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380 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
and agricultural implements than Buffalo—but as it is, our flocks of sheep 
grow less on account of the difficulty of marketing the wool—only 28,000 
pounds having been raised during last year—and our timber is carried out 
of the county in large quantities, at a low price per cord, to be brought 
back, perhaps, in the shape of highly prized manufactured articles. The 
principal article of export is wheat; the quantity raised from June, 1869 to 
June, 1870, is estimated at 566,000 bushels, principally club and fife wheat. 
Winter wheat of excellent quality, and sought for in southern markets, is 
produced in sheltered locations and on new breaking. Our farmers having 
experimented considerably, and with no little loss of money and labor> 
at last have come to the conclusion that winter wheat cannot be 
saved from the effects of frost upon bare ground, by deep seeding, cover¬ 
ing with straw and litter, or other theoretical manipulations, but only by a 
a deep layer of snow, early and late, which a northerly exposure alone 
can secure. 
The next most important article is pork. Dire experience has gradually 
driven the long nosed, long legged rovers out of the fences and woods, the 
Chester-white, or a cross breed between Chester and Suffolk, are taking their 
place, and six hundred pounders are now not rare. Formerly the greatest part 
of the pork was sent north to supply the pineries, but since the Eau Claire 
railroad is finished, the fatted swine are taken southward. Fountain City 
alone purchased during December and January last, 250,000 pounds of pork 
for eastern packing establishments. 
The census of 1870 shows that nearly 46,000 bushels of barley was 
raised last year; part of this is exported; also a considerable quantity of 
potatoes. Formerly our farmers were very successful in raising the Pink¬ 
eye, but from some unknown cause, this variety, so much sought for in 
southern markets, has for years returned but poor crops—and at present 
the Peachblow, Davis-seedling, Chili and California are the favorites. 
Corn, oats and rye are raised, but more for home consumption than export. 
Aside from the wheat crop, the Buffalo county farmer depends upon the 
sale of stock for his ready cash. I am not aware that any fine breeds of 
cattle have been imported, except perhaps in the northern part of the 
county, yet the quantity of butter and cheese sold in the market here 
speaks well for the common stock, ranging on the mountain sides. Our 
farmers, however, take much pride in their horses, and I have no doubt 
that Buffalo county will soon gain a reputation in this line. Some full- 
blooded stock-horses have been brought by the Vermont settlers into Beef 
river valley. 
Although in latitude 44° 30', yet we have succeeded well in raising fruits, 
especially near the Mississippi river, where the frosts appear later, and veg¬ 
etation starts earlier than in the valleys of the interior. 
Of apples, the Golden Russet, Early Strawberry, Red Astraclian, Fa- 
meuse and Siberian crab succeeded best; the early Richmond cherry, goose¬ 
berries, currants, strawberries are as reliable and productive as in a more 
