706 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



were also shown, which looked very plump and nice. Hope Cottage was 

 well filled with beautiful plants of man species. 



Horses shown at fair indicate that our farmers are breeding almost 

 exclusively for the heavy draft. 



Cattle shown included Durham, Red and Black Polled, Holstein and 

 Swiss. The Swiss are very heavy beef cattle, and have only been raised 

 in this county for the past few years. The Black Polled are very popular, 

 and thought by many to excel the Shorthorn for beef purposes. 



The exhibit of swine was very good. 



Sheep raising is receiving more attention of late years, and our ex- 

 hibit in that line was extra good. 



Angora goats are bred by a number of our farmers with marked suc- 

 cess. They are very profitable for farmers living along the river and 

 having timber and brush to clean up. 



Poultry raising is one of the most profitable industries of this county 

 and our exhibit in that department was large and of the best quality. 



The quality and quantity of corn in this county will depend upon 

 the length of time the frost holds off; if none comes before the first of 

 September we will have an average yield and quality, but earlier frosts 

 would prevent most of it from maturing. However, as nearly all corn 

 raised in this county is used for home consumption, soft corn would not 

 cause so great a loss as in localities where it is sold for shipment. 



Land, in Humboldt county sells from $55 to $100 per acre. 



The necessity for more scientific farming is impressing itself more 

 and more upon the minds of the farmers of this county.^ The farmer 

 who has his land in proper condition and drained will do well this 

 year, while the man who was behind with his work, had all his plowing 

 to do in the spring, and planted his crop late, will receive small returns 

 for his labor. 



The question of drainage is receiving a great deal of attention and 

 there has been thousands of dollars spent in tiling this season. 



LUCAS COUNTY. 



Chas. R. Kirk. 



Fair held at Chariton. September 18 and 19, 1903, after a postpone- 

 ment of three days on account of heavy rains. 



The exhibits were light in all departments with the exception of 

 horses and swine which had a splendid exhibit. 



Horses in this county are about the average in quality of grade 

 draft horses, and farmers are obtaining top prices for everything good 

 regardless of age. 



Cattle of pure blood are bred by many farmers in this vicinity. Short- 

 horn and Herefords being the preferred breeds. 



There is a steady advance in the breeding of pure bred swine. 



We have some very large breeders of sheep, but farmers as a rule 

 raise none at all. , 



