INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
475 
miles to a side. The county first commenced to he settled in 1835 and 1836 
by farmers taking up land at that time in the townships of Waukesha, 
Pewaukee, Mukwanago and New Berlin. 
The soil is various, but mostly loam and clay; it consists of timber, prai¬ 
rie, openings and marsh conveniently diversified, so that settlers could find 
a farm suited in every respect to their taste. It is well watered with 
springs, brooks, rivers and lakes abounding with fish. The soil is easy of 
culture; mixed in its native state with lime particles, and is adapted to the 
growth of all kinds of grain and crops common to this latitude, especially 
for wheat, rye, oats, barley, corn, potatoes, beans, flax turnips, and all varie¬ 
ties of staple grasses forliay^and pasture. Its surface is gently rolling, 
interspersed with lever plains of land; only a small portion being hilly, 
and less still that is bluffy. 
The climate and soil may be said to be highly adapted to grain, stock- 
raising and dairying, and yields full compensation to capital and labor in¬ 
vested in those branches of industry. 
Apples, pears, plums and peaches do not grow as naturally as in some lo¬ 
calities in some of the other states, yet we may say that apples are raised 
in quantities more than sufficient to supply the wants of the county, and 
pears and plums in some seasons bear profusely. Over 100 different varie¬ 
ties of apples raised in this county ^ere exhibited at our last county fair. 
Some farms with ten acres set out with apple trees raise from 250 to 500 
bushels annually, and our orchards yet are all young. Small fruits, such as 
currants, strawberries and raspberries grow abundantly. Grapes are grown 
to some extent, and some seasons in large quantities. 
Considerable attention is given to raising various breeds of herded stock. 
The climate is well adapted for sheep. The county may be said to be noted 
for its large flocks of sheep, and its valuable stock of cattle. There is a 
good class of horses raised in the county, aud considerable attention paid to 
colt stock. Waukesha for two years successively, has received the award 
of the prize banner and cash premiums offered by the state agricultural so¬ 
ciety for largest and best collection of stock, farm products, and articles 
raised and manufactured within the county. 
The county is situated directly west of Milwaukee, and its average dis¬ 
tance is less than 25 miles from the city, its nearest being 8 miles. Its county 
seat is at the village of Waukesha, nearly in the geographical centre of the 
county. Two railroads traverse the county, giving first class privileges 
for travel and transportation from all parts. 
No mineral deposits have yet been discovered, but quarries of stone 
abound, of the finest quality for building purposes; and a large trade, to all 
parts of the state, is furnished bDtli in stone and lime. The stone in the quar¬ 
ries are in layers from 3 to 16 inches in thickness, and for building purposes 
are very durable. The broken edges are of a cream color, and if pains are 
taken, selections can always be made for face walls that will never tarnish* 
