MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 



The Secretary, Dr. E. Holmes, writes me as follows : 



The annual "Cattle Show and Fair" of the Maine State Society 

 for 1859, took place in Augusta on the 21st of September, and con- 

 tinued through the week. 



It was a decided success, and a decided failwe. At no previous 

 show were there brought out so many splendid cattle, sheep and 

 horses; and the halls were filled to overflowing with articles of 

 manufacture of all kinds ; and the products of the dairy exhibited 

 have never been equalled for quality or quantity. The Trustees in 

 their official report state that "the arrival of horses, cattle, sheep 

 and swine upon the grounds exceeded their most sanguine expecta- 

 tions, not only in the increased number of entries — amounting to 

 over 1,000 — but also in the evidence of great improvement in the 

 quality of the stock presented. 



The increased premiums offered on sheep met with gratifying 

 results. A great impetus has thus been given to renewed exertions 

 in sheep raising — a branch of husbandry of great importance to 

 Maine. 



By Tuesday, at 3 o'clock, every stall and pen upon the ground 

 were full, and many waiting places, which were constructed as fast 

 as possible for their accommodation." 



Tuesday was a splendid day, and every thing went happily and 

 harmoninously, 



"Merry as a marriage bell," 



but by Wednesday, a powerful rain, so "genial to growing crops" 

 but wilting to a cattle show, began to fall, and all outdoor opera- 

 tions were suspended. For this reason, the show, which, as it re- 

 gards numbers and excellence of cattle and other farm stock, and 

 articles in the various halls, was a great success, as it regards 

 l^ecuniary matters was a failure. 



