384 Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
tions. The dairymen and stock-raisers are not compelled to put a 
-codicil to “ the Lord’s Prayer” by supplicating a merciful Providence 
to send famine or war upon Europe, and thus stiffen the markets for 
breadstuffs that have been raised upon land that is constantly de¬ 
clining from fertility to sterility, under the unfair treatment of in¬ 
cumbents instead of the generous management of farmers. 
The dairymen and stock-raisers are not subjected to the inconven¬ 
iences, contingencies, and hazards of unpropitious weather, capri¬ 
cious markets, and extortionate transportation, to which the wheat- 
growers are exposed, and with which the} r are familiar; for the 
great staple—grass, on which the former rely chiefly as food for 
their stock, is measureably secure under all conditions of weather; 
is not troubled by chintz-bugs, weevil, or rust; thrives best when 
sprouting in the shock or stack; and the products of the dairy¬ 
man’s farm can be transported to market for one twentieth of the 
cost of freighting the same value of grain-crops. 
In every point of view, and under all circumstances, the acre of 
grass will yield a larger profit with cows and sheep as harvesters, 
than an acre of wheat cultivated and harvested by the most ap¬ 
proved machinery, and skillful laborers. 
The difference between the dairyman and the grain-grower is, 
that in one case, the farmer runs the farm, and in the other the 
farm runs him. 
Let us examine results of dairy and stock-farms in America, uli- 
der what, hy contrast between shabby and decent systems of farm¬ 
ing, we are accustomed to consider as sound agriculture, but which, 
when compared with the higher standard of European agriculture, 
we shall be compelled to admit, is far from perfection. Let us con¬ 
sult some distinguished, successful, and practical dairymen and 
stock-raisers, who have imparted much valuable information in re¬ 
gard to dairies and farm-stock. 
GRASS VERSUS GRAIN IN WISCONSIN. 
Commencing nearest home, with a farmer of La Crosse county, 
we will endeavor to glean, from various reliable agriculturists 
throughout the country, some facts that should be put on record 
for the benefit of all who may not have had access to the best 
sources of information on these matters. 
Seeking shelter in a log house, in a narrow valley between the 
