The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-09-21
THE COMING DISTRICT FAIR.

An Important Event That Our Farmers
and Fruit-Growers Should Encourage.
The district fair which commences
October 9Th and holds five days should
have the encouragement and support
of every person in the district, and
especially of the citizens of Wasco and
Sherman counties. The management
has done everything in its power to
make the meeting a successful one.
Liberal purses have been provided for
the speed contests, and the citizens of
The Dalles certainly are to be COM
mended for their liberal contributions
which placed $1,000 in the hands of
the managers and made possible the
frst-class speed contests which will
take place. 1t is not in speed contests
though, that the benefits of agricul-
trlral meetings are best shown, but
rather in the exhibits of farm prod
ucts. A good exhibit enables each
producer to study the characteristics
of grains, vegetables and fruits, to
compare aazlAarr-=ttz--EsaLiiGs' 60 of
planting in different soils, and the u.s.
ing of different methods. 1t enables
each farmer to get the benefit of every
other farmers experience, instead of
having to do all his own experiment.
ing; to select varieties of grains and
fruits that he may find from the expe-
rience of others is best suited to his
his own experience for the benefit of
his neighbors. Besides this a good
exhibit always proves fine advertise
ment of the country. Strangers hunt
ing homes attend these fairs, because
they are thus enabled to see at q
glance what the country is capable of
producing. For these reasons the ex-
hibit should be frst-class. Let the
world see what we can grow, and let
us all more fully understand and ap-
preciate the capabilities of our coun-
try. While $500 will be distributed
in premiums, do not take part in the
fair with the sole idea of getting the
immediate benefit in the shape of the
premium. Enter the best you have
and win the premiums if you can, but
at the same time keep in view the in
direct benefits you are obtaining. Ii
your neighbor can raise bigger and
better fruit than you examine the va
rieties he cultivates, and adopt his
methods. If by so doing you can in
crease the product of your fields and
orchards, surely it is richer reward
than the mere premiums. And then
again, good exhibit will perhaps
balance the scale in which some in
tending settlers opinion is suspended
and cause him to locate among us
Every newcomer adds to the wealth of
the county, assists in paying taxes,
building roads, schoolhouses and
churches, and adding to the general
prosperity of the community. Let US
take local pride tn our fair, and make
it one the memory of which will be
gratifying. Bring in your products,
visit it, patronize it and make it, as
you can make it, splendid success.
Lift it out of the old grooves in which
it has run, and not only this year but
next, and still the next assist in max
ing it thing to be looked forward to
with pleasurable anticipation every
year. 1t can be done, and it is to the
interest of every land owner in the
district that it be done. A good strong
pull will do it, and we hope when the
gates are opened next month that the
exhibits and attendance, will show
that the pull has been made.