Fergus County argus., 1903-09-23

In the agricultural and lrnlt depart
ment there was a great surprise for
everyone. The display vas larger in
quantity and better in quality than ev
er before, denoting progress IN secur-
ing the best results as weli as inter-
est in placing the products on exhi'
bition.
Indeed, when one would stop to
think that all of the truck on exhibit
tion before his eyes was raised in
short. cold seaon, he marveled at the
richness of our Montana soil. And
what is more surprising Is the un.
doubted fact that probably seventy
five per cent of the vegetables were
grown without drop Of irrigation.
Furthermore. some OF the best prize
winners were from The mountain foot
hills, six thousand feet above the
oceans level. What encouragement
there should be in this TO every tiller
OF the soil II not only shows what
was done but is an inspiration to
greater effort and achievement along
agricultural and horticultural lines.
Another feature of the exhibits at
the fair and a department which has
hitherto been wholly neglected is that
of stock. It has been difficult to ere
ate an interest among stockmen in
former years. The premiums offered
have been necessarily small and the
trouble and expense of making entries
has resulted practically in no exhi.
/ hition. With better premiums there
has been a quickening among owners
Of blooded stock and in future years
the showing in fine hogs, cattle, sheep
and horses will become one of the
substantial results of the fair. A good
start has now been made and it is
TO be hoped that additional sheds and
yards will be required for those max
ing entries in this department.
In the ladies department. as in all
others. there was marked improve
ment. Some pieces OF hand-work
were remarkable for their beauty and
design.
The mineral display was the best
ever collected in this county and was
a veritable revelation to those who
were unfamiliar with this great source
of wealth. This exhibit. before II
gets through swinging around the cir.
Gle. will do much toward attracting
attention to the mining districts of
this county.
That the races and amusement fea
lures were not fully up to the expec'
tations of the people and the plans OF
the association is a matter of regret
1t is only necessary to say that every
effort was made TO get horsemen here
and some gave a positive promise tc
be present with string of racers
but weather or conflicting dates with
other fairs may have detained them
The management is aware that more
and better races are essential to give
satisfactory program and every ef
fort will be made in the future to i'm
prove this feature. With more means
at its command and better facilities
for getting horses and equipments In
here the races can be made star at
fractions. II necessary. a good live
promoter should be sent out among
IaCemcn 10 secure their presence.
The failure of Prof. Baldwin. the
aeronaut. to be here was owing to al
: accident sustained while making al
ascension in Kansas. however, hi
place was supplied by another whit
made a thrilling ascent on Thursday
giving a better exhibition on the par
; achute than Prof. Baldwin did las
, year. Owing to an old, defective bal
loon the aeronaut was only able Il
make one ascension.
Altogether the fair was a complet'
success not withstanding the man.
p difficulties encountered in city s,
| remote from the large centers of poi
ulation Every future exhibition
should be a great Improvement on tn
last and with the patriotic and ger
Q erous support vouchsafed by Las
Y weeks attendance combined wit
1 ideal weather the association takes o.
new courage and hope and will striv
to earn the appreciation Of the peopl
] in whose interest the fairs are held.