62 Wisconsin state agricultural Society. 
Every man has duties to perform as a citizen of the state. 
Whatever each can do, to increase the productiveness of the soil, 
either directly or indirectly, or to add to the intelligence of men, 
without injuring himself, it is the duty of each man as a citizen 
to do. The agricultural colleges were created for these purposes. 
And indifference toward them is not the means of making them 
the most useful, either to individuals or to the state at large. 
These institutions have made mistakes. Those who have been 
in charge are not infallible, and they will doubtless make more 
mistakes. But these errors will gladly be corrected when pointed 
out. The cordial sympathy and support of the farmers, with a 
fair degree of patience, (for the results come slowly) is what these 
schools need. The patience is not lacking in Wisconsin, but the 
the sympathy and support—where are they? 
There are other means of disseminating education among farm¬ 
ers. First among these should be the State Agricultural Society. 
Do the farmers make this society as useful to themselves as they 
might? 
The meeting inaugurated this evening is the first of the kind 
ever held under its auspices. This convention should be hailed 
as a good omen, that farmers believe that progress may be made, 
and that they are anxious to know by what means it is to be 
sought. The State Agricultural Society is one agent for advanc¬ 
ing the cause of agriculture. Let it be made useful in every 
possible way. The annual exhibitions of the society are well, 
but it may do greater good in other ways; it will do it, if the 
farmers ask that it shall be done. A score of meetings of the 
nature of this one, should be held each year throughout the state, 
under the supervision of this society, and at which the secretary 
at least should be present to direct and to aid. When will this 
be done ? As soon as the farmers ask that it shall be. 
County societies, farmers’ clubs, granges of the Patrons of Hus¬ 
bandry, are all helps to a better education for farmers. The good 
they will accomplish must depend largely upon the demands that 
are made upon’them. If knowledge is earnestly sought, they will 
get it, and in the measure that it is sought by those for whom 
these societies exist. 
There is one way in which these societies may do a great good 
