Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-20
From the Genesee Farmer.

Messrs. EdiorS-Having recently Wis
ted the Territory of Wisconsin, and ex-
amlned it with reference to its agricultu-
raj importance, have thought perhaps a
hasty sketch of its soil and climate, and its
general inducements to cmigrants, might
interest the readers of your journal. Wis
consin lies on the west side Of Lake Mich
igan, and is bounded west by the Missis
sippi river, containing an area of land con-
siderabIy larger than the State of New
York. 1t is at present divided into thirteen
counties, only the southern portion fit be-
ing surveyed ana organized into thirteen
counties. 1t now contains population
of about 1000 inhabitants, having in
creased over $4,000 within the last two
years. The climate is more temperate
than the same latitude in the State Of New
York /; there is more fair weather, and less
rain and snow, than in New York from
what cause know not, but the thermom-
eter and the meteorological table kept in
The Territory, prove this to be so. EXpe-
fienced agriculturallsts residing the Terri
tory, say the seasons are longer there than
In the State Of New York, and am in
clined to think it is true, as vegetation was
two or three weeks in advance Of US when
was there. Wisconsin is q rolling coun-
try, in some places billy, though not 100
much so. There arc scarcely any swamps
in it, unless it be IN the north part and west
Of the Wisconsin river. The rivers, creeks,
and small lakes, which are numerous, con-
tain clear water generally supplied from
the springs with gravclly bottoms-conse-
quently the inhabitants are not subject TO
the ogue and fever or any bilious COM
plants. On the whole, am of opinion
that Wisconsin possesses a milder and as
healthy climate as that Of New York.
The country generally, with the excep-
ton Of the Lake shore, consists of prairie
and bur-oall openings, and the soil is equal
probably TO any in the world. 1t consists
Of deep sandy loan, easy orcuItivaton,
and produces large crops Of wheat, corn,
and all the coarscr grains; the rate of pro-
ducton equals that the best land in Wes-
tern New York, There is probably not
timber enough in some parts Of the Terri
tory to supply the wants of the agricultu-
ralists, but this can in great measure be
rcmcdled by planting locust and other for
est trees, which grow with great rapidly
The chief inducements to emigrants are
the chcapness3of lands, healthy climate,
and the facilities with which the farmer
can commence operations. Land can be
purchased second handed, for from $3.50
10 50, 90 dollars per acre; or at Cover
mcnt price, ,25 per acre. Farmers u.s.
uaIly contrlve to take part prairie and part
openings. 1t costs now $2,5 per acre to
break up prairie the first time, and aCte:
that one team will plough with case. The
openings are free from underb,ush, and
the farmers generally girdIe the trees, and
plough and sow among them without chop
ping. In this way they get good crops,
the trees are about as wide apart as the
trees in q common orchard. A farmer ar
irving in Wisconsin with $500, is about
as we'll off as farmer here owning farm
worth $4,000. Yet | would advise man
who is we'll enough Off where is, to stay
there and let we'll enough alone. But a
man who has a large family which he
wishes TO bring up as farmers, or man
who has but little TO begin life with, had bet
Ter cmigrato to Wisconsin. would rather
have 500 in money in Wisconsin now to
start farming with, than $500 here; the
Wisconsin farmer will be the best off in
five years. Wisconsin, too, has fine one
nmgs for mechanics Of almost every trade.
It's laws are similar to those of this State.
with few exceptions. The laws in favor
of debtors are rather more liberal: 500
value of the farming utensils of a farmer.
are exempt from execution, and they ey-
10, oGf
liable to bctaken in this State. There is no
Imprisonment for debt arising upon con-
tract; the laws in that respect being near
ly transcript from our statutes.
a farmer wishing to emigrate TO Wis
consin, would take q steamboat. brio. or
schooner, as the case might be, at Buffalo.
and land either at Milwaukee. Racine. Or
Southport, and then go out into the country
Steamboats, are usually about five DAVIS in
going round, and sail-craft few DAYS lon
ger; or emIgrants may go by land, in which
case they would go throug h Michigan to
Chicago, and then strike into the Terrific
ry at any place they nigh; wish. Sail |
craft are much the cheapest, and are said
80 be as pleasant and quite as safe as steam
boats. suppose family Of five or six
persons could go round in brig and be
found for $50 or $40. In conclusion.
will roitcrato, that if man is we'll off. stav
where he is; il not, and he is willing to un-
dcrgo some privationS incident to all new
countries, pack up and go TO Wisconsin.
particularly if he is u farmer or q me-
chanc.
Yours very truly,
l.. ii. NICHOLS.
Loctport, Sept. 10, 1910.