Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 6!j 
cease to doubt. At the late great Smithfield Cattle-Show, which is 
one of the largest in England, the short-horn at three years and 
three months old, beat the most successful animal in all other 
breeds at four years and eight months old. If they will do this as 
against other improved breeds, what will they do when compared 
against the natives? 
The farmer who crops his farm on the exhausting plan, and keeps 
only scrub stock, is ever on the descending scale, and nothing pays; 
while the farmer who tills his farm on the soil compensating plan, 
and keeps improved stock, so that he not only produces more and 
cheaper, but turns his product so as to bring more per hundred, 
or per bushel, is on the sure road to success. Unfavorable seasons 
may come athwart his path, and for a season retard his progress, 
but if he profits by their teaching and the experience of others, he 
soon surmounts those difficulties, and moves on with renewed vig¬ 
or and a more intelligent system. 
I am fully aware that recent efforts have been j>ut forth to improve 
the stock of this state, and the result of those efforts are very con¬ 
spicuous at our annual fairs; but those efforts have not yet reached 
the great mass of the farmers of the state in the improvement of 
their common stock, for here is where the results can be attained so 
cheaply, and at the same time so quickly. 
It is time the inquiry was on the increase, and many, who a short 
time ago were opposers or doubters of this question of improve¬ 
ment, have became firm advocates and active workers, while others, 
having failed to investigate the results, plod on in the same old rut, 
and are ever complaining that farming does not pay. The mer¬ 
chant who would bring his goods from New York by way of New 
Orleans, thus losing much time, and cost double freight, might as 
well expect to succeed, as the farmer who keeps stock that consumes 
fifty per cent, more fodder and time to accomplish a given result, 
and even then have to sell for a less price. In this improvement we 
are being aided by the press of the country, and I hope the time is 
not far distant when every paper published in the state of Wiscon¬ 
sin shall have its well regulated agricultural department. Not only 
in a financial point of view will the improvements of the farm and 
stock result to the benefit of the farmer, for such improvements 
once commenced and pursued in earnest, the farmer will become 
attached to his calling and justly pride himself on the improve- 
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