696 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Our speed program was well filled, which was no doubt due to the 

 unusually large purses offered. All races were started and were the 

 attractions to which we concluded we owed our big crowds. 



The corn crop at present in this section is far from matured, in fact 

 at this writing many of the fields show the ears as still growing. It is an 

 open question whether or not 50 per cent of the crop can possibly ripen 

 and be merchantable corn. 



Our oat crop proved light and was a disappointment both in quantity 

 and quality when the threshing began. 



The hay crop was above the average and generally speaking was cut 

 and put up in good haying weather. 



Lands are held at about the prices asked last year, although not many 

 sales are being made just now. 



The soil of our lands is of good quality, and being underlaid with a 

 gravel subsoil is soon in shape to cultivate after either a wet or a dry 

 time. In fact in exceeding dry times a moisture seems to come up from 

 below, making the plowed fields soft and mellow. 



HENRY COUNTY. 



0. N. Knight. 



The Henry County Agriculture Association held its sixth annual exhi- 

 bition at Mount Pleasant, August 12, 13 and 14, 1903, and it was a grand 

 success in every way. We were favored with ideal weather, and the 

 attendance on every day exceeded that of any former years. Our grounds 

 were free from games of chance, and no disreputable sh'ovvs or booths 

 were permitted. 



All exhibits were attractive, and every class was well filled. Exhibits 

 in the art hall were the best made for years, and the kitchen and pantry 

 department was up to its usual high standard. 



One very interesting feature of our fair is the "School Exhibit." Our 

 county superintendent has taken an active interest in ths work, and an 

 Interest is manifest in every school district in the county. The exhibits 

 in this department were very attractive, showing merit in many depart- 

 ments of our district schools, and quite a number of the pieces exhibited 

 will be before the meeting of the State Teachers' Association held in Des 

 Moines, to be selected from for exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Expo- 

 siton. 



Our agricultural exhibit was light, owing to the early date of our 

 fair, but early vegetables and early small grain were well and numer- 

 ously displayed. There was much interest manifest in the horse depart- 

 ment, and competition was close in all classes. Our cattle barns were 

 well filled, and the following herds were especially noteworthy: W. 

 Beckwith, Herefords; W. B. Seeley, Aberdeen Angus, both of Mount 

 Pleasant; Elmer Seaman, Houghton, Iowa, Durhams, and C. D. McPher- 

 son, Fairfield, Iowa, Galloways. They were all fine specimens of their 

 respective breeds and a credit to any show ring. 



