The Press., 1892-07-28
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
Garden Prairie, H., July 2l, 1s

Garden Prairie, H., July 21, 1892
 One year ago we were at the railroad bridge which spans the Wisconsin river, between the upper and lower Dells at Kill bourn City, and near which the little steamers tie up which take the tourists up the river. Then it was with the great est difficulty the trips could be made, the water was so low. Lower it was than ever before in the memory of the oldest settlers about It seemed as though the banks would never fill again, it had been so long since they were full. Other rivers were in like low stage of water. Lakes, also, were on the drying up order. The very earth itself seemed to be going thro' a process of drying up, as, far below the surface, it was like ashes; and the nu- merous we'll failures indicated the stop page of flowing streams far below.
 A surprising change has taken place. On July the fourth, the Wisconsin car ried such volume of water the steamers could not carry the pleasure seeker up to the Dells, and he had to go by carriage, if at all, or foot. Now this shows 8 marvellous change, and is indicative of a vast fall of rain; and, truly, there has been. Very wide and very long stretches of country have been rained upon as not for years. The spring gave us few rain showers, but many rain storms. Nature kept herself busy throughout the entire spring, making long hours about every day; watering the earth and filling the de- pleted streams. Not until the present month was there any very lengthy cessa- tion. Since July came in there have been few showers, but no storms. AS con- sequence the streams have subsided, the lands have drained, cellars are no longer accounted as cisterns, and the earth is getting into a normal condition.
 But the damage done to farm labor and the destruction of property and loss of life will probably never be computed. Hereabouts we have been more fortunate than in many other localities. The prin- cipal drawback relates to farm work. Low lands could not be worked, or, if worked, not with success. Seed routed and fields had to be re-planted, and some times thrice over. Seeds have been changed and early varieties used, or the resort has been to an entire change of the crop as millet for corn. Early potatoes on low ground routed.
 The change in the weather, however, has made marvellous difference in the aspect of the fields. The growth of corn the past two weeks has been wonderful. Small grain is looking up bravely, and there will yet be a good yield of potatoes The yield of tame grasses will be good On the whole, for this vicinity, the out look is bright This is a beautiful and a rich farming region. Land is high, and many farms support tenants. The old farmers are leaving their farms with their sons, ol tenants, and are moving into the thriving towns near by, or at 8 little distance This is done for comfort for themselves and advantages for the younger children In modern farm life machinery plays al important part, and will continue to more than ever as invention increases. One is these farmers and sees how this work k done. The farmers are not all faced to wards the poor house, and the country is not yet on the verge of ruin.
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