Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-11-30

some time initiate against the prosperity
of Wise nsin. As the country is rapid
ly settling and there is great deal of
good land vacant; would advise all such
as expect 10 become western farmers to
doso as soon as possible, and secure to
themselves all inheritance where it will
be desirable, and while il may be obtain
ed without having to submit to shave
which will he the case when purchased
from spectators.
The part of Wisconsin through which
| travelled is generally poorly timbered,
the best timber being confined 10 the bot.
tom lands along creeks and rivers
Where there is timber on the uplands it
consists principally of Bur Oak, called
oak openings; the bur oak has short bo-
dy not capable of yielding more than one
rail cut 10 the tree as general thing.
Running water is scarce, and in Dig
ging for water they have to sink their
well from ! 5 to IS feet. Wisconsin be-
ing in latitude favorable TO the culliva-
ton OF wheat and TO produce that article
in the greatest abundance, the soil being
exhaustless, but little labor is required,
and the farmer is as literally rewarded
io1 his labor as III any OF the eastern
States. All kinds of fruit flourish here,
with the exception of peaches, which as
yet have failed on account of the trees
being killed during the winter, for the
reason of the sap being put in circula-
ton by warm season when the snow is
off the ground. This evil think may by
obviated by ,ramplng straw around the
trees when there is a heavy body OF it on
the ground, thereby REFINING the snow
under them some two or three weeks
longer than elsewhere.
In Jaynesvile | stopped at Steven S
Hotel, which is a fine building, kept in
good style by gentlemanly landlord,
who is unremitting in his attentions to
those who favor him with a call, and
where you may always find good fare.
Jaynesville is beautiful country town,
situated on Rock river, having grand
water power, upon which is large -four
ing mill, and various other kinds of ma
chinery. The village is built up of neat
wooden and brick buildings, some of
which are after the most tasty manner of
architecture, it contains population of
about 1900 inhabitants. The country
about Jaynesville for considerable dis
lance is thickly settled by an Industrious
and happy set Of farmers, whose white
houses, fat cattle and abundant harvest
which is now ripening for the sickle, must
conspire to make the laborer happy in
the belief that at last he has found the
promised land which flows with milk
and honey. Wheat is usually worth ff-
ty cents at Jaynesville, and seventy-five
at Milwaukee. .-...- r
left Jayncsville on The / 9Th June for
Madison, the Capitol of Wisconsin, dis
tant 40 miles. The country between
Jaynesville and Madison consists more
of oak openings than between Milwaukee
and Jaynesville. There are some good
farms on this road, not as MANY howev-
err as in some other parts of the State, the
settlements in this part being of more re-
cent date and farther from market.
The capitol of Wisconsin is situated
upon an emnence between two lakes,
known as third and fourth lakes. The
capitol is quite an elegant building in the
centre of public square, beautified by
dense grove of native oaks of the coun-
try, self-planted, handsomely pruned,
forming deep shade, afording to the
pleasant and gay, old and young, de-
lightlul promenade where they may think
their own thoughts, say what they please,
and enjoy either separately or collective
", view of the lakes, and the beauti-
fully carpeted prairie in the distance,
decorated with the rich foliage of the
forest, which appear here and there in
bold relief, affording to all both town and
country, not only farming, but building
materials. Madison is small town
with population Of about 600 inhabit-
ants. They have in progress a large
seminary of learning, large court house
and other fine buildings. ! remained in
Madison five days, which time passed
pleasantly, and formed several very a.
grceablc acquaintances. ! left Madison
for Mineral Point by stage, distant SO
miles; the country generally between
Madison and Mineral Point consist of
rolling prairie, with but very little wa
ter, and great scarcity oftimber. Min
eral Point possesses but little of interest,
with the exception of its having u. S.
land Office, and being in the centre of an
extensive mineral region. Iii is desc
late looking place, and therefore re-
NAMED but one night; the next day taking
leave of the good people of Mineral
Point, set out for Galena, ILL.,, distant
40 miles. The country between Miner
al Point and Galena is similar to the last
above described.
Continued next week.
SINGULAR ADVENTURE WITH A RAT