The Committee on in-door Miscellaneious Articles report "that several articles were presented, for which no premiums could be awarded, although meritorious, and the task a difficult one to designate between them".

After the disposal of the reports of the Committees, the election of officers took place, and resulted in the election of L. Bostedo, President; John M. Vaughn, Vice President; Chas. L. Gumaer, Secretary, and L. Dayton, Treasurer. The Directors for the several towns are for

Weyauwega – A. Baxter

Waupaca – L.B. Brainard

Farmington – F. Beardmore

Dayton – W.C. Carr

Lind – T. Caldwell

Mukwa – H. Ketchum

Iola – M.R. Baldwin

St. Lawrence – C.S. Ogden

Scandinavia – Thos. Knop

The Society then adjourned its meeting to the11th day of November next, to meet at the house of O. Ducher, in Parfreyville, to hear the Report of the Committee on Field Crops and Farms.

L. DAYTON, President.

J.H. Jones, Secretary.

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SPEECH

Of E.L. Browne, Esq., delivered at the annual Waupaca County Agricultural Fair, for 1855.

Mr. President, Ladies & Gentlemen:

It cannot be otherwise than gratifying to all such as have the interest and welfare of our county at heart, and feel a pride in her advancement and prosperity, to witness such a gathering as this, at such a time, and under such auspicious circumstances. The casual observer might well suppose, from the recent entrance of white people into the wilds of the Northern forests, that we had met together to adopt defensive measures to protect our homes and families from a savage foe, rather than for the purpose of exhibiting the fruits of a people’s enterprise and industry, and duly celebrating the 3d Anniversar of a County Agricultural Society.

Mr. President, this is a wonderful age in which we live – an age in which Progress and Improvement are stamped upon everything. The man of fifty years ago would be astonished and alarmed were he in our midst at the present time. He would think we were attached to a locomotive car, and dashing onward with a speed of sixty miles an hour. Within the last fifteen years there have been greater improvements made in the Mechanical arts – the application of Science to the wants of Man – useful inventions – in all that elevates man and distinguishes him from the brute, than at any other or like period in the world’s history. – The lightnings have been caught and taught to speak; distance has been annihilated, and the very elements overcome. And still we are rushing onward with the rapidity of a lightning Express train on a descending grade. – Would it not be strange if amid this universal advancement, Agricultural pursuits should remain in the same state they were fifty years ago? We see that such is not the case. It would look strange, very strange, now-a-days to see reapers with their sickles in their hands in our almost boundless fields of grain. The broad rolling prairies would laugh at such workers, for such would need a compass in a cloudy day to find their way out. McCormick’s Reaper, with four horses attached, now gallops through the yellow fields, and prepares the grain for the garner as it passes. This is but one item. The time was when it was thought sufficient to scatter the seed in the soil without regard to the adaptation of the soil to receive it, and if the dews and rains of heaven were not withheld, and untimely frosts did not blight the grain, the so-called farmer expected a tolerable harvest. Not so at the present time. Agriculture has become a Scientific pursuit. A practical knowledge of Chemistry is now found necessary to its successful prosecution; not indeed to raise grain, but to raise as much grain as the land is capable. He who does this is a benefactor to his race and a blessing to the world.

The establishment of Agricultural Societies is another evidence of the improvement in this particular branch of industry. All can see the great object and aim of these Societies. It creates competition among its followers, and a laudable emulation to excel each other. It brings them together when the fruits of their industry and the result of their respective experiments are seen and known by all. The information which each acquires by observation or experiment is thus placed in the common stock, and the benefit each receives is beyond calculation. Again, it systematizes Agricultural and Mechanical pursuits. – There is a best way to do everything, from the taking of Sebastopol down to the making of an ax-helve and planting a kernel of corn. That best way is soonest discovered or more easily approached when hundreds are engaged in the same object, all acting conjointly, than when the object is pursued by a single individual, or by hundreds and each acts independently of the other. – These Societies have accomplished wnders for the country and their continuance promises much more.

