The United States is an agricultural country; Iowa is classed as one of the best agricultural states, and Jasper County is considered among the most advanced agricultural counties within the state of Iowa. Here the farmer is king. By the aid of improved machinery, he is able to draw from this, the richest soil on earth, an abundance of all that is produced by successful agriculturists, fruit-growers and stock raisers. It may be said that outside the lively manufacturing industries at Newton and other points within Jasper County, and the fairly goad mining interests, that the county is purely a farming section, where the farmer has grown rich, comfortable and happy in the thought that he has been able to provide for his own family and at the same time produce enough to feed the vast army of men and women in Eastern countries who have to depend an the West and its rich soil far about all they consume. Especially has corn been successful here. Far a number of years Jasper won the banner for raising the most corn of any of the ninety-nine counties in Iowa, Polk, Pottawattamie, Page and Harrison being the only real rivals for honors.

The state census compendium for 1905 - the last official document on these matters-gave the following on Jasper County:

"Population 1900, 26,900; area in square miles, 720; county settled in 1843; produced in 1905 - Bushels corn, 5,587,482; bushels wheat, 64,863; bushels oats, bushels barley, 57,854; bushels rye, 3,289; tons clover, 4,192; tons timothy, 49,999; tons millet, 950; tons wild hay, 3,811; bushels clover seed, 367; bushels timothy seed, 4,706; bushels potatoes, 209,369; bushels sweet potatoes, 2,438; bushels sweet corn, 24,046; eggs and poultry, $272,323; dairy products, $306,201; fruits, $117,985; value farm animals, $3,236,468; value railroad and other corporations, $3,704,276; value personal property, $9,438,984; value of lands, $22,882,960; value of town lots, $4,734,820; total value, $40,761,040.

YIELD PER ACRE, RAINFALL, ETC.

Since 1890 the average yield per acre for the ordinary crops in Jasper County has been as follows:

1890 - Corn, thirty bushels; wheat, twelve bushels; oats, seventeen bushels; barley, thirty-five bushels; potatoes, forty-five bushels; hay, two tons.

1891 - Corn, forty-four bushels; wheat, fourteen bushels; oats, forty-one bushels; barley, thirty-six bushels; potatoes, one hundred and sixty-two bushels; hay, two tons.

1892-Corn, thirty-one bushels; wheat, eleven bushels; oats, twenty-nine bushels; barley, twenty-four bushels; potatoes, fifty-seven bushels; hay, one ton and a half.

1893 - Corn, thirty-nine bushels; wheat, eleven bushels; oats, twenty-four bushels; barley, twenty-five bushels; potatoes, seventy-four bushels; hay, one and seven-tenths tons.

1894 - Corn, thirteen bushels; wheat, twelve bushels; oats, twenty bushels; barley, fifteen bushels; potatoes, fifty-six bushels; hay, one-half ton.

1895 - Corn, forty-seven bushels; wheat, eighteen bushels; oats, fifty-one bushels; barley, twenty-four bushels; potatoes, one hundred and twenty-two bushels; hay, one ton and a half.

1896 - Corn, forty-four bushels; wheat, fourteen bushels; oats, twenty bushels; barley, twenty-five bushels; potatoes, eighty-one bushels; hay, two tons.

1897 - Corn, thirty-one bushels; wheat, thirteen bushels; oats, thirty bushels; barley, twenty-four bushels; potatoes, sixty bushels; hay, one and eight-tenths tons.

1898 - Corn, thirty-two bushels; wheat, sixteen bushels; oats, thirty- one bushels; barley, thirty bushels; potatoes, ninety-three bushels; hay, four and four-tenths tons.

1899 - Corn, forty-five bushels; wheat, sixteen bushels; oats, forty-two bushels; barley, thirty bushels; potatoes, ninety-three bushels; hay, one and a half tons.

1900 - Corn, forty-three bushels; wheat, eighteen bushels; oats, twenty-nine bushels; barley, twenty-four bushels; potatoes, seventy-four bushels; hay, one and six-tenths tons.

1901 - Corn, thirty bushels; wheat, fifteen bushels; oats, twenty-six bushels; barley, twenty-eight bushels; potatoes, fifty-five bushels; hay, one and six-tenths tons.

1902 - Corn, thirty-seven bushels; wheat, twelve bushels; oats, twenty-six bushels; barley, twenty-eight bushels; potatoes, fifty-three bushels; hay, one and eight-tenths tons.

