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tural region of the northwest. Think for a moment of farms ranging from 4,000 to 50,000 acres; of one man harvesting 100,000 bushels of wheat; of one day's work in harvesting in one field, resulting in the transfer from the standing grain to the sack, sowed and ready for market, of 6 183 bushels of clean wheat. These facts, brought to my knowledge during an extended trip through the state of California, are notable instances of human. energy and comprehensiveness, using the needed capital and the best implements in bringing about great results; and such action may be of use in developing the country, in inducing immigration, and in preparing the way for the thousands of farmers of limited means who must eventually occupy these fertile tracts. But do not understand me as advocating such enterprises generally, or holding them before you as examples. They may be immensely profitable. They are just as likely to result in utter ruin. What if I should tell you that the man who harvests his 100,000 bushels of wheat is not able to pay his debts. It is indeed generally admitted that this mode of farming is not financially a success. Then let us consider how this increased mental power of farmers, of which we have been talking, may be applied in securing great results more permanently from small or medium sized farms; for this most directly affects us. Small farms bring us near together; fill our country with intelligent producers; build churches and school-houses and fill them; make good roads; produce a mixed husbandry, which is the best for us, because it renders us in a degree independent of disastrous seasons; give better results in proportion to the capital invested; have a tendency to create a strong love for our homes and country, and produce an intelligent, prosperous, well ordered cominunity.

Let us now look a little at our prospects for the near future. We should not rejoice at the misfortunes of our fellow men, even though we profit thereby; but we should surely feel satisfaction when our abundance supplies their necessities. The condition of crops in Europe is such the present season, that a large demand will be made upon us for our surplus breadstuffs. We shall be abundantly able to supply this call. It is expected that the wheat crop of this year will be for us at least 385,000,000 bushels.

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France will have to import 80,000,000 bushels; Great Britain 120,000,000 bushels; Germany 10,000,000 bushels; Switzerland 10,000,000 bushels; Italy 25,000,000 bushels; Spain and Portugal 5,000,000 bushels. We must contribute largely to supply this great need. Russia is our only competitor, and her wheat crop is to some extent a failure. So there will be a demand for all we can supply. Already the crop is moving. One million. bushels were recently shipped in one day from New York to England; all of it from Milwaukee and Chicago. Our oats are splendid. The corn crop is so great that our farmers will hardly be able to find places to hold it. This coarse grain will mostly be fed to stock, and no better use could be found for it. Then this grain will go to Europe in the more economical form of beef, pork and mutton. The rapidly increasing demand for our meat products is something wonderful. The production of cattle in the European states is steadily decreasing. Great excitement exists in regard to a supply, notwithstanding the enormous shipments lately made to England of live stock and fresh meats. And although so many workmen are there thrown out of employment, there is no reduction in the price of butchers' meat, and the supply is falling short of the demand. Not only in Great Britain is this the case, but most of the countries in Europe are in the same condition. All this, of course, furnishes us a market for our overplus at good prices, and is for us prosperity; and though a great part of our immense territory contributes to this supply, yet we share in direct gains, and as members of one great family are indirectly benefited in hundreds of ways by the general prosperity. Although we send this produce at remunerative prices to us, and ruinous prices to the producers abroad, yet to the consumers it comes as a blessing.

In regard to our efforts to compete with these countries in the production of their own staples, as it is all important to our prosperity, I will say a few words more, and adduce a very few statistics. A late, number of the London Agricultural Gazette says: "English bacon, cheese and butter are driven out of our shops by American importations. Birmingham manufacturers have been startled by London builders declaring their preference

for American locks. One day the cattle growers of Ireland and the sheep stockers of Scotland are startled by fleets that sail into Liverpool with fresh meat and live stock. The fruit growers of Kent see their Ribston Pippins encroached upon by Baldwins and Rhode Island Greenings."

Instead of a few notions exported a few years ago, the exports in 1878 amounted to over $700,000,000. Last year the increase of exports was close upon $100,000,000. We also monopolize largely our own markets and exclude from them the European producer. We are showing also a wise economy in lessening our imports.

Gen. Joseph Nimmo, chief of the Bureau of Statistics at Washington, gives us a few most telling figures on this subject. In 1865 our exports amounted to $166,029,303; imports, $238,745,277; excess of imports (mind you), $72,716,277. Thus you will see the balance of trade at that time was nearly $73,000,000 against

us.

