Strong reserve and heavy marked increases in capital stock surplus and profits, and total deposits, are features of summary of last general report from Banks of Oregon. Total deposits in the state amounted to $117,166,315.95, increase of $3,256,434.41 over September, 1910. In surplus and profits increase of $1,120,215.21 was noted. Loans and discounts have increased approximately $5,000,000. Reserved for month just closed was 36.7 per cent. Legal requirement is but 25 per cent. in city Banks and 15 per cent. in country banks. Reports from Postal Savings Banks were incomplete, because of forms sent out but $537,714.37 was reported from these.

It is greatly to the credit of Oregon that its prosperity has come to it mainly through the efforts of its own people. The legend "Alis volat propriis"-I fly with my own wings, which was once a part and the most significant part of the state seal, is no idle or unearned boast. There has been no organized action in the history of the state that has contributed more to the prosperity of the state 'than the annual State fair and the Lewis and Clark Exposition. These two great expressions of the zeal and sentiment of the state deserves historical record here.

For a suitable record of the origin of the State Fair reliance is placed on the statement of Hon. John Minto, who has been connected with nearly every good work for Oregon for over 65 years. On August 5, 1911, Mr. Minto penned the following:

"The writer was a member of the Marion County Agricultural Society in 1858; also a member and exhibitor before the Oregon Pomological Society, the merging of which with the State Agricultural Society, formed the basis for the first State Fair held on the north bank of the Clackamas near its junction with the Willamette river, in October, 1861.

"George Collier Robbins was the first elected president, who, resigning, was succeeded by Simeon Francis, who delivered the first address.

"The first Fair was begun in doubt, but closed as a success, but the less than a dozen who had prepared for it were convinced that its locality was not the best, and three counties of the Willamette valley were left to prepare for the second State Fair. They were Yamhill, Linn and Marion. The members of the Marion County Society waited till they were informed that nothing could be done for the fair in 1862, in Linn or Yamhill counties. Major Joseph Magone canvassed the then village of Salem for subscriptions one day and received signatures for over $1,700. It was a good showing of public spirit, and we of the Marion County Society, only 40 members, paying $1.00 a year in membership, appointed a committee to prepare grounds for the fair. Louis Byrnes, John Minto and Chas. Swegle were appointed on the committee, and Chester N. Terry was secretary. Eighty acres of land was secured, and enclosed by an 8 foot fence, a pavilion and show pens constructed, and a good fair was held. How it was done I cannot say, but am sure a better spirit never pervaded any community than that which existed at the second state fair. It was a pleasure to work with such men.

"I do not know what others did, but I was signed for $1,200 for lumber. Some of it was hauled from David Newsom's saw mill at the north end of Howell's Prairie.

"The fair was held and accounts recorded and the Marion County Society had $3,600 against it, with 40 members with $1.00 a year membership fees; a