SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII. 761 



and seasonable rains distributed throiigli tlie growing season, and plenty 

 of rain to make exceptionally fine pasturage. On account of the favor- 

 able conditions farm work has been done very much better than usual, 

 and crops have been gathered in much better condition than for several 

 years past. There has been no killing frost for the higher land up to 

 this time, and flowers are in bloom in all parts where they have been 

 properly cared for. It has been a year conducive to a real thanksgiving, 

 both for the health of the people and an abundant reward for intelligent 

 industry. 



Corn — Not since the year 1881, if ever, has there been such a re- 

 markable corn crop in this part of Iowa. At least ninety-five per cent of 

 the crop is merchantable, and the yield will be the largest ever pro- 

 duced in the county. 



Oats — While of exceptionally fine quality with excellent straw, the 

 yield was only an average one. It was free from rust and was not dam- 

 aged by rain storms. 



WHE.A.T — Is grown on very limited acreage, but where sown this year, 

 yield was large and quality fine. 



Rye — Like wheat, is not very largely grown in this county, but the 

 crop this year was fine and the yield very satisfactory. 



Barley — An unusually large amount was raised this year, mostly for 

 feed, but on account of the heavy corn crop, it has nearly all been 

 marketed. The yield was very heavy. 



Flax — Not grown in this county excepting where sloughs are broken 

 tip. It is not a very large factor in crop consideration. 



Buckwheat — Only raised by a very few farmers, but the crop this 

 year is fine. 



Millet — Only raised in very limited quantity, mostly for market and 

 chicken feed; very little being used for hay. 



Sorghum — Was raised in larger quantities this year than for several 

 seasons past, and quite a number of cane-mills did a thriving business. 

 The crop matured well, and the yield was very satisfactory. 



Timothy- — Not so heavy a yield of hay as for several years past, but 

 the yield of seed was large and of fine quality. The hay crop was about 

 two-thirds of the average yield for the past three years. 



Clover — Was very badly frozen out last winter, but was quite gener- 

 ally re-seeded, and the stand and growth this year was extra good. 



Prairie Hay— Scarcely to be considered in Fayette county at this 

 time, as there are only a few pieces left, and these are generally mixed 

 with timothy and other grasses. The yield was very small, but of fine 

 ttuality. 



Other Grains and Grasses — There has been some experimenting with 

 alfalfa, and considerable rape has been sown the past few years. Owing 

 to grass and cornstalks being so rank the past season, rape did not do 

 very well. 



Potatoes — Large yield and of fine quality. Early in the season there 

 was complaint of some little rot, but it was very limited. 



Vegetables — An unusually large crop and were of fine quality, being 

 entirely free from damage by insects and rot. 



Apples — A large yield of all varieties, and were of fine quality. A 

 great many car loads shipped to northern markets. 



