and strain of a terrible war, such as the industry of most nations could have recovered from only after a quarter or half a century. Nevertheless, stimulated by the variety and vastness of her resources, and moved by the resistless energy of an intelligent and resolute people, Wisconsin has advanced by steady and almost unequal strides. In 1851, the population of our state was 305,391; today it is scarcely less than 1,250,000. The area of our improved lands was 1,055,499 acres; now it is about 4,000,000. The total value of the annual product of our agricultural industry was about $25,000,000; now it is about $100,000,000. There was then scarcely a single herd of blooded stock within the state, and stock of any sort was comparatively scarce. To-day our herds and flocks abound in all quarters, and our horses, cattle, sheep and swine have rank among the very best in the Union.

The cash valuation of the products of our manufactures was then little over $20,000,000; this year it will probably reach the sum of $100,000,000 and the product of Milwaukee alone more than equals the state in 1850. Nor is this rapid increase a full index of our progress in manufactures. The figures of 1851 almost entirely represented small enterprises which have grown to be of immense magnitude, some of them hardly surpassed by any like enterprises in the world. Moreover, new branches of manufacture have been established and are now contributing largely to give Wisconsin honorable rank among the manufacturing states of the Union. Of these last, the magnificent iron mills now in successful operation near this city and the mills for the manufacture of merchant iron now in the way of establishment, are notable examples.

Our mining was confined to superficial diggings in the lead regions. Now, without abandoning the mining of lead, which is carried on more systematically and scientifically, we have commenced the working of inexhaustible deposits of iron which is destined to yield untold wealth.

In 1851 we were beginning the very doubtful experiment of producing some of the hardiest fruits; to-day our orchards are seen on every hand and our annual collection in the Horticultural Hall are unsurpassed for either variety, beauty, or excellence, by any similar displays I have ever seen in any of the states.

I need not hesitate to say that the State Agricultural Society has kept pace with, and constantly and fairly represented this wonder

ful progress. This it has done with faithfulness and exactness, being, in fact a fair index or exponent of the material progress, wealth, taste, culture and general prosperity of our people.

It is natural that we should feel a glow of pride when we compare the Wisconsin of to-day with the Wisconsin of 1851. But it does not become us to lose sight of the immense advantage we have had over some of the older states. First of all, the area of Wisconsin is about equal to nearly all of New England. Our climate is at once favorable to both physical and intellectual vigor and a safeguard against those diseases which prey upon the inhabitants of many other sections of the country. Our mineral resources are vast and varied. Our forests of timber are a source of supply almost inexhaustible, not only to our own, but to many other states. Our agricultural districts were mostly ready for the hand of the husbandman, without the laborious work of felling forests and removing stumps; and our soil has been productive of large returns with but little labor. Our manufacturing industry has had the advantage of numerous water powers, some of them unsurpassed by any on the American continent, and an extraordinary variety of the best materials on every hand. Our commerce has had the help of direct water communication with the great Mississippi valley, with all the states bordering on the chain of lakes, and even with foreign lands. And, finally, all these attractions combined have given us a hardy, vigorous, energetic and intelligent population, and has invited an amout of capital sufficient to enable us to develop our resources, to build a multitude of prosperous cities and villages, and to cover our state with a net-work of railways built and contemplated, capable of greatly helping us to achieve yet more rapid progress in the future.

But, gentlemen of the society and fellow-citizens, we must not forget that this representative exhibition is only a trophy set up by an enterprising people on the grand highway of progress-that it only represents what is, not what ought to be.

"Of him to whom much is given much shall be required." It is well for us to compare our attainments with our possibilities. Doing this, our pride is duly moderated, our resolution is quickened and our ambition is ever fixing itself upon a yet higher mark.

The farmer's pursuits tend to isolate him from other men, and hence to make the agricultural class less potential in directing the

policy of the state. It is, therefore, in my opinion, well that the members of this class have come to learn, first. that "in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom;" and secondly, that "in union there is strength." Now that they have come to a realization of their rights, their needs and also their strength when united, we may anticipate an industrial and social progress, in this and all other communities, that will give to the individual farmer a higher degree of intelligence, to the whole class of farmers worthier results, as well as larger returns for their labor, and to agriculture its rightful place as the central figure among the industries of mankind.

