I 
24 Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
and shipping to distant markets—and turn their attention to grass, 
corn, and stock, or to farm upon the compensating plan, keeping 
the soil rich in plant-food, that it may produce abundantly,and con¬ 
centrating the surplus crops into stock or products which will re¬ 
quire the least cost to transport to the place of consumption, ac¬ 
cording to its value. And in this connection I desire to repeat 
what I have substantially said in one or two former volumes, and 
what the farmers all know, too, but will not act without continual 
reminders. It is this, never ship from the State,stock, cheese, but¬ 
ter, or other products, except it is of the best quality, and hence 
will command the highest price. It costs just as much to ship two 
steers, weighing 800 pounds each and worth 2? cents per pound, or 
$50, as to ship one well-fatted steer,weighing 1,600 pounds and val¬ 
ued at 5 cents per pound, or $100. Comparatively it costs noth¬ 
ing to transport one-half the weight oi the latter to market. All 
other products come within the same rule. Only the best pay. 
The Wisconsin State Agricultural Society is earnestly striving 
to better the condition of the farmers and all others engaged in 
industrial, productive, useful enterprises. By its annual exhibitions 
it has stimulated better productions in all branches of farming. 
By its annual publication and conventions it has caused a deep in¬ 
terest in other important subjects outside of the mere routine-work 
of the farm; showing the intimate relations .and connections the 
farmer bears to all other useful employments of the State. The 
Society is to work for others, not for itself. It desires to reflect the 
sentiments and views of the industrial people, the classes it was in¬ 
tended by its founders to aid and encourage, and, if possible, it will 
take advance steps upon all questions it deems of vital importance 
to the useful industries, thus quickening thought and action among 
producers, and leading them to a higher position in the social, po¬ 
litical, and all other relations of the State. The farmer is no long¬ 
er in the background, turning the great wheel which moves the 
machinery of the world. He is fast moving to the front and show¬ 
ing a capacity to fully care for the great interests his calling repre¬ 
sents. This Society has done much to raise the standard of educa¬ 
tion and intelligence and place the industrial workers upon a higher 
plane, in an intellectual atmosphere where they can think for 
