INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
299 
growth of grass. Timothy or herds grass grows luxuriantly, 
and makes an excellent kind of fodder. Clovers, both red and 
white, feel the effects of our rich soils and plentiful dews, and 
well repay the husbandman for all his outlay. Large- crops 
of hay are, or might be raised, if farmers would turn their 
attention more to the raising of stock. 
The subject of fruit, or the adaptation of our climate to its 
growth, needs a more extended discussion than can be given to 
it in this paper. We do, however, raise some excellent fruit, 
and by far the best show was made at our Fair the past season 
that has ever been made. Most orchards in this vicinity do 
not do so well as in some other sections. The trees are not 
healthy, thrifty, growing ones. Many have lost and are still 
losing their trees, for some unaccountable cause. The bark 
louse is one great drawback to their thrifty growth. The 
prospect in this region for producing fruits of different kinds 
looks dubious in the extreme. 
Within the last decade there has been a marked advance in the 
improvement of blooded stock. Of cattle, Durham blood I 
think has taken the preference. Some Devons have been intro¬ 
duced, and are very ^vell liked in some respects. I am not 
aware that any other particular breeds have been introduced 
as yet. The fattening of beef cattle engages the attention of 
but a few of the farmers, and probably but a small share of 
those fattened find their way to an eastern market, as the local 
wants are nearly equal to the production. 
Some attention is paid to the dairy business, but on a limited 
scale. There are no extensive dairies in the county. 
The attention of farmers is a good deal interested in the 
raising and breeding of good horses, both for the farm and 
roadsters. I think it safe to say that this county will not suffer 
in comparison with any part of the State in that respect. We 
have generally obtained our share of premiums at State Fairs 
for good and serviceable horses. Morgans, Black Hawks, 
Messengers, &c., make up the stock of the county. Some 
sporting or fast horses may also be found within our limits, and 
are said to compare favorably with their competitors. 
