EXHIBITION OF 1873. 
The twentieth state fair of the State Agricultural Society was 
held upon the grounds occupied by the society for the three pre¬ 
vious years, and familiarly known as the Cold Spring grounds. 
Under the lead of Hon. John L. Mitchel, one of the vice presi¬ 
dents of the society, the liberal and ever public spirited citizens 
of Milwaukee generously furnished these grounds to the society 
for their state fair, putting them in the best possible condition for 
the exhibition, including repairs of buildings, fences, stalls, track,- 
etc., fiee of expense. The crops throughout the state had been 
abundant, with prices remunerative, and hence the executive 
committee had high hopes that the fruits of the farmer, the result 
of his summer labors, would be brought to this exposition in such 
abundance as never before seen at a state fair in Wisconsin. In 
this they were not disappointed. The number of entries exceed¬ 
ed largely any exhibition in the state, and the exhibits were of a 
highly creditable und meritorious character. 
I shall, not particularize in relation to the exhibits in the differ¬ 
ent departments, as a report of the superintendents of each will 
be found in this volume under the head of “superintendent’s 
reports,” giving a somewhat detailed statement of the character 
of their respective departments. Monday the office of the secre¬ 
tary was crowded all day by exhibitors making entries, and wait¬ 
ing hours for their turn, to do that which they ought to have done 
by letter or in person the week previous. 
The executive committee and superintendents of departments 
were busy throughout the day in giving directions and superin¬ 
tending the erection of additional stalls, pens, etc., as notwith¬ 
standing the liberal provision made for the accommodation of 
exhibitors, the arrangements were found to be insufficient. And 
