896 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Lands — I should say values have increased 10 per cent. Prices range 

 from $100 to $250 per acre. 



Report of Fair — Held September 8th-llth, inclusive. We had but one 

 good day, yet we will pay our premiums in full. 



MARSHALL. 



H. M. WEEKS, RHODES, OCTOBER 2, 1914. 



General Condition of Crops and Season — Work was retarded in the 

 spring by rain. Later crops were damaged by drouth and the drouth was 

 followed by excessive rains in September. 



Corn — Damaged somewhat by dry weather but the crop is fair and it is 

 out of the way of frost. 



Oats — A fair yield and harvested in good condition. Rather light in 

 weight. 



Wheat — Not much spring wheat raised. More winter wheat is being 

 raised each year. 



Rye — Scarcely any. 



Barley — None raised. 



Flax — I know of none. 



Buckwheat — None. 



Millet — Only a fill-in crop. 



Sorghum — But very little raised. 



Timothy — A light crop but secured in fine condition; quality fine. 



Clover — Light crop, caused by the hard winter. Late rains have made 

 a fair second crop and a fairly good yield of seed. 



Prairie Hay — No wild hay except in sloughs. 



Other Grains and Grasses — More alfalfa raised each season. This year 

 it made a fair crop. Some farmers are experimenting with sweet clover. 



Potatoes — Early potatoes were badly injured by the drouth. The late 

 ones were benefited by the September rains but the crop was not large. 

 Selling for $1.00 per bushel. 



Vegetables — Injured by drouth but a fair yield was secured. Some very 

 fine sweet potatoes are grown. 



Apples — Almost a failure. 



Other Fruits — Fair. 



Cattle — No disease. Short pastures left them very thin. More atten- 

 tion is paid each year to the dairy breeds. 



Horses — Much attention has been given to the improvement of the 

 breeds; but few grade stallions are kept. Good animals are scarce and 

 command good prices. 



Sicine — But little disease compared with the last two years. Poland 

 Chinas and Duroc Jerseys are the leading breeds in this locality. 



Sheep — Not many kept. Some shipped in from the west for feeders. 



Poultry — More attention paid to this industry than ever before. 



Bees — Not very many. 



Drainage — Most of the low land in this district is well tiled. 



Other Industries — Creameries, cement plants, etc., all doing a good 

 business. 



Lands — Not so many sales this year but prices are firm, ranging from 

 $100 to $250 per acre for improved farms. 



