Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-10-26
South Kennebeo Cattle Show and Fair

SouLn A6nn2Dec cattle snow ana Ealr.
This came off at Gardiner on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday of last week. There
are three of these shows and fairs in Kenne-
bee annually. The old Kennebec, which was
held at Fayette this year, formerly at Win
throp or Hallowell Cross Roads the North
Kennebec at Watervile, and the South Ken
nebec, at Gardiner The agricultural society
connected with the latter is Of late origin, but
the annual fairs of the society bid fair to leave
those Of the other societies in the rear. The
arrangements made by the people of Gardiner
are extensive and liberal. A large lot has
been enclosed by a high fence and literally
supplied with water by an aqeduct from the
high land A large two story building has
been erected for exhibition of agricultural
products, new inventions, and samples of skill
in the mechanical arts. A large space is APP
propriated for the exhibition of articles of la
dies manufacture, paintings, &c. During
the three or four days Of the fair, crowds of
ladies thronged the building, from Gardiner,
HallUwell, Augusta, Richmond and the coun-
try around. 1t is unnecessary to remark that
all the beauty was not in the beautiful articles
of manufacture in which the building abound
ed-there was much Of it under pretty bonnets,
speaking out from bright eyes and smiling rosy
faces. The region represented is somewhat
noted for beautiful "vimmin" But that was
not what took our eye.
We stopped in perfect amazement before
sundry piles Of squashes, pumpkins, ruta ba-
gas, carrots, &c. Entertaining the opinion
that the terrible drouth Of the season had put
a check on everything in the vegetable line,
we could scarcely believe our own eyes
when we saw some squashes that bushel
basket would not contain, and bright yellow
pumpkins of monstrous dimensions. Indeed,
everything in the pumpkin line was Of size
and excellence that demonstrated TO a salts
factory certainty, the fertility Of the Kennebec
valley.
The merchants sent in fine specimens of
their goods. Of the specimens of mechanical
skill, were newly invented ship-steering APP
paEatus, sewing-machine in full operation;
a chaise and a sleigh manufactured by Charles
E. Kimball, Hallowell, which for richness
and thorough workmanship, it would be diff
cult for any carriage establishment in the State
to surpass The Messrs. Wing of Winthrop,
had specimens of California, Eastern market
and Lumbermen boots of great excellence of
manufacture. Piano fortes were profusely
opod IL
ehanlcal and fancy departments was extensive
enough to occupy the attention of a critical
observer for full halfa day.
The stock exhibition on the first day is said
to have been respectable. The blowing match
on the second day was rather failure. the ar
engagements not having been thoroughly made.
On Friday, the equestrian exercises If the Ia
dies came off. Some dozen or more ladies a.
tered the ring and contested for the nr;zo
This was a novel and exciting spectacle
They rode well on the whole, though it was
evident some of them had not had much prac-
tice. There was one lady to whom the COM
pany adjudged the prize, whatever the com.
mittee may say. Miss Norcross of Augusta
is the lady referred TO. She is an expert al
the exercise-sits easy and close to the sad
dle-holds the rein light and gracetul-and
her superior management subdues horses owe,
which other ladies could hold no control. We