Few prospects on this round earth are more attractive than finely cultivated farms; the pleasant homes amidst groves and flowers; the large barns; the meadows, the orchards, the pastures variegated with flocks and herds; and when here and there over the fair landscape, we can behold the attractive school house, likewise surrounded by groves, by flowers, by walks and extensive playgrounds, and when to this delightful prospect is added the consciousness that the inmates receive the attention, the care, the instruction necessary to prepare them for their highest possibilities, we can but exclaim, "Behold earth's fairest paradise."

There is something thrilling in contemplating the not distant future of our country. Its teeming populations of a hundred millions of human beings; developing immense resources; wielding a power whose vast potencies are beyond present computation. When I contemplate the activities, the passions, the aspirations, the swaying masses of great multitudes; the question forces itself: "Whence the mental, the moral, the physical forces sufficient to govern these great hosts?" The answer comes back in emphatic tones: "In the wisdom, the judgment, the moderation of the vast multitudes of the people themselves." This power is possible only through the efficiency of the schools of the nation.

The discussion that followed this highly interesting address was animated and participated in by several of the best speakers present.

The convention then adjourned until the next morning.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8.

MusicThe Farmer and the Season," by Eugene Clark and

assistants.

"THE DUTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY TO THE FARMERS OF THE STATE."-Address by Prof. Daniells.

The Professor started by giving a definition of the term University. He then stated the organization of the different depart ments of our State University, more particularly the Agricultural Department. The University was and always had been ready, yea anxious, to teach agriculture, but the students did not care for

instruction in that branch. At one time, in order to get students for this department, it was made compulsory. In order to graduate, the student had to devote a part of one term to this branch. This had been abandoned. Was now giving all his time to chemistry. Was teacher of chemistry, but professor of agriculture. Was the University to be blamed? It could no more compel the students to study agriculture than law.

ADVANTAGES OF THAT DEPARTMENT.- An experimental farm was operated by the university, and many valuable results were annually published in their yearly reports. The hull-less oats swindle had been exposed, and had the farmers but taken heed, thousands of dollars might have been saved. For the last eight years they had conducted experiments with raising spring and winter wheat. Although the winter wheat entirely failed one year, still the average was 32.4 bushels per acre, while spring wheat averaged only about 19 bushels. The average difference in weight was nearly in the same proportion. The value of this experiment was worth more than the whole expense of the department. Other experiments were also briefly mentioned by the speaker.

"FARM IMPLEMENTS," a paper by Martin Rhodes, of Trempealeau, Wisconsin. He gave a general view of the several improvements and advancements in the several industries, particularly agriculture. Described the methods of the ancients, and then contrasted the agricultural standing of the different leading nations of the present day. Discussed the patent laws; the different kinds of farm machinery, and thought there was truth in the saying, "The best is the cheapest."

LABOR.

(Read before the Northwestern District Convention of Farmers, at Galesville, Wis., January 7, 1880.)

"Twere worse than vain to here repeat
The trite old tale of Adam's curse,
So fraught with misery complete,
Recorded in Miltonic verse,

With stately measure, grand, sublime,
That scorns the fetters of a rhyme.

Enough to know that Adam's fate

Was sealed; and 'neath th' Almighty scorn Was turned without the elysian gate, And misery and toil were born.

'Twas thus that farming first began, And downward to the present day,

The common heritage of man

Has ever onward held its way.

First herds that cropped the herbage crude,
With tents to shelter from the storm,
Young earth a boundless solitude -
A wilderness, in primal form.

The burning sun to rule by day;

The moon and stars to shine by night,
To guide two pilgrims on their way
From mental darkness into light.
It would be tedious to trace

The course of agricultural skill;
Centuries on centuries crept apace,
And it had gained small progress still.

In later years, when Virgil wrote

His pastorals in Latin verse,
If his bucolics I should quote,

'Twould give you colics that are worse.
To think of milking sheep and goats
Instead of cows of modern breed;
Or chasing those long snouted shoats,
Would be a sorry task indeed.

Leaving behind those poets sage

Who sang of agriculture rude, I pass to the medieval age,

When methods were about as crude.

A proud and haughty, warlike race,
That in those stirring feudal days
Lived oft by conquest or the chase,

And in most rude, outlandish ways, When might was right. The arts of peace Declined and languished; in their place The bloody arts of war increased

And feuds and rapine marched apace. Men fought for spoil, men fought for creeds, And oft for vengeance in their rage;

The record of their cruel deeds

Mars many a leaf of history's page.

When later came our fathers o'er

For freedom's sake - freedom of thought, And landed on New England's shore, It was a freedom dearly bought. They battled with the sterile soil

Against the treacherous savage band

They labored on with patient toil
With perils thick on every hand.

As ore is purged of filthy dross
When in the fiery furnace tried,
So human souls of passions gross,
Are by sore trials purified.

Thus the "New World" in days of old,

When sown with Puritanic seed,

Bore wills of iron, hearts of gold,

Yet bound by superstitious creed.

And to those Puritans severe

This nation owes a lasting debt;