing materials in the early 
