324 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Though as a general rule a larger proportion of improve¬ 
ment has been made on the prairie than on the timber lands, 
yet some of the best and most beautiful farms in the county 
may be found on those lands originally known as wood land or 
“ openings.' 5 
It seems to me, that other things being equal, the openings 
are better adapted to the raising of wheat, while I am inclined 
to the opinion that the prairie may bear off the palm in the 
raising of corn. 
As the subsoil of the timber lands is generally of a firmer 
texture than that of the prairies, it may well be conceived that 
the former will more easily be kept in a fertile condition than 
the latter; or, in other words, that with the same kind of farm¬ 
ing, a farm in the openings will be more durable than one on 
the prairie. 
Rock County contains but twenty townships of land, inclu¬ 
sive of villages and cities; and though much of that land is 
unimproved, or but partially improved, more than two millions 
bushels of wheat, with other grains in proportion, have been 
produced during the past year, giving some idea of the ca¬ 
pacity of her soil, and the enterprise of her people. 
As the principal market towns of Rock Connty are situated 
nearly equidistant^from the principal lake shore cities, a choice 
of market is thereby furnished to the farmer, which, taken in 
connection with the competition of the various railroad lines, 
operates greatly to his benefit. 
Considerable attention's being given to the raising of hor¬ 
ses, sheep and cattle; until the better grades of either may 
now be found in many portions of the county. 
In some sections are extensive natural meadows, not too 
wet for furnishing largejquantities of feed for stock ; while the 
dryer lands are capable of producing wheat, corn or grass, as 
may be dictated by the taste or advantage of the holder. 
