268 
STATE AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
gress under tlie strong stimulus of high prices; so that the 
product has probably doubled within the past few years. It is 
hardly probable that the present high prices will long contin¬ 
ue, but so long as the demand in the United States is many 
million pounds greater than the supply, it is clear that, with 
proper custom regulations, the prices must continue to be 
highly remunerative. But the present demand is by no means 
a criterion of what the demand for wool will be in the early 
future, if measures are taken by the National and State gov¬ 
ernments to encourage-the development of our manufacturing 
industry. 
Although the whole territory of Great Britain is but little 
larger than that of some of our great western States, her 
annual wool clip is nearly 800,000,000 pounds. And why so 
much larger—nearly double—the clip of this entire vast 
country ? Because the English government long-ago adopted 
the policy, and for some centuries kept it up, of fostering 
manufactures as a leading branch of the national industry. 
The value of her woolen manufactures is now scarcely less 
than $200,000,000 per annum. This fact tells the story of her 
greater production. 
We, too, must foster manufactures—not only as a country, 
but as individual States. I know of no portion of the world 
whose natural facilities for carrying on many branches of man¬ 
ufacturing industry are better than ours ; and if Wisconsin 
should not, within the next quarter of a centuary, stand 
among the very foremost of the great manufacturing States, 
it will not be because she is wanting in all the natural 
advantages. 
In looking over the financial report of this Society you will 
find reason for congratulating the officers and all friends of 
industrial progress on the prosperity which now marks its 
general condition. That it should be instrumental in accom¬ 
plishing so much good in the State as is already traceable to 
its influence, and yet be independent of all aid by State ap¬ 
propriations, is a just ground for pride and satisfaction on the 
part of both Society and State; especially since therein the 
