42 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
attention. If the seed of the maple or locust, the slip of the wil¬ 
low, or the plants or young trees of any of the kinds mentioned, 
are planted, whether in the seed bed, to be transplanted, or in the 
fence row, to there remain, they must be kept clean and free from 
weeds, thoroughly cultivated, the same as a wise and thrifty farmer 
would do in the production of any other crop. If this is done, I 
believe the farmers will all exclaim that their crop of fences, 
though longer in coming to maturity, was of more value to them 
than any other crop they ever raised. 
This is one of the great questions which the farmer must grap¬ 
ple with. Either live fences must be produced, or the stock raiser 
must herd his stock or build only sufficient fences to keep them 
within certain pasture limits. The farmers of the state can never 
prosper with this millstone of millions hanging about their necks. 
I believe the live fences to be the sure and effectual remedy. 
FAIRS. 
I cannot too strongly urge upon the farmers and producers of 
the state the importance of attending the local and state fairs. 
These should be great festal days, not only for relaxation and 
amusement, but for social culture, and to stimulate and excite 
. t 
honorable emulation among producers, in all that relates to pro¬ 
gress in their particular department of industry. Days for com¬ 
paring exhibits of stock, grain, manufactures, and other products 
of the county or state, and to encourage an active and healthy 
competition which may be productive of great good. If Mr. A. 
has a superior animal or article on exhibition, Mr. B. naturally 
wishes to know how each was produced, so that he can do better 
in the future. A man who is a mere looker on this year catches 
the spirit of rivalry and competition, and is stimulated to exhibit 
next year, and carry off the award if he can, for no one, possessed 
of that spirit which should actuate every producer in the state, is 
content to let his neighbor do better than himself, with the same 
opportunities. 
“ The more great fairs we have, the better, the more enlightened 
and the more prosperous will our country be. And we take 
pleasure in knowing that such is the opinion of progressive and 
level-headed people everywhere. Mark the influence upon the 
