THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART XII. 711 



Small grain though of fair yield was of poor quality, being more or 

 less colored and of light weight. Late corn was nearly all soft as frost 

 •did a great deal of damage to all fields both early and late plantings. Hay 

 was a good crop so far as yield went but was damaged by the rains during 

 the time of cutting. Potatoes yielded well but many were rotten. Fruit of 

 all kinds was abundant. 



DES MOINES COUNTY. 



V. M. Gorman. 



The Des Moines county fair was held August 5, 6, 7 and. 8, at Bur- 

 lington. It was quite successful though not equal to the meeting of last 

 year owing to the unfavorable weather. The attendance was cut down 

 considerably by the bad conditions of the roads which kept many country 

 people at home. 



Crops as a whole were fairly good, though hay and small grains were 

 damaged by the rains of harvest time. Corn was not injured by the frost 

 and yielded well. 



The display in all departments of the fair were exceedingly good. 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Fair held September 2 to 5, 1902, at West Union. 



The fair was quite successful, the attendance being good. That of 

 Thursday being the largest for years. The exhibits were all large, that 

 of cattle and swine being especially fine both in quality and numbers. 



Crops were very uneven the past season. A large crop of hay was gath- 

 ered, although some of it was badly damaged by the rains. The growth of 

 small grains was rank, causing it to lodge badly and therefore cutting down 

 somewhat the yield. Potatoes yielded well but rotted quite badly. Corn 

 was uneven in yield. Many fields were badly damaged by the frost. The 

 yield was not over half an average crop. 



Fayette is a grand stock county. Creameries are numerous and 

 profitable. Stock of all kinds is in a flourishing condition. 



Lands have steadily advanced in prices and are now selling at $50 to 

 $100 per acre. 



