§4 Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
yet with all that could be done, such was the unexpected rush, 
particularly in the cattle, sheep and swine departments, that some 
of the stock were without shelter when the darkness of night 
overtook the builders. 
The Milwaukee News of Tuesday said : 
“Yesterday, the first day of the twentieth annual meeting of the Wiscon¬ 
sin State Agricultural Society, was ushered in with clouded skies, and every 
indication of rain. The day wore on, midday arrived, and the sun came out 
from behind the leaden clouds, its effulgent rays imparting warmth and 
cheerfulness to both nature and humanity. A cool, invigorating breeze 
sprung up, which served to make the day more delightful, and so far as the 
weather was concerned the State Fair had opened promisingly indeed. As 
stated in the News of Sunday, there were many articles of exhibition on the 
grounds Saturday, but during the whole of yesterday there was an almost 
endless line of wagons, drays and carriages winding their way to Cold 
Spring. They were loaded heavily with all that time, wealth and ingenuity 
could devise—everything, in fact, from a lace collar to a threshing machine. 
Hundreds of men and boys were actively engaged preparing for the exhibi¬ 
tion of as many different articles of trade and works of art. The buildings 
are in an excellent state of repair, and are bright aud clean as a whistle with 
their new coat of whitewash. A few of the larger have had floors added to 
them this season, and those without are neatly spread with sawdust. 
“ Applicants for entries thronged the secretary’s table all day. They bore 
down on the patient young gentlemen who plied the pen and pencil till 
finally it was found necessary to form lines and give each his turn, as is some¬ 
times done on election day at an overcrowded election precinct. The pros¬ 
pects are that the fair will be a great success. The exhibitors are numerous, 
and their goods are of excellent quality and in good taste.” 
Tuesday, the day of the formal opening, was most auspicious. 
The weather was pleasant, air cool and invigorating, and the faces 
of officers and exhibitors wore an agreeable and happy look. The 
gates were closed at 9 o’clock A. M. At 10 o’clock the band dis¬ 
coursed sweet music in front of the president’s office, and at eleven 
the formal opening address by President Taylor was delivered, 
which was both interesting and instructive, and was listened to 
by a much larger number of people than are usually in attend¬ 
ance at so early a period of the exhibition. This address may be 
found under the head of “ Opening Address,” in this volume, and 
will be found worthy a careful perusal. 
The Milwaukee Sentinel of Wednesday comments relative to 
the second day of the fair, as follows: 
