Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-08-30
SATURDAY. AUGUST 80, 1869
The Oregon State Fair.

We have received the premium list Of the
Oregon State Agricultural Society, for its
second Annual Fair, to be held at Salem, be-
ginning Sept. 80, and ending on the Sd Of
October, 1862.
From casual examination Of the premiums
offered, we should they think amount nthe ag-
gregate to some twenty-five hundred or three
thousand dollars. 1t is expected there will
be strong competition for the premiums, es-
pecially in the mechanical arts; and wedoubt
not, the exhibition will be creditable to the
young State Of Oregon.
Great benefit has resulted to the farming
and mechanical classes in the older States
from these annual exhibitions, by encouraging
spirit Of generous rivalry among those i'm
portant classes Of our population, and by add
ing dignity to labor in all its departments.
Besides all this, it brings the people Of the
State together in social, friendly communion
and enables them to realize that they are one
people in interest, and therefore ought to be
one in feeling and purpose
The State Fairs in California for the last
two or three years would have done credit to
the older States, and they have tended to de-
velop the agricultural capabilities Of that
State to most astonishing degree. Had we
been told FIVE or six years ago that California
was capable of producing enough to support
half million Of population, we would have
been laughed at as visionary. They have,
however, demonstrated practically. that they
can not only produce enough for the consump-
ton Of a half-milion Of her own population,
but have large surplus for export.
The same erroneous opinion prevails in re-
gard to that portion of our Territory lying
west Of the mountains, that formerly obtained
in regard to California, and which can only
be removed by an exhibition of our agricul-
tural productions at these Annual Fairs.
We maintain that it is in our power to demon
strate that we arc capable Of surprising the
Willamette Valley both in quality and guam
tity Of every product grown in Oregon, and
that the same area Of land west of tho the
mountains will yield double the product Of
that east of them, when both sections shall be
brought into full cultivation; and yet our
Oregon friends talk very learnedly about the
region west of the Cascades, in Washington
Territory. mt being adapted to agriculture,
and only valuable for it's timber aud fisher
ies." They will continue Of this opinion, un-
til we do as our friendsin California did, get up
nm exhibition of our products here in Wash
ington. and show them, as they were shown
to their great surprise and astonishment in
California, that we are not only capable Of
sustaining ourselves, but dozen States like
Oregon besides, when our lands are brought
into cultivation.
Our readers must be generally aware of the
fact, that State Agricultural Society was
formed in Oregon some two years ago, and
that very successful fair was held near Or
rgon City. last fall. 1t was a great under
taking, considering the sparseness Of the pop
ulation. and the general inexperiencc Of the
manner in which State Fairs arc conducted.
Under the circumstances, it was a decided
success. The finest stock Of the State was
there, and much of it would have done credit
to the eastern fairs. There were fine horses,
and some Of the best Of sheep and hogs exhi.
bited. There was a handsome display
Of household articles, products of the farm,
agricultural machinery. aud cabinets illustrat-
ing the natural history Of Oregon and Wash.
ington. There was also fine exhibition of
lady equestrianism-ploughing matches and
the trial Of speed and gait Of horses.
We arc told that at ono time. there was
fifteen hundred people on the ground. Farm
ers came from all parts Of the State in their
wagons with their families and stayed through
the whole Fair. 1t was healthful, instruct
i've and agreeable episode to them after the
long and ardent toll upon their farms. When
tn. breaking up time came they left rejoicing
that they had been present. and promising
themselves renewed pleasure at the next
State Fair. "the farmers great gala days for
the year"
The grounds on which the present fair is
to BIZ held arv about two miles from the vii
lage Of Salem. the Capitol Of the State, and
ars sid to be most beautifully situated.
We hope many of-oar people will bs pres.
=. .. tho sxbihition and return home ure