Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-02-02


About eighteen months ago, DR.. Owen
Of Indiana, an accomplished mineraIogist,
| was commissioned BY the secretary Of war
to examine the northern portion of this
/ state, as we'll rs the territories of Wiscon-
sin and Iowa, for the purpose Of reporting
upon their meteorological resources. He
performed that duty in the summer of 1889
and communicated to the war department
an elaborate detail Of his obscryationS.-
From tAis report we extract the following
-tass9 gc:-( Peoria Register
4" IN item in my instructions required
me 10 report such facts as will seem to
convey some idea OF the value and pro-
ductiycncss Of the district under considera-
ton. In obedience to this instruction
have Analysed with care the soils Of Iowa
and Wisconsin, and the result Of this pna-
ysis. extcedng to % different specimens,
selected from various parts Of the district,
is truly remarkable. 1t is a common and
usually correct remark that mineral re-
gious are barren and unproduclivc. Tot
50 in the mining district Of Western Am
erica. These promise a liberal reward no
less to the husbandman than to the miner,
and a chemical examination Of the soils
gives assurance that the promise will be
amply fulfilled. The dark mould which
prevails over large proportion Of Iowa
AMI Wisconsin is a rich jngeinc, and Of
so small specific gravity, has proved itself,
whenever the farmer has trusted to its
certain returns, instead Of attempting the
more hazardous venture Of the minc,an eX-
ceIcnt productive SOIL especially adapted
to the culture Of every species Of culinary
vegetables and small grain, producing
probably better corn than the lands in the
same latitude east Of the lakes. or any state
in .ho same latitude \ striking feature
in the character Of Iowa, and Wiscon-
sin soils is, the entire absence IN
most specimens Of clay. This absence of
any mineral percentage Of clay in the soils
under consideration, prevents the rolling
lands from washing away and imparts to
streams Il crystal cIcarness which even af-
ter heavy rains is hardly disturbed be-
licve this soil peculiarly adapted to the
growth OF the sugar beet, which has be-
come of late, in some European countries
an important article Of commerce. II IS
| estimated that the amount Of beet sugar
manufactured in France during the last
wear, was one hundred thousand pounds,
| and in Prussia and Germany, thirty mil
/ lion pounds. In the western part Of Mich
igan, in climate similar to Wisconsin,
two hundred and forty thousand pounds
are reported by the papers Of that state to
have been manufactured last season.
The soil in the prarcs throughout the
district has an unusually black appearance
indicating a large proportion Of decompos-
ed vegetable matter. This black mould is
usually or five feet deep. The crops of
oats and potatoes raised IN the district are
equal to any in the United States. The
soil and climate are also we'll adapted to
the growth of grasses. Wild grass grows
luxuriantly, and cultivated grass succeeds
admirably. In concluding the brief no.
ticc Of soils Of this district, which regret
time does not permi: me TO extend, | may
add, that know no country in the world,
with similar resources, which can lay any
claim 10 q soil us fertile and as well adapt
cd to the essential purposes OF agriculture. +"