746 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Report of Fair — The Twenty-eighth annualy fair was held at Audu- 

 bon September 3 to 6. Weather generally favorable; largest attendance 

 in the history of the fair on Thursday. Receipts larger than ever before 

 and the fair was generally considered the best ever held in the county. 

 Stock exhibits were fine and attracted much attention. Speed entries 

 and races good. The old soldiers' reunion was held during the fair and 

 a fine program given. 



BENTON. 

 Arad Thompson, Vinton, October 21, 1907. 



General Conijition of Crop.s and Season — This has been a good year 

 for the farmers. Some crops not up to the average, but taken as a 

 whole, considered an average year. 



Corn — Eighty per cent of an average crop. 



Oats — Poor quality and light yield. 



Wheat — Not enough raised to report. 



Rye — Average. 



Barley — Average. 



Flax — None raised. 



Buckwheat — Average. 



Millet — Average. 



Sorghum — Light crop. 



Timothy — Good quality and good yield. 



Cix)VER — Average. 



Prairie Hay — Very small number of acres left for prairie hay. 



Potatoes — Short crop; fifty per cent. 



Vegetables — Average. 



Apples — Short crop. 



Cattle — One hundred per cent; great year for cattle of all grades. 



Horses — The best property a farmer has in the county today. Many 

 have been marketed for good price. 



Swine — An average year for swine. 



Shb:ep — Improving in number and quality. The show at the county 

 fair was pleasing to the patron. 



Poultry — One of the best agricultural pursuits in the county. More 

 than an average crop has been raised this year. 



Bees — Few kept. 



Drainage — Many farmers have improved their farms in this respect 

 this year. 



Lands — Steady advance in price the past year and land is now on an 

 upward tendency. 



Report of Fair — Held at Vinton September 24 to 27. Good weather 

 except the last day. Good attendance and great interest shown. Show 

 of stock not up to the average, but all in all a successful and profitable 

 fair. 



