The new North-west., 1890-08-29
TIE MONTANA FAIR AGAIN,

The Helena Ne,wla misinterprets what
We had to say last week about the Mon
tana Agricultural, Mineral and Mechanical
Association. It says:
"The New NoRTI-W WEST, which we are
sure knows and appreciates the purposes
of agricultural fairs, asks the question,
what is the Montana Agricultural, Min
cral and Mechanical Association, anyhow?
We shall not undertake to solve the conun-
drum, for we do not think the question
seriously intended, but rather an intma
ton that the directors have not pntronized
the home press and printers as they
should"
The question was seriously put and
seriously intended, but it was preliminary
to what followed We can imagine what
the purposes of such an association are
We can imagine what this one is intend
ed for; but right here our complaint comes
in. 1t is because everything is left to our
imagination. The association is an agri
cultural association, il is Il mineral asso
citation, and it is a mechanical association,
and vet not one man out Of hundred in
the State knows what !, single premium is
IL
departments. Why is there not Il premium
list in the hands of every producer in the
State: Does the :ssocintinn expect any
one 10 make exhibits unless he knows
what exhibits arc wanted, and what are the
premiums and wha; are '!.r rules for the
entries: These are thing, al which the
people are ignorant. No need 10 a,lver-
tise in the "home press" What is needed
is Fair pamphlet containing n list Of the
premiums, and this should be in the
hands Of all.
But the UeruM says the association ''has
maintained al existence for twenty full
years, and the existence and purposes
ought to be understood by this time" We
then told the truth last week when we in
timated that the association was proceed
ing upon the theory that because the Fair
had been in existence so long the people
ought to know all about it, anyway. But
the people don't know all about it. How
can they know anything about it unless
they learn it from some time -honored pio-
neer who has attended it in ages past? !?
The Herald further says:
eve might we'll answer the inquiry of
the New NORTHWEST by saying that the
Fair is just what the patrons and support
ers of the institution choose to make it. 1t
has generally been that about three fourths
of the patronage come from that portion of
the public that delights most in fast horses.
1t would be stupid and unjust to ignore
this fact"
Just SO. The patrons and supporters
have been the sporting men simply because
theirs is the only patronage which has been
cultivated or sought. Every possible effort
has been made to get them there. Every
owner of a race horse has had the very
fullest information in his possession at all
times, but if person desired to enter any
article in tho Fair, what information has
he had on which to act? Nothing. We
agree with the Herald when it says
eve heartily wish that the farmers,
stock growers, miners and mechanics would
interest themselves more in the Fair, and
show it by their exhibits and attendance.
A little proper general effort would change
the whole character of the Fair in single
| season.
This is a pretty good confession, how
ever, that the Montana Agricultural, Min