INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
473 
Of the varieties of crops raised in the county, there has been but little 
change in the past ten years. Wheat, corn and oats continue to be the 
leading crops. Broom corn is raised to a far greater extent than formerly; 
not less than five hundred tons of brush was raised last year. Hops have 
been raised to a considerable extent during the past three years, and has 
proved a losing crop. Sorghum, a quite popular crop from 1802 to 1866, 
« 
has entirely disappeared from our fields. No new varieties of grain have 
come into popular favor in the past ten years, though a considerable effort 
has been made by interested parties to introduce the Norway or Ramsdale 
oat, at fabulous prices; but the only profit secured so far, lias been bagged 
by the parties selling the seed. 
In manufacturing industries, there has been a marked improvement 
within the past decade. Ten years ago the manufactures of the county 
were limited to a few agricultural implements and flour, with a small 
amount of lumber sawn from the trees of our native forests. Last year our 
manufactories turned out articles of considerable over a millon dollars in 
value, exclusive of flour and feed. Of this amount, nearly three-fourths 
was produced in the village of Whitewater—mostly agricultural imple¬ 
ments. The only woolen factory in the county is at Geneva, where there 
has been a thriving business done. The factory runs what is termed two 
sets of spindles, but this branch of manufactures is not quite as successful 
as formerly. The past decade has witnessed a very great improvement in 
farm buildings, and farm improvements generally. The old log houses 
have nearly all disappeared, and with them have gone the unsightly straw 
covered stables and graneries. 
A marked improvement is noticeable in fruit raising. Our orchards have 
not only greatly increased in number and extent, but have improved in 
thrift and general appearance. The small fruits are also raised in vastly 
greater quantities. All ^liardy varieties of berries prove productive and 
profitable. Grapes are also raised to a considerable extent. In public 
buildings there has been a decided improvement during the past ; decade» 
especially in school buildings; there being four public school houses in 
the county that cost, with their surroundings of yards and out buildings, 
from $15,000 to $20,000 each. And our country district school houses have 
very greatly improved also. In road making nothing new, has obtained— 
though our highways are steadily improving. In brief, we are pushed a 
little a head by the quickening forces of 1860 and 1870, but the field of 
improvement is still only partially occupied, and challenges our best efforts 
by its numerous needs. 
