802 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
new feature was a stock judging contest which created much interest. 
Many fine herds of cattle were entered and the horse department was 
well filled with Percherons and Shires. The society was disappointed 
in not being able to wipe out a debt of $355, but in spite of the Wr- 
favorable weather will pay all bills and premiums in full and are not 
discouraged but expect to go into the field with good courage in 1909. 
MARSHALL. 
W. M. Claek, Maeshalltown, October 8, 1908. 
General Condition of Crops and Season — Season was backward with 
heavy rains up to June 1st, which retarded the growth of corn, although 
crops as a whole were above the average. 
Corn — Usual acreage and average crop. 
Oats — ^Very heavJ^ 
Wheat — Winter wneat was fine and yield excellent; more wheat being 
raised each year; spring wheat fair, both as to quality and yield. 
Rye — None raised. 
Barley — Quality and yield good but little raised. 
Flax — None raised. 
Buckwheat — not enough raised to report on. 
Millet — Very little sown but what there is is of good quality. 
Sorghum — None raised for commercial purposes. 
Timothy — Very heavy yield and secured in good condition. 
Clover — Good, but little raised for seed. 
Prairie Hay — None. 
Other Grains and Grasses — Some alfalfa raised but mostly in the ex- 
perimental stage; some fields promise well. 
Potatoes— A fair yield and of excellent quality; heavy shipments from 
the northern portion of the county; a profitable crop for the farmer. 
Vegeta'bles — Abundance of all kinds. 
Apples — Good, fruit is being given more attention each year with very 
satisfactory results. 
Other Fruits — Grapes, plums, and small fruits good, peaches are being 
raised all over the county; over thirty exhibits at the county fair and 
twelve premiums awarded. 
Cattle — In good condition but sold off close. 
Horses — More pure bred horses are being raised each year and find a 
ready market at good prices. 
Swine — But few old swine in the county, most of the up-to-date farmers 
are getting pure bred stock; over four hundred registered animals shown 
at county fair in September. 
Sheep — But very few m the county, but the number of pure bred are 
increasing rapidly and are proving profitable to the farmer. 
Poultry — In healthy condition and money makers. 
Bees — This industry is on the increase. 
urainage — Several ditches have been constructed in the river valley 
and the extreme western part of the county. 
Other Industries — Prosperous. 
Lands — Increasing in value, but few sales. 
