722 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The cattle display was unusually small, but the best animals of the 

 herds at Iowa City, Mt. Vernon, Norway and this place were on exhibition. 



Cattle in this vicinity are in better condition than usual, but feeders 

 are scarce. 



The exhibit of swine was about an average of former years. 



Corn was more than an average yield but of poor quality. 



The incessant rain of the season kept corn growing until it frosted, 

 and the result was a great amount of soft corn. 



The oats crop would have been far superior to what it was but most 

 oats was sown late which made a late harvest. The yield being about 

 thirty bushels per acre but of poor quality and badly colored. 



Wheat and barley very poor in both quality and quantity with a very 

 light acreage. 



Timothy and clover were the two best crops the farmers raised this 

 season as conditions seemed to be especially favorable for them. 



There is quite an interest manifested by the farmers of this section in 

 planting of fruit. In a few years from now there will be a number of 

 commercial orchards in this vicinity while small fruit is being raised in 

 great abundance, and a canning factory is badly needed at this place. 



LOUISA COUNTY. 



R. 8. Johnson. 



The Columbus Junction District fair held at Columbus Junction, Sep- 

 tember 17, 18 and 19, enjoyed a week of very favorable weather. The 

 meeting was a complete success, fully paying out. The exhibit of live 

 stock was as large as was ever shown here and the grades were all good. 



While the attendance fell off somewhat from that of former years, yet 

 the management was pleased with the result of the meeting. Over $2,000 

 was paid out in premiums alone. 



The acreage of corn and oats in the county last year was larger than 

 that of the season before. All small grains were damaged by the rains 

 and while most of it was threshed it was all of a low grade. The hay crop 

 was very large, though somewhat damaged by over ripening. 



Although the season was excessively wet the corn made a satisfactory 

 growth and very little was drowned out. Its ripening was retarded, how- 

 ever, and it was consequently caught by the frosts of September. Pastures 

 were good all season and the growth of fall pastures was exceptionally 

 heavy. 



Land ranges in price from $40 to $60 per acre for medium and up 

 to $80 for the best. All land is at least $10 per acre higher than last year. 



