:MANUFACTURES. The State's wealth in iron, timber, and farm resources has been much to its advantage in its industrial development. The value of products was 45 per cent, greater in 1900 than in 1890, the value in 1900 being $300-, 818.942. The capital invested in that year was $330.568.779, and the wage-earners engaged in the industry numbered 142,1)70, or 0.9 per cent. of the total population. Much of the grain from the Northwest naturally crosses the State in transit eastward, and has thus enabled a large milling industry to develop in Wisconsin. The number of bushels of wheat consumed in the mills in the census year 1900 was nearly twice as great as the State's production of the grain. The foundry and machine shops of Milwaukee produce large quantities of gas and steam engines, and ma chinery for the equipment of lumber, flour, and paper mills, breweries, and mines. The raw materials are supplied mainly by the local iron and steel industry. This latter industry has the advantage of the rich iron ore resourees of the State, but labors under the disadvantage of hav ing to import its coal. One of the most rapidly growing industries is the factory production of butter. in which the State holds second rank. One of the most widely known industries is the manufacture of malt liquors, which centres in Milwaukee. In 1900 the State ranked fourth in value of malt liquors. Slaughtering and meat
packing are becoming important. There is a large and important group of industries which is largely dependent upon the State's forest re sources. The most flourishing of these is the tan ning, currying. and finishing of leather, the tan bark being secured from local sources. Almost equally flourishing is the manufacture of paper and wood pulp. The wood-pulp mills are lo cated on the large streams which afford power for their operation. The quality of the water is unexcelled for paper-making purposes. The spruce and hemlock are the varieties of wood most used. The manufacture of agricultural implements. carriages and wagons, and furniture are other branches of industry which belong in this group. For the lumber industry, see the section Forests end Forest Products above.
The following table is taken from the census of 1900: the Green Bay and Western, and the Chicago, Burlington and Northern are the principal lines in operation. Water communication is afforded by the Great Lakes, and by the Mis-si:5sippi, Wis consin, Fox. Chippewa, and other rivers. The foreign commerce of the State is small, amount ing in 1902 to 81.087.509 (exports, $337,538), but the coastwise and river traffic is consider