714 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ground has done very well, owing to the fact that frosts have held off 

 so late, there having been no killing frosts up to this date (October 5th). 

 Late planted corn, and all corn on low land, will not mature, and there 

 will be a good deal of soft corn, but the yield will be much better than 

 at first anticipated. 



Oats, by reason of much wet weather, grew rank straw, and the 

 grain is of light weight and not of good quality. 



Potatoes, except late planted, are not an average with former years, 

 in quality or yield. 



Hay was an exceptionally large crop, and was generally put up in 

 good condition. Pasturage is good and live stock of all kinds is in excel- 

 lent condition. 



RINGGOLD COUNTY. 



Thos. Camphell. 



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



We were favored with fine weather throughout the days of the fair, 

 and the attendance was exceptionally g'ood. All those attending pro- 

 nounced it the best exhibition ever had by the society. We made special 

 effort on the county exhibits, and our barns were well filled, with more' 

 room in demand than we could supply. The cattle, swine and sheep 

 exhibits were in quality equal to any shown at the State Fair, and in 

 fact they were a part of the herds shown there. The agricultural ex- 

 hibit was a credit to the production 'of any year, and all other depart- 

 ments were filled to overflowing. The outlook for an exceptionally good 

 fair in 1904 was never better. 



The crops of this county were materially damaged by the continued 

 cold and wet weather, and at this writing (October 9th) we are assured 

 of but little in excess of a half crop. 



All grain is high in price,' and in consequence there will not be the 

 usual amount of cattle fed for the market. 



The hay crop was an exceptionally large one, but was damaged to 

 some extent in stack by the heavy rains. Fall pasture was never better, 

 and we have plenty of everything to take us through the winter in good 

 shape. 



Land values are about the same as last year, ranging from $35 to $60 

 per acre. 



SAC COUNTY. 



Frank Y. Healy. 



Fair held at Sac City, August 11, 12, 13 and 14, 1903. * 



Although the weather was very unfavorable throughout the days of 



the fair, all departments were well filled, and the attendance was fairly 



good. 