We have reason to be proud of the exhibition today. Considering the newness of the country, and the recent origin of this Society, you have accomplished wonders. There is not a county in the State, nor in the whole west, that was Indian territory three years ago, that can surpass it.. We are sometimes told by outsiders and those who do not know, that we have a poor soil – that we cannot raise grain, and compete with the other counties of the State. I wish such would take a stroll over the county and see for themselves the waving fields of grain – grain growing in the prodigality of nature and be convinced of their mistake. The result today gives the lie to the slander, and establishes the fact that Waupaca County possesses not only fertility of soil but a people of intelligence, enterprise and industry. I have traveled over nearly every county in the State, and while some possess advantages which we have not, there are none that combine as many. Our agricultural resources are not inferior to any. We have a diversity of soil – adapted to raising every kind of grain. We have dense timber lands, high, rolling prairies, and beautiful openings. There is a perfect wealth of water powers throughout the county The best and largest navigable river in the State passes through it, and the immense lumber regions bound us on either side. What more could we ask; what more could we expect or desire. Nature has been prodigal in her gifts, and if we use our hands as we have done, Waupaca County will yet become the most wealthy county in the State. We have also a beauty of scenery of which it would not be vain to boast. The traveler, as he passes through pauses and lingers as if lost in admiration of the scene around him, and ere he reluctantly passes on, the beautiful picture drawn by nature is stereotyped upon his mind, never to be effaced. We have a county attractive to all who either appreciate the beautiful in nature, or can estimate the worth of our combined advantages, and the extent of our resources of wealth. We must however confine ourselves to the present, for if we should lift the veil that hides the future, and view this county, as it doubtless will be ten years hence, they would call us an enthusiast or a wild dreamer. To judge the future by the past or present ten years hence, every fifty acres of agricultural land in the county will be converted into a farm with an independent farmer for its lord. Every stream will be lashed into a foam by a working of machinery. Our villages will then be cities, wealthy and influential. Our morning and evening reveries will be disturbed by the shrill whistle of the flying engine, and Waupaca County, in wealth and importance, will be the first in Northern Wisconsin. You may call this a dream, a wild freak of the imagination, or what you please; but Mr. President, if you and I live till that time we shall see, sir – we shall see. There is a glorious future in store for us, if we do what we can, and accomplish what we may; the brightest hopes of the most sanguine will be more than realized. We have reclaimed it from the savage, made it what it is, and our destiny still points onward and upward. The hand of God has written upon our soil – our streams – upon every tree in our mighty forests, prosperity – wealth; - and it requires no Prophet – no Daniel to reveal it.

Mr. President, we have reason to congratulate ourselves for one feature in our Society, which heralds its future success. The Ladies have not forgotten us. They have left their forest and their prairie homes to grace this festive gathering. – We always welcome their smiles – but they are doubly welcome today. There is not a soul here, but feels proud of the exhibition of their industry, ingenuity and enterprise, for they have conduced much, very much, to make this occasion interesting and instructive, and the result highly honorable and creditable to the county. The Ladies have done well – exceedingly well. They have manifested their usual refined taste and high appreciation of the beautiful. The result is an honor to the fair competitors, and honor to the occasion, and highly honorable to the county; and in the name of the county we tender them our thanks. Ladies, we hope for and expect your active co-operation in future. We have departments on purpose for you – a floral department – a department for needle work, embroidery; etc. and for all I know, a cake department. If there is not the latter, there should be, for we would esteem it a pleasure to resolve ourselves into a committee of the whole and discuss such nice and delicate cases upon the merits. We wish your aid and sympathy in this, as in every other laudable enterprise. Man must grapple the rough machinery of life, while ‘tis yours to cheer him and strengthen him in the hour of trial. The Spartan women of old did not mingle in the thickest of the conflict – but they brought water to the thirsty Spartan, cheered his drooping spirits in the hour of battle, and even sacrificed their flowing tresses for bow strings, when emergency demanded. – Cultivate your flower gardens – feel it a pride and pleasure, to make them beautiful with your own hands, and my word for it you will never need the artificial hues of health upon your cheeks, for Nature will pace there her own vermilion hues of beauty.

Mr. President, the signs of the time are favorable. The day that heralds "the good time coming" has already dawned. We have passed through a night of darkness – the morning has at length come, and behold in its sky "the bow of promise". Hope beckons us on. Her voice must prove a syren’s, signs true and tried must prove false, or Waupaca is destined to become a great county, and Waupacaeans emphatically a great people. In the language of Dow, Jr.,: So mote it be.

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TREMENDOUS

P.A. CHESLEY would respectfully call the attention of the citizens of Waupaca and vicinity to this one question.

And are blown Sky High; yet the whole cargo of Merchandize, consisting of Dry Goods, Yankee Notions, Ready Made Clothing, Bonnets, Hats, Caps, Boots & Shoes, Hardware, Crockery, Groceries, Nails, Glass, Sash, &c. &c., was saved, and have been safely landed at the store of