p. 5

3

These marsh plants are found growing very abundantly in most parts of the state of Wisconsin, but more specially in the heavily timbered districts. If cut at the proper season and rightly cured they make a very good hay, which usually commands a price in the market but little below what is paid for "tame hay" or hay made from the cultivated grasses. This great abundance of wild hay provided by a bountiful providence for the free use of the first occupants of our state, was one of the causes of the very rapid growth and settlement of the country; affording with but little expense of time and labor the means of sustaining their stock until the forest trees could be cleared away and the land seeded down. Had it been necessary to import hay, as was done with other agricultural products the growth of the country would have been materially retarded. When the first few acres were ready for the plough, it was only required to cultivate the more important crops; the culture [of hay and of] grass for the purposes of pasture and hay, being rendered unnecessary by the abundant supply from the marshes.