ANNUAL REPORT—AGRICULTURE. 
3 
As a rule, sorghum fell quite below the ordinary yield in most 
of the states where cultivated ; but in Wisconsin, which was 
one of the first states to introduce this new plant into Ameri¬ 
can agriculture, and one of the most efficient in giving it a full 
and fair trial, it maintained itself well. The statistician of the 
Agricultural Department represents ours as the only state east 
of the Mississippi river in which there was not a falling off in 
the amount produced. 
Potatoes turned out well in spite of the beetle so destructive 
in former years. 
The sugar beet has had another special trial in Sauk coun¬ 
ty, with results, which in view of all the circumstances, are en¬ 
couraging. The crop made a good yield in quantity, and the 
per cent, of sugar and its quality are such as to strengthen the 
confidence of those who have had the enterprise in charge. 
Touching the conditions of entire success—the substitution of 
machine^ 7 having a greater capacity than that now in use— 
reference is made to the communication from Mr. Weffer- 
ling, superintendent of the works at Black Hawk, herewith 
submitted. 
The tobacco crop considerably exceeded the average, which 
has heretofore been large. The acreage was very much great¬ 
er than in any previous year and the conditions appear to have 
been favorable for the production of both a large yield and a 
very fair quality. 
Peas and beans—crops never very largely produced by our 
farmers—fell below the standard in yield, owing to dry weath¬ 
er at the most critical period of their growth. 
Hops have been the means of ruining so many farmers in 
Wisconsin, that their production hos been discontinued by a 
large proportion of those who had formerly made it a specialty. 
The acreage in 1871 was probably not more than three-fifths 
as great as in 1870. 
It is gratifying that the production of flax and hemp is 
gaining in the appreciation of our farmers. These crops are 
well adapted to our soils and climate, and their growth may be 
made very profitable. The increase of production over the 
