804 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Bees — This industry is gaining each year. Many of our best farm- 

 ers have a few swarms, and a number of them have honey for the mar- 

 ket, while there are three or four parties here in Emmetsburg that 

 make it a business. 



Drainage — This county during the past two years has done as much, 

 if not more, drainage than any other county in the State, there being 

 at present five county ditches under construction, besides every farmer 

 is tiling. 



Other Industries — The creamery business is one of the best things 

 we have for our farmers, there being, I believe, fifteen creameries in the 

 county, all of which are conducted under the co-operative plan. There 

 are two tile and one brick and tile plants at Emmetsburg. 



Lands — The average price of farm lands, without improvements, is 

 about fifty dollars per acre, other lands ranging upward according to 

 improvements. A half section farm about four miles from Emmetsburg, 

 with fair improvemnts and tiled, sold last week for seventy dollars 

 per acre cash. 



Report of Fair — Held at Emmetsburg, September 18-21. The first 

 day it rained and interfered somewhat with the program and attend- 

 ance. However, favorable weather prevailed the next two days, on which 

 the attendance was very good. No accidents or disturbances of any kind 

 was had, and gambling of any kind on the grounds was strictly pro- 

 hibited. 



The display of fruit was the best we have ever had, and there was 

 a good exhibit in the fine arts and fancy work departments. An addi- 

 tion was built to our display hall this year, and still we were crowded 

 for room. 



A much appreciated new feature and the source of one of the great- 

 est advertisements for our fair was the ladies' waiting and resting room 

 that was completd just prior to our fair. Mr. Parnham, the president of 

 our society, worked hard to get this improvement, and all ladies attend- 

 ing the fair were greatly pleased with it. 



The exhibit in the swine department was excellent, and after build- 

 ing an additional hog house containing forty pens, there was not suffi- 

 cient room to accommodate all those who wished to exhibit. 



Exhibits in the cattle and horse departments were about the same 

 as last year. The poultry exhibit was larger than ever before, and it 

 was necessary for us to put up tents in which to house it, as our 

 poultry house was altogether too small. 



Taken as a whole the fair was a success, and while we will not have a 

 surplus after paying expenses and premiums, it is the opinion that with 

 the State appropriation we will have sufficient funds to pay everything, 

 including about $400 for improvements. 



POCAHONTAS. 



R. M. HARBISON, FONDA, OCTOBER 20, 1906. 



General Condition of Crops and Sseason — Good. 



Corn — Excellent both in quality and yield; 25 per cent above the 

 average. 



