302 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
make our first stop at La Pointe, the county Seat of La Pointe 
county, in Wisconsin. Here you will find the remains of an 
ancient settlement, missionary station, and trading post. Here 
is one of the finest and safest natural harbors on the lake, 
being the little circular bay between the southern extremity of 
Madaline Island and the main shore, completely land-locked,, 
and protected from the effects of storms from any and all direc¬ 
tions. The village is built upon the Island, fronting directly 
upon this little bay, and opposite the much larger one with its 
long aboriginal nome—Cheguamegon. This last bay is separa¬ 
ted from the smaller one by a long, narrow “spit,” or bar of 
sand, partially covered with trees, the extremity of which gives 
name to the place—The Point. If you are curious to know 
the geology of the locality, you will find the red sandstone 
cropping out along the shores, surmounted by a thick deposit of 
the red marl which is so common about nearly all these upper 
lakes. This marl becomes light-colored on exposure to the 
air and the rains ; it is found, upon chemical examination, to 
contain a considerable share of calcareous matter, which is the 
secret of its making a very good soil when properly treated— 
pulverized and turned over with the plow. The finest garden 
vegetables are raised here ; and wheat, rye, oats, and barley 
would do well. The waters abound in fish, which attain their 
greatest excellence in the pure element of Lake Superior. 
In the absence of railroad and steamboat accommodations, 
we must accept an invitation to take a sail in a small boat up the 
beautiful bay of Cheguamegon to the newly established village 
of Ashland. The wind being favorable, the voyage is a very 
pleasant one ; the pure air is invigorating ; and we almost 
wish the wind would cease, so that we may ply the nimble oar. 
As we pass Stony Point on the right, we shall see all there is 
of the town of Houghton, to wit: one house and a steam saw¬ 
mill. It may yet become a place of importance. At Ashland, 
the southern extremity of the bay, we will doff our coats, sub¬ 
stituting red flannel shirts well supplied with pockets; draw 
on our “overhauls;” provide ourselves with blankets, provis- 
