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447

448

449

F. J. Blair, counterfeit money taken during fair.

F. J. Blair, expenses at December and February meetings.
F. J. Blair, coal.

450 F. J. Blair, service during state fair

Total amount of orders issued by secretary.

Amount of orders Nos. 314, 319, 351, 381, 390, 392 and 393, of
1873, paid by the treasurer.

Amount of orders Nos. 164, 165, 400, 426, 428, 432, 442, 443 and
445, of 1874, not received by the treasurer at the close of the
year, December 1, 1874....

Total amount of orders paid by the treasurer..

Amount.

$3.65 136 50

6 00

754 50

26 00

1 01

15 00

35 00

16,994 30

87 50

17,081 80

69 65

17,012 15

STATE

AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION.

Held at Madison, January, 27 to 30, 1874.

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WEDNESDAY, 9 A. M. Meeting was called to order by President Eli Stilson, who proceeded to read his opening address, as follows:

FARMERS OF WISCONSIN: In my opening remarks this morning I will endeavor to be brief, but at the same time present for your consideration the importance and magnitude of the subject we are called together to discuss and examine.

HOW SHALL WE IMPROVE THE AGRICULTURE OF WISCONSIN?

I hope the facts and experience that will be presented by those who shall take part in this convention will be profitable and instructive.

The subject of Agricultural Conventions was long discussed by the officers of the State Agricultural Society before it was finally adopted as one of the means by which this society could benefit all classes of farmers in the state. No farmer is so advanced but what he can find here some new facts and experience gathered from the book of nature by a tiller of the soil; neither are any so inexperienced and unsuccessful, but that they can find new thoughts and new ideas, and gather a little vital energy and perseverance, which shall make them more successful in the future. The several agricultural conventions that have been held in this state have refuted the idea that farmers as a class are incapable of discussing agriculture with profit to themselves and the state. This uprising of the agricultural classes in their manhood and dignity, and their fixed determination to acquaint themselves with all the knowledge that is required by their occupation and citizenship, is one of the greatest movements of the age.

May the farmer, by the cultivation of his intellect, by the study of nature's laws, by a thorough and practical application to his calling, and by sterling intergrity in all his business transactions, honestly win the title of "nature's nobleman."

No farmer can afford te be untrustworthy in his business transactions, but on the other hand the exercise of manly qualities will aid much in the success of the farmer's business, and be his best passport as a farmer and a citizen. By a close study and preparation for the task that lies before us in the advancement of agriculture, we shall not only learn to produce more per acre and cheaper, but we shall learn to partially ward off a part of the effects of unfavorable seasons, and insect enemies, and our success will be more complete and satisfactory, having surmounted those difficulties. Not only so, but we shall learn to look forward to these agricultural gatherings as a sort of reunion of the weather-worn veterans and new recruits in the cause of agriculture. We hope for a large amount of facts and experience, untrammelled by vague theories and visionary ideas.

We are entirely upon a new era in agriculture. The coming farmer must not only have a general practical education, such as he can obtain in our institutions of learning, but he must be a close observer of nature's laws, and be able to sift the experience of others, and try them as in a crucible, retain the valuable while he casts away the visionary.

I shall confine myself to a limited portion of the broad field that opens before me; the improvement of the soil and the improvement of live stock, leaving the great questions of diversified industry, cheap transportation, rate of interest, and the details of the various branches of agriculture for others or for future occasions.

The grain producer must learn to produce more per acre, and thereby produce at less cost per bushel and greater profit. I lay down this proposition, that the farmers of Wisconsin can and should add twenty-five per cent. to the average yield of grain per acre, by the judicious use of clover and plaster and keeping of stock, with good cultivation and proper rotation of crops.

The average yield of wheat in this state, for a long series of years is less than fourteen bushels per acre, and yet there are instances in the state where, on well managed farms, the yearly average is more than fifty per cent. greater than the average of the state, and if we

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