The averages for all these years has been - Corn, thirty-five bushels per acre; wheat, fourteen bushels; oats, thirty-one; barley, twenty-six bushels; potatoes, seventy-eight bushels; hay, one and six-tenths tons.

RAINFALL FROM MAY 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 1ST

1893, fifteen inches; 1894, seven inches; 1895, twenty inches; 1896, twenty-seven and a half inches; 1897, eight and three-quarters inches; 1898, fourteen inches; 1899, fifteen inches; 1900, twenty-one inches; 1901, ten inches; 1902, twenty-nine inches.

The average rainfall for these years was sixteen and eighty-seven hundredths inches. The greatest crops were produced in the year when there was the greatest rainfall, 1896.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES

The Jasper County Agricultural Society dates its history from 1855, during which year a county fair was held near the house of David Edmundson, in a tent made of cloth borrowed for that purpose. A membership fee was charged, which enabled the society to pay its little premium list. One hundred and thirty-six premiums were awarded at the fourth fair held by this society. Mrs. McCord showed the best grade of butter and Mrs. E. Guthrie the best loaf of bread. Evan Adamson was the sole exhibitor of apples grown within Jasper County.

The officers of the society in 1858 were: C. M. Davis, president; R. Shearer, J. W. Blackwood, vice-presidents; H. S. Winslow, secretary; P. S. Ritter, treasurer; C. Taylor, John Litner, Z. Mendenhall, E. S. Winslow, A. Hursh, Stephen Needham, F. W. Cozard, William Mann, E. D. Duncan, R. S. Williams, managers.

In 1859 one hundred and thirteen premiums were a warded. Only one bull was exhibited that could give an authentic pedigree. The only fruit on public exhibition was a specimen of fine grapes by D. E. Longfellow.

The society had for its president in 1860 A. Failor, with D. E. Longfellow as secretary.

In December 1859, an effort was made to secure suitable fair grounds for the annual exhibition of Jasper County products, and at a January meeting of that year it was resolved to enclose ten acres of the intended purchase with a fence seven feet high. It was also then decided to pay sixty cents on a dollar of the premiums awarded in October. The receipts had been one hundred thirty-two dollars and twenty-five cents and the expenditures eighty-four dollars and forty-six cents, leaving a balance on hand of forty-seven dollars and forty-nine cents.

The fair of 1860 was a decided improvement over the 1859 exhibition, the number of entries being three hundred and seventy-one. Adamson showed some good varieties of homegrown apples and Longfellow some fine grapes, while E. B. Johnson's display of small fruits was excellent. Twelve thoroughbred cattle were enclosed in the pens of entries. A trotting match was run and a span of mules drew six thousand two hundred and thirty-eight pounds. The cash receipts that year was one hundred eighty-four dollars and thirty-five cents.

What was styled the Central Iowa District Association was held at Newton in August 1861. It may be of some interest at this remote date to note the receipts and expenditures for this fair.

One of the interesting, exciting and novel exhibits of the occasion was the cooking match in which Miss Hattie Winslow, aged fourteen years, won the premium of eight dollars offered by the society to the person who could cook a meal of victuals in the least time, in the best manner. In forty-eight minutes she prepared the following dishes, which were enjoyed greatly by the committee on awards: warm biscuits, fried chicken, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, tea and coffee.

Coming down to a little later date, it is discovered by the records that in June 1875, the society purchased an addition to the old grounds, paying for the same the sum of one thousand three hundred dollars, and again in June 1881, a nine-acre tract additional, costing the society one thousand fifty dollars. This makes the present (1911) fair grounds to contain almost thirty-six acres of ground, just south of the city proper, on high rolling land and amid sightly surroundings, where are annually held the county fairs and also the circuses, etc., which from time to time come to Newton.

