736 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Report of fair— The forty-fourth annual exhibition was held at National^ 

 September 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th, and it was a success in every particular. 

 The weather was favorable and the exhibits exceeded those of any former 

 years, there being over thirty-five hundred entries. All departments were 

 well filled; the races were good, and the track record was lowered to 2:16. 



The attendance was the largest in the history of the society, there being 

 about eight thousand in attendance on Thursday, September 8th. 



CLAYTON. 



J. A. Kramer, Elkader, Septeinber 25, 1904. 



Crops have been generally good, although the season has been a little 

 dry and cool. 



Corn — Generally very good; that on the low lands damaged some by 

 frost. 



Odts— Good, both in yield and quality. 



Wheat — Very little raised and of poor quality. 



Rye — Very little raised, but was of fair quality. 



Barley — Yield and quality good. 



/7a-r— None raised. 



Buckwheat — None raised. 



Millet — None raised. 



5cr^//w?«— Yield and quality not very good, owing to season being too 

 dry. 



Timothy— K very good crop. 



Clover — The greater part of it was froze out last winter. 



Prairie Aa/— None raised. 



Potatoes — Of excellent quality and yield, being the largest crop raised in 

 years. 



Vegetables — All varieties were a little late, but of good quality. 



Apples— ^n excellent crop both in quality and yield. 



Other fruits— Done well. 



Cattle — There is a noticeable improvement in the grade of breeding 

 stock. Not very many fed for beef in this section. 



Horses — Are not raised very extensively, but are of good grades. 



Swine— A. great many were raised this year, and are in a healthy condi- 

 tion. There are a large number of breeders of pure bred Poland Chinas, 

 and Duroc Jerseys. 



Sheep — Not many kept or raised, but are of good breeding. 



Poultry— Keiis&d extensively and have been very profitable this year ow- 

 ing to the high price of eggs. 



Bees — Did not do well. 



Drainage— N ev^ good natural drainage. 



Lands — Prices range about the same as last year, but none is for sale. 



Report of fair— 'Held at Elkader, August 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th, and 

 was a success in every particular. The weather was favorable, and the at- 

 tendance was good. The cattle and swine departments were filled to over- 

 flowing. Exhibits in other departments were up to the average, . except 

 that in the horse department which was very light. No fakes or shows were 

 allowed on the grounds, and it was the cleanest fair ever held. 



