COUNTY EEPORTS. 47 7 



EEMAEKS OF HOJS". P. W. ilATTS, THE PRESIDENT. 



After the premiums were awarded, the President addressed 

 the Society as follows : 



Old time has again, in its onward and progressive career, 

 brouo;lit about another vear, and with it the second Annual Fair 

 of the Dane County Agricultural Society. We need be thank- 

 ful to an All wise Power that our lives have been spared to as- 

 semble-together and witness this the grand exhibition of Dane 

 county industry. Comparatively few who met with us twelve 

 months ago, have gone to their homes. Yet, time rolls on, and 

 we might all, and each for ourselves, pause, meditate, and ex- 

 claim — why have I been spared ? This is a question which ad- 

 mits of a very satisfactory answer. It is to improve, improve I 



The rich and bountiful harvest which we have just passed 

 through, gives evidence that we are a favored people, and the 

 agriculturist of Dane has not been unmindful, but he has sown 

 upon good soil. 



In passing from the agricultural department, we suddenly be- 

 come a mechanical admirer, and the artistical arrangement is so 

 complete that it needs no praise at my hands. And to the la- 

 dies, (for I never could forgive myself the neglect of duty,) for 

 their liberal and generous display in the fine arts, I tender them 

 the sincere thanks of the Society. 



Competition and industry are the sure paths to wealth ; they 

 not only stimulate to excel, but to have a good article, which is 

 a good basis to happiness. 



To exhibitors I would remark, that all cannot be the success- 

 ful winners of the prizes, and to those who have not been so for- 

 tunate, I would say, be not discouraged, for you are just as much 

 entitled to have the first premiums as your neighbor ; perseve- 

 rance and industry are never at rest, and if you should happen 

 to greet your neighbor, he would impart any information you 

 desired ; for in a farming community the withholding of new dis- 

 coveries is no credit to the possessor. He would instantly an- 

 swer you in this way, "my friend, in the first place, I preserved 

 or obtained the very best seed ; and in the second place, I went 

 last spring to a certain plow manufactory in this county, and 



