INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
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nearly equal size. There are several other prairies of small 
size: Peck’s prairie, north of the Baraboo river and east of 
Baraboo village; Webster’s prairie, in the north-east; Nar¬ 
row’s and Babb’s, toward the north-west; Hubbell’s, Marstetter’s 
and Blakeslee’s, in the north-west; Little prairie and Cassell’s 
in the south. 
The wild or unimproved land in this county may amount to 
about one-sixth of the whole. The quantity of land not suit¬ 
able for farm purposes, including steep bluffs and undrainable 
ponds or marshes, is estimated at about one-fiftieth of the 
whole. 
The first agricultural exhibition held in this county under 
any organization was in October, 1855, and although no cash 
premiums were offered, its results were highly satisfactory.— 
Since that time the society has continued to flourish, and has 
given a great impetus to the industry of the county. Having 
purchased grounds and erected suitable buildings thereon, it 
may be said to be on a permanent basis. 
The early introduction of improved breeds of horses, cattle, 
swine and sheep, has added very much to the value of stock in 
this county. It is even perceptible to the traveler passing 
through, when he observes the color and symmetry of cattle 
while roaming at large along the highway. More attention 
appears to be given to pork-raising here than in most other 
parts of Wisconsin. During the present season, 189 tons have 
been bought in the town of Baraboo alone, at an average of 
$5.4G per cwt. 
The improvement in numbers as well as in the quality of 
of sheep should not go unnoticed ; and no county in the State 
can be better adapted naturally to wool growing than this, on 
account of its rolling surface, its general freedom from veget¬ 
able seeds and burs that injure wool, and its streams of water. 
Wool has become a valuable staple of this county and has 
increased in quantity from about 2000 lbs. in 1851, to some 
60,000 in 1860, according to the opinion of the best judges. 
Baraboo, the county seat, lies mainly upon the south-east 
quarter of Section 35, Town 12 north, range 6 east, and upon 
