INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
453 
sheep and swine. Stock-raising is mncli more profitable than the cultiva¬ 
tion of grain, on account of better market facilities, and requiring less 
labor, it yields larger profits. Several cheese factories have been in suc¬ 
cessful operation for the last two or three years, and so far have proved 
profitable investments. 
Iron is found in several localities in the county in large deposits, easily 
accessible; but the want of transportation has deterred investments in that 
branch of business. A vein of lead has recently been discovered in the 
southern part of the county, which is now being worked with fair profits. 
There are also indications of lead and copper which have not as yet been 
sufficiently opened to demonstrate their extent. 
Our stone quarries are excellent, but have been little used except to sup¬ 
ply the home demand. The gray sand stone, which is frequently found 
cropping out of the bluffs is the most common. In many of the ridges lime¬ 
stone is found in layers of suitable thickness for building purposes. In 
addition to the more common kinds of stone there has recently been dis¬ 
covered a species of white marble, which is susceptible of a fine polish and 
is believed to be valuable for most purposes for which the eastern marble 
is now used. 
Quarrying and mining have heretofore received but little attention for 
want of means, as well as for want of scientific researches, but w r e have 
reason to believe that when proper investigations have been made, they 
will reveal rich deposits of mineral and building stone, which will induce 
adequate investment for their successful developement. 
The water power of the county is abundant, though but partially im¬ 
proved. We have flouring mills, saw mills and other machinery sufficient 
for the wants of the county. The Little Baraboo, and Willow creek, 
Pine river, Mill creek, Knapp’s creek and Kickapoo river, with others of 
smaller dimensions, all afford excellent power for machinery which can be 
used as the development of the county requires. 
Manufacturing in this county is comparatively in its infancy, only being 
established as the local demands require. At Richland Center are two 
furniture establishments, doing a good business in general furniture, and 
wagon, plow and other timbers. The proximity of a large body of timber 
for manufacturing purposes renders this a convenient and desirable point 
for such establishments, and the demand can hardly exceed the facilities of 
supply for many year to come. 
Our products are now loaded upon boats at the factories, and descend the 
Pine river to the Wisconsin, thence down that river to the Mississippi. 
This is found a much cheaper mode of transportation than by rail, costing 
less than half of the railroad tariff. We very sensibly feel the need of a 
water communication to give us a less expensive transportation for all of 
our products, and are looking with deep solicitude for the long contemplated 
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, as the only sure means of 
