FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART XII. 685 



Because of the unusual rains at planting time the acreage of corn is 

 below the average, and the yield will be light; estimated at from twenty 

 to thirty bushels per acre, and market at this writing (October 27th) 

 offering forty-five cents for eighty pounds. 



Potatoes are good where planted on high ground, and bring from 

 thirty-five to forty cents per bushel. 



Hay was an abundant crop, and was put up without being damaged 

 ])y lains. Local market paying from $t; to $7 per ton. 



BUENA VISTA COUNTY. 



G. E. Cameron. 



Fair held at Alta, August 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1903. 



This, the association's seventeenth annual fair, was a success beyond 

 our expectations, as we had four fine days — something unusual this year 

 — as a great many fairs in this part of the State were declared off on 

 account of rain. The attendance was the largest in the history of the 

 society. Exhibits in all departments were large, and show great improve- 

 ment, except in the farm and garden departments, which owing to the 

 extreme wet weather which has prevailed throughout the season was not 

 up to the usual standard. In the horticultural department we had one 

 of the finest exhibits ever shown, especially in the apple display, which 

 would have been a credit ^o any apple country. The apple crop this year 

 was large, and the quality excellent. Xhere were several cars of apples 

 barreled and shipped out, something that was never done before, and we 

 feel pretty proud of it, as they used to tell us that "Northwest Iowa could 

 never raise fruit." If there is anyone that still doubts it, if they will 

 attend the Buena Vista county fair we will dispel all doubts. 



Horses and cattle are gradually being bred up to a good standard. 

 Horses are scarce, owing to the many carloads that have been shipped 

 out during the past few years. 



Hogs are generally healthy, and there is a good crop of pigs. Com 

 will be seventy-five per cent of a crop, if frosts hold off until October 1st. 

 Oats run from twenty-five to fifty bushels per acre, but light in weight. 

 The hay crop was the largest in the history of the county, and of fine 

 quality. 



Land values range from $75 to $100 per acre. 



CASS COUNTY. 



S. W. W. straight. 



Owing to the destruction of a number of buildings on our grounds by 

 wind we were compelled to declare our fair off for this year. 



