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16 
ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
The Society was called to order at three o’clock P. M., on Friday, 
October 7th, A. D. 1853, being the last day of the Fair, by Hon. Elisha 
W. Edgerton, President, and after prayer by the Rev. Melancthon 
Hoyt, of Watertown, the President arose and addressed the Society as 
follows : 
% 
Gentlemen of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society : 
We have great reason to congratulate ourselves on the establishment 
of the State Agricultural Society, and on the results flowing from its 
labors as evinced in these our Annual Exhibitions, regulated by a wise 
and judicious mode of action, and fostering a proper spirit of emulation 
to excel among the farmers and mechanics of our State. And not only 
to the agriculturist and the mechanic do our efforts of encouragement 
extend, but to the producer in every class of industrial labor, and also 
to the artist and to the lover of the fine arts ; all, may here find a due 
appreciation of their works, whether of genius, of beauty, or of utility. 
The great improvement which is so apparent in the various breeds of 
stock throughout our State gives us ample proof that the energies of our 
citizens in this department have been well directed ; and from what we 
have seen, we may well believe that Wisconsin can now safely compete 
with her sister States in an exhibition of Horses, of Cattle, of Sheep, of 
Swine, or even of Poultry. This result we may, without assumption, 
attribute in a great measure to the efforts and operations of this Society, 
gathering together as it does, in an Annual Exhibition, the producers 
from all parts of the State, and affording an opportunity for mutual ex¬ 
aminations of products, for comparison of qualities, and for interchange 
of experience, all tending to advancement and permanent progression. 
That such results may ever accompany the action of the State Agricul¬ 
tural Society is our fervent wish, and 6ur efforts shall ever be directed 
towards the attainment of that end. 
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