766 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



MAHASKA. 



A^. D. Bales, New Sharon, Iowa, October 20, 1904. 



Crops, on the whole, the past season have been very good. 



Corn— Is, very good in this section, some of that which was planted on 

 the low lands was slightly damaged, but the crop on a whole will be an 

 average one with former years. 



Oais — A smaller acreage sown that in former years, but yield and quality 

 was fair. 



Wheat— Yery little grown in this county. 



Rye — A good crop, both in quality and yield. 



Barley — Acreage small; yield and quality fair. 



Flax — None grown. 



Buckwheat — Very little sown, but yielded a fair crop and of good quality. 



Millet— Sma.\l acreage, but yielded a good crop. 



Sorghum — Smaller acreage than usual, but did well. 



Timothy— "^^^is, crop was not up to the average of former years, there 

 being only a fair yield. 



Clover — Fair. 



Prairie hay — None in this section. 



Potatoes — Yielded an enormous crop and were of good quality. 



Vegetables-^ ^XQ. excellent. 



Apples — Summer and fall varieties yielded a large crop and were of ex- 

 cellent quality, while winter varieties yielded only a fair crop. 



Other fruits— 'Pea.rs. and peaches were almost a total failure; other fruits 

 were plentiful and of a good quality. 



Ca///<?— There are a number of large breeders in this county, and all 

 seem to be prospering. 



Horses — Demand good, and prices high. 



Swine — Have done well. 



Sheep — Several large herds of western sheep have been brought in for 

 feeding purposes, but as yet we have no report as to the success of the 

 experiment. 



Poultry — Have done well, both eggs and fowls bringing good prices. 



Bees — Have done well. 



Drainage — This section is getting to be well drained , a great deal of til- 

 ing having been laid in the past few years. 



Lands — Are gradually increasing in value. 



Report of fair— Held at New Sharon, September 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. 

 Favorable weather prevailed; the attendance was good, and the fair was 

 pronounced a success in every particular. 



MARION. 



Chas. Porter, Pella, Iowa, October 21, 1904. 



Crops have been good, the season being very favorable. 



Corn — A larger acreage planted than usual, and most of the corn is fully 



