INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
477 
tenacious, yielding the best of crops, and easily worked. Winter wheat 
seldom kills out, and much is raised; spring wheat also does remarkably 
well; no county in the state can beat ours, and but few equal it in the qual¬ 
ity of that grain, although some excel us in the quantity on a given num¬ 
ber of acres. Corn is a pretty sure crop. Even dent corn, which cannot be 
raised in the same latitude east, seldom fails here, and is the crop with us. 
The cultivated grasses do well in the timber—better than in the open¬ 
ings; red clover thrives, and is getting to be extensively cultivated, not 
only for stock, but to turn under as a renovater of the soil. The wild 
grasses are very plenty, and very rich and nutricious, proving a great bless¬ 
ing to the hardy pioneer, who has to depend upon them for his stock to 
subsist on during the summer, and for his winter’s supply of fodder. 
Our woods are full of a species of wild bean, which is eagerly sought 
after by stock. There is also a kind of wild pea, which grows on the 
uplands, much relished by stock. It is likewise very plenty in our natural 
meadows, in places, growing often three or four feet high, and making 
excellent hay. Although we cannot let our cattle run at large during the 
winter, and have them thrive on what forage they can pick up, yet, with 
proper care and generous treatment, the raising of stock can be made to 
pay here, and pay well. But few pure bloods have been brought into our 
county, still, seme of our most energetic farmers are doing something to 
improve the breeds. The “ short horns ” and their crosses appear to be the 
most popular, although some have introduced the Devons. In horses, we 
have but little fine stock, although we have some that will compare favor¬ 
ably with those found in surrounding counties. We have some fine trotters. 
Sheep raising is still in its infancy. But it will yet become a profitable 
branch of husbandry in many parts of the county. 
Although fruit raising has been much neglected, yet enough has been 
done to show that apples, pears, plums and cherries will do well here, and 
not only pay for their cultivation but may be made a remunerative crop when 
raised for the market. There are in our county some fine orchards in bear¬ 
ing condition, and many more that in a short time will begin to pay back the 
trouble and expense bestowed upon them. Blackberries, red and black 
raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, huckleberries and cranberries grow 
wild in profusion. Scarcely a marsh or tamarack swamp is to be found 
where the cranberry has not obtained a footing. Thousands of bushels are 
gathered, and sent off to eastern and southern markets. Grapes may be 
successfully cultivated, especially around our lakes, and along our larger 
streams; but it is a question if they can be generally raised for the 
market. 
For the past two years our potato fields have suffered much from that pest 
the Colorado potato bug, Some fields have been entirely destroyed, every 
leaf, and even nearly all the stalks devoured. 
In the northeast and eastern part of the connty is much valuable pine tim- 
