u 



At a subsequent meeting of the Committee a Premium List was prepared and 

 publislied, but there being still no funds the amount to be awarded was not 

 given. At the same meeting the Executive Committee desiring that some more 

 successful measui-e should be undertaken than had as yet been adopted to fill 

 the treasury of the Society, in view of the exigency of the case, directed the 

 Recording Secretary to visit, so far as the time previous to the Fair would allow, 

 the various Counties of the State, and endeavor, by all suitable means, to excite 

 an interest in the objects of the Society and to obtain Members thereto. The 

 wisdom of this policy was rendered clear and apparent at the late State Fair, 

 and too much credit cannot be given to the Secretary for the able and efficient 

 service rendered by him in the discharge of this duty. To him the Society is 

 mainly indebted for the success, so great and so unexpected, which attended 

 that Fair. 



Durino- its progress, the time of each Member of the Committee was so 

 engrossed by the multifarious duties devolving upon them, that they were unable 

 to devote that time and attention to the obsen'ation of the ground that would 

 be required in order to enable them to present a correct ^•iew of the occasion. 

 They have therefore adopted the following account prepared by that able and 

 distinguished friend and co-laborer with the Society, General Rufus King, 

 of Milwaukee. 



WISCONSIN STATE FAIR.— FIRST DAY. 



Janesville, October 1st, 1851. 



The First State Fair held in Wisconsin commenced here this morning. 

 The beginning is an auspicious one, and when it is remembered how young our 

 State is, it reflects great credit upon the enterprize and intelligence of her 

 Farmers. An area of something over six acres, on the edge of the plateau 

 which looks down upon the rapid and silvery Rock, and enclosed by a high board 

 fence, constitutes the Fair ground. Along two sides of the enclosure are pens for 

 Sheep and Swine, and stands for Cattle. Near the centre is a large and lofty Tent, 

 for the display of Fruits, Flowers, Fancy Articles, Paintings, Jewelry, &c. Hard 

 by is a long shed for the exhibition of Agricultural and Mechanical Products. 

 In the open space between these centre pieces and the Cattle stands on the sides, 

 there is ample room for the exhibition and trial of all sorts of Agricultural Im- 

 plements as well as for the display of Single and ]\Iatched Horses. 



Such is the general arrangement of the grounds. The filUng-in process 

 commenced at eight o'clock this morning, and by noon the ground was very well 

 occupied. Visitors began to flock in about ten, and from that hour until three P. !M. 

 there was quite a steady rush Fair-wards. I should think that there were five 



