35S 
Wiscostsln' State Agricultural Society. 
State, modified drift, or later clays underlie all these valleys, covered 
now more or less deeply by detritus washed from the adjacent bluffs, 
which is generally the lower, or Potsdam sandstone. Artesian bor¬ 
ings in some localities, as at Sparta, on the La Crosse River, reveal 
heavy beds of submerged clays, underlaid by permeable deposits; 
the basins of the streams thus furnishing to enterprize, permanent 
and durable flowing fountains. It is more than probable that the 
same condition will be found to exist in the sandy bottoms of the 
Wisconsin, Black River, Chippewa, and others, if tested by the drill, 
and thus it may be anticipated that many arid valleys maybe sup¬ 
plied with abundance of water for irrigation whenever proper 
efforts are made to secure it. Granting this once established, and 
a long step will have been taken toward increasing their fertility^. 
From comparative agricultural wastes, they may in time, by skilful 
manipulation, be ranked among the best soils in the State, as every 
flowing well must bring from beneath those very elements, whose 
deep burial has so long rendered the surface barren and unfertile. 
The expense of artesian-borings in these valleys, will in any event 
be comparatively small, and within the means of the humblest 
citizen. * 
The time is at hand when the use of artificial manures on a large 
scale, will be imperatively necessary. Every source of improvement, 
however apparently remote, is worthy of careful study. The soil 
requires for its perfection a return of the elements of vegetable 
productiveness already abstracted. With easier and cheaper trans¬ 
portation, increasing intelligence, and wider knowledge of the ma¬ 
terial already within reach, or ever to be, it is safe to anticipate that 
future generations may realize the results here indicated; that 
our marl-beds, peats, clays, subsoils, in connection with imported 
gypsum, salt, the phosphates, etc., will be accepted as the basis of 
successful cultivation—the reservoir or fountain of enduring pros" 
perity for all ages to come. 
Mr. Roberts: I would like to have Mr. Tenne 3 r, s idea of how 
this country became peopled at the time when this was a tropical 
climate. 
*The artesian well at Prairie da Cliien, completed since this writing, is a striking 
proof of the correctness of this geological speculation. 
