26 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
convenience of man, we can hardly determine, but when it is 
understood that, but for the removal of these formations, the 
work of mining must have been greatly increased if, indeed 
the mines had not been left concealed for ages, it seems almost 
a special work of Providence. 
The earliest period at which mining began to any considera¬ 
ble extent in the Lead Region of Wisconsin was about the year 
1827, from which time, until 1847, the amount raised con¬ 
stantly increased until the maximum of 54,634,000 pounds, 
was attained in the year last-named. The discoveries of gold 
on the Pacific coast about this time, turned the attention of 
miners away from the lead region to that more tempting field ; 
since which time there has been a decline in the interest and 
a consequent decrease in the amount of lead produced. 
It has been the concurrent opinion, however, of all geolo¬ 
gists who have examined that district up to the present time, 
that the wealth of the mines has been only partially exhausted 
and that capital and labor may be profitably employed for 
years, both in working out numerous diggings unwisely aban¬ 
doned, and in opening new deposits. Within the past two or 
three years, several heavy lodes have been struck, and the 
interest of miners has been to some extent re-awakened. What 
influence the published results of the explorations of Prof. J. 
D. Whitney, now carrying forward his work in a very thorough 
manner, may have upon the expectations of those who are 
sanguine of finding large workable deposits in the Lower Mag¬ 
nesian rock it is hardly possible to conjecture, but it is hoped 
that the sure prophecies of science, and the expectations of 
practical miners may fully coincide. Professors Owen, Daniels 
and Percival favor this theory of lower deposits and the prac¬ 
ticability of economical working with the aid of sufficient capi¬ 
tal. Probably no lead mines in the world, for quantity of 
mineral and convenience of working, excel those of Wisconsin. 
They are one of our chief sources of wealth, and as such are 
entitled to the appreciative consideration of the State. 
Zinc is also found in considerable quantity in the * c Lead 
Region." It occurs in the form of the Sulphuret (blende or 
