INDUSTRY" OF COUNTIES. 
481 
WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 
BY HON. R. J. JUDD, OSHKOSH. 
Winnebago county contains sixteen townships of farming lands, and in¬ 
cludes the city of Oslikosh, and the flourishing villages of Neenali, Mena- 
sha, Omro and Winneconne, besides several of less note. Lying on the 
west shore of lake Winnebago, and in the valleys of the Fox and Wolf, its 
surface is picturesque and beautiful, and its lands fertile. Its several lakes 
and rivers furnish some one hundred and fifty miles of navigable waters 
within its territory and on its borders. Lake Winnebago at its two outlets, 
Neenah and Menaska, furnishes us unfailing water power which cannot 
be excelled. 
Its position is peculiarly fortunate. Situated on the great water thor¬ 
oughfare between the lakes and the Mississippi, which is soon to be im¬ 
proved and enlarged by the General Government, it will receive its full 
share of the general benefits of this improvement, besides realizing some 
important local advantages. Winnebago is also the natural outlet of the 
Wolf river pineries. We receive and manufacture a large number of logs, 
and furnish the supplies to that region. 
Its surface is gently rolling, presenting a pleasing variety of woodland, 
openings, prairie and native hay fields. There are no swamps, and its lim¬ 
ited marshes admit of easy drainage and become our most valued lands. 
The two railroads which traverse this county, the Northwestern and the St. 
Paul, to which another is about to be added—the Oshkosh and Mississippi— 
together with its lakes and rivers, afford unusual facilities for cheap trans¬ 
portation and travel. 
The soil is of a superior quality, embracing the deep black vegetable 
mould, marly loam, clay and sandy loam. The subsoil possesses that 
strong and active fertility which marks the decomposition of lime rock; and 
from any depth, when thrown to the surface and exposed to atmospheric 
action, supplies the growth of grasses, vegetables and plants. The lands 
are well watered. Artesian fountains abound, and are easily obtained. * 
The topography of the county indicates (what is found to be a fact) a 
healthy climate. The wheat produced is of a fine quality; the land and 
climate is suitable for corn, and full crops of these grains are usually ob¬ 
tained. . The same may be said of all the other products of this latitude. 
Improved breeds of cattle are being introduced, and the raising of stock 
and the production of butter, and cheese especially, is receiving more at¬ 
tention than formerly. 
The apple and the grape find a home here. Our apples have become noted 
at the State Fairs, both for their excellence and variety. .Many regarded as 
tender in other sections, are here successfully cultivated. The river val- 
31 —Ag. Tr. 
