The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1879-11-27
BALDWIN MICH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27. 1879

ore now In successful bearing. l3esid, s
the apple trees, there are many cherry,
plum, peach and pear trees; with large
quantities of small fruits. Enough has
been accomplished to assure the fact
that fruit can be produced; although
not in such paying quantities as in the
famous fruit belt, along the shores of
Lake Michigan. Apple trees promise
finely. Peaches can be produced;
number Of bushels having been grown
this season, In the eastern portion of
the county; and the first product of
peaches on the sand plains, came from
the farm of Chas. p. White, of Elk
township. They were seedlings, and Of
excellent quality. Experiments have
been made which show that grapes
can be produced here. The locality
seems especially adapted to producing
small fruits. Curfants, gooseberries,
Strawberries, raspberries and black
berries thrive well. Pears, plums,
ounces and cherries are also, doubtless
destined to become standard luxuries.
At the beginning of 1879, the county
contained SOP cows, 800 oxen, 240 horses,
10 mules, 442 young cattle and bulls,
4S5 sheep and 73l hogs. With a few
exceptions, the farmers keep poultry.
The number of acres producing
principal crops of 1878, We're divided
as follows: Wheat, 1891 acres; corn,
670i acres; oats, 5lSa acres; potatoes,
293i acres; rye, 4S6 acres; buckwheat,
1919 acres; timothy, 14OSi acres; root
crops, 6S acres; peas, 5S4 acres; millet,
l424 acres; barley, 52a acres; beans,
"a acres.
The number of acres of wheat sown in
the Fall of 1878, 1850; rye, sown same
time, 360a acres.
Potatoes of excellent quality are
produced in the county, and the
product is doubtless destined to become
one. of the main ones. Placing the
average yield per acre, i'm 1878 ut IS
bushels, 1t gives an aggregate Of II ,075
produced in the county. 1t is probably
entirely safe to say that the crop of
that year was worth $4,000.
The county has not yet SO far devel-
opcd as to take particular rank among
the producers. Present indications are
that it will in the future occupy IL
conspicuous place among the producers
of finest grains, stock and root crops.
The best ofwheat is sprOduced. With |
fair effort the yield is II paying one,
varying with the quality OF the soil.
BY statistics furnished by the Secretary |
OF State, it is shown that 72l bushels
OF wheat were produced in the present |
territory OF Lake county, in 1860, i'm |
to IA, IS6 bushels; magnificent gain. |
In 1878, the number OF bushels pro-
duced was d, ,260; the average yield per |
acre being 1856 bushels. I'm 1877,
there were 100 acres of wheat raised, |
producing i0, 1856 bushels; an average of |
l2.S3 bushels per acre. In 1878, the No.
of bushels produced was II, 1856; average
per acre, l2.20 bushels. According 10
the statistics furnished Secretary of
State, ,i39 acres of wheat were OH tic
ground in May 1870. AT an average
yield per acre of bushels, it would
make 1858 bushels as the aggregate
product OF wheat in the comfy for the
year; value, at least $1,000.
The above figures show that the
progress and development i'm the coun-
ty since its organization have been
rapid. The day is fast approaching,
when Lake county will have exports
beyond the items of lumber and SHIN
giles rs ut present. The future of the
county promises fair The natural
advantages are here; and with health
ful climate, variety of soil, abundance
of water and timber; facilities for reach
ing ready markets and intercourse with
the outside world, it becomes only IL
question of time when it attains the
front rank ofprosperous, wealthy coun-
ties of the State. With this end i'm
view, let the people be industrious,
lawabiding and economical, i'm man
agment of public us well us private af-
fairs; let them encourage schools and
churches and all the enlightening and
elevating influences of christian civili-
zatiOn. A straight forward course in
this way will establish reputation for
Lake county, worth more than all the
words of recommendation and invitation,
in attracting within the borders capital
and sober, honest labor, which are
absolutely necessary to progress and
development.
(THE END.)