Slike strani
PDF
ePub

the restoration of its exhausted fertility, and to the permanent activity of its productive principles. While a steady increase of cereal production is manifest, the diversification of agricultural industry is no less prominent. The estimated crops of the great staples for 1868, as presented in the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for that year, are as follows: Corn, 74,040,000 bushels on 2,177,647 acres; oats, 24,227,000 bushels on 835,413 acres; barley, 2,343,000 bushels on 104,133 acres; buckwheat, 992,000 bushels on 57,341 acres; total cereal crops, 119,736,000 bushels on 4,567,248 acres. Of potatoes, 7,200,000. bushels were raised on 91,139 acres; 11,000,000 pounds of tobacco on 13,513 acres; of hay, 2,030,000 tons on 1,561,538 acres. The total value of

the above crops in the local markets was $125,332,210.

The forest growth of Ohio is rich in variety and luxuriance, embracing nearly all the different species of oak, maple, hickory, poplar, sycamore, pawpaw, dogwood, beach, buckeye, &c. It is to be regretted that the earlier agriculturists found it necessary to despoil so large a portion of the soil of its forest growth, thus seriously affecting already the climatic conditions of the State. This error, however, has been recog nized, and now, in different quarters, efforts are making to repair the waste by systematic tree-planting. The timber yielded by the forests of Ohio is excellent for builders or manufacturers' use, while its great abundance met all the earlier draughts for fuel.

The mineral resources of Ohio are on a large scale. Though unendowed with mines of the precious metals, her deposits of useful minerals are numerous, extensive, and important. The main geological features of the State, excepting the drift formation of the north and the alluvions of the rivers and lowlands, embrace mostly the paleozoic or primary system. The lower silurian formations of the west are succeeded by the Devonian and carboniferous strata, the latter of which, in the eastern and southeastern portions of the State, cover an estimated area of 12,000 square miles.

Limestone crops out in all portions of the State, furnishing an abundant and admirable material for building. Clay is also abundant in all sections, and of superior quality for the manufacture of brick, tiles, and earthenware.

The coal deposits crop out of what are properly the foot-hills of the Alleghany Mountain system. It lies in accessible beds of easy working capacity, and furnishes the basis of a rapidly-increasing industry. In 1868 there were produced 55,000,000 bushels of coal. It is supposed that not over two-thirds of the actual product have been reported, and that the real aggregate will not fall short of 75,000,000 bushels.

The iron deposits are also quite extensive and valuable. The most profitable outcrops appear to be in Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Vinton, Athens, and Hocking Counties. The iron belt passing through these localities is about 100 miles long and 12 miles wide, abounding in specimens of very superior quality. During the year 1868 there were produced, according to the most reliable estimates, 208,746 tons, being an increase of 41,155 tons over the yield of the previous year, and of 126,956 over the yield of 1866.

Salt springs abound in the southeastern part of the State, and large quantities of this necessary product are annually manufactured.

The manufacturing capacities of Ohio are not less important and valuable than its mining and agricultural interests. The water-power 'afforded by the streams of different grades passing through the State is very extensive, while artificial motive, power is found in the development of its coal mining interests. It has a workable coal area at least

double that of Great Britain, and under the same industrial activities will ultimately produce commensurate results.

The commercial facilities of Ohio are of the first order of advantage. Its central position makes it the great thoroughfare of trade between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of the North American Continent.

Its river and lake navigation embrace not less than 800 miles. To these have been added several hundred miles of canals and 3,500 miles of railroad, involving an actual investment of capital of not less than $200,000,000, carrying annually over 10,000,000 passengers and 13,500,000 tons of freight. The total value of the railway commerce has been estimated at $1,250,000,000. This is probably not more than half the internal commerce of the State.

The climate of Ohio presents a considerable variety. Upon the watershed between Lake Erie and the Ohio River basins the cold increases to an equality with the same parallels in the Eastern States, on account of the cold winds of the north sweeping over the lake. In the southern part it is warmer, but nowhere of an enervating character. It everywhere presents a sufficient stimulus to bring out all the resources of the soil. Meteorological observations of considerable regularity and extent show that there is but little difference between the mean temperature of the water-shed line of the State and its northern boundary. Kelly's Island in Lake Erie is one-sixteenth of a degree warmer in winter than Urbana, one and a half degrees southward in latitude, while in summer it is but one twenty-fourth of a degree colder. The rain-fall of 1867 was 43 inches, being about 3 inches greater than the average of a few previous years.

The southern slope of Ohio is larger than the northern, as is seen by the greater length of the affluents of the Ohio over those of Lake Erie. The landscape presents every variety of tranquil beauty, though it lacks the great contrasts afforded by mountain scenery. A large portion of the surface is treeless prairie, with all the peculiar characters of that style of landscape. The woodland alternates with it in graceful variety, presenting a wide scope of choice localities of settlement, both for residence and for cultivation.

Rural life has especial charms in this State, which is now, by the wonderful extension of railway, telegraphic, and postal facilities, relieved of the embarrassments and drawbacks resulting from distance from the cities.

