The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-10-05

agriculture IN OFcgOu. AMeuty years
ago It was wilderness, inhabited chiefly
by Indians, coyotes, &c. Now Oregon is
covered with good farms, whose owners
generally are in well-to-do circumstances.
He contended that Linn county is the
best in the State-that its people are rap
idly gaining in wealth, prosperity and
power. lie claimed that the scriptural
promise, that seed time aud harvest should
never fail, is particularly verified in Linn
county. Crops never fail. He held that
the farmers in this county are not sur.
passed by any in inventive talent-apd
referred with commendable pride to the
several patents which have been issued to
our citizens, for useful agricultural imple-
ments. If we continue to advance in the
same ratio, for the next fifteen years,
he wanted to know who could picture our
greatness then! He urged oil good citi-
zens to do what they can to further the
true interests Of the Linn County Fair.
1t pays in variety of ways. One of
these was its social aspect 1t dpas good
to get together once year, and see ones
friends, aud have an interchange Of kind
ly greetings. There are some evils con-
pected with the Fair, he would admit,
but we should remedy them instead of
being discouraged. Others think, and
he conquered in the opinion, that there is
too much horso-racing, and that this is an
evil that should be remedied
On Thursday, the fourth and last day,
the various Committees we're busy award
ing premiums, As usual there was some
hOrse-racing. A race between n horse
called JEFF. Davis and mare owned by
Luper was very exciting. The terms
were 2-miIe heats, two best in three
The first heat was won by JEFF. in 4:l6;
the second by him in 4:3S-he being
the winner.
There are many things We would like to
notice, but owing to the lateness of the
hour we cannot do so to-day. We cannot
close this article, however, without hasty
glance at the Pavilion. The floral, the
fruit, the grain and vegetable depart.
ments were we'll represented. Dir. G. p.
Burkhart alone had on exhibition sixty
four varieties of apples, all from one or
chard. There were endless varieties Of
grapes-numerous big squashes, very
large bects, onions, tomatoes,-rieh and
juicy pears-peaches-plums-and We saw
some corn that forcibly reminded ps OF
that grown in Illinois. Wheat and oats,
for plumpness and size, could not be ex-
/. celled I'm the other side of the Pavil-
lion were many samples of the handiwork
of the ladies of Linn county such as
quilts, dresses. artificial flowers, wreaths,
&C., &c. Also, pictures, photographs of
the finest quality. AS whole, however,
the display in the Pavilion was not ss
good as it should and could have been
had more general interest been taken
by farmers and other classes Of citizens.
The Agricultural Society Of Linn
county is in its infancy; it cannot be ex-
pected, therefore, that everything con-
nected with its Fair will be entirely free
from imperfection and error. We will
briefly specify some things We consider
wrong, and which, in our Judgment,
should be rectiied. 1t is chaiged-witll
how much truth, We do not know-that
articles in the Pavilion we're on exhibi-
ton; aud competing for premiums, which
last year took premiums. This, if true,
is wrong, and should not be allowed, be.
, cause it is unjust to new competitors, and
because, instead of stimulating industry
and skill, its tendency is to destroy them.
or at least to hold them in abeyance.
; 1t is objected that there is entirely toe
much racing--that by far too much money
is set apart for premiums TO fast horses
From what we know and saw we incline
to the belief that there is much truth in
this allegation. We are in favor of good
: horses. We believe in blooded horses
We believe blood will tell, not only upon
this noble animal, but more or less in al
others-man not excepted. Rnt there are
many other good things ip this world be.
sides the horse, and the Board should SC
adjust matters as to properly foster and
develop them aud the several interests
with which they are connected. We
have no definite plan of our oyp to pro
pose to remedy the evil. we simply cal
the attention of the officers of the Society
to it, and leave it to their wisdom to find
a remedy.
9 In the letting Of contracts for work
needed by the Society, and the awarding
of prizes &C., every officer and member Of
the Society should see to it that they are
not influenced, in the remotcst degree, by
political considerations. We have seen
Agricultural Societies as we'll as churches
scattered to the four winds, by such su