The following have served as presidents and secretaries of the agricultural society: Rev. Thomas Merrill, 1855, president, and A Failor, secretary; (the president's name will come first in this list) James Deland, A Failor, 1856; C. M. Davis. H. S. Winslow, 1858; the records are deficient until 1860, when the president was A. Failor, secretary, Thomas Arthur; A. Failor, Thomas Arthur, 1861; William R. Skiff, J. A Harris, 1862; William R. Skiff, J. A. Harris, 1863; William R. Skiff, J. J. Vaughan, 1864; A Carrier, J. J. Vaughan, 1865; A K. Emerson. J. J. Vaughan, 1866; A. K. Emerson, J. J. Vaughan, 1867: Capt. J. H. Tait. L. W. Allum, 1868; A. Failor. L. W. Allum, 1869; A. Failor. L. W. Allum, 1870; A. Failor, William R. McCully, 1871; another break in the records; A. K. Emerson, John W. Alfree, 1886; A. K. Emerson, A. K. Failor, 1887; A. L. Harrah, A. Failor, 1888; A. K. Emerson, J. J. Vaughan, 1889; C. N. Doane, J. J. Vaughan, 1890; A. L. Harrah, J. J Vaughan, 1891; A L. Harrah, Arthur J. Wright, 1892; A. L. Harrah, Arthur J. Wright, 1893; H. D. Parsons, Arthur J. Wright, 1894; H. D. Parsons, J. R. Crawford, 1895; H. D. Parsons, J. R. Crawford, 1896; H. D. Parsons, S. G. Russell, 1897; H. D. Parsons. A. Failor, 1898; H. D. Parsons, A. Failor; 1899; H. D. Parsons. I. C. Korf, 1900; H.D. Parsons. I. C. Korf, 1901; W. J. Mi11er, C. W. Campbell, 1902; A. Stewart, C. W. Campbell, 1903; same in 1904-5; Louie Aillaud, E. E. Lambert. 1906; Louie Aillaud, Emma Lufkin, 1907; Louie Aillaud. E. L. McMurray, 1908; C. F. Sauerman, J. H. Gribbon, 1909; C. F. Sauerman. F E. Meredith, 1910-11.

These annual fairs have always been kept alive and much interest has been manifested with the passing years. The present grounds are well improved and contain all that can be desired by exhibitors anywhere. Good premiums are offered each year and a large attendance usually obtains, be the weather fair or otherwise.

The following are the officers for the present season: President, C. F. Sauerman; vice-president, J. C. Haiffeigh; secretary, F. E. Meredith; treasurer, Joe Horn. The directors elected to serve one year are N. J. Morgart, Hickory Grove; J. W. Jeffries, Des Moines Township; J. P. Taylor, Lynn Grove Township; George Moore, Kellogg Township; H. D. Parsons, Malaka Township; Mike Hummell, Fairview Township; Louie Aillaud, Newton Township; O. J. Turner, Rock Creek Township; William Carrier, at-large. Those elected for a term of two years are C. W. Craven, Mariposa Township; B. F. Baker, Clear Creek Township; E. E. Dotson, Washington Township; Fred Hager, Independence Township; D. E. Donahey, Newton Township; R. B. Yowell, Des Moines Township; L. C. Watts, Richland Township. Those elected for a term of three years are F. H. Russell, Newton; H. C. Strater, Fairview Township; H. L. Moffitt, Sherman Township; W. A. Livingston, Buena Vista Township; John Meyer, Palo Alto Township; Fred C. Andreas, Elk Creek Township; E. L. Duncan, Poweshiek Township; W. J. Miller, Mound Prairie Township.

Among the more recent improvements made at the fair grounds may be mentioned the new track built in 1910, said now to be the best half-mile track in Iowa.

PRAIRIE CITY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

In 1870 a society known by' the above name was organized at Prairie City, in this county. Perhaps no better statement can be made, at this late date, of this fair, than that written in the Newton Journal by its editor, who was in attendance and wrote as follows:

"In company with about one hundred and fifty others from Newton, we were at Prairie City at the fair last Thursday. With good roads and fair weather, the drive_ thither was one of the most pleasant that we know of. We found a large number of people on the grounds, not less than two thousand at one time during the day. The number of entries was about five hundred. There was an excellent showing of fine large horses, but few cattle, one pen of sheep, and quite a fair showing of hogs. In Floral Hall were to be seen some excellent specimens of flowers and the handiwork of ladies. The trotting race in the afternoon was indeed exciting and closely contested, being won by 'Grapevine,' owned by D. C. Gifford. Governor Kellogg failed to arrive, but the balloon went up about five o'clock. All day the weather had been threatening, and at a little after five the rain came down in torrents and continued until about midnight. The experience of many of our people in getting home through the rain is laughable to relate, and all agree that the visit to the Prairie City fair this year could not be set down as a dry time."

