52 Wisconsin State agricultural society . 
STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION. 
This convention was held under the auspices of the Wisconsin 
State Agricultural Society, composed of representatives of gran¬ 
ges, farmers* clubs, county societies and other industrial organiza¬ 
tions of the state, practical farmers who came together to impart 
information, and to create a deeper interest among the people in 
the pursuit of agriculture and the kindred arts. Its proceedings 
were full of interest. Practical papers upon the several branches 
of agriculture and other subjects having a direct bearing upon 
the progress and advancement of the farmers calling were read 
and discussed with much interest and profit. A pretty full re¬ 
port of the proceedings of this convention, with the papers read, 
will be found in this volume, under the head of “ State Agricul¬ 
tural Convention,” and I cordiallv commend it to all interested 
directly in the pursuit of the various industries of the state. I 
would especially call attention to the valuable paper of Mrs. M. 
B. Huntly, of Appleton, upon “Farm Life—Its Hardships and 
Pleasures,” and “Our Boys,” by Mrs. H. P. Tucker, of New 
London. The former was read by the author, and the latter by 
Miss Hattie Bacon, a student of the University of Wisconsin, the 
writer being unable to attend the convention. These papers, and 
the manner in which they were presented to the convention were 
highly commended and approved. 
ARBITRATION. 
I observe that some of the farmers’ clubs and granges of the 
state are discussing the benefits to be derived by submitting dif¬ 
ferences which occur between individuals to arbitration, and I am 
of opinion that some of the latter have even gone so far as to in¬ 
corporate into their constitutions a clause binding members to this 
mode of settlement, and he who fails to live up to his promises is 
supposed to have more regard for law than justice, and is a sub¬ 
ject of discipline, or even expulsion. This is a move in the right 
direction. I commend it highly. The amount of money ex¬ 
pended in litigation is enormous, and as to law, it is very uncer¬ 
tain at best. He who goes to law expecting to obtain justice is 
usually disappointed, and this can be no worse, if he settles by ar- 
