150 
is one-fourth greater. Corn is also produced with less labor, and in 
larger yields on the prairie; the soil is so free from stones and stumps 
that there is nothing in the way to prevent the cultivation in the best 
manner, as the greater part of the work can be done with a horse and 
cultivator. 
"Winter wheat is a crop that does not generally flourish on the prai¬ 
ries ; the land is too much exposed to the action of cold dry winds 
which commonly prevail during the winter and spring months; the 
ground being bare, whenever warm days occur the surface is thawed 
and frozen again alternately, which is quite sure to have a killing 
effect on wheat. In fact, the central and southern portions of Wisconsin 
are not well adapted to the growth of winter wheat, whether it be sown 
on prairies or on opening lands, for with little or no snow to protect it 
from the action of the elements, it often winter-kills, and sometimes if it 
escapes this calamity, the dry weather in April is no less fatal in its effect 
upon the crop. It is true enough that the prairies are cold places during 
the winter season; the wind has as fair a range as upon the ocean, and 
in piercing cold weather its effects are keenly felt, but a few years time 
will serve to surround a habitation with pleasant groves, if the occupant 
has any correct ideas of comfort and convenience. It is a great mistake 
to suppose that forest or fruit trees will not flourish in prairie soil. I can 
cite some of the finest orchards in the State, some of the most beautiful 
groves of locusts, of maple, and other forest trees, all growing on prai¬ 
rie soil. I am not supposing that many, acquainted with the nature of 
prairie soil, entertain any other ideas than my own in relation to this 
point, but who has not often heard the inquiry among Eastern people, 
are the prairies favorable to the growth of trees ? Our country people 
are not generally inclined to expend much time or money in planting 
trees, but are all anxious to know where they will flourish. The most 
that the majority do in the way of growing trees is to set out about half 
a dozen of the size of a small whip-stalk and suffer the tops to be broken 
off, leaving a scratch stick with which unruly cattle can relieve their 
itching sensations by frequent rubbing against it. This much of orna¬ 
mental work is done probably for the sake of appearances, the doers 
cherishing the idea that they ought to be regarded as men of taste, while 
they rest under the belief that ornamental farming will not pay. On the 
whole, then, the only advantages of any account which the opening- 