Two hundred and fifty-eight premiums were awarded to exhibitors on the above occasion. After a time this association went down and now Newton has the only annual exhibition in the county.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

This was an order that sprang into existence perforce of the very needs of that time, and which was not as has been supposed by some, a failure in the broader sense of the word, for through it the legislative bodies, both state and national, were induced to listen to the petitions of farmers and laborers in general. Many of the present-day reforms have been made possible by the work of what was termed the "Grange," or Patrons of Husbandry, movement. This movement was organized and in good working form early in the seventies, but in Jasper County it had reached its greatest strength in 1874, when there were about sixty well-organized Granges in operation. Its primary object was to make higher the standard of living among the farming classes of America. When it was fairly known what its true aim and object was, there were designing men, men who had been thus far a failure in life's conflict, and who hoped to gain by becoming identified with the new movement, who sought and in many cases were admitted to the Granges. No sooner had the order been well founded than there was one element who desired at once to do away with the "middle men" of this country and take upon themselves the duties of running retail and wholesale stores, mills, creameries and farm implement factories and warehouses. They also sought to enter the political arena and have a direct voice in legislation, all of which was highly proper, in a way, but as it was managed it proved too much of a task for a new-born order to successfully carry out. Hence instead of the real object, that of teaching farmers a better method of doing things, it really tame to be a hot-bed for political wire-pullers and office-seekers to feather their own nests, to the detriment of the masses of the membership of the Grange. To this class of men must be charged the final downfall of the great order of Patrons of Husbandry in this country, including the numerous Granges in Jasper County. By 1878 the number of Granges in this county had decreased to about fifteen.

Among the many good results of the Jasper County Grange may be mentioned the formation of a Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in 1874, with E. N. Gates as president; J. W. Alfree, secretary; H. L. Moffatt, treasurer, with directors from each township in this comity.

Another feature of the Patrons of Husbandry here was the establishment of the Jasper County Co-operative Association, formed also in 1874, with its chief place of transacting its business at Newton. The first stockholders were J.W. Murphy, J. W. Alfree, James Lee, H. L. Moffatt and Caleb Lamb. The paid-up capital was four thousand seven hundred dollars. This was more fortunate than most of the "Grange stores" in the country, in that it made some net profit each year during its existence.

An elevator was erected at Monroe, this county, in 1873 by the Patrons in that locality, and it was owned and operated by them two years and more, when the property was sold without loss to the stockholders.

In the early months of 1874, when word came from the distressed and destitute settlers of northwestern Iowa, asking for help for the hundreds who had lost heavily by reason of the grasshopper scourge, none gave more liberally than members of the Granges in Jasper County. And again, when the cry went up from drouth-stricken Kansas and Nebraska the year following, car load after car load of grain and clothing and provisions were sent from here, as well as large sums of ready cash. Surely in the last day, when the motives and virtues of all men's hearts shall be made manifest, the names of the members of these Granges in Jasper County shall be recorded as having done what they could for their brother farmers in distress and want.

Times changed, more equal laws were made concerning freight rates, warehouse privileges, etc., and one by one the Granges dropped out of existence until the order, once so thriving, went down. But in its stead, came many farmers' clubs and other associations by which the mutual efforts of farmers have been the means of doing much good in both social and industrial ways. The farmer has at last learned that he has plenty to do to farm after improved methods and the business man has learned a lesson taught him by the Granger movement, that it is best to not exact too great a profit on the goods he seeks to sell to the toiling masses of agriculturists in this country. More and more, the American farmer is coming to be looked upon as holding the balance of power in his hands. His present bank account is causing even Wall Street to "sit up and take notice," and in times of panics he has only to keep a cool head and plow corn in Jasper county to be one of earth's independent kings.

At this writing (1911) there are but a few Granges operating in this county, which includes the one known as the old Buena Vista Grange, which has always kept up its organization. This Grange was organized in August 1872, by the late Andrew Failor, at the home of J. W. Murphy, who was its first worthy master. This Grange owns a good hall at Adamson's Grove, well lighted and heated. Its table seats forty-two persons. Between seventy-five and one hundred persons still belong to this order in Buena Vista Township. Meetings are held each month and members are constantly being added. This always was one of the strongest Granges in Jasper County. It was here that was set on foot the present Farmers' Institute, as well as the Farmers' Co-operative Mutual Telephone System.