REMARKS OF GEO. E. MORROW, ESQ., OF THE WESTERN FARMER.

Mr. Morrow said, that in view of the length of time the audience had been standing in the unpleasant wind, he should decline to detain them longer, except to acknowledge the honor done him, and to call attention to what seemed a very appropriate arrangement by the secretary, in securing at this, the exhibition of the chief agricultural society of the state, addresses by the chief Executive officer of the state, the president of the chief educational institution, and a representative of the agricultural press. The state government, the educators, and the agricultural press, all had a deep interest in the prosperity and improvement of the agricultural interests of the state, and this society was one of the chief agencies in securing such improvement. All these agencies should work together in heartiest sympathy, aiding each other in all practicable ways.

REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENTS.

HORSE DEPARTMENT.

BY JOHN L. MITCHELL, SUPERINTENDENT.

The show of horses at the fair of the state society, held in Milwaukee in September, 1873, probably exceeded in quantity and quality that of any preceding one, but the weather, which showered anything but blessings, made it impossible to exhibit the animals as they deserved.

The roadster class was the most conspicuous for its excellence. It showed that Wisconsin also is moving in the national direction of trotting-breeding, and with no laggard step, for the stock-horses on the grounds represented the most sought-for strains in the country, and were evidence in themselves of the value of "blue blood" in the horse. It may not be out of place here to mention the stables of Richard Richards of Racine, Geo. C. Stevens of Milwaukee, and Geo. D. Doubleday of Whitewater; they were prominent for their numbers and merit, and their proprietors are doing the state much service.

The draft class was full and fine, owing mainly to the stock of H. B. Sherman of Burnett Junction, and Simon Ruble of Beloit. These gentlemen presented weighty reasons for the belief they have in the heavy horse.

The thorough breds were few. In fact thorough breeding can hardly be said to exist in Wisconsin. Most of the premiums in this class went without competition, and in some instances were awarded to animals not qualified in the way of pedigree.

The class for general purposes was as usual filled to overflowing, and in a great neasure by non-exhibitors. This is the convenience class through which parties secure cheap and easy stall-room upon the grounds, by obtaining an entry tag, without

any intention of appearing in the ring. This frequently works injustice to bona fide exhibitors, as at our last fair, when many worthy animals were turned away for want of accommodation. Some stringent regulation should be made to meet these cases.

The trials of speed were, with one possible exception, tame affairs. This was the result partly of the unfavorable circumstances of bad weather and track, but mainly of lightness of purses offeredgood horses will not now-a-days take the risk of a record for a paltry sum of money.

For the benefit of spectators, some way ought to be devised of exhibiting all the horses at one time. A cavalcade may not be feasible, but it might be understood that the stalls are all to be opened at a stated hour and are to remain open for a given length of time; horses in training, of course, to be excepted.

On the whole, the horse exhibition of 1873 passed off smoothly and without disturbance. The short-comings of the department were not a few, still it must be remembered, in extenuation, that there are sure to be some hitches where horses tackle each other in hot competition.

CATTLE DEPARTMENT.

BY CHARLES H. WILLIAMS, SUPERINTENDENT.

There was a time, when raising neat cattle was deemed a branch of farming unsuited to the climate and soil of this state, but thanks to the energy and persistent labors of the managers of our agricultural papers, and the energy and public spirit of a number of the enterprising farmers of the state, who purchased and brought here the finely bred animals of the older and more improved states, it has been demonstrated beyond question, that Wisconsin, if not one of the best stock producing states in the union, can at least grow them well and profitably-as has been seen each year at our annual exhibitions during the past four or five years, where were home grown animals of all the various classes, equal to those found in any of the other states.

The last of these exhibitions, held at Milwaukee in September,

1873, fully equaled in numbers and quality, the very large and valuable display of cattle made the year previous, but was more creditable to the state, in that the stock on exhibition, was more largely owned by resident farmers, and that there was an increase in the number of exhibitors, several of whom, were such for the first time-seeming to indicate a more extended and growing interest in favor of cattle breeding.

There were on exhibition at this fair, two hundred and twentyfive head of neat cattle, divided among the various classes, as follows: Short Horns, eighty head; Devons, forty-four; Ayrshires, forty-three; Alderneys, twenty; Grade cattle, sixteen; working oxen, ten; fat cattle, six; milk cows, six. The Grade cattle, fat cattle and milk cows, being crosses of the Short Horn. The working oxen, crosses of the Short Horn, and crosses of the Devon. In addition to the above, there were quite a number of the Black Galloway-making in all, a number on exhibition largely in excess of the stalls provided by the Society.

It will be seen from this detailed statement of entries, that the animals on exhibition in this department comprised one hundred and eighty-eight thoroughbreds, and only thirty-seven grades of all classes, from which it may be fair to conclude that the general farmer does not contribute as much towards the annual exhibitions of the society, in this branch of the show, as his interest in the improvement of the cattle of the state would seem to require.

The efforts made by the society to encourage the introduction and breeding of thoroughbred cattle and other thoroughbred stock in the state, are mainly for the purpose of bringing within reach of farmers generally the means by which they can gradually improve and make better the native cattle and other poor stock of the state. It would be very gratifying, and add much to the interest of the exhibitions, if the progress made in this important branch of agriculture was more fully shown by the exhi bition of a much larger number of the improved grade cattle, working oxen, fat cattle and milk cows. It is hoped the general farmer will in the future show more interest in this department, and place on exhibition at the annual fairs a much larger number of their well-developed and improved grades.

SHEEP DEPARTMENT.

BY VICE PRESIDENT STILSON, SUHERINTENDENT.

As the exhibitors at the fair in 1873 were mainly the same as in 1872, in this department, I will not attempt to particularize each exhibitor's stock as I did in 1872, but will devote a few words to the importance of this department. The exhibitors of 1873 vied with each other in the fine quality of their stock, showing that Wisconsin is well adapted to sheep husbandry. And when we contemplate the great value of this industry to productive and successful farming, we must give an encouraging word to all those who have adopted sheep husbandry in mixed farming, and to those who have not yet engaged in this branch of farming, but have feed for more stock, we would urge the keeping of small flocks of sheep not only as a source of revenue, but particularly to maintain the fertility of the farm. Remember that the sheep is said to be the animal with the golden hoof, and the land on which he treads will turn into gold. Five bushels of wheat per acre can easily be added to the wheat crop on arable lands that have long grown wheat, when sheep are kept on the farm with clover for a rotation in grain growing. And the more we can diversify the industries of the country, the better they will pay the producers. Wool is a product of far greater value in proportion to the products of the coarse feed upon which it is grown, hence the cost of transportation is materially reduced, and the profits of the farmer enlarged.

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

BY C. LOFTUS MARTIN, SUPERINTENDENT.

In accordance with a resolution of our executive board, I herewith hand you a brief report of the agricultural department. The number of entries was very large, aud the building devoted to this branch of the exhibition well filled. The show of winter and spring wheat, corn, oats, barley and other cereals, including garden seeds, was good. The products of the dairy could not