The accumulation of wealth, with the consequent increase of the facilities of civilization, is shown in the gradual increase of assessed values of personal and real estate. The assessment of 1869 was $1,157,180,455, being a net increase over that of the previous year of $13,719,069. According to the estimate of His Excellency the Governor the true gold value of property is more than double the assessed value. In 1868 this was placed at $2,500,000,000. Ohio has 135 national and 118 State banks, with a joint capital of $27,313,720. This mass of material prosperity is directed by splendid intellectual and moral forces. Provision ja made by law for the education of nearly 1,100,000 of youth in the public schools, of whom about three-quarters of a million were actually in attendance. Nearly 12,000 school-houses, worth at least $12,000,000, have been erected, and the noble work is extending both in means and influence. These schools, especially in the towns and cities, are graded and organized upon the most efficient system, and are rapidly approximating the highest rank among the educational establishments of the country. The general elevation of popular intelligence secured by these institutions is incalculable.

Besides the public schools there are four hundred and eighty-five private academies and high schools, and twenty universities and colleges. These higher institutions are generally well endowed and highly efficient. The grade of scholarship has been greatly elevated. Two of these institutions-the Ohio University at Athens, and the Miami University of Oxford, Ohio-have landed endowments from the General Government. In the earlier days of the history of Ohio these were the pioneer colleges of the great Northwest, and here have been educated and disciplined some of the best minds in the nation.

The most remarkable growth of the State is observed in the towns and cities. About fifty have been compared, showing rates of increase varying from twenty to two hundred per cent. during the present decade. Of these the largest is Cincinnati, with a population of over a quarter million. This city is one of the most active centers of trade and manufacture in the country. Though out-stripped by several younger rivals in some of the more showy elements of growth, she presents a massive aggregation of trade and industry, of wealth and refinement, of intellectual culture and moral influence, which is felt as a power in the country.

The natural and artificial communications of the city are very supe rior. It is one of the great railway centers of the Union, and is extending its connections of this character to new fields of enterprise in the West and South. Its position on the Ohio River places it in close communication with all parts of the country throughout the 17,000 miles of navigation of the Mississippi River system. These facilities for the commercial enterprise of the Queen City are used with great vigor and intelligence in building up the trade and production of the city.

The imports into the city by river and rail during 1868 were valued at $280,063,948, which increased the following year to $283,927,902. Or these the largest items were tobacco, cotton, pork and bacon, cattle, &c. The exports of 1868 amounted to $144,262,138, and increased in 1869 to $163,084,358. The total export and import trade for those two years respectively amounted to $324,326,086 and $456,011,260. During the current year it promises to aggregate at least half a billion.

The manufactures of this city embrace a capital invested of $45,225,586. The value of the real estate used in manufacturing was $36,853,783. The value of the product during the year was $119,140,089. The number of hands employed was 59,354. Of this department of industry the largest investment was $4,112,700 in the manufacture of clothing, producing $11,207,696 during the year, and giving employment to 12,236 hands. The furniture business involved the investment of $3,675,500, producing articles valued at $5,927,417, and employing 3,796 hands. Distilled, fermented, and malt liquors absorbed capital amounting to $7,488,000, producing $15,609,798 and giving employment to 2,428 hands. Machinery was produced to the extent of $4,246,810, with an investment of $2,537,500, and employed 2,060 hands. Oils, soaps, and candles represented a capital of $2,500,000 and a production of $7,820,329, employing 1,217 hands. Tobacco and its preparations required $2,217,500 of capital, showing an aggregate product of $6,268,749, and employing 4,634 hands. The other leading articles of Cincinnati manufacture were books and newspapers, produced to the amount of $2,849,447; boots and shoes, $3,642,738; bread, crackers, &c., $1,921,142; building materials, (not including brick and stone,) $2,308,418; castings, stoves, and hollow ware, $5,961,850; drugs, chemicals, &c., $1,948,340; iron ore, $4,000,000; lard, $2,553,492; leather, $2,270,446; provisions, $12,301,033.

The foregoing represent only the more important products of manufacturing enterprise in the city. The genius of her artisans is constantly directed to the higher branches of art. During the past autumn a grand industrial exposition was held in the city, at which an astonishing and very unexpected display of American manufacturing industry was exhibited. All the indications are that Cincinnati will be one of the great manufacturing cities of the country. This fact indicates a noble future. A varied industry is the best foundation for an extensive and profitable trade.

Cleveland, on Lake Erie, has attained a population of nearly or quite 100,000; estimates founded on unfinished reports of the ninth census assigning an aggregate of 93,000. Its real and personal estate is estimated at $90,000,000. Its lake commerce approaches $200,000,000, while its railroad and canal trade is said to represent $600,000,000. In 1867 there were nearly 10,000 entrances and clearances of lake vessels, with a tonnage of over three millions. There are 200 sailing and steam vessels owned at the port, with a tonnage of 45,000. There are $13,000,000 invested in manufactures, producing $44,000,000 in finished products. The coal trade involves an investment of $3,000,000, showing a receipt of about 700,000 tons per annum, about half of which is .forwarded. Of iron ore the annual receipt amounts to about 300,000 tons, of which about 50,000 tons are smelted in the city. Of 90,000 or 100,000 tons of pig-iron annually imported, about three-fifths are manufactured in the iron-mills of Cleveland, the remainder being shipped to other manufacturing points. In the petroleum trade over $3,000,000 are invested, with an annual receipt of over three-quarters of a million barrels of crude, and a million barrels of refined oil. In the lumber trade at least a million dollars are invested, with an import of 150,000,000 feet of lumber, 130,000,000 shingles, 75,000,000 lath, and 20,000,000 staves. Toledo, at the mouth of Maumee, with over 30,000 inhabitants, being an increase of 120 per cent. in ten years, has a grain trade of over $20,000,000 per annum.

