2 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
swept away or deadened the forests with which they were 
clothed as to affect the industry of those districts for many 
years to come. 
AGRICULTURE. 
The acreage of wheat made an increase, according to the 
statistics of the National Department of Agriculture, of some 
four per cent. But the yield per acre was considerabty less— 
according to some estimates, one-sixth to one-fifth—than the 
average. This falling off was due to several causes, includ¬ 
ing especially rust, drouth and the ravages of insects. 
The superior quality and yield of the winter wheat, as 
compared with the spring varieties, afforded new evidence 
of the advantage of producing it wherever the conditions are 
favorable. 
But—as we have so often urged in previous reports—no 
amount of wisdom in the choice of varieties, and no condition 
of season, however favorable, can insure excellent crops of 
wheat, annually, so long as all other equally essential con¬ 
ditions are neglected. This, it is gratifying to observe, our 
farmers are beginning to realize. 
Buckwheat fell considerably below the average throughout 
the country ; the deficiency being due, in some cases to drouth 
in early stages of growth, and in others to frost. It is true, 
however, that Wisconsin fared better than some of the neiah- 
boring states in both of these respects. Indeed it was one of 
the very few states in which the crop was reported an average. 
Bye is so little grown that it hardly requires mention. The 
yield, where produced, was considered about up to the average. 
The oats crop was fair. The Agricultural Department at 
Washington, reported Wisconsin as one of the eight states pro¬ 
ducing an average. In some cases the yield is said to have 
been over 90 bushels per acre. 
Barley was also a success; the yield being above, and the 
quality a little below the average. 
The corn crop was excellent—probably eight to ten per cent, 
above the usual yield, and of superior quality. 
