Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-05-28
PRESIDENT
DOWNING'S
ADDRESS
On The State Fair At StauOn Farm.
er's institute Saturday May Is

Four months from now the Oregon
state fair, the greatest Industrial ex
position on the Pacific coast, will
open its gates 60 the public. We
think that the fair will be the largest
grounds, and we hope and trust II
may be. The management Is better
prepared to take care OF both the
public and exhibitors than ever be-
fore, and we believe the public Is in
a good mood to attend the fair this
year, and exhibitors should do their
best to make worthy display of the
states resources.
A Splendid Record.
In 1860 the first state fair was
held at Salem and only once In the
wide stretch OF time that has seen
so much history made since that
long-gone fall has the anual display
OF oregon's wonderful resources
been omitted at the capital. In 1905
the state board OF agriculture kind
ly gave consent TO have the display
made at the Lewis and Clark exposi-
tlon. This action won the applause
OF the people; Il did more for Oregon
In one season than could have been
done otherwise In years; II brought
our products into direct competition
with those OF all the world and the
splendid showing the state made
with her orchards. farms. ranches,
stock and manufactures was the won
der OF the visitors.
That the fair has been OF meal
euable benefit to the state there Il
no doubt. II has improved the quail
ity and character of every product ~
Oregon. II Is an education TO the
farmer or ranoher or stockman. II
has bought the growers into friendly
competition and the Information
gained one year has made the crops
OF the next and succeeding harvests
better and more valuable.
The state contributes $4,000 20
the fair each year, That money Is
giyon for n definite purpose. Not
one dollar may be diverted from its
legitimate use, The whole sum goes
for premiums for the livestock and
agricultural and horticultural pro-
duets. and the value of this financial
encouragement is seen in the fact
that oreg6n's fruits and cereals and
cattle are prizewinners wherever they
are shown.
Through the competition which
the yearly meetings have fostered by
means OF liberal premiums. spirit
of rivalry and emulation has been en-
gendered In all branches OF agricul-
tural enterprise, resulting In the vast
improvement OF stock and cattle,
horses, sheep and swine, so that the
breeders OF Oregon today are not
afraid or ashamed TO meet eompeti-
tion from any part of the world,
This was happily demonstrated In the
successful contest for premiums
made by Oregon people at the ST.
Louis exposition and the Lewis aud
Clark fair. Not only that. but the
methods of procedure In all lines OF
agriculture have been improved ON
account OF the demonstrations made
AT the state fair, until there Is now
abroad disposition TO adopt the
most modern methods OF production
and bring forth the possible products
In every line, We believe that All
these changes for the better have
more than compensated for the cost
TO the state.
The state fair laid the foundation
by educating exhibitions how to get
together samples OF our products and
Nc live stock for show purposes.
which made Il possible for this state
10 win such great honors IN compe-