INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
377 
The county was organized about three years ago, but settlements began 
six years ago. 
In the southeast portion the soil is a rich sandy loam, the western and 
northwestern portions have a soil in which clay predominates—all very fertile 
and productive About one quarter of the land has been entered for pine, 
which is mixed with hard wood, and the residue is generally covered with 
hard wood of the common varieties. Pine lands are generally supposed to 
be almost sterile—these are of strong rich soil. 
Water powers are abundant. The climate is dry, and like that of Minne¬ 
sota at the same latitude, with perhaps a greater fall of snow in winter. 
The crops raised with greatest success are wheat, (spring and winter,) corn, 
potatoes, hay of all varieties, wild and cultivated rye, oats and barley. 
The character of the farming is excellent; great attention is given to 
■cattle raising; but as yet little effort is made to procure pure bloods. 
Some nurseries are being opened on the shores of Chetek lake, but with 
what success fruit-growing may be attended time will be required to show. 
In manufactures there has been nothing done except in lumber, and that 
mostly for use of settlers. A fine grist, saw and planing mill has been 
built and put in operation by Knapp, Stout & Co., at Rice Lake; also a 
large hotel and store have been recently erected by the same firm at that 
point. Improvements of the same character, and on a large scale have 
been, and are made at other points by this wealthy company, in advance 
somewhat, of any present paying demand, but with a purpose of encourag¬ 
ing the speedy settlement of the county. To this end, also, great attention 
is paid to opening and improving roads. 
Settlers are about equally divided between native and foreign born— 
are thrifty and industrious. Large tracts of goverment land still vacant 
invite those in search of homesteads; perhaps the greatest inducement 
held out to the immigrant is the fact that here, at home, he can always find 
employment at the hands of the lumbering companies, to aid him to sup¬ 
port his family while clearing his lands, and making his farm. 
The county is rapidly settling up. 
Great attention is paid to education. The township school system has 
been adopted, and teachers are provided, and school houses built, in 
advance of the demand. Residence in any part of this new county deprives 
no family of the benefits of the common school. 
BAYFIELD COUNTY. 
BY SAMUEL S. FIFIELD, OSCEOLA MILLS. 
Bayfield county joins Ashland on the north and east. It has an area of 
about 800,000 acres, of which a large amount belongs to the state. The 
country is somewhat broken in its character,—is heavily timbered with pine 
