38 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
From the foregoing figures, it will appear that, while the 
total number of domestic animals in 1870 exceeded the total 
number in 1860 by a fraction over 93 per cent., the value of 
them has increased in the ratio of over 154 per cent. Looking 
at the figures more narrowly, we observe the rate per cent, of 
increase in numbers was much the greatest in the case of 
sheep, to-wit. : over 300 per cent., and since the sheep is an 
animal which represents the lowest amount of any in market 
value, it will be manifest that the rate per cent, of increase in 
the value of stock, other than sheep, has been considerably 
greater than 154 per cent. Perhaps it would not be far from 
the mark to say of the horses and cattle of the state, that 
while they have increased in numbers at the rate of 48 per 
cent., their increase in value has been over 160 per cent. 
Of course it is impossible to say how much of this increase 
in value is due to the circumstances which have affected the 
value of all classes of property in the United States during 
the past ten years, and how much to the efforts made by so 
many of our farmers to improve their stock by the infusion of 
better blood, and by proper attention in general to the established 
principles of breeding and rearing. But we are led by’what 
•we know personally of the agencies last named to adopt the 
conclusion that they have exerted a large influence upon the 
general result. 
HORSES. 
0 
* Our horses have been very much improved in value by the 
importation of many thoroughbred, as well as other, stallions 
calculated to improve the quality of our road horses and horses 
for general purposes. Quite recently there has been an impor¬ 
tation from Europe of several very valuable stallions of the 
“ Percheron ” breed, which must exert a marked influence up¬ 
on the breeding of stock for heavy draught. 
Under the impetus thus given to the business of breeding, 
there is warrant for believing that Wisconsin will, at an early 
day, range among the foremost states distinguished for produc¬ 
ing fine horses and a great many of them. 
