Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1859-01-29
Farming Lands in Wood County.

Prior to the general crash of 81, it
was quite common to build up paper or
gas towns and counties-establishi
newspapers on barren plain, Or on
some spot where no real advantages
existed, and then set the organ grinder
to pipe imaginary merits of that partic-
ular section Of the country. Specula-
tors were the chief bellows to this class
of organs, and they succeeded in sell
ing village lots and farms on the recon-
mendations of their own machine, and
without examination by the purchaser
and prospective settler. The conse-
quence was, that many towns have been
started on this gas capital, and many
wild lands been TILED by the defrauded
buyers. But people have learned the
game. They are now on their guard
too much SO. In fact, capitalists and
laborers are so fearful Of being misled,
that they frequently will not give due
weight to real advantages. Wood Go.
is now suffering by the result of the
deceit of those who have magnified the
merits of other counties. 1t is true,
that, by the roads leading to Grand
Rapids, the visitor will receive very
unfavorable impression Of our farming
lands. Nearly all Of the County lying
east of the River is very sandy and a
portion rather barren; yet even here,
we have many of the best lands for
grazing In the State, and some good
farms for raising grain. But on the
west side of the River, in the towns of
Centralia. Hemlock. Rudolph and Dex-
ter, the soil is very fertile and strong,
there being much less sand and more
clay and muck than on this side. Oak,
maple, linden and birch wood FREEDOM
mate, and when a farm is once cleared
on the soil bearing such wood, every
one knows none can be better. We
would prefer one eighty on such soil to
two eighties on any prairie in the State.
The farmer here has market at his
door, and his produce has in times past,
and will for long time to come, COM
mand exhorbitant prices. The yield,
especially of root crops, is generally
very large and always of the best quail
ity. Potatoes in particular are the fin
est favored we have ever eaten, and it
has been our lot to roam much in the
Northern States. In fact, this is the
case with all such crops. And we have
seen as heavy pieces Of wheat and oats
in Wood County as those generally
raised in the famous Genesee Valley;
but we are free to confess that good
crops Of wheat here are not frequent,
which, in q great measure, we think is
owing to the fact that our western farm
ers are less able to manure the lands.
and less particular in cultivating, than
the farmers at the east. But when we
find an intelligent and industrious man,
with farm Of good soil, we cannot fail
to notice his abundant harvest. He is
sure to reap an ample reward.
Other advantages our farmers in the
Pinery have over those at The east and
at other parts of the west, one of which
we will cite: four different branches Of
business they can carry on during the
year, and each will not conflict with
others in point Of time. In the spring
large quantity of maple sugar may be
manufactured, which usually commands
about sl2 per cwt. Then the prepare
tons for farming, such as clearing, fenc.
ing, 60, and finally the usual routine
of blowing, planting, harvesting, hay,
ing, etc. In the fall, after the harvest
is over, the cranberry crop has ripened,
and by judicious management, this is a
uery profitable business. When there
is q large yield, some men make from
one to five hundred dollars in a few
weeks. After the cranberry trade is
past, and before snow falls to much
depth, good wages can be made by
getting out single bolts, to be hauled
to the shingle shanty and used during
the winter. E@r G
With these four branches of business