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Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
pays at the rate of 3^ per cent., as reported by the census of 1870, 
how can the farmer pay from 10 to 47 per cent.? 
As a class, we hold in our hands a vast power. One-half of the 
voting class are agriculturalists. Is it not folly to complain of 
grievances when we have the numerical strength to redress them? 
The ballot is in your hands. Under the name of party, party, 
party, fraud and infamy is visited upon us. Party, when organ¬ 
ized for honest and legitimate purposes, that will secure the best 
results and inure to a common benefit, is beneficial; but never let 
us he led astray so far that exacting capital can compromise our 
honor and question our claim to intelligent places of honor, trust, 
and responsibility. Let the showers of imputed ignorance, which 
falls so heavily upon the farming classes, be an incentive that shall 
bring forth a more general diffusion of education among farmers. 
Let us dig deep and lay broad the foundations, using brains as the 
corner-stone on which to build, and we may not be “ hewers of 
wood and drawers of water” for others, if we will but use the mind 
that God has given us. Let us this Centennial year anew set our 
sail, stand by the rudder and compass, start out anew, and boldly 
upon life’s journey contend manfully for edual rights, and success 
will be our reward in the race of life. 
BETTER EDUCATION OF FARMERS A NECESSITY FOR 
BOTH THE PRESENT AND FUTURE. 
BY J. M. SMITH, OSHKOSH. 
To one who has studied the history of agriculture for the last fifty 
years, it might seem strange that I should choose such a subject. 
I am by no means disposed to be a croaker, or to ignore the actual 
facts that very many of our farmers are far in advance of those of 
fifty years ago. There are some present who can remember the con¬ 
dition of the farmer of half a century past. They will remember 
that they often saw the sickle of ancient, as well as of modern ori¬ 
ental days, in the harvest-field. Among the advanced farmers of 
that day it had given place to the cradle. Threshing w r as per¬ 
formed by the ancient method of treading out the grain with oxen 
