Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 22: Agriculture and the Agricultural Society, 1884

The trend of the earliest industries of a country is the result of the circumstances under wliicli those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the immediate wants of food, shelter and clothing. Hence, the first settlers of a country are farmers, miners, trappers or fishermen, according as they cm most readily secure the means of present si-itneance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin, this law is well exemplified. The southern part of the State consisting of alternations of prairie and timber was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, as wealth has accumulaled, and as me ins of transportation have been furnished, farming h.as ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories have been built along the river-i and tlie mining industry of the soutliwcstern part of tlie State has grown to be one of considerable importmce. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly sett ed by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactories has nearly overshadowed the fishing interest; as has the production of lumber in the north half of the State eclipsed the trapping and fur interests of the first settlers.

As Vernon county consists of timber land, oak openings and prairie, it is now, and was originally, settled by farmers almost exclusively. As yet, manufactories may be said to be practically unknown. The farming interests are paramount to all others and doubtless will be for generations to come. There are no pineries or great lakes on its borders and the Mississippi is only available, so far as the county is concerned, to aid in transporting to market its surplus farming products. That manufactories will rise up, upon the introduction of greater railway facilities, is certain, but that they will overshadow the farming interests of Vernon ' county before the ending of a century from this time or even longer, is exceedingly doubtful.

"Of this county nearly one-third is prairie, quite rolling and very rich, I do not know where I have ever seen any prairie soil that looks richer, or that bears heavier wheat It is a rich black, vegetable mould, of a clayey texture and basis, and such as has been tested seems to be enduring and wears well. Near one-third is oak opening or ridge laud, covered with oak undergrowth or grubs. These ridges are quite broad in many places, furnishing good locations for farms. There has been opened up many ridge farms. The land where cultivated appears to be a clayey loam - a good wheat soil, and wliich has so far turned out excellent crops of wheat.

The balance of the country is covered with heavy timber - oak being the predominating kind. This timber is valuable because of its nearness to good prairie, and the land is as good, even better for corn. Though the timber is heavy, the land is easily tilled, owing probably to the fact that the roots of the trees lie deep in the ground, which admits of the soil being plowed close to the stumps. Taken as a whole there is scarcely an acre of waste land in this county. Though somewhat rough, its

Such parts of this county as are unfit for the plough are most admirably adapted to the rearing of sheep. In fact, to my mind, much of northwestern Wisconsin is admirably adapted to sheep husbandry.

The population of this county is 11,500. In 18.5.5, it numbered a little over 4,000. La Crosse was then about 4,000, as was Monroe, lying east of La Crosse. These latter have had the benefit of railroads to stimulate their growth. La Crosse being possessed of much good farming lands and several small villages, as well as the city of Lx Crosse, numbers 13,500, while Monroe, with a smart village or two, with more poor land, has but 8,400. To my mind Bad Ax has more than kept pace with her neighbors, considering her secluded position.

There is estimated to be in this county this year, at least 1,000,000 bushels of surplus wheat seeking a market. Of pork, there will be enough for home consumption, and possibly a little for sale. Cattle and sheep are beginning to receive attention, and but a few years will elapse before the hill-sides will be covered with large herds of lowing cattle and flocks of bleatins sheep.

Some attention is being paid to fruit. Here and there were to be seen newly set orchards. In time, after the trees have become acclimated it is my impression that the hillsides, and especially the northern slopes of Bad Ax county will be covered with orchards heavily laden with rich and luscious fruit.

The numerous streams in this county furnish ample water power, which combined with its excellent timber, will supply numerous openings for the emploj'ment of capital in manufacturing agricultural implements, and also for the purpose of building mills, to flour their own wheat. The people of this county look forward with no small degree of interest to the day wIkmi they shall be favored with railroad facilities

Bad Ax County Agricultural Society was organized and chartered April 11, 1857. The society in 1859 had seventy members, each paying an initiation fee of one dollar, and an equal sum per annum. The payment of ten dollars constituted a life membership. Other modes of obtaining funds were from admission fees into the fair grounds. The society possessed in real estate ten acres of land enclosed with a board fence seven feet high, and valued at 8800. Here an exhibition is held annually, when ^iilOO are paid for premiums, the largest being ^5 for the best address; a similar sum, each, for the best stallion and best acre of wheat, and $i for the best bull. The library then consisted of forty-seven volumes, worth $100. Since the fair of 1857 there was, up to 1859, a great improvement in domestic animals and an increase in crops. The desire for agricultural knowledge had become general.

In 1883 the society was in excellent financial condition. The fair grounds were located about a quarter of a mile west of the court house. They embraced about fifteen acres of land, valued at about $30 per acre. They were well supplied with buildings, and well fenced. The old |!10 life membership fee had been abolished, and the by-laws provided th.-Jl "*;l pay for a membership, and each member should buy a $1 family ticket each year." There were $300 in the treasury of the society in 1883.

In 1883 the officers of the society were: President, F. K. Van "Wagoner; secretary, O. B. Wynian; treasurer, E. Powell; vice-presidents, H. H. Morgan, of Wheatland; P. Brody, of Clinton; J. H. Stevenson, of Harmony. Executive committee, E. A. Stark, of Viroqua, chairman; E. Tilton, ot Viroqua; John M. Vance, of Sterling; Edward Minshall, of Viroqua; and F. W. Alexander, of Franklin.

At the last fair held at Viroqua, in September, 1883, the whole number of entries w;is 5Ci3. The total receipts from the sale of tickets were $696; receipts from entrance fees were $174.60; from stand licenses, $153.50; from rent of ground, etc., $24.60. Total receipts, $l,048.7o.