Columbus, the capital of the State, is one of the prominent railroad centers of the West, and has an immense manufacturing and commercial interest. Dayton, on the Miami River, 60 miles north of Cincinnati, is a beautiful city, with a large trade and manufacture. Steubenville, on the Ohio River, Zanesville, on the Muskingum, Springfield, Chillicothe, Xenia, and other points might be named as thriving business centers, giving promise of future prosperity, and offering special inducements for the investment of capital.

The State of Ohio, with a population of nearly 3,000,000, exhibits an estimated daily production of values of $4,500,000, or $1,350,000,000 per annum, including raw material, and the subsequent changes wrought upon it by mechanical and chemical processes.

In none of the communities of the Union is there promise of higher development of civilization. Large portions of this State are as yet thinly settled, and very great inducements are still offered for immigra tion.

INDIANA.

Indiana, originally constituting a part of the "Northwestern Territory," and forming a portion of the Great Mississippi Valley, is the smallest of the Western States. It has an average length of 240 miles, breadth of not more than 140 miles, and an area of 33,809 square miles, or 21,637,760 acres, 20,000,000 of which are capable of cultivation. The total surface of improved lands in 1869 amounted to 10,500,000 acres,

an increase of over 2,000,000 acres since 1850. The population of the State in 1860 was 1,350,428. It is estimated that the ninth census will show an increase of at least 28 per cent., which would make the present population 1,736,261.

Indiana is bounded on the west by Illinois and the Wabash River; on the south by Kentucky, from which it is separated by the Ohio River; on the east by Ohio, and on the north by Michigan and Lake Michigan. The surface of Indiana is mostly level and gently undulating, forming continuous slopes of great extent, which gradually sink toward the Mississippi. The most prominent elevation of land occurs along the southern end of Lake Michigan, which is about 1,000 feet above the sea level. The difference of elevation between the highest land in the State and the Ohio River is not over 600 feet, so that the average fall per mile from its northern extremity to its southern border would not be over two and a half feet. In the northern and northwestern portions of the State the lands are chiefly prairie, interspersed with groves of excellent timber. The table lands extending north of the White River bear heavy growths of various timber, such as walnut, beech, maple, oak, and ash; large prairies, some of them barren and marsh lands, present entirely different features from the more southern and southwestern portions of the State, which are very broken, rugged, and sometimes inconveniently hilly. A few miles from the Ohio there is a range of hills, running nearly parallel with it, which is noted for its commanding views and imposing scenery.

The soil of Indiana is generally of a highly fertile character. The val leys of the Ohio and the Wabash, as well as most of the other rivers, have rich alluvial bottoms, the most productive lands in the State, which yield from 100 to 125 bushels of corn per acre. Though the elevated lands are not so luxuriantly fertile as the river bottoms, yet the drift formation in the northern and central portions of the State, consisting of deposits of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders, and overlying the coal and limestone formation to a depth varying from ten to two hundred feet, supplies the soil with all the elements necessary to a high degree of fertility and durability. The soil of this State, being thus made up of a great variety of material, is exceedingly well adapted to the growth of the heaviest cereals as well as the most delicate fibers. Besides the corn crops, the bottom lands produce also good crops of wheat, which formerly, on account of the great amount of vegetable matter the soil then contained, would have been an impossibility. In the southern part of the State the vine flourishes excellently. Wine was first sucessfully manufactured in the United States at Vevay, on the Ohio, by a Swiss colony. Corn, wheat, and oats are the three staple products. The following are the aggregates of the principal crops raised for the year 1868: Corn, 90,832,000 bushels; wheat, 17,366,000; buckwheat, 370,000; oats, 11,285,000; potatoes, 3,100,000; tobacco, 7,237,000 pounds; hay, 1,280,000 tons. The average yield per acre of the above crops for 1868 was as follows: Corn, 34 bushels; wheat, 11.2; buckwheat, 19.3; oats, 26.5; potatoes, 88; tobacco, 705 pounds; hay, 1.35 ton.

The climate of Indiana possesses the general characteristics of the other Western States; the winters are somewhat severe, but healthy and invigorating, while the summers are comparatively mild, pleasant, and refreshing. There is considerable diversity of climate between the northern and southern portions of the State, which, lying between the thirty-eighth and forty-second parallels, furnishes a great variety of temperatures. In the southern portion cotton may be cultivated, and wheat harvested in the month of June; on the other hand, the northern por

« PrejšnjaNaprej »