ANNUAL BEPORT—AGRICULTURE. 
29 
from tbe state, if not from the face of the earth. Our varied soils 
are all well adapted to the growth of this tuber, but I think it 
can be grown in greater quantity, and of superior quality, in tim¬ 
bered portions of the state. Our home markets were well sup¬ 
plied, and thousands of bushels shipped to the adjoining state of 
Illinois. 
CRANBERRY CULTURE. 
This branch of industry is of considerable importance. I have 
no means of information as to the amount of cranberries produced 
the last year, but suffice it to say that it was several thousand bar¬ 
rels. The quality was excellent, commanding the high price of 
$12 to $15 per barrel in the markets of the country. It is 
claimed, and I think justly, that Wisconsin has the best crauberry 
lands, with the most favorable conditions of culture, of any state 
in the Union. Companies are being formed for the raising of this 
fruit upon an extensive scale, and private parties are looking up 
marshes with a view of entering this field of labor, both stimulated 
by the enormous profits which are being realized by cultivators 
who have put their cranberry lands under proper drainage and 
tillage for this crop. This interest is a source of much wealth to 
the state, and promises grand and munificent returns in the near 
future. 
TOBACCO. 
This weed has been raised for some years, and with a good de¬ 
gree of success, upon the prairie soil of the southern part of the 
state, particularly in the counties of Kock and Walworth. The 
crop was above an average one, and of superior qualit}\ This is 
one of those special farm products, which if soil and other condi¬ 
tions favor, is quite profitable. It is an exhaustive crop, and 
farmers should beware, lest in' the application of all their manure 
to their tobacco land, they do not impoverish the balance of their 
farming lands to such an extent that, notwithstanding their net re¬ 
turns may be greater from tbe few acres in tobacco than from the 
same number of acres in any other crop, their real or prospective 
wealth is not insured. If man, and the tobacco worm, continue to 
use this weed, as I doubt not they will, and if larger and more 
remunerative returns can be realized than in the product of any 
