ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. We are indebted to the monthly reports of the Department of Agricultural for reliable figures and suggestions in this report; and also to the officers of the several railroad companies for their labors in furnishing statistical matters of great interest and importance, as affording an index of the growth and prosperity of the State. Respectfully submitted, J. M. SHAFFER, Secretary. FAIRFIELD, Iowa, January 12, 1870. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SURPLUS PRODUCTS, ETC., TO ILLUSTRATE REPORT OF SECRETARY OF IOWA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, FOR THE YEAR 1869. RECEIPTS AT CHICAGO. No. Bbls. 47510 10053521 42556 6732892 11962525 13510250 14449416 8737280116669156 10117854 2878180 25369523 Twelve months ending Nov. 30, 1869. Received from Des Moines Valley Road and not counted in the totals. | Not received from B. & M, R. Pork and beef. ** Lard and tallow. # Rye, oats and Barley. NAME OF RAILROAD. SEBE No. of horses, No. of Cattle. No. of Live Hogs. Dressed Hogs, Burlington and Missouri Rivert Totals ... 1868. 323850 1688189 3999131 1667085 NOTES.—* Lard and pork. † Barley. OF THE ORPHANS’ HOME, AT CEDAR FALLS, TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. DES MOINES : REPORT. TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE Iowa SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME: GENTIEMEN :-It affords me peculiar gratification, in presenting to your honorable board the second biennial report of this Home, to be able to state that it is believed to be meeting the requirements of those needing its benefits better, perhaps, than was anticipated by the noble men who first conceived the thought of providing homes for the dependent children of the fallen brave. The peculiar experiences incident to all similar institutions in their embryonic stage of existence have been encountered, and overcome; children from different localities and different nationalities, differing widely in dispositions and temperament, have been gathered in the home, and are enjoying its privileges as brothers and sisters. Aristocracy of race, nationality, and family, have given place to the divine command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The buildings leased by the State for this home, were wholly inadequate to the wants of three hundred children, and the proprietors insisted upon raising the rents; therefore, we felt compelled to leave the dilapidated old buildings, with their dark and badly ventilated rooms and occupy the new building before its completion, believing the health and comfort of the children would be promoted thereby. The building just erected, is built nearly in the center of a beautiful elevated field of forty acres, which was secured for a site by the liberal contribution of citizens of Cedar Falls. Though plain, it presents a neat and somewhat imposing exterior, and be seen several miles aronnd. A fitting monument to the patriotic dead, speaking at once of battle-fields, where Iowa's sons, among inay |