Our exports steadily increased and our imports relatively decreased from that time to the present. In the year 1879, ending June 30, the exports-$700,428,743-exceeded the imports $264,636,602. In 1870, we spent abroad $143,186,640 more than we received; while in 1879, to June 30, our receipts exceeded our expenditures $264,636,602.

Now, in conclusion, the question for us in Wisconsin is, How shall we derive most benefit from the coming tide of prosperity? We must modify our farming, so that grain shall be grown largely for the feeding of stock. We must not grow the same round of crops year after year, taking all from the land and putting scarcely anything back. We must contrive every means to keep up the fertility of our farms. The richest system in the application of manures is the best system, and this can be maintained only by a judicious balance of stock raising with the growth of hay and the grains. We must have a varied agriculture, suited to our locality. We must grow more beef, pork and mutton, and, I repeat, our farms must be richly fed through the keeping of stock. The experience of the past season has demonstrated the importance of raising more winter and less spring wheat. Returns thus far fully justify such change.

Finally, my friends, let us be satisfied to live in this beautiful and fertile state of ours, as desirable, all things considered, as the sun shines upon. Let not the discouragements of the year just passed lead us to wish new homes elsewhere. "The rolling stone gathers no moss." Let us remember that the Almighty has given us this soil we live on. It is ours; for us and for our children. It is ours to develop, to beautify, and make more productive. We are co-workers of the Great Giver, working in accord with His laws; and of these laws is the science of agriculture, adding to the beauty, to the productiveness, and the greatness of our state. Thinking thus, we shall honor and dignify our calling, and grow wiser and better and happier men.

Happy the man whose wish and care

A few paternal acres bound;

Content to breathe his native air

In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,

Whose flock supply him with attire;

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

In winter, fire.

And now, my friends, I will detain you no longer. I thank you for your attention, and will now declare this twenty-sixth annual fair open to the public. It is yours to enjoy.

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Best stallion 4 years old and over, ten exhibits, J. M. Shafer, Madison,
Second best, J. T. Hidden, Lodi...

$20 00

10.00

Best stallion 3 years old and under 4, five exhibits, Ed. Kindorf, Racine,
Second best, Geo. Everson, Lake Mills.

20 00 10 00

Best stallion 2 years old and under 3, two exhibits, D. T. Newton,
Verona

20 00

Second best, A. Cox, Madison

10 00

Best stallion 1 year old and under 2, three exhibits, A. J. Storey,
Oregon....

10 00

Second best, Albert Randall, Hustisford.

5 00

Best sucking stallion foal, five exhibits, M. P. Wheeler, Windsor
Second best, C. L. Comstock, Oregon...

10 00

5 00

Best brood mare 4 years old and over with foal by her side, five exhibits, A. J. Storey, Oregon...

15.00

Second best, M. P. Wheeler, Windsor

10 00

Best filly 3 years old and under 4, five exhibits, Geo. M. Leonard, Door
Creek.

15 00

Second best, A. J. Storey, Oregon..

10 00

Best filly 2 years old and under 3, ten exhibits, Albert Randall, Hustisford....

15.00

Second best, C. L. Comstock, Oregon.

10 00

Best filly 1 year old and under 2, six exhibits, N. R. Bailey, Sun
Prairie...

10 00

Second best, H. W. Herrick, East Middleton..

5 00

Best sucking filly foal, four exhibits, Joseph Patterson, Mazomanie...
Second best, M. P. Wheeler, Windsor ...

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Best stallion and five of his colts at 4 years old or under, two exhibits,
A. J. Storey, Oregon, Wis

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Best stallion 4 years old and over, nine exhibits, J. C. Kiser, Oregon..
Second best, G. W. Fenno, Lodi....

$20 00 10 00

Best stallion 3 years old and under 4, six exhibits, E. Durham, Reedsburg

15 00

Second best, Wm. M. Colladay, Stoughton....

700

Best stallion 2 years old and under 3, six exhibits, Dexter Curtis &
Co., Madison..

8 00

Second best, E. E. Crow, Dane Station..

4 00

Best stallion 1 year old and under 2, three exhibits, Reuben Boyce,
Brooklyn..

5 00

Second best, L. F. Biglow, Brooklyn..

3.00

Best sucking stallion foal, five exhibits, Reuben Boyce, Brooklyn..
Second best, John Moore, Mendota...

4 00

2 00

Best brood mare 4 years old and over, with foal by her side, nine exhibits, H. O. Gray, Oregon......

15 0

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