142 Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
arts.” It thus comprehended within its plan the use of such 
measures as shall be deemed best calculated to encourage all 
branches of industry. The name “ Agricultural ” was given it 
because of the special importance of the agricultural interest, and 
for the sake of a convenient title. 
As a measure of prime importance, it contemplated the holding 
of an annual exhibition, where should be collected sample pro¬ 
ducts of the year’s industry, as well as specimens of the most ap¬ 
proved breeds of animals of every sort adapted to our state, and 
the best machinery and implements, together with new inventions, 
and where the whole people of the state should be privileged to 
assemble for the purpose of comparing them, of exchanging views, 
and, last of all, for that recreation and social intercourse of which 
the farming class in this country have always had too little for 
either their health, their material advantage, or their social man¬ 
ners. 
It also proposed to itself the scarcely less important work of 
encouraging experiments with new varieties of plants and breeds 
of animals, as well as with new methods of cultivation, breeding, 
etc.; of collecting information concerning these and all other in¬ 
dustrial subjects from every available source, and of diffusing it 
through the medium of an annual publication. This was and is 
its work as prescribed in its own constitution, and in the law 
clothing it with corporate powers. 
The management of its affairs was entrusted, under the provis¬ 
ions of the constitution, to an executive committee, consisting of 
a president, one vice president for each congressional district, a 
secretary and treasurer, and seven members chosen from the state 
at large. 
The first exhibition was held in Janesville in 1851. It was a 
slim affair, but it was the beginning of an important work, and 
led to the formation of county organizations, many of which have 
long since eclipsed this pioneer effort of the state society. 
Since that date, fairs have been been held annually, except in 
the years 1861, ’62 and ’63, when, owing to the occupation of its 
t 
grounds by government troops, and the general disturbance of 
social and industrial affairs, the annual exhibition was postponed. 
How successful these exhibitions have been, as such , will appear- 
