432 REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



in the State. Tlio loss of this staple cereal produced a marked effect 

 upon the beef and pork product, as it was found necessary to ship many- 

 cattle aiid bogs to market in a half-fatted condition, and thousands of 

 stock hogs were shipped to Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and other western 

 States for want of corn to feed them. 



Wheat was a fair average crop in the northern and western portions 

 of the State, vvhilo in the more central and southern part the chinch-bug 

 did serious damage, again in many instances entirely destroying the 

 cereal. Oats yielded heavily, and the crop was of extra quality. Pota- 

 toes and vegetables generally were abundant and excellent. Prices of 

 the cereals and stock-products ruled fair, and were highly remunerative 

 where good crops were produced. 



The secretary alludes to the work of the State Agricultural Society, 

 the granges, and farmers' clubs of the State, and says they have done 

 much during the past year to promote the interests of those engaged in 

 the different branches of farm- work. Of the State society, he says: 



The Wisconsin Stato Agricultural Society ia earnestly striving to better tlio condition 

 of the farmers and all others engaged in industrial, productive, useful enterprises. By 

 its annual exhibitions, it has stimulated better productions in all branches of farming. 

 By its annual publication and conventions, it has caused a deep interest in other im- 

 portjint subjects outside of the mere routine -work of the farm, showing the intimate 

 relations and connections the farmer be.nrs to all other useful employments of the State. 

 The society is to work for others, not for itself. It desires to reflect the sentiments and 

 views cf the industrial people, the classes it was intended by its founders to aid and 

 encourage, and if possibly it will take advance steps upon all questions it deems of 

 vital importance to the useful industries, thus quickening thought and action among 

 producers and leading them to a higher position in the social, political, and all other 

 relations of the Stato. * » » This society has done much to raise the standard of 

 education and intolligeneo .ind place the industrial workers upon a higher plane — in 

 an intellectual atmosphere v.'hero they can think for themselves and keep step with 

 the advanced, progressive spirit of the times. 



In addition to the business transactions of the society and the list of 

 premiums ofiered and awarded at the annual State fair, this volume con- 

 taius well-written papers on the following-named subjects: "Finance," 

 by George W. Gate ; "■ Producers' Perils," by David Ward Wood ; " Fi- 

 nance," by Sidney Myers; "Tlie farmers of Wisconsin," by George W. 

 Lee; " Better education of farmers a necessity for both the present and 

 future," by J. M. Smith ; "The farmer in politics," by AVilliam Orledge; 

 "Our agricultural 'rag baby,'" by E. H. Benton; "Gold us a stand- 

 ard of value," by G. Til. Steele, D. I).; "A coiisidtration of the incon- 

 vertible note scheme," by E. B. Leland ; " Dollars and sense," by S. D. 

 Carpenter; "Butter-making and the care of cows," by F. C. Curtis; 

 "Kenovation of soils by rotalion of crops," by A. A. Boyce; "llelation 

 of the soil to svater," by Prof. John Murrish ; "A practical application 

 of some of the lessons of thp year," by C. E. Warner; " What kind of 

 whent shall wo raise"?" by J. W. Wood; "Original creation of the soil 

 of Wisconsin, its ])ast compared with its present condition ; means of 

 improved future fertility," by II. A. Tenney ; " What Wisconsin farm- 

 ii!g demands of Wisconsin science," by Prof. T. C. Charaberlin ; " Higher 

 education on the progress ot*a State, or the people and their university," 

 by Prof. J. "W. Hoyt; "Grass is king," by Charles Seymour; "Self- 

 culture," by H. C. Skavlem ; " Farm-banks, or little things on the farm, 

 and why some sell out and go West," by George P. Peffer; " Success I's. 

 failure in Wisconsin orcharding," by J. C. Plumb. Many of these papers 

 co.'itain facts and suggestions of deep interest to the farmers of the 

 Northwest. 



