26 
WISCONSIN STATE AGBIGULTURAL SOCIETY. 
the educated, scientific farmer, one really worthy of the name; one 
who studies the laws which govern the growth of plants and ani¬ 
mals, and who wisely connects this knowledge with muscular effort, 
producing food for the world—-he is a producer in the highest and 
best sense. “ He is to the people what fuel is to the engine.” His 
is the calling or pursuit which must be strong and healthful, for out 
of his profits are the means to come for the support of all other ac¬ 
tivities. While it is true that many of the leading industries and 
professions, are largely dependent each upon the other, and are all 
aids to society, it cannot be denied that of all others, agriculture 
should stand at the head and command the respect which its im¬ 
portance demands. Though only about one-sixth of the population 
of our country are farmers in the strict sense, yet those engaged in 
useful production, and whose interests are intimately connected 
with agriculture, are a large majority of th'e American people, and 
yet how small a proportion of these producing classes hold positions 
of power and influence, and help to shape the policy and destiny 
of this great government. Those who create the wealth of the 
world have little to do in the enactment of laws governing produc¬ 
tion and the profits which should flow therefrom. 
“ More than one-third of all the real and personal property of the 
entire country is invested in farms, farm implements and live stock; 
and yet it is a rare thing to find this immense and most important 
interest represented in Washington. While we do not assume or 
believe that any man or men, or any branch of industry or profes¬ 
sion have any patent or incontrovertible title to the important posi¬ 
tion of law-making, we do claim that less lawyers and more farmers 
would result in less wind and more work, less partisan strife and 
more practical and speedy legislation. If we have royalty among 
us, the blood courses in the veins of the intelligent, reading farmer, 
and in no way-can he command the respect of others more than by 
manifesting a knowledge of the importance of his profession to the 
world, and, as individuals, as well as societies, demand representa¬ 
tion in legislative affairs, that the claims of his calling may receive 
its due recognition. 
“ Manufacturers, lawyers and bankers, assembled to enact laws, 
pass lightly over the importance of developing the resources of the 
soil, forgetting that from that source comes the material for the 
factories and transportation companies. At such a time we need 
