18 



it ill future years to bestow a much larger amount, as premiuuis, for the reward 

 of successful industry. 



The finances of the Society are in a healthful condition, as will be seen by the 

 balance of |85 45 now in the treasury. The expenditures of the last year were 

 only those that were requhed to meet the most urgent and necessitous wants ; 

 and it is a source of much pleasm-e to the Committee that they have been enabled 

 to manage the pecuniary afiairs of the Society so economically, and yet so 

 judiciously. 



Throughout the year much embarrassment has been experienced from the 

 low state of the funds; and in order to provide against such a calamity in future, 

 it is the united opinion of the Committee, that an attempt shotild, as soon as 

 possible, be made to secure, either by Legislative gi-ant, or by individual dona- 

 tion, a permanent fund, the interest of which will be sufficient to meet the 

 cun-ent expenses and wants of the Society. In other States, legislative aid has 

 been freely given to similar organizations ; and it is hoped and beheved by the 

 Committee, that the Legislature of our own State of Wisconsin will not be 

 backward in extending that aid to the Society which its merits demand, and its 

 wants require. 



Another object that the Committee have had in view, is the formation of an 

 Agiicultiu-al Library ; but owing to the limited fimds, no great progress has as 

 yet been made. It is hoped, however, that a good beginning may be made in 

 this matter during the coming year; and the Committee feel assured, that if the 

 foundation is only laid, a small sum annually appropriated vriU be sufficient, 

 when taken with the donations of books that may reasonably be expected, to 

 give us, in time, a good Library. 



Connected with this, is the formation of an Agiicultivral Museum, where 

 may be stored as weU the primitive instruments of husbandry, as the more 

 comphcated and scientific implements of the present day. In this way the 

 instruments which have stood the test of time and experience, may at once be 

 seen and appreciated ; whUe those that have tmdergone change, will be placed 

 side by side with the improvements and modifications which have subsequently 

 taken place. Here, too, we would also deposit approved seeds, samples of pre- 

 mium wools, specimens of the various raw materials which enter into the manu- 

 facture of oiu- fabrics, and all articles which relate to the kindred objects of otir 

 Society. • 



In a conference recently had between the Executive Committee and a Com- 

 mittee of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin, it was mutually 

 determined that an attempt be made, at once, to prociu-e the establishment and 



