'^58 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



culations of land owners in this locality. We have ppent the best part of our 

 lives, many of u<, in battling with trees and Ktumps for the possession of enough 

 of Nature's domain, from which to wrest a livelihood, consequently trees are generally 

 looked upon as an unmitigated nuisance, unless they ean be sold for the cash, and the 

 stump treated to a charge of dynamite. The fence question is attracting consider- 

 able attention, and the old worm fence " must go." Hedging is not looked upon 

 with much favor, the preference being mostly in favor of barbed wire in some of 

 its various forms. 



The great cost of fencing out a few head of scrub cattle and hogs is forcing the 

 impori^ance of a practical stock law on the attention of farmers generally. The 

 cost of maintaining the necessary fences to restrain these animals would more than 

 pay for them annually. Lands bring generally enclosed there is very little pas- 

 turage on the highways. The "poor widow's cow" we have heard so much about 

 is no longer a factor in this qu-^-stion, it being the stock of the r^mall laud owner, 

 who attempts to keep more animals than he cares to provide suitable pasturage for 

 at home, so turns them out to forage on the highway and his neighbors' crops if 

 opportunity offers. It certainly is an evil that should uo longer be tolt-rated, for 

 farmers to pay burdensome taxes for grading and graveling our public roads and, 

 having incurred the expense of constructing costly open drains to facilitate the 

 drainage of their wet lands, to have these improvements marred, injured, and even 

 ruined by the tramping and rooting of stock whose owners bear little or none of, 

 these expenses. 



Our public schools or in a flourishing condition; neat, comfortable school 

 houses are the rule, and are presided over by a corps of competent, intelligent 

 teachers. 



Our railroad facilities are excellent, furnishing ample transportation, and en- 

 abling dealers to pay the top price for all the products offered for sale. 



In conclusion I extend to your honorable Board and the entire family of farm- 

 ers of the State an invitation to attend our next exhibition. 



Myron H. Belknap, 



Secretary. 



DECATUR COUNTY, 



Our county fair was held the last week in August. We had the largest attend- 

 :ance we ever hiul, and the fair was regarded as the best since its organization. 



There has been constant progress in the science of agriculture in Decatur 

 county; the land is well drained with tile ditches, and the best agricultural im- 

 plements are used, so that our farmers are the most prosperous of any class of peo 

 pie in the county. 



The principal products are wheat, cattle and hogs. 



There is but little manufacturing in the county. A revolving hay rake is made 

 at Greensburg, that is the best for the price in the market, and is rapidly coming 

 into use all over the West. Will Cum back, 



IVesident. 



