The surface of the county, back from the river and creeks is hilly; however the hills are not rough, but are arable and fertile. There is a large amount of fine bottom land along the Ohio river, and Middle Island and other creeks. The soil is sandy loam, loam, and clayey loam, or clay, usually deep and mellow. On the levels it is from one to many feet deep; on the hills 8 to 12 inches. Crops are, Corn, Wheat, Oats, Tobacco, and Grass. On the bottoms, Corn yields 50 to 65 bushels; Wheat, 10 to 12 bushels; Oats, 30 to 40 bushels; on the hills, Corn brings 35 to 40 bushels; Wheat, 8 to 10 bushels; Oats, 25 to 30 bushels; Tobacco, 800 to 1,000 pounds. Value of land: Agricultural bottom lands, $40 to $100; Upland, S20 to $30; Timber land, $10 to $20. Value of timber, stumpage, 3 to 4 cents per cubic foot; at the mills. 5 to 10 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries: Farming, Stock raising, and Lumbering. Principal exports: Tobacco, Grain, Stock, Sawed Lumber, and Cooperage Stuff. Markets for timber, points on the Ohio river; for Tobacco, Cincinnati; for Stock, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Minerals: Small Coal seams above water level; some Iron and Limestone, and good Sandstone for building. Manufactures: Two Woolen Mills, and several Saw and Grist Mills, not definitely reported. The principal streams are the Ohio river and Middle Island creek; the latter is navigable for rafts and flat boats on full water. Present means of transportation: The Ohio river and Balt. & Ohio R. R. Improvements contemplated: The improvement of the navigation of Middle Island creek, The Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Kentucky R. R. Public schools, 67; Churches, 22; Postoffices, 15. Population, 7,832. Value of taxable property, $1,838,126. County seat, Middlebourne, with a population of about 500 inhabitants.