INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
427 
strong inducements to those who are seeking western homes. Improved 
lands are held at an average price of $15 per acre; unimproved, $5 per 
acre. About 21,000 acres still belong to the state, which can be bought at 
less rates. 
LA CROSSE COUNTY. 
HON. CHARLES SEYMOUR, LA CROSSE. 
The state of Wisconsin, which probably has a larger diversity of inter¬ 
ests, and embraces a greater variety of elements of wealth, than can be 
found in any other state of the Union, or in any country or province in the 
world of similar dimensions, is appropriately represented by the county of 
La Crosse, which contains, at once, the richest axid poorest of soils, superior 
grazing and tillage lands, accessible and competing markets, thriving man- 
facturing establishments, eastern and western rail, and northern and 
southern water transit, and an intimate affiliation with a commerce that is 
national in its character, and which has a tendency to foster and develop 
many important branches of industry, and to give well requited employ¬ 
ment to its present and future population. The marked progress of the 
eastern or agricultural half of the county, in respect to stock raising, is 
gratifying to every one who likes to see good cattle, sheep, horses, etc., in 
the place of inferior animals. 
The dairy, as a branch of agriculture, has received considerable atten¬ 
tion, and has been satisfactory and profitable to all concerned. The county 
has little prairie land. The choice farms in all directions are in valleys of 
exceeding richness; and from the bold bluffs, which are perpetually washed 
by rain in spring, summer and autumn, and by snow in winter; to enrich 
the valley lands, living springs send out generous streams of the purest 
water. The tiers of Wisconsin and Minnesota counties on the Mississippi 
river, although rough, are remarkably adapted to stock raising and dairy 
purposes. While these valley farms are perpetually replenished by the 
wash from the bluff slopes, the latter are kept in deep verdure by the 
moisture caused by great and sudden disparity in the temperatures of 
water, land and air, and by the invigorating ammonia produced by the late 
autumn and early spring fires. These bluffs are thus self-constituted fer¬ 
tilizing agents to strengthen the valley farms for the heavier task of yield¬ 
ing generous crops. Vegetation in La Crosse county, on the first of June, 
is usually as far advanced as it is in northern Illinois and northern Indiana 
two or three weeks later. 
In reference to home markets, it is gratifying to notice in and at the city 
of La Crosse, with a population of about ten thousand, which is one half of 
the entire county, increased attention to manufactures, which give employ- 
