Annual report—miscellaneous. 
4 1 
to every farmer in the state. The enormous labor and expense in¬ 
cident to the building of line and division fences, to say nothing of 
repairs and rebuilding, the former of which is continual, and the 
latter on an average once in twelve to fifteen years, is a matter 
worthy their earnest, careful thought and consideration. If by a 
little labor and the expenditure of a few cents per rod for plants, 
one can in from five to ten years be the possessor of a live fence 
which shall not only be a source of pleasure and profit to them¬ 
selves, but a legacy of equal value to the landed estate, if without 
fences, to hand down to their children and their children’s chil¬ 
dren to bless them and the avocation they pursue, is it not worthy 
of their best endeavors? Will it not pay too? I believe it will 
bring'forth fruit an hundred fold. I believe it to be of equal in¬ 
terest to the American farmer to the important questions of co-op¬ 
eration, transportation, etc., now agitating the country. I believe 
it will reduce the expenditures of farming, hence give more profi¬ 
table results than any other one thing which the farmer can do. 
I would say to the farmers of the state, if willow or locust do not 
suit you, buy plants better suited to your taste, or better adapted 
to your locality, but grow live fences. 
INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES. 
These organizations are in a healthy and flourishing condition. 
The state, district and county societies are holding annual exhi¬ 
bitions and with an increased interest among the people. A 
report somewhat in detail, of the work of the state society will be 
found under the head of “ Proceedings.” I am not able to fur¬ 
nish even a synopsis of the work of district societies, no returns 
having been made to this office, but I am informed that a deep 
interest is manifested in their organizations, that annual fairs are 
held, and with success and profit. Especially is this true of the 
Northern Wisconsin Agricultural find Mechanical Association, 
the success of which has been marked and full of good results to 
the industrial interests of that part of the state. 
I here give an abstract of the incorporated county agricultural 
societies of the state, which shows their condition for the year 
1873. 
