SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII. 775 

 IOWA. 



CHAS. FLETCHER, WILLIAMSBURG, OCTOBER 6, 190G. 



General Coxditiox of Crops and Season — The amount of rainfall 

 throughout this section was below normal, and especially during the 

 month of May. This caused a shortage in the hay crop, but the quality 

 and the fact that much of it was secured without being damaged will, 

 in a large measure, make up for the deficiency in yield. 



Corn — Will be above the average both in yield and quality, as the 

 weather during September was ideal for its maturing, 



Oats — An average yield, but of excellent quality. 



Wheat — None raised. 



Sorghum — Very little cultivated, except in southeast part of county. 



Timothy — Fine in quality, but not quite up to the average in yield. 



Clover — Weather conditions especially unfavorable for crop, and its 

 scarcity is noticeable. 



Prairie Hay — Have not seen any in this section for years. 



Potatoes — Not an average yield, but of excellent quality. 



Apples — An especially good crop, both in yield and quality. 



Other Fruits — An unusually good crop. Peaches especially fine, one 

 orchard reporting a j'ield of over four hundred bushels. 



Cattle — Farmers have fully awakened to the necessity of raising 

 cattle of the highest type in order to secure the best results from high 

 priced land. 



Horses — For a number of years this section has been noted for its 

 excellent grade of horses, which standard has been well preserved dur- 

 ing the past year. 



Swine — Have done well. No disease reported. One hundred and 

 sixty head were exhibited at our fair, representing Poland China, 

 Chester White and Duroc Jersey breeds. 



Sheep — Very few in county, and they are mostly of the long wool 

 breeds. 



Poultry — Much interest is taken In this industry by the wives of 

 farmers, and the exhibit in this department at cur fair was the finest 

 ever seen at a county or district fair. 



Bees — Very few in county. 



Other Industries — A company was organized here last spring for 

 canning tomatoes, and a factory was built and fully equipped with 

 modern machinery. One hundred acres of tomatoes was contracted, and 

 it seems that the weather conditions were especially favorable for the 

 industry. 



Lands — Have increased in value. Prices range from $90 to $150 

 per acre. 



Report of Fair — -The Williamsburg Fair Association held its ninth, 

 annual exhibition at Williamsburg on September 11, 12 and 13, and 

 from an, educational standpoint was a marked success, fully indicat- 

 ing that these yearly agricultural exhibits have effected an evolution 

 in the farming industry. The farmers in this district from which the 

 various products of the farm which were on exhibition were drawn, 

 are enterprising and progressive, and the friendly rivalry brought out 



