704 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



LINN COUNTY. 



E. H. KnicTcerhocker. 



The annual meeting of the/ Prairie Valley Fair Association was held 

 at Fairfax, September 12, 13 and 14, 1903. 



On account of rainy weather prevailing the attendance was not quite- 

 up to the average. The exhibits were much better than we expected, ow- 

 ing to our early dates of holding the fair. 



Crop conditions of this county are fine, considering the extremely- 

 wet season. Corn will average about forty bushels per acre, and is of 

 fair quality. Oats are somewhat colored, and had an average yield of 

 thirty-eight bushels per acre. Wheat and rye yielded on an average of 

 twenty-five bushels per acre. Barley is not raised to any great extent 

 in this county. There w^as a large crop of hay. Vegetables were of an- 

 average crop, while fruits of all kinds yielded poorly, but were of fair 

 quality. 



There is a noticeable interest being taken in the raising of thorough- 

 bred stock. 



Farm lands are selling at from $60 to $125 per acre. 



LOUISA COUNTY. 



Ed Hicklin. 



Fair held at Wapello, September 29 and 30 and October 1 and 2, 1903.. 



The weather conditions this year have been very unfavorable for 

 the greater part of the land in this county, there being an excess of rain- 

 fall. All of the lower lands were drowned out, and causing late planting 

 on the uplands, favoring the more sandy soil. 



Corn is not more than fifty per cent of a full crop in yield, and there 

 will be considerable soft corn to be placed on the market. There was not 

 as large an acreage as usual, and the quality, taken on a whole, is not 

 up to the average. 



The oat crop was nearly a total failure, and those which matured 

 were light and chaffy. 



The rye crop was but little better than fifty per cent of the average 

 one. However, there is not much planted in this county. 



Hay yielded an exceptionally large crop, and was put up in good con- 

 dition. 



The weather has been favorable for fall seeding, and fall wheat and 

 rye look well. 



Corn is nearly all gathered at this writing (December 1st). 



The fruit crop was a very good one, both in quality and quantity. 



