State Convention—Grass is Kino. 375 
lists, while examining the farms of delinquent and prompt-paying 
subscribers. 
Any postmaster can easily discern who are and who are not good 
farmers, within his delivery of mail-matter, by the amount and 
nature of the journalistic information received through his post- 
office. It is customary for a u spouter ” to assure his agricultural 
auditors that 11 although he is not a practical farmer,” he was u a 
son of toil,” and u early inured to hardships;” but, so far as ob¬ 
servation enables me to testify, concerning farms and farming, my 
testimony would sustain the idea—that the farmer who produces 
and uses the largest and best manure-heaps is the most successful 
agriculturalist; as it is evidence that he keeps more stock than ma¬ 
chinery, raises grass instead of grain, and has the means of secur¬ 
ing continued prosperity without impairing the strength of the 
land. 
GRASS IS KING. 
Starting out with the proposition— u Grass is King”—it may ap¬ 
pear that it is the duty of western farmers especially, and of Amer¬ 
ican citizens generally, to recognize the unalterable decree of the 
Creator, and work in harmony with what is obviously designed for 
the welfare of individuals and conducive to national prosperity— 
involving a diversity of industries within and among agricultural 
communities, by multiplying the productive sources of public 
wealth. 
The simple topic of “ grass” will supply a base on which to 
stand while reaching out to other but not altogether irrelevant 
subjects, including roots and plant-tood as side-dishes or auxiliary 
forces to the central power under consideration. 
As a theme for enlarged discussion and treatment, it is unlimited, 
if we bear in mind the precept “ all flesh is grass,” which some 
might regard as equivalent to popular or suggestive of “ squatter- 
sovereignty;” but even with the limitation of that statement to the 
legitimate and normal products of grass, it will be evident that, in 
respect to its magnitude and indispensableness as compared with 
any or all other sources of wealth, u grass is king.” 
ABANDONMENT OF GRAIN CROPS. 
The excellent Governor of Wisconsin, who is such an eminently 
