Wisconsin is very rich in minerals, and though so now a state, mining operations are carried on upon an extensive scale. In the north-western portion of the state, or the region of igneous rocks, veins of copper-ore occur of remarkable richness, and which are said to be apparently inexhaustible. The copper-mines are chiefly in the neighbourhood of Lake Superior. The lead-mines of Wisconsin supply however by far the larger proportion of its mineral wealth. The lead occurs in the porous limestone of the southern part of the state, and the mine. are worked to great profit. In 1852 about 40,000,000 lbs. of lead were exported from Galena, of which nine-tenths are said to have beet raised in Wisconsin, and the quantities shipped at other ports on the Mississippi and Wisconsin are said to be more than equal to the remaining tenth part. Iron-ore occurs along the upper course of the Mississippi and elsewhere, but it has not yet been turned to much account. In the copper-veins zinc and calamine aro found. The Silurian sandstone forma an excellent building-etone, for which purpose it is largely quarried. White-marble abounds in the southern and eastern portions of the state. Gypsum, chalcedony, jasper, itc., are mat with in various places.
Climate, Productions, the prairie districts the soil generally consists of a dark vegetable mould of considerable depth, resting on a clayey loam. It contains a large proportion of carbonate of lime, is quite free from stones or gravel, and is very fertile. The soil of the timbered land is neither so deep nor so rich as that of the prairies; that of the evergreen district is sandy and far from fertile.
Mere I. also a great deal of poor sandy land along tho eastern side of the state. In the mining districts there are many very fertile tracts. The winters are long and very cold, and the summers are very hot.
The diffirence between the two seasons is much greater than in the northern countries of Europe which are under the same degree of latitude and nearly as elevated as Wisconsin. During the winter months the thermometer frequently descends below zero, which very seldom takes place in southern Sweden. But the temperature rises rapidly in March, and the spring Is much warmer than in Europa, in places which have the same mean annual temperature. On the other hand, the decrease of heat in the months of October and November is also greater. The mean annual temperature is about 45', but it differ!! nf course iemewhat in different parts of the state. Notwith standing the numerous lakes and swamps, the climate of Wiscousiu is said to be very healthy.
The prevailing winds in the countries situated near the shores of Lake Michigan aro from the south-west for at least tan months in the year. But ou the banks of the Mississippi the north-west is the pre vailing wind, except in May and June, when the south-east is more frequent Thunderstorms are frequent, especially at the beginning of the spring and towards the end of the summer.
Wisconsin is mainly an agricultural country, and its agricultural operations are yearly extending rapidly. The oak openings, the result of the annual fires which have for an indefinite period swept over a large portion of the state, offer great facilities for the operations of immigrant farmers; and Wisconsin has continued to attract for some years past a steadily increasing influx from the south and cast, while the returns shown corresponding increase of improved lauds. Of the cereals wheat is the principal crop, and the quantity raised had increased from 212,116 bushels in 1840 to 4,2S6,131 bushels in 1950; an increase of 1920 per cent. in 10 years. Oats is the next largest crop, and then maize; the quantity grown of both of these had increased very largely (though a good deal less than that of wheat) between the above dates. Barley, rye, and buckwheat are also grown to a considerable extent. Potatoes are raised in large quantities. Some hops are grown. The cultivatiou of hemp and flax is increasing. Home manufactures were only valued at 12,567 dollars.
The forests consist chiefly of white and other pines, but they also contain various kinds of oak, hickory, walnut, sugar-maple, lime-tree, cotton-wood, white, blue, and black ash, elm, red cedar, sassafras, willow, clui, white birch, white cedar, spruce, and juniper. About 200,000,000 feet of lumber are annually sawn and Bent down the rivers of Wisconsin.
The prairies, especially in the southern districts, are covered with a fine turf, and afford good pastures for cattle and sheep. Horses, cattle, and sheep are becoming numerous. Swine have increased very greatly. The wool sheared in 1850 amounted to 253,963 lbs. Of butter 3,633,750 lbs., and of cheese 400,283 lbs. were made. There are wild animals of several kinds, though their number is rapidly decreasing. In the northern districts are buffaloes, elk, and deer; but these animals are rare in the southern districts. Bears, wolves, and foxes are not uncommon. The black and silver fox are greatly prized for their skins. The other animals are beavers, otters, minks, martens, sables, and musk-rats, which are now found only in the northern districts. The lakes, swamps, and rivers abound iu water-fowl, such as swans, geese, ducks, and teal. Them are also eagles, falcons, storks, wild turkeys, and partridges. Fish abound in the lakes. The most important kind is the white-fish, which weighs from 4 to 6 lbs., and is very numerous in some of the northern lakes. The rivers abound in sturgeon.