, 1879-10-23


damp weather the fairs of Washington
and Oregon have partially been failures.
1t seems TO us that this could be arranged
SOME WAY. Why not have the fairs ear
lier in tile season, and avoid the cold rains,
'or put root over the fair ground" We
do not claim to know all about farming"
but would like to ask why they do not hold
the fair about the lst OF Septcmber9 The
most of our products mature by that time.
Suppose some would b. imperfect for ex-
hibiton. such as "big pumpkins, squashes,
turnips and cabbage; still this would be
Offset by having ALL the FRUITS FAIRLY
represented - the products that speak
more for our Territory than pumpkins
and squashes." 1t has been claimed that
the fairs are held late that farmers can
leave their labors without loss. This is
correct in spirit, as we should consult
the convenience OF the producer first. But
we fail to see the "truits" OF the ''cOnsid-
crate" fair societies. Now, we venture the
assertion that were the farmers to ap-
point time for holding the fair, they
would have 1t In the season, when they
and their families could attend,
without wadng through mud, and being
drenChed and chilled with cold rain. He
would surely rather LOOSE COUPLE OF
DAYS to attend the fair in a comfortable
manner than to expose his family to the
"unpleasantries of October, and then
only to beentertained by those inevitable
pumpkins and squasles". We hope our
suggestions will be taken as they are in
tended-for the good Of the associations
that are doing so much for the country.
There are hundreds. II not thousands OF
people who woud have attended the fairs
this year had they been at a time in the
season when the weather would have been
halfpleasant. There would be more OH
exhibition, as people care little to send
specimens, II they cannot attend in
person.
SAN JUAN CoUNTY.--We learn that the
people In that county are In prosperous
condition, and the future bright. At
Anacortes, the name of a little settlement
at the head OF Ship harbor, on Fitlalgo
Island, the population is growing rapidly
and the people are, as class, quite intel
ligent. The Academy building on Lopez
is nearly finished, and much praise is due
Rev. Z. o, Tade and Prof. A. 4. Burnell
for their zeal in advancing the education
nj interests of the county. Some time ago
We referred to the fact that San Juan
farmers need better facilities for ship
ping their produce to British Columbia,
aud lave since, upon inquiry, been
strengthened In the belief that some ar
rangement ought to be made to assist the
people of those Islands. TO ship their
products to the port ofentry and then re-
ship to British Columbia is too expensive
a route. This can be remedied by the
proper authorities allowing the deputy
Inspector there TO clear schooners and
other small crafts for b. G. Every adj
vantage we can offer our rural friends.
will better enable them to compete IN
trade on foreign soil. Our island farm
ers can tind ready sale abroad for all they
produce.
A. A. Plummer, Jr., Fl. L. Tibbals, Jr..
and D. II. Hill, young gentlemen OF this
place, went ON hunt to the Islands and
have been gone week. No doubt they
have treed every deer in that section OF
the country. Later.-.Since writing the
above the boys have returned. and report
having caught 8 deer and 3 colds.
AFTER trial of different Goals the Treas
ury Department have directed the revenue
cutters Of both Puget Sound and the Co
lumbia river to obtain their coal OF the
Seattle coal company, the quality and
price being considered most favorable for
the use of these steamers.
THE Indians swear vengeance against
some parties here who have been 'bilk-
ing'' poor Lo. The trick has been to
charge 81 50 for black bottle filled with
water, which the Indian does not detect
till he dare taste his prize.
THERE is movement among loggers
OF Puget Sound to secure the enactment
of some law that will secure an honest
measurement Of their logs, which they
claim Is impossible for them to obtain at
present.
We would call attention to corre-
spondenCe on the first page of this issue,
from the pen OF our county school super