762 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Report of fair — The fourteenth annual exhibition of the Prairie Valley 

 Fair Association was held at Fairfax, September 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. The 

 exhibits in all departments were large and excellent in quality, but the 

 attendance was not as large as expected, which was caused by the number 

 of fairs in counties surrounding, holding their exhibitions the same week. 



LINN. 



E. E. Hendeson, Central City, Icwa^ Cctcbet 10, 1904. 



The general condition of crops the past season has been very good. 



Corn — Although considerable damage was done by early frosts, the 

 greater part of it was out of harm's way and will yield a good crop. 



Oats — A large yield and were of splendid quality. 



Wheat — None raised. 



Ay^— Small acreage, but good in quality and yield. 



/^/a;r— None sown. 



7?wc//zy— Yielded a fair crop of hay which was put up in excellent condi- 

 tion; bringing from six to eight dollars per ton on the market. 



P(!7/rt^o<?5— Largest yield and best quality in years. 



Cattle — In fair average condition. Nearly all farmers in this county keep 

 cows for dairy purposes. 



Swine — A decrease in numbers raised from last year. 



Drainage— A great deal of tiling is being laid, the county consuming the 

 entire output of the local tile works the past season. 



LandS'-RsiUgQ in price from $60 to $90 per acre, but very little is chang- 

 ing hands. 



Report of fair— Held at Central City, September 13th, I4th, 15th and 16th. 

 A hard, killing frost on the first day of the fair, and cold weather the first 

 two days of the fair hurt our attendance to some extent, but on the whole 

 the attendance was very good, and receipts exceeded those of last year by 

 three hundred dollars. Our grounds have been much improved, and ex- 

 hibits in the live stock department were of splendid quality and well filled in 

 numbers, there being over one hundred and sixty entries in the swine de- 

 partment. Wednesday, September the 14th, was set aside as " Old Soldiers 

 Day," and the attendance was large. President Storms of the Iowa State 

 College at Ames was present and gave the address of the day. 



LOUISA 



O I. Jamison, Columbus Junction, Iowa, October 28, 1904. 

 Crops have been very good , although the season has been somewhat cool. 

 C<?r;z— Well matured, and there will be an excellent yield; picking has 

 just begun. 



Oats— An exceptionally large yield, and were of excellent quality. 



IVheat — Very little sown. 



Rye — Small acreage, but yield and quality fair. 



Barley— \eTy little sown. 



