Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-05-18

CApltdl blSeW mere me cuaDces IUT
profitable investments this article is
written. The friends of Muscoda
will aid ia Il good object and show
their public spirit By glvingit wide
extra circulation.
Muse DA
is village of some six hundred in
habitants situated on the Prairie du
CHEN division of the Chicago, Mill
waukee 81 st. Paul railroad 1t has
as yet no charter Of incorporation,
but is looking hopefully forward to
ono. 1t is the acknowledged lamber
depot of a circle of thirty miles ra-
dius, and ships immense quantities of
HARDWOOD LUMBER, WHEAT & WOOL
1t lies on the bottom of the Wiscon-
sin river, fiat valley of sand be,
tween two ranges of wooded bluffs
three miles apart. The soil on
which it stands has heretofore been
considered worthless for agricultural,
or indeed for any practical purpose,
and consists Of a sand foam surface
from one to three feet deep, unsur-
passed as a moulding sand, beneath
which is bed of very fine, white,
PURE QUARTZ SAND
gradually becoming coarser until
gravel is struck sOmo fifteen to TWEEN
feet below where tho supply of pure
water is inexhaustiblo. This water
is slightly impregnated with ir II,
sufficiently to give it tho clear SPAR
kle and tonic qualities incident to
such springs, but not enough to in
terfere with its use tor any domestic
or Industrial purposes. Owing to
lack Of trees, and the thorough drain
age unborn cath tho summers are
very severe on any crops set out,
but tree planting has become popu-
lar. and the Cloud of driving sand bid
fair to become fixed before lone
When properly protected and carod
for gardens thrive, and fruits, vines,
and vegetables grow rapidly and
we'll.
WATER POWER
is available in unlimited quantity,
the fall of the river at this point, and
the volume of water furnishing all
that could be needed for any indus
tries likely ever to be established.
In the sand valley, and 10 faVora-
bic locations among the bluffs
THE DWARF sUMAC.
grows abundantly, the bark and buds
Of which are universally used in tan
ming. The Introduction of larger
species and little care in cultivation
would make the sumach export quite
prof .abie one. Among smaller
growths several members of the mint
family are indgeous and might with
profit be cultivated in village gardens
were there any convenient market
for the produce. The various mint
OILS are widely used in medical and
other arts, and arc in a small way
quite profitable.
Across the river to tho
NoRTHWARD ARE FORESTS
of white and rcd oak, hard and soft
maple, walaut butteruut, hickory,
Eastwood, poplar. ash aud elm, and
u wagon bridge at this point, the on
ly one within eighteen mil y, aud the
course of the creek, make Muscoda
the outlet for Immense quantities OF
hard lumber, ties, hoop poles and
cord wood. The latter can be had
at any time, delivered, at $2.75 per
cord. The lumber is shipped to
Whitewater, MoGregor, aud other
such places, made into wagons and
carriages, then shipped back and sold
to tho original hewers, who are thus
compelled TO pay unnecessary freight
twice.
WINTER WHEAT
is sargely grown in the clearings here
both white and red and tAe latter
with vast quantities Of spring wheat
from the region south OF the river,
finds its way through Muscoda ele-
vators, of which there are three, to
Milwaukee and Chicago. Tho white
wheat commands a good figure for
milling, and comparatively little
reaches the railroad in the grain
Throughout this region too, as
wei! as southwsrd the
SHEEP INTEREST
is gaining yearly stronger footing,
and wool handling makes busy times
at the MuscQda station every spring.
A good fair staple can be secured
without great care, and mills for
carding and weaving are already 10
Gated here and there on available
streams. OF
but few are raised, owing perhaps to
their gymnastics abilities, but mo-
rocco tannery would give an impe-
tus TO breeders, and could soon find
in native skins and sumac its whole
stock of raw material.
the DAIRY
is yearly claiming greater attention
and bids fair to be an important in
dustry IN the near future. Large
quantities of stock cattle arc sold off
every season, and farmers arc learn
ing thai they can do better by pay.
ing greater attention TO butter aud
cheese. Hides of ali qualities also
fed their way to market.
HOG RAISING
owing to the high prices of the last
year or two has been taken up ex.
tensively, thousands Of dressed hogs
being shipped every winter. Were
they packed here or even cut up
here, a large portion of the expense
of freightsge could be saved.
THE MINERAL WEALTH
lying within easy reach of Muscoda
is worthy of especial note. Along
the face of the bluffs may be found
jutting lodges of
SAND ROCK AND LIME ROCK,
the one of q creamy yellow color
varying 10 dark gray, forming first
class domestic bull ing stone; the
other easily convertible into good
common lime. Fout miles north of
the river run couple of ridges from