684 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



All departments were well filled. The cattle and horse exhibits this 

 year were the largest and finest the fair has seen for years. The hog 

 exhibit was also very gratifying; Poland China and Chester Whites were 

 the principal breeds shown. 



The poultry exhibit was not so large as it has been in former years, 

 but some very fine birds were on exhibition. Ten pens of sheep were on 

 exhibition, although this is not a very extensive sheep raising community. 



There is an increased interest manifested in the improvement of all 

 kinds of live stock, especially horses and cattle. 



The season has been wet, and as a result farming has been very 

 backward. The acreage of corn, as well as other grains, is short, com- 

 pared with former years. 



The exceptionally fine weather in the latter part of the season has, 

 however, been a great benefit in ripening the late corn, and the yield will 

 be much better than at first expected. It will average about thirty-five 

 bushels to the acre, and of a good quality. Oats averaged about twenty- 

 five bushels to the acre, but of poor quality. Only a small crop of pota- 

 toes were raised this year. 



The hay crop w^as the largest in years. There is a great number of 

 cattle being fed here this year, notwithstanding the fact that last year 

 was a very unprofitable one for feeders. 



Land is changing hands here at from $75 to $100 per acre, depending 

 largely on the location as to the distance from town. 



The farmers did their 'Share this year in making the fair the success 

 we have reported, and although the speed department was not so com- 

 pletely filled as the association would have liked to have had it, the 

 races were interesting. 



The society has some very fine buildings on their grounds, and they 

 are all in good repair. A fine stock barn was built this year, which adds 

 Tery materially to that department. 



The farmers' institute here is a very successful one. and is doing 

 a great deal of good to the farmers. 



BUCHANAN COUNTY.Y 

 C. W. Stiles. 



Fair held at Independence. September 1. 2. 3 and 4, 1903. 



Notwithstanding the fact that we have had two very wet seasons, 

 and agriculture thereby being much retarded, we are most grateful, for 

 Buchanan county has produced crops sufficient of all kinds to care for it 

 during the coming year. 



The ordinary number of hogs are being fed for market, but not as 

 many cattle as usual. 



The average yield of oats is variously estimated at from twenty to 

 forty bushels per acre, weighing from twenty-six to twenty-nine pounds 

 per measured bushel, and bringing on the market from twenty-six to 

 twenty-eight cents. 



