COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPORTS. 27& 



to hold our fair so late in the season. The social features of a fair are more im- 

 portant than many think. The meeting of friends and neighbors, and a social 

 holiday is one of the chief attractions. To induce this, the fair must be kept free 

 from all vicious influences, and made a place for agreeable recreation and 

 amusement, and above all it must be an exposition of all the industries of the 

 country, especially pertaining to progressive agriculture. 



Horse« formed a prominent feature in our entries, and a lucrative source of in- 

 come on many of our farms. The show of horses with us is always good. Nor- 

 mans, Clydesdales, Cleveland Bays, trotters and roadsters, all being well repre- 

 sented. 



Of cattle, we had Jerseys, Shorthorns, Herefords and a few Holsteins. The 

 show of sheep was not as good as usual. Our pens were well filled with hogs — 

 Chester Whites, Poland Chinas and Berkshires. 



The Woman's Department, in the Floral Hall, was quite an attraction, and one 

 of the best features of the fair. 



The display of agricultural products, both of the farm (with a few exceptions) 

 and garden was very ])oor for a county capable as it is of tine varieties and a full 

 collection, and this requires more than a passing notice. The premiums for farm 

 products should be more liberal. An improved variety of corn, wheat or oats suit- 

 able to our climate and conditions, introduced by this agency and brought to the 

 notice of our farmers, might be worth thousands of dollars to the great produc- 

 ing interest. In the difl'erent varieties of grapes and clover, in a county whose 

 chief element of wealth is in our rich pastures and meadow lands, there should be 

 every inducement to a full display of all the valuable species known for their 

 great value, both for pasture and hay, and in this report, from past experience, we 

 would urge the great importance of these matters suggested, and which form the 

 business side of all our fairs. 



Poultry is receiving the attention it deserves, and the display was a credit to 

 that branch of domestic industry. 



Corn. — We shared with the Northwest in a poor crop in 1883 ; this year it is at 

 least 50 per cent, better, having fully matured with a fair yield. 



Oats. — This year's crop will exceed all former years. We shall go up this 

 year, we think, to one million bushels. 



Wheat.— W^hat wheat lands we have are excellent and productive; this year's 

 crop was very good. 



Eye.— More rye is being sown with a view to stock feed rather than for sale. 



Pastures.— The drouth in summer shortened the grass, but early fall rains made 

 it abundant. 



Hay. — The area in grass for hay, we think, is increasing; large crops are raised- 

 Stock at Large. — Every one takes care of his own stock; this is common law 

 and common sense. 



Flour. — Not wheat enough raised in the county for home demand; tons of 

 flour imported and sold here. 



Milk. — Being so near Chicago, this trade is increasing. On some of our lines 

 of railroad milk trains are run, and we shall soon in this industry, in some locali- 

 ties, rival the famous Fox river region of Illinois. 



