COMMUlSnCATIONS. 101 



oreat question for the farmers of Wisconsin : Will they take 

 warning thus early, and supply their fields with the needed ele- 

 ments, or will they stupidly w.iit until their farms are reduced 

 to poverty and barrenness ? 



A EEYIEW OF THIS PERIOD. 



ITS POLICY AND WORKINGS. 



In reviewing the agricultural and general condition of the 

 State, at the close of this year, 1854, many subjects present 

 themselves for consideration. Every department of business is 

 found to be in a highly prosperous condition, owing mainly to 

 the fact of good crops of all the principal varieties of grains and 

 vegetables, together with good market prices for them. 



These favorable circumstances were still further improved by a 

 large emigration of the wealthier and middle classes from the 

 older states and the old country ; who, by purchase of lands and 

 expenditure of money in their improvement, added largely to 

 the circulation of current wealth among all classes. 



Superadded to the whole, was the quickening spirit of Rail- 

 road extension in various directions into the interior of the 

 State. The Milwaukee and Mississippi Road was completed, and 

 opened early in the season to Madison ; and the western division 

 of it put under ef&cient contract, for early completion. The La 

 Crosse, the Lake Shore, the Racine and Mississippi, and the 

 Milwaukee and Waterto^vn were all under good progress of 

 survey and construction, diffusing large amounts of money 

 among all classes, both producers and laborers. 



All these various causes working together, naturally pro- 

 duced an extraordinary buoyant state of feeling among all 

 classes. Large amounts of currency being necessary, new banks 

 started up on all hands like mushrooms, though mainly sub- 

 stantial and reliable under the banking law of the State. This 



