Hills, mountains, lakes, swamps, with many fertile intervales, are found. Many of the lakes are famous, such as the Saranacs, and rest on elevations above 1,500 feet. Iron and minor minerals are in the hills, but probably will never be utilized. Much of the land from which the pine has been cleared is too poor for paying agriculture, but the more fertile sections are being intelligently handled. Grains, hay and staples are the principal crops.
Potatoes do well, and there are good markets for vegetables at the resorts.
Dairying has been the main interest, but with changing conditions has become less profitable. The separation from Clinton came about when it proved irksome to go great distances to Plattsburgh for all legal and some other business. Certain curiosities of history are attached to the story of Franklin. The latter has already been mentioned. When the soldiers for whom it was set aside failed to take it, the State sold the land to speculators for about nine pence an acre.