Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-16
FARMERS In COUNCIL.
Wisconsin Tillers Of the Soil Have
Their Annual Meet at Madison.
The Most Successful Convention Ever
Held III the Badger State.

chamber was veil filed.
Before the regular business of the
board opened, Secretary Z. L. Newton,
entertained the assemblage by exhibiting
medals which the society had awarded to
various parties. Beautifully engraved
heavy gold medals had been awarded to
the following parties: Galbraith Broth
ers, for best Clydesdales; Capt. Fred
| Pabst, for best Percheron stallion; Dill
lion BaOthers, for the best brood mare:
| J. A. Gilman, for best breeding stallion
J. A. Gilman, for best brood mare; Capt.
| Fabst, for best Percheron brood mare;
William Frankfurt, (siIyer) for best dis
/ play OF stoves; John Beck, (silYer) for
! best display OF shoes.
The convention was called to order by
Hon. A. A. Arnold, of Trempealeau, ex-
president of the State Agricultural soci-
ETY..
The chairman then said ne felt much
! pleasure il being able to call to the stand
President Chamberlin, Of the state uni
versity.
The president took his place amid a
hearty round Of applause. Looking
| over the goodly audience one could no.
| tice that the solid yeomanry present were
prepared TO pass judgment upon the
new president of WIscunsin's grand uHi-
versity.
The speaker announced that his theme
| was ''The New Relations OF the Universe
| ty TO Agricultural among other sug-
| gestions at the commencement of his ad-
daess, the president said the influence of
the university should be used N dissem-
mating knowledge; that it should be
sent forth over the land, through its
representatives, and through the press,
and from the platform, SO that its i'm
portanee could be brought to bear upon
the many. We should follow the exam
pie of England who is endeavoring in
her educational efforts to work upon and
benefit the masses. The speaker could
see that good results were coming out Of
the congressional grant, for ageicul-
tural purposes, OF 1862.
At the present time there is & great de.
mand for scientific agriculture, more
perhaps than for any other science.
The president urged upon the farmers
present to induce their sons to take Up
the study. He touched the question of
drainage, which he considered an i'm
portant question. A complete system
would do much good in mahy localities.
The agriculGurist must have patience.
Long stretches of time must necessarily
convene before he can realize the full
benefits he anticipates.
President Chamberlin's address was re-
ceived with much favor. He was ap-
plaUded 10 the echo as he left the stand.
Mrs. S. @. Little, superintendent Of the
state school for the blind, at GAINESVILLE,
took the stand, and delivered decidedly
interesting address on "The Higher Du-
III Of no
quentIy interrupted with applause; and
at the close a vote of thanks was unani-
mHusly extended to her.
Mr.. A. o. Wright next read paper on
the subject of Old English Agriculture.
He stated that the present system of
agriculture in that country is now in this
country well and generally known, how
ever such was not che case until cOmpGr-
atively recent date. He then described
the distinc tive features Of early time
cultivation OF the soil in that
country and the various transtives
and changes through which nus
bandry had passed, IN thus abiding
to the English system he spoke of their
manner of rotation of crops which for
centuries had preserved the fertility OF
the soil and their methods of carrying
out such rotation. He then re-
viewed the ways and means by
which the title and ownership to
lands IL that country had been secured
and in closing predioped that great and
radical changes would yet be made IN the
present existing English landlord system
of owning and tilling the domain of
John Bull; that instead of lord owning
a vast tract cultivated by others at
rental greater numbers will own their
farms.
WEDNESDAYS SESSION.
Wednesday morning Hon. n. D. Fratt,
Of Racine, presided at the opening of the
convention. The first address was by
William Warfeld, of Lexington, KY. on
The Short Horn as It Is and Was. The
speaker showed himself to be we'll versed
IN his subject and discussed the growth
in popularity as well as quality Of this
breed of cattle. The subject was then
taken in hand by the convention and
thoroughly discussed.
Hon. A. G.. Parkinson, of Columbus,
spoke next upon The Trotting Horse
Interests of Wisconsin. Mr.. Parkinson
has had wonderful success in the breeding
OF tTott NJ horses upon his farm near Co
lumbus, and treated the subject advised
ly and inteilig ently. He believes the
interest is steadily growing and that
breeders are coming to understand bet
ter how to breed and train horses for
speed. The paper was earnestly dis
cussed, bringing ont some valuable ideas
from several representative breeders
present. Without doubt this was one OF
the most interesting addresses OF the
convention.
Prof. ". A. Henry. of the state univers-
ity experimental station, spoke upon
The Factors Which Govern the Value OF
Barnyard Manures. He disclosed the
compositions of the common fertilizers
and how they effect different soils
Prof. Henry never fails to attract the
whole attention of a farmer audience and
imparE valuable information.
The convention took a recess at noon
until o'clock p. N.
The afternoon WIS occupied by several
speakers on interesting subjects.
EVENING SESSION.
The first speaker On the programme
was E. ". Dwight, the subject being "Our
Prodigality." He was very earnest in his
advice to keep the boys and girls in
school until they are Of the proper age
to go out and fight the battles of life.
He said: The farmer should be the peer
of any in the United States. They should
be as well educated, as well dressed and
go into the same society as the lawyer,
the doctor or the banker. The old farm
ers should inspire enthusiasm into the
Younger ones. Let the young man
have the ambition to get ahead,
and not be satisfied TO follow IN the foot
steps of his father. He said I do not
want my sons to go through the same
toll and hardships that I went through
I want them, as they are living in an en-
Iiohtaned age To uae the machinery OF