This county, though bordering on Lake Erie, is situated on the elevated ground known as the Chatauque Ridge, which divides the waters of the northern lakes from those of the Allegany river. This ridge is generally from 5 to 10 miles from the shore of Lake Erie, and elevated from 790 to 1400 feet above it. The general surface of the county, though hilly, is not mountainous, and the highest hills are arable to their summits, and frequently adorned with valuable farms. The soil along the shore of Lake Erie, from 1 to 4 miles wide, is a border of rich alluvion, and along the margin of the rivers. The upland is generally a moist loam.
Grain is raised in considerable quantities, and the county is generally well adapted to grazing.
Fruit, such as apples, pears, and plums, succeeds well. Chatauque lake is a fine sheet of water 16 miles long, and from 1 to 4 wide. Its elevation is 1,305 feet above the ocean, and it is navigated by steamboats. More than three quarters of the county are yet unimproved. Please feel free to post your queries regarding NY to these boards.