12 ' MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 



Thursday night the receipts were such that we felt no doubt that 

 the entire receipts of the Fair must exceed largely that holden in 

 Portland last jeav. Friday morning commenced with a violent 

 rain, effectually suspending the exhibition upon the grounds. And 

 while it prevented thousands from starting from their homes to 

 attend during this most exciting day of the exhibition, it induced 

 those who had been in attendance, to seek their homes at once. 



On Saturday, the exhibition upon the grounds was again resumed, 

 but in presence of a comparatively small number of spectators. The 

 rain the preceding day was so severe and cold that we thought best 

 to dismiss the neat stock, nearly all of which was driven away. 



The Show of neat stock was not large, but many fine animals and 

 herds of full blood and grades upon the grounds evidenced that the 

 farmers of Maine are alive to the improvement of native, and intro- 

 duction of blood stock. 



The show of Horses was excellent, there being many more on 

 exhibition than at any previous Show. Great care has been taken 

 in the improvement of the breed of horses in this State ; and the 

 animals brought together at this Fair conclusively proved the supe- 

 riority of Maine horses. 



The Trustees regret to say that the show of Sheep was very 

 meagre. That the interest in this important branch of husbandry 

 is much lessened within a few years, there can be no doubt. This 

 is the effect, undoubtedly, of the extreme fluctuation in the prices 

 of wool. But at even a low price of wool, we believe that a hardy, 

 vigorous flock of sheep should be kept by almost every farmer in 

 Maine. 



The exhibition at the Halls was of the first order, and contributed 

 largely to the success of the whole. 



A new feature was added this year, in supplying motive power — 

 a steam engine of thirty horse power, being in operation during the 

 Fair, running such other machinery as required moving power to 

 show its efficiency. Had it not been for the peculiar pressure of the 

 times, rendering it onerous for the mechanic to incur the expense 

 of displaying his work, this department of the exhibition would have 

 been extremely interesting and useful. The display of labor saving 

 machinery is generally small at our Fairs. But supply steam 

 power, or otherwise prepare to move machinery, and every new and 



