Rocky Mountain husbandman., 1878-05-02


WE learn from the Bozeman papers that
a project is on foot looking to the organiZa-
ton of a Fair Association at that place.
This is very important move, and II prop
erly carried out will be OF lncalculable bene-
fit to Gallatin valley, and to all of Eastern
Montana. We know OF no better means
that can be employed to encourage the i'm
portation of fine stock and induce the care
tul study and employment of the most i'm
proved modes of tillng the soil than associ-
ations of this character. The experience of
the old settled States has demonstrated this
An agricultural fair cannot fail. to become
the means of doing good, and the better it
is managed the greater and more lasting,will
be the benefits resulting therefrom.
The farmcrsof Gallatin valley are wealthy
and prosperous, and abundantly able to Or
ganize. an. association of this kind that may
not only do credit to Bozeman and Gallatin
county, but to the entire Territory. Galla-
tin owns a fair share of the fine stock Of
Montana, and Bozeman is a point of consd-
cradle commercial importance, and as good.
a.location for such an exhibition as could
have been selected. Besides commanding
considerable home patronage, it will draw
large attendance of the fine stock of Madi-
son, Beaverhead, Jefferson and ,Meagher
counties; which would represent'the bulk Of
fine stock of the Territory. We would say
to the farmers, there: take liberal amount
Of stock ), see to it that you own the control
ling interest, that you may conduct it for
the alvancementof your calling. Do not
enter into it with the hope that it,will prove
a, great financial speculation, and do not
conduct it with this view. Let your object
be the advancement of the industrial inter-
est of the country. Look for yonr divi-
dends, not in dollars, but in the general inn
provement and progress which such institu-
tions are calculated to inspire. Horse rae
ing, which has become the leading feature
in our modern fairs, should not.receiveyanY
more consideration than other branches Of
the stock business. The premiums offered
tor different kinds, classes and grades Of
stock should be governed by the Importance
of each class to the permanent wealth OF the
country If beef and wool are our most
important live stock interest, if these seenlt
destined to add most materially to the rev.
enue of the country, they are entitled to re-
ceive the, most important consideration.
We do not deelaim against racing. 1t is a
great source OF, amusement. The thorough
bred horseis the finest type of the equine
race we have in ourtmidst, but their produc-
ton can never. become such a source of
wealth as our other stock interests, and the
latter should have the preference, The pool
box, which has become SO universal at fairs,
should never be introduced. 1t can contrib
ute nothing towards the development of the
horse, and if an association cannot flourish
without the paltry revenue derived from this
source it would be better to abandon the
enterprise at once. If we would not raise
mp generation of gamblers, we should not
make gambling part of the industrial in
stirutions of our country. The propensity
Of young America to become sports is
by far too great already,. 1t is nonsense to
claim that fair association cannot succeed
that is based solely upon and for the epcour-
agement OF the agricultural. mechanical and
mineral industries of the country, and we
trust that the Rozeman Fair Association
may be organized with a view to the4yeriti
cation of this truth.
THE prospect OF a prosperous season to
the montana farmer is not so good at pres
ent writing as it has been for mouth past
We advised early sowing in order to get-the