INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
297 
rivers and several little streams, we are tolerably well watered. 
The Fox river is quite an important stream, and though not 
one of the most rapid, is capable of driving considerable ma¬ 
chinery. It is navigable as far as Wilmot for small craft. 
The O’Plain river does not afford sufficient head nor fall for 
milling purposes. It is a sluggish stream, but obtains consid¬ 
erable size as it reaches the Illinois river. Water for house¬ 
hold purposes, and of excellent quality, is obtained at a rea¬ 
sonable depth, and valuable springs are found in some locali- 
ties. 
Quarry-stone, I believe, is not found to any extent sufficient 
for building purposes. The same may be said of stone for 
lime. Our lime is mostly obtained from or near Racine. The 
boulder or cobble stone is found in most sections — at some 
places in great abundance, while at others it is scarce or not 
to be found at all. Brick of an excellent quality are made at 
Kenosha, both for the home trade and export. The quality is 
the same as the celebrated Milwaukee brick. 
Improvements. —The county is fast being improved, at leas 
such land as will admit of cultivation. Drains are being con¬ 
structed on the low lands in order to carry off still or surplus 
water. Fences are being built, and old ones repaired, and 
lastly, though not least, people are feeling the necessity of 
better buildings for them and to shelter their stock and crops from 
the tempest. Within the past ten years many fine and valua¬ 
ble dwellings have been erected all over the county, showing 
positively that we are prospering in the right course. The old 
pioneer houses are fast giving way before the march of im¬ 
provement. Substantial and convenient barns and other out¬ 
buildings are taking the place of hovels and straw sheds. In¬ 
deed, improvement is the order of the times, and there will be 
no stop to it, though there may be times when it will be slow. 
The fencing of the county is a subject which is attracting the 
attention of the people not a little. Rail timber is about used 
up; boards are expensive, but probably the only alternative. 
Hedges do not thrive as anticipated by some, and where shall 
we look for something cheap, and at the same time durable. 