Let me assure you, however, that the efforts in behalf of productive labor, threaten no danger to other departments of honest industry, and much less to the safety and profit of honestly invested capital. The varied interests of the community are mutually dependent, and are subject to mutual prosperity and depression. To enhance the rewards of the field and the workshop, is but to build broader and stronger the foundation of all honorable enterprise, and to multiply the demand for all those grand agencies of civilization, on which the majestic growth of cities and the progress of great public improvements necessarily depend. Not to destroy any, but to protect all, is the rightful study of the statesman; not to tear down, but to build up, bringing all under the order of just and equal laws, is the duty of government. To these ends I invoke the associated, systematic and persistent effort of all who would elevate our noble calling, promote the best good of society, and raise the standard of our common humanity.

In conclusion, permit me to add, that during my long and intimate connection with the various departments of your society, covering a period of about seventeen years, I have endeavored to discharge the various duties assigned me with fidelity to the interests of the society; and now when called to other fields of care and duty, I cannot forbear expressing to you my personal obligations, to each and all of those who so long and so generously gave me their confidence, nor can I ever feel a less interest hereafter than heretofore, in your permanent prosperity and success.

HORSE DEPARTMENT.

BY JOHN L. MITCHELL, SUPERINTENDENT.

The number of horses at the Wisconsin State Fair of 1874, held in Milwaukee, was larger than that of any preceding year, filling two hundred and thirty stalls. Many inferior horses obtained stallroom with no intention of competing for premiums, to the dislodging of more worthy animals. I think a charge for each stall would prevent this abuse. The average quality was up to the standard of former years.

The prominent feature of the horse-department was the draftclass, including Clydesdales and Normans. It was, undoubtedly, the largest and best collection of horses ever together in this state, and shows the tendency towards avoirdupois among breeders. H. B, Sherman and William Worden, of Burnett, were large exhibitors of Normans, and R. Ogilvie, of Madison, T. Irving, of Mukwanago, and William Storey, of Waupun, of Clydesdales, Last but not least, unless twenty-three hundred pounds in weight may be so considered, came George Murray, of Racine, with his Clyde horse Donald Dinnie. This large animal was the great attraction of the fair.

A reasonable opinion prevailed on the ground that the two breeds (Clydesdale and Norman) ought, from their dissimilar characteristics, to have been judged separately.

Of thoroughbreds, there were but two, both belonging to John Corrigan, of Cedarburg. This, with the failure to fill up the running races, proves the lack of thoroughbreds in Wisconsin,-in fact they can be counted on one's fingers.

The roadster-class was strong, as is usual in this country of whirling wheels. Conspicuous were the stables of George D. Doubleday, of Whitewater, and Richard Richards, of Racine. The latter gentleman's display in "best stallion and five of his get," of his horse "Swigert," produce, was a grand and fitting finale to the exhibitors in the ring.

The trials of speed were, with one exception, of no interest, owing probably to small purses and their mal-arrangement.

Notwithstanding the well-meant opposition of some to racing, to see the horses go, is what draws the mass of people to a fair-ground, and gratifies them after they are there. On this account, I suggest a judicious increase in speed-premiums, founded on the experience of our most successful sister societies.

CATTLE DEPARTMENT.

BY GEO. E. BRYANT, SUPERINTENDENT.

Major Chas. H. Williams, of Baraboo, Sauk county, has for so many years superintended the cattle department, that his name has become as a household word to the exhibitors of neat cattle at the annual exhibitions of the society. Aside from being a veteran breeder of thoroughbreds himself, his urbanity of manner and general fairness towards exhibitors, has made him a great favorite in the ring, and it is much regretted that years and failing health should compel him to withdraw from active service as an officer of the society. But if any one thinks his interest has waned in bovine flesh let him visit the Major's beautiful farm beyond the Devils Lake and he'll find he still admires the noble Short Horn though he may not dote on the diminutive Jersey.

Our exhibition equaled in numbers and probably excelled in character any of its predecessors. There has been constant progress in this department from year to year. Some of the finest animals in the world were in our ring of 1874.

Although 25 addiMany valuable ani

tional stalls had been built they were all filled. mals found new owners. Good feeling prevailed among exhibitors, and your superintendent here bows his thanks for their promptness and courtesy towards him and each other.