Omaha daily bee., 1877-01-18
AGRICULTURE IN IOWA.
Annual Meeting ef Iowa Grangers.
Effect Of s.HOss-TrOts"-Ihe
Product Of Ccren1s, Stocks,
Grass and Timber.

The Iowa State Agricultural So,
oiety has just closed its annual
meeting at Des, Moines. The fol-
lowing is the result of the session:
ESSAYS AND OFFICERS
The committee to whom was re.
ferred essays recommended prem
iums to the following persons:
Mrs. Emily T. Ives-"Iowa: Its
Advantages and inducements 10
Immigration"
A. P. Cope, West Liberty-"Wool
Growing in Iowa"
Prof. b. M. Griffin, Iowa City
preparation and Management Of
Fruit Farms in Iowa.
E. II. Smith, Dubuque-"Best
Method Of Preserving Vegetables"
The report was adopted, and the
essays ordered printed in the report
OF 1877.
The next fair was located at Cedar
Rapids, and the time fixed at Sept.
II.
The following officers were elect
ed for the ensuing year:
President-S. F. Spofford, Des
Mojnes.
Vice Pfesident-John Grinneli,
Clsytan county.
Secretary-John X. Shaffe., Fair
field.
Treasurer-s. c. Bever, LINN
county.
Directors--F. j.. Downing, John
w. Porter, George G. Dufisld Oil
ver Mills, E. N. Clark.
A committee was appointed to
establish an exposition Of Iowa in
dustries at the State capital, and re-
port to the society.
The Secretary's report is a lengthy
and carefully prepared documen in
which the agricultural interests of
the State are fully considered, and
much vsluable Information impart-
ed. From il the following synopsis
Is made:
The increase in area III 1876 is 4
per cent, or 10000 acres. In many
sections the rainfall in June delay
ed the necessary cultivation, aud
fostered an extraordiI ry growth of
weeds. In September, storms were
also disastrous. On low, wet ground
the crop was poor, and, In some
cases, Tot worth harvesting; while,
in other localities The 'hoppers did
much damage. rom all causes the
crop was lessened N yield and i'm
paired in quality. There was evil
IDENTIFY great loss from a careless sys-
tenn of cultivation. The crop being
of vast importance to the State, the
object should be to get the greatest
quantity from the least acres.
The corr product of the entire
country is estimated at ], 200, 000, 900
bushels. The product of Iowa in
1915 averaged thirty-five bushels
per acre, giving a total yield OF 1885,
000, 600 bushels. Taking the in
creased area planted, and allowing
for decreased product from causes
named, the product of 1875 will be
equal to that of 1875. The compar-
alive price of corn December /,
since 1872, has been: 1872, 1Sc;
1873, 3lc; 1874, 43c; 1875, 27c
1875, Soc. For several years our
exports have not reached 4 per
cent, while it has been reduced be-
low / per cent.
WHEAT.
In June the wheat crop promised
to be the average yield, but at har:
vest time 1t was reduced to not ex-
ceeding six bushels per acre through
out the state. III many places it
was a total failure. The largest
yield was in some of the grass
hopper regions. In quality it is
generally superior to that of 1875.
The crop OF the United States in
1876 q 290, COO, 900 bushels. The
present crop is estimated at 25O, OOO,-
900 bushels,-a decrease of 40, OOO,-
600. The area sown in lows in
1875 was Z, 244, 954 acres; in 1876 it
was 2,eS4,9 54 acres, with q yield of
1889, 724 bushels, or a decrease of
over 25,OO0,0 900 bushels from 1875.
The heaviest loss is in spring wheat,
it being longest exposed to climatic
influence and insects. The grass
hoppers in several counties have
been disastrous, and in some local
tiles distress must be the result.
1t Is evident that the wheat crop
is only moderate for the worlds
supply, and will be insufficient for
the next two years. The outlook
should encourage farmers to I'M
prove every acre, SO as to bring back
u sol, to Its wheat-growing quail
ties, and adopt the most thorough
cultivation.
AgratifyIng and marked improve
ment is noted in cattle in every
county in the State. The beef.pro.
ducing farmer is crossing the native
with the Short Horn, and the result
Is largely to increase the weight and
value; the dairyman is partial to
the Jersey and Alderneys; while
Herefords, Holsteins, G~uernseys and
Devons are receiving attentions as
their merits develop. In 1876 the
sale of Short-Horns was 581, at
S220,000 In 1875 the sales reached
1000, at 1905, 600. 1t is safe to say
that nothing nthe stock department
will repay better than breeding
Short-HOrns. Sales OF Short. Horns
have increased in the United States
and Canada from 496, at an average
Per head of $342, in 1870, to 4,347,
at an average per head of 1922, in
1875.
HORSES.
There is a steady growing senti.
ment that the best breeds are the
cheapest, and breeders are adopting
English views, and securing heavy