240 WISCONSIN STATE AG HI CXILTUUAL SOCIETY, 
which will hold twelve hundred bushels. I aim to fill them both 
the coming season. 
A few words in reference to the general outlook for farmers, and 
I am done. That times are dull and hard is a proposition proved 
by our own consciousness, still the prices for many things are good, 
and we can safely say that our misfortune is that we have so little 
to sell. The straight road to relief lies in redoubling our efforts for 
production; not blindly sowdng wheat after wheat, until the earth 
is tired of us, but diversifying our crops, and above all things, be¬ 
fore we plant or sow, be sure that our land is in a fit condition to 
produce the crop which we ask it to yield. 
We cannot control the elements, and they are sometimes against 
us, but we can prepare ourselves for many contingencies, and pos¬ 
sibly escape serious disaster. The failure of one crop is often at¬ 
tended with conditions highly favorable to others. Corn and wheat 
thrive best under somewhat opposite conditions, and then again 
roots will be likely to give their greatest yield when corn is back¬ 
ward, and possibly cut off entirely. These things may well teach 
us to plant different crops, but in no case to relax our efforts. 
I have more than once witnessed greater depression in agricul¬ 
tural interests than has existed lately, and have seen them give 
way to abundant prosperity. I feel perfectly assured that there is 
a good time coming. I never felt more resolute in looking after 
the good of my land than I do at present. I aim to keep it in good 
heart and under good culture, so as to be prepared to make the 
most of such opportunities as may come. 
In conclusion, I would call your attention to the old proverb, 
which says that “ The man is always the nearest to market who 
has the most to sell.” 
Secretary Field asked if any member of the convention had ever 
raised artichokes. He had seen several articles upon their value 
as food for pigs, and thought their culture might be profitable. 
Mr. Brooks, of Madison, stated that he had been experimenting 
in a small way with the Brazilian artichoke, and was of the opinion 
that it can be cultivated with profit to those engaged in pork rais¬ 
ing. It can be grown with little expense, as compared with corn, 
and the pigs will do the harvesting, and sufficient seed will be left 
in the ground for the next crop, only requiring leveling with the 
