704 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Horses and cattle are on the increase. Swine not so numerous as in 

 other years. 



Land has increased in value the past year from twenty-five to thirty 

 per cent. It is now selling from $60 to $150 per acre. 



BENTON COUNTY. 



J. E. Marietta. 



Fair held September 2, 3, 4 and 5, 1902, at Vinton. 



The early dates were an unfavorable experiment, coming too soon for 

 the agricultural products of the county. Later dates will be chosen for 

 1903. The fair was very successful nevertheless, far beyond the 

 most sanguine expectations of the management. The exhibition of 

 live stock and poultry was exceptionally large. The showing in 

 the field and orchard department would do credit to a state fair. The 

 floral display was also very fine. 



All farm lands are rapidly advancing in price, selling now at $80 to 

 $100 per acre. The soil of the county is a black loam. The surfaee is 

 gently rolling. Much natural timber is found along the Cedar river, besides 

 there are many belts of natural timber in the county. 



Benton county now exceeds all other in the packing of sweet corn. 

 The Vinton and Iowa Packing company last season packed 9,000,000 cans 

 of sweet corn. They also doubled the packing of pumpkin, beans and 

 tomatoes. The farmer realizes $5 per ton for his sweet corn besides hav- 

 ing the fodder for feed. 



BLACK HAWK COUNTY. 



B. L. Man well. 

 The annual fair of the La Porte City association was held in that city 

 September 23 to 26 inclusive. Very unfavorable weather greeted the fair, 

 nevertheless the showing in all departments was good, that of the floral 

 hall being the finest in the history of this society. The cattle departments 

 were all well filled, the Polled Angus and Duroc Jerseys capturing the 

 championship awards in their respective departments. All kinds of live 

 stock is in good condition to go into the winter. 



Corn was killed by frost at least three weeks before being fully 

 matured. Oats, barley and hay were a good crop but badly damaged by 

 the wet weather. 



Much real estate is changing hands at $60 to $100 per acre. 



