510 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
28.6 in 1867, marking it as the “rainy year.” Seven inches of rain fell 
in April and May, that were disastrous in planting and working the 
corn crop; and the tremendous rains of these months caused a 
partial failure of the wheat, which, just befgre harvest, gave promise of 
the largest yield ever gathered in the State. Besides, the damages to 
roads, bridges, farms, and fences from floods and high waters may be 
counted by millions of dollars. 
Great losses were sustained in swine by “hog cholera,” though many 
affections, causes, symptoms, and results are probably classed under 
this general term. Horses are generally better cared for than any other 
farm stock, and diseases therefore are less frequent among them. A 
marked improvement is also noticed in horses, of which the assessor’s 
returns show nearly 500,000 in the State. Stailions of the Norman and 
other improved breeds have been imported into several counties, and a 
strong infusion of good blood may be expected in the future production 
of this useful animal. In some counties cattle suffered from disease 
supposed to be induced by eating smutty corn. Sheepsustained greater 
losses from diseases than any other farm stock, and a large falling off 
in the wool-clip is shown. This has caused a general neglect of sheep, 
and many thousands have been slaughtered for their pelts; in Jackson 
County alone not less than four thousand. The dogs inerease faster 
than the sheep, and their ravages have been enormous; it is estimated 
that the sheep killed by them during the year were worth $150,000. An 
encouraging improvement is noticed in cattle, by the introduction in 
numerous localities of improved breeds, and fine cattle will induce the 
cultivation of tame grasses and a lessening of the area of wheat culture. 
The new varieties of oats distributed by the Department of Agriculture 
have yielded very largely and met public expectation. . 
The wheat crop was large in the aggregate, notwithstanding the 
heavy rains, and about 10,000,000 bushels were exported; an increase of 
nearly a million of bushels over the previous year. Iowa had alsoa 
surplus of 25,000,000 bushels of corn, and over 4,000,000 bushels of 
other cereals. This gives a large business to the two thousand miles of 
railroad existing in the State, (six hundred of which were built last . 
*year.) Farmers are advised not to give up the culture of sorghum. 
The product of the crop in 1868 was 2,592,393 gallons, and with proper 
care in its culture and manipulation, which, it is alleged, it has seldom 
received, it can be made one of the best paying crops in the State. 
The laws passed in 1859 and 1868 to protect wild game from indis- 
criminate slaughter, and to prevent the reckless killing of insectivorous 
birds, give great satisfaction. Farmers and fruit-growers believe in the 
wisdom of these laws, and are determined they shall not be violated 
with impunity. It is recommended that the legislature also take steps 
to protect domestic animals from the heartless and thoughtless brutality 
of many who use them only as a source of immediate profit. 
The receipts of the society last year were $66,209, the largest of its 
existence, exceeding the previous year by $12,738 19; 60 per cent. was 
paid out in premiums, leaving but little for permanent improvements 
and current expenses. The number of entries at the last State fair was 
2,645, exceeding that of any previous fair by 849. 
To show the rapid increase of population and wealth in the State a 
few counties are mentioned. Black Hawk County has doubled its 
population in two years, and last year it produced 1,500,000 bushels of 
wheat, three times the product of 1867. Similar results are given of 
other counties, although but a mere fraction of the State is yet under 
the plow. ‘ 
