STATE FATE OF 1859. 
231 
of former Fairs ; except, perhaps, in the Stock department, 
which, in the estimation of some, was more worthily represent¬ 
ed than on any similar occasion in previous years. 
The show of wheat and other grains was larger than usual, 
and the specimens were such as to re-inspire the old confidence 
in the capabilities of our climate and soil. Pierce county was 
particularly well represented in this line, and set an example 
worthy of emulation by even the oldest counties in the State. 
The Fruit Hall, considering the unfavorableness of the sea¬ 
son, was well filled with tempting specimens of every variety 
grown within our borders, and reflected great credit on the 
persevering enterprise of the fruit growers of Wisconsin. 
The display of Machinery and Implements was about as 
usual ; presenting, however, a few new and promising inven¬ 
tions worthy of trial. 
The weather, in the main, was very fine, but the attendance 
rather moderate, particularly in view of the fact that the Exhi¬ 
bition was in the heart of our great metropolitan city. 
The receipts were a little over §5,000, and ample, with the 
resources in hand, to pay all premiums and outlays incident to 
the Fair, and other current expenses ; for a detailed statement 
of which, the reader is referred to the records of the Annual 
Meeting of the Society, immediately following the Awards of 
Premiums and Reports of Committees. 
The Annual Address before the Society was delivered by the 
Hon. Abram Lincoln, of Illinois, on Friday, the 30th inst., at 
11 o’clock, and was universally regarded as a highly instructive 
and valuable-production. 
The Awards of Premiums were declared immediately after 
the Address, but the haste of their preparation so far prevented 
the correction of mistakes made by Judges in the several de¬ 
partments, as to result in no little embarrassment to the Exec¬ 
utive Committee and dissatisfaction to some of the exhibitors \ 
so that, for the future, it will be necessary either to further 
perfect the system now in use, or abolish it altogether. Any 
one who reflects upon the vast number of details involved in a 
