and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Escanaba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 1871 was 82,284 tons. The Milwaukee Iron Company received by lake, in the same year. 28,094 tons of Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872 there were received from Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the Wisconsin Iron Company in 1872 was shipped to St. Louis, to mix with the iron made from Missouri ore. are exceptional localities, but this is a correct statement of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations. Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the State north of forty-five degrees, and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and bordering on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources; still, there are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these forests will be totally destroyed. Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it in eastern cities. From 5,000 to 8,000 men are employed in the pineries in felling the trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in 1860, as carefully estimated, was 355,055,155 feet. The amount of shingles made was 2,272,061, and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the State, for manufacture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter The northern portion of the of 1873-74 was 987,000,000 feet. In 1876 State is characterized by evergreen trees, princi- and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 pally pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There feet. The Chippewa, 90,000,000; the Red Ce The Milwaukee Iron Company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of merchant iron-it having been demonstrated that the raw material could be reduced there cheaper than elsewhere. The Minerva Furnace Company built also during the same year one of the most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the year 1873, the iron with most other material interests became seriously prostrated, so that the total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1874 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873, and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron. In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of trade in an increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869, being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total shipments were only 498 tons. LUMBER. The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the State. For many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our great forests. dar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years rceiver of the United States land office at Stevens Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and taking his own district as the basis, he estimated the whole State at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the acre, the aggregate pine timber of the State would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product annually amounts to an im nense sum. In 1876, 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the aver age annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transportation, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wisconsin denuded of its pine forests; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our commerce, both State and inter-State, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens. GRAIN. sup Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time of its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the ply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter of 1840-41, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000 bushels), and in the spring cf 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the commerce and prosperity of the State, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest primary wheat mart of the world. Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin products; but with the completion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transportation companies give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own State. DAIRY PRODUCTS. The Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs, streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives remarkably well. Within a few years, cheesefactories have become numerous, and their owners are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets, and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is extensively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing States. counties most largely interested in dairying are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboygan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1870; 50,130,000 in 1876; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in 1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1876, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy production. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1876 were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000 in 1875; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,284,247 pounds in 1875. It is estimated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in Milwaukee were, in 1870, 3,779,114 pounds; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876, 8,938,137 pounds; of cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1876. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly in creasing commodity in the productions of the mained in the hands of the growers, that it is State. re impossible to estimate that of 1869. The new The culture of hops, as an article of commerce, received but little attention prior to 1860. In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used by the brewers throughout the State. In 1866, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774 bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound, stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk, Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents per pound. The estimated crop of the State for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over $4,200,000. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the State. The crop everywhere was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an Oversupply was anticipated. But few, however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of those interested. The first sales were made at twentyfive to thirty-five cents per pound, and the prices were reluctantly accepted by the grow-ber. Over 17,000 bales were received at MilThe price continued to decline until the waukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of article was unsalable and unavailable in the the previous year. Over 13,000 bales were market. Probably the average price did not shipped out of the State. exceed ten cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So much of the crop of 1868 re ers. TOBACCO. Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant 1 is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of transportation in the railway reports for the year 1871, when the Prairie du Chien division of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with 1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the maximum being in 1874, 6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, 2,743,854 pounds. The crop of 1876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The greater part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf raised in the State is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. It is being contracted for at from four to six cents per pound. CRANBERRIES. The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in developing the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout the northern part of the State. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet, the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 1851 less than 1,500 barrels were sent out of the State. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000 barrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in different years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. SPIRITUOUS AND MALT LIQUORS. The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of population and with the other industries of the State. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, 292 breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876 there were 293 of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer, and 43,175 barrels of high wines. In 1865 it furnished 65, 666 barrels of beer, and in 1870, 108,845 barrels. In 1865 it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1875, 39,005. A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the sum of $3,216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has furnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203, 170. The total production of beer by all the 293 breweries of the State, for 1876, was 450, 508 barrels. In 1876 Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the State of Wisconsin, 51,959 barrels. In 1870 the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer, and 22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the State of Wisconsin produced 189,664 barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits. MISCELLANEOUS. Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned the deposits are found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is found in numerous localities. The famous "Milwaukee brick,"remarkable for their beautiful cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in extensive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout the State. An extensive bed, covering between 100 and 200 acres and of an indefinite depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first class in quality, and between 20,000 and 30,000 barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suitable for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the State, and nearly every town has its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capitol building at Madison, which equals in beauty that of any State in the Union. At Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison, La Crosse and many other places, are found quarries of superior building stone. Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens exhibited at the "Centennial" last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of various kinds are likewise found in the State. Some of them are beginning to attract attention and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geologists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varieties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is generally considered inferior. WATER POWERS. Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing State. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple, ash and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any State in the northwest. The Lower Fox river, between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company has, during the last twenty-five years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements. All the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi. The fall between the lake and Depere is 150 feet, and the water can be utilized in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages, is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, however, and no doubt is enter| tained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over any of the eastern manufacturing points. The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the State, and has its source in a great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw mills running upon the power of this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation. The "Big Bull" Falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained. At Little Bull Falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are many other water-powers |