Box 19, Folder 3: Milwaukee Agricultural Society, 1837

The Milwaukee County Agricultural Society 1837

[Handwritten billing statement; Jan 31, March 15, Dec 21, April 10, Dec. 26 1838].

Rec'd the above of S. Hinman O. Aldrich Treasurer

[Mil Co. Agricultural Society] We the Undersigned Do Hereby Agree to Pay to the Treasurer of the Milwaukee County Agricultural Society the Sums Set Opposite our Means for the Purpose of Paying the Premiums Offered for the Information of Agricultural Production to This County Milwaukee, December 19th 1837.

[List of Subscriber Names and Dollar & Cents Amounts].

For the purpose of introducing into the County of Milwaukee, the best system of agricultural operations, the best kinds of stock, grains, fruits, roots, and all other agricultural products, and for the purpose of making experiments in relation to the adaptation of our soil and climate for the production of such stock, grains, xc; we the undersigned do hereby agree to adopt the following articles, namely:

Article 1. A farm of not more than one section, or six hundred and forty acres, shall be purchased by the Board of Managers of the Milwaukee County Agricultural Society, situated within five miles of the town of Milwaukee, which shall be called the Experimental Farm."

Art. 2. Said Board shall employ a practical farmer, well acquainted with the modern improve= =ments in agriculture, to take charge of said farm; and shall also employ such assistants, agents, and laborers, as they may deem necessary for the proper and efficient management of said farm.

Article 3. Said Board shall purchase for the use of said farm such kinds of stock, grains, fruit trees, or other articles and seeds of any kind, as they may think proper, always having in view the best interests of the farmers in this county.

Art. 4. The Capital Stock of the "Experimental Farm" shall be five thousand dollars, divided into [into] five-hundred shares of ten dollars each; but may be increased at any meeting, of the transcribers, called for that purpose, by the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee County of Agricultural society—provided at least thirty days notice shall be given in some newspaper published at Milwaukee stating the time, place, and object of holding such meeting.

Art. 5. Each subscriber shall at the time of subscribing, pay to the Treasurer of the Milwaukee County Agricultural Society, two dollars on each share by him subscribed; and the remainder shall be paid by the instalments, not exceeding two dollars on each share when required by said Board of Directors; but no instalment shall be required until two weeks notice has been given in some newspaper published at Milwaukee.

Art. 6 Certificates of stock shall be issued stating the amount paid thereon and the number of shares to which the holder is entitled—which certificates shall be signed by the Treasurer and Secretary of the Agricultural Society.

Art 7 No person shall own stock in the Experimental Farm, who has not signed these articles and who is not a member of the Milwaukee County Agricultural Society.

Art 8. A distinct and regular account of all receipts and expenditures made by said Board under these Articles, shall be kept; and all net proceeds or profits shall be divided among the stock holders in proportion to the amount by them severally paid.

Art. 9. Said Board shall make report at the annual meetings of hte society, of their operations under these articles, in which they shall state the condition of the farm and of the stock crops, xc thereon, and also the state of the funds.

Art 10. Said board shall be authorised to commence operations so soon as two hundred and fifty shares shall have been subscribed.

Milwaukee February 1837

[List of Stockholders/Subscribers and No. of Shares].