502 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The semi-annual meeting of that year was held at Madison, Feb. 6th, 1867, and 
the interests of the wool-grower were discussed and resolutions were adopted 
indorsing the tariff bill then pending in Congress, so far as it related to wool 
and woolens. 
A sheep-shearing Festival and Fair were held at Ripon, May 8th and 9th, 
186Y. The show of sheep was good, although the weather was severely cold 
and but few sheep were shorn. 
The Annual Meeting in September, 1867, was held at Madison, and officers 
elected. Much interest was taken in questions pertaining to wool-growing, 
although this branch of our national industry was suffering under great de‘ 
pression, caused by over-importations of wool and woolens. The prospects of 
wool-growing are slowly but surely improving, and the farmer, whether as 
wool-grower, dairyman or stock-grower, who has steadily pursued mixed 
farming and thus preserved the fertility of his farm, will be more successful 
than the farmer who has devoted his means and energies to wheat-growing 
alone. 
The exhibition of sheep at the State Fair, in Madison, September 1868 
was large; showing that many farmers were determined to preserve their 
flocks and improve them. 
The following officers were elected at the Annual Meeting in 1868; 
President —Eli Stilson, Oshkosh, 
Vice-Presidints—\. S. Hazelton, Richland Centre; E. M Rice, Whitewater. 
Treasurer —C. K. Stewart, Danville. 
Executive Committee —R. Richards, Racine ; W. B. Kingsbury, Ripon ; J. 
G. Potter, Beloit; E. S. Hammond, Fond du Lac. 
Deeply convinced of the great importance of wool-growing as a branch of 
Wisconsin husbandry, and no less confident of its steady growth and develop¬ 
ment, in spite of both deficient and adverse legislation, or other causes of 
temporary discouragement. 
I have the honor to be, respectfully yours, 
ELI STILSON, 
Pres, TPts. Wool-Qrowerd Association. 
Oshkosh, Dec. 7, 1868. 
