ROOM FOR PLENTY MORE
“The clay soils of this formation constitute throughout good strong laud, very productive and durable. Because of its good drainage, practically every acre of it can be utilized for farm crops, and it gives every promise of being equal to the best and richest agricultural portions of the state or of the northwest. All farm crops are successfully grown. Grass and clover is an abundant crop, and dairying and stock raising is wisely becoming the chief source of the farm income. The small grains, corn and potatoes can readily be grown and should be raised in rotation with the feeding crops for dairy stock, sheep, and swine. Small fruits and garden truck are easily grown, and upon well selected sites the hardier fruit trees can be grown with success.”
A Corn Field Near Owen, Wisconsin.
The sandy loam soil generally contains sufficient clay to retain the required amount of moisture for crop production. Splendid water is found at depths ranging from 15 to 60 ft.
Second only in importance to soil is climate. The average period between killing frosts varies from 120 to 130 days, a period of sufficient duration to ripen all farm crops including early varieties of corn. Clark County is in the same latitude as southern Minnesota, and the length of growing season is as long, as shown by climatic records of the weather bureau combined with the topographic maps of the U. S. Geological Survey. The average annual rainfall in Clark County will vary from 28 to 34 inches, and in its seasonal distribution, about half of the total falls in May, June, July and August.
Harvesting Corn for the Silo on the Peter Thompson Farm near Thorp, Wisconsin.
Clark County is adjacent to active markets, well supplied with railroad facilities, and is developing a splendid system of highways. This proximity to market means less feeding and shrinkage of live stock in transit, opportunity to take advantage of favorable prices and minimum charges for transportation. There are 31 rural free delivery routes; 13 weekly newspapers; 12 telephone lines; 206 common schools, and eight high schools.
This section, noted as it is for its forage crops, is fully as well adapted to the production of special crops including clover seed, dry and canning peas, cabbage, sugar beets, and potatoes. Every opportunity is afforded for diversified farm crops. Briefly, this is a country of small farms, well tilled, with an average yield per acre equal to and frequently surpassing the high priced regions of older states.