776 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



a fine display of live stock, vegetables, fruits and various other farm 

 products. In the cattle department there was on exhibition three herds 

 that had exhibited at the State Fair, which, together with an imposing 

 display of many fine individual animals, made the showing in this 

 department by far the best in the history of the society. 



Exhibits in the horse department were not as many as there 

 should have been, considering the large number that are raised here, 

 but those on exhibition' were of the highest type draft and driving 

 horses and would have been a credit to the exhibition of any State fair. 

 All pens in the swine department were filled and more would have 

 been exhibited if accommodations could have been furnished. 



Live stock exhibits, however, are only one feature of our fairs. 

 Educational as they are, the exhibits of agricultural and horticultural 

 products, the floral display, butter and culinary products, farm ma- 

 chinery, etc., are equally important and instructive, and these features 

 at our fair this year called forth the admiration of the awarding com- 

 mittee as well as that of the hundreds of intelligent visitors. 



Professor Wayne Dinsmore of Ames did all of our stock judging, and 

 gave universal satisfaction. He also gave a lecture along general agri- 

 cultural lines, which was highly appreciated by all those who heard him. 



In closing this report we are pleased to add that nothing was per- 

 mitted on the grounds that would tend to immorality, for which the 

 management was extended many compliments. 



JACKSON. 



B. D. ELY, MAQUOKETA, SEPTEMBER 19, 1906. 



General Condition of Crops and Season — Season has been exception- 

 ally favorable, and crops were never better. 



Corn — We have never had better prospects for a good crop than at 

 present. A large acreage was planted and indications are that it will 

 yield from thirty to sixty bushels per acre. The greater share of it is 

 safe from damage by frost at this date. 



Oats — Better than average crop. 

 . Wheat — ^Small acreage, but yield and quality good. 



Rye — Good. 



Barley — Small acreage, but yielded a good crop. 



Buckwheat — Fine. 



Millet — Good. 



Sorghum — Small acreage, but yielded a crop of good quality. 



Timothy — Fine. 



Clover — Good. 



Prairie Hay — Very little raised. 



Potatoes — Large yield and of excellent quality. • 



VEf ;eta Bi.Es — Goo d . 



Apples — Excellent. 



Cattle — Farms well supplied with stock cattle, and also there are a 

 good many feeders. 



