72 WISCONSIN AGEICULTUEE. 



which thus, a second time, has made it my pleasant duty to act 

 as your presiding officer. 



Furthermore, I will avail myself of this opportunity of re- 

 turning my warmest thanks for that generosity, fidelity, energy, 

 and efficiency which has ever characterized my associate officers, 

 and numerous other individual members, and for the prompt- 

 ness and heartiness with which they have supported the great 

 cardinal measures of the Society, 



During the entire past year, a beneficent Providence has 

 smiled upon our State, blessing the hand of labor in all its mul- 

 tiform employments, and developing its great and growing in- 

 terests by the sunshine of prosperity. 



Health and peace, invigorating sunlight and refreshing show- 

 ers, have fallen to our lot, and today we rejoice in well-filled 

 granaries, in healthy herds of sheep and kine, the hum and 

 musical din of workshops, and the brisk activity of the business 

 mart; while other parts of our common country have been 

 severely visited by drought, and fire, and pestilence. 



The inhabitants of our State have done their work faithfully, 

 and of right, reap, now, an abundant reward. In quantity and 

 in quality, the products of our State have never been surpassed ; 

 while a ready sale, and high prices have awaited the farmer 

 almost at his own door. 



For these gratifying evidences of abounding goodness, let us 

 be deeply thankful to that merciful Father, in whose hands are 

 the destinies, not only of states and nations, but of all mankind. 



It is certainly a circumstance worthy of no little congratula- 

 tion, that in many respects, the exhibition of articles at this, the 

 fourth anniversary of our Society, excels all those of previous 

 years, therein affording the best evidence of the increasing use- 

 fulness of the Society, and giving full promise of an ever- 

 brightening future. 



Our State is a great and noble one, capable of taking front 

 rank among the agricultural states ot the Union ; but whether 

 she will avail herself of these capabilities, rests to a great extent 

 with the Society, to whose care her most important and primary 

 interests are entrusted. 



