Lihhy — The Lead Region of Wisconsin. 195 



of each group yet in all of them the second excels the first at 

 every point/ 



In the second tahle is seen a still more striking proof of the 

 agricultural superiority of Group II over Group I. The per 

 capita production of wheat, corn, oats and butter for the two 

 groups is compared for a period from 1877 to 1897. The yield 

 of wheat has declined in both groups, more in I than in II. 

 Oats and butter are both ]3roducts that are increasing in value 

 during the entire period, the to^vns in Group II taking the lead. 

 In the per capita of corn, Group I shows an increase in twenty 

 years while Group II though showing a decline, still far excels 

 the other in per capita production. Especially significant are 

 the figures for corn and oats since the production of these cereals 

 is connected closely with stock raising. The production of but- 

 ter is also an important one in the same connection. The newer 

 methods in farming are thus seen to make the greatest progress 

 in the second group of towns. The conclusion which irresistibly 

 suggests itself at this point is that this decline in industrial 

 power is connected with the corresponding decline in population. 

 The older and more densely settled towns of the lead region in 

 ceasing to increase in population inevitably fell behind the 

 newer communities whose citizens were composed of young and 

 enterprising emigrants from other parts of the country. This 

 transference of population from one community to another and 

 this loss of productive power on the part of certain towns are co- 

 incident occurrences. A declining community has certain well 

 defined characteristics apparent to even a casual observer. ISTot 

 only does the wealth producing power decrease but in many cases 

 the tax paying capacity suffers and the complaint of hard times 

 is prevalent. This feeling of resentment toward the constituted 

 authorities because of financial stress finds expression in politi- 

 cal action of various kinds. The rise of the greenback party, ^ 

 the populist party or the independent voter class may often be 

 partly accounted for in this way. The later studies in Wiscon- 

 sin will bring out more clearly than is now possible the intimate 



I For detailed figures by towns see Appendix A, pp. 231-5. The statistics are from the 

 State Censuses of 18S5 and 1895. 



^ See in this connection my study of the Greenback Movement, 1878-84 ; Transactions of 

 Wis. Acad, of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Xll.. 530-43. . 



