Clearfield Republican

Soil and Climate of the Southwest
Shore of Lake Superior.

Extract from the report of the Bayfield
Lyceum, on the agricultural productions
of that vicinity, in La Pointe county:

"Vegetables remain green from the
10th May to 10th October, making our
grazing season five months, fully equal to
that of the Middle States. Our winters
are somewhat longer than in those States
but our summers are nearly, if not quite,
as long. This, together with the uniformity
of temperature in winter, and the
healthfulness of the climate, both for man
and cattle, demonstrates the fact that, at
no distant day, this is destined to be a
fine stock growing country."

Extract from a letter written by a clergyman
in Bayfield, dated January 5th, 1859;

"If the people abroad had proper impressions
concerning the soil, climate, &c., of this
region, the population would rapidly increase.
Many have an idea that this is a barren,
inhospitable, and cold region, unfit for human
habitation.— This is a mistake. We do not feel
the cold as in Pennsylvania, nor do we feel chilly
as there. The winter is lovely and durable. I
never saw such beautiful winter weather, so much
sunshine, no mud, nor slush, such magnificent
sunrise and sunset scenes. One would rather be
out than in doors."

A gentleman, now residing in Bayfield,
formerly a resident of the southern part
of Ohio, stated that for two successive seasons
he left his former residence late in Autumn,
after the vegetation had been killed by the
frost, and that when he arrived in Bayfield the
grass there was green and the cattle was still
grazing. His opinion was, that frost was from
ten days to three weeks later in Bayfield than in
southern Ohio.

Extract of a letter dated Bayfield, January
29, 1859;

"I would not change our Lake Superior
climate for any other I have ever seen in
any part of the world. This winter is very
mild. We have had but three or four mornings
that the thermometer has read below zero and
for three days past, it has averaged 24 above.
We would prefer it a little colder. The snow is
about eighteen inches deep on the plains. Our
town and vicinity are exceedingly healthy: indeed
I do not know of a single case of sickness or even
of bad health in our county."