774 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Swine — Have been very greatly reduced in numbers during the past 
year on account of the scarcity of feed, and the pig crop was also light. 
Sheep — Are considerably on the increase in the county, and have been 
free from disease. Prices of wool and mutton have been very satisfac- 
tory and more farmers will take up small flocks of sheep. 
Poultry — Has never been more healthy or more profitable than during 
me past year. Prices of eggs have been unusually high but the yield 
of eggs has been light on account of the scarcity of feed. 
Bees — Have very largely increased during the past summer. 
Drainage — Has not been given much attention in this county. Only a 
few have taken it up in a small way. 
Other Iridustries — The increase of automobiles has brought into the 
county a number of repair shops and this industry is likely to increase. 
Building on farms has been quite active but building in cities has been 
quite dull. 
Lands — ^Are greatly increasing in price; rents are also advancing 
some." This was not noticeable until the corn crop was an assured fact. 
Quite a large number of farms are held at $100 per acre and a good 
share of the county is held at $75 or better. 
iK,eport of Fair — Held September 1st to 4th and was one of the most 
successful in the history of the society. The attendance on Thursday 
reached close to 10,000 people, and the weather for the entire fair was 
ideal. The policy of the society is to gradually reduce the racing pro- 
gram and increase the platform and other attractions, which appear to 
be enjoyed by a larger portion of those in attendance. Another feature 
which the society has given considerable prominence is base ball, which 
seems to be a drawing card and was found to be a paying feature of 
the amusement program. Good music was also furnished very liber- 
ally. The poultry exhibit was probably the largest at any fair in the 
north half of the state this year; the large new building built ex- 
pressly for the poultry exhibit did not provide room enough for those 
asking space, and arrangements have been made to add another sec- 
tion to the building next season. The^ cattle exhibit was not so large 
as on some former years, but the quality was A^ery fine; the reduced exhibit 
was probably due as much to the high price of grain, which kept many 
owners from feeding their stock for the show ring, as to any other cause. 
New cattle barns are among the assured improvements for next year and 
the society also has in view the building of a large auditorium for such 
parts of the program as could be held indoors. The building is also 
intended for a rest room for those who are tired of walking around the 
grounds, and for protection in case of sudden rains. 
The society contemplates the sale of enough additional life member- 
ship tickets to cover the cost of the improvements beyond that amount 
now in the treasury. A few years ago the society was $2,400.00 in debt 
and after the fair this year it had over $1,000.00 in its treasury. This 
fair has had exceptionally good business management during the last few 
years and there is universal good feeding, both in the towns and country 
for the association. It has been the policy of the present management 
to conduct the fair on high moral ideas. 
