68 
STATE AGEICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 
It is tbe opinion of the officers and members of the Society 
that a sufficient amount of regular assistance to give greater 
security against disaster incident to the somewhat fortuitous 
circumstances of season and weather^ and at the same time en¬ 
able it to extend the sphere of its labors into the field of 
scientific and practical investigation, would be judiciously 
expended. But having already received generous eneourage- 
ment to the extent of ample and elegant apartments in the 
State Capitol, and having found it possible, by dint of great 
exertion, under favorable circumstances, to keep up their gen¬ 
eral work and at the same time hold successful exhibitions, with 
a small annual balance in the treasury, they have not hitherto 
felt disposed to ask anything at all from the general fund of the 
State. 
It is believed that the aid hitherto extended to the local ag¬ 
ricultural organizations of the State has resulted in great good 
to the cause of industry; and so far from discontinuing the 
annual appropriations to county societies, as has been occasion¬ 
ally suggested in the Legislature, we are fully convinced 
that encouragement might, with great propriety and advantage, 
be extended still further, so as to include all industrial associ¬ 
ations, horticultural and mechanical as well as agricultural, 
whose labors entitle them to help, or which give promise of 
real usefulness in promoting the substantial interests of the 
State. To the newer societies in particular, even the small 
amount of $100 is a great help, and in many cases, doubtless 
results in an earlier organization of societies than would other¬ 
wise occur. 
The Wisconsin State Wool-growers’, Bee-keepers’ and Sor¬ 
ghum associations have each fulfilled a good office, and are en¬ 
titled to the gratitude of the people and state. 
We have as yet no association of either the miners or man¬ 
ufacturers. Both of these classes have general interests that 
would be promoted by organized effort, and this mention of 
the fact is made in the hope that it may possibly lead to move¬ 
ments in that direction. 
