576 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



the blind in their reading made many thankful that they could enjoy 

 a book by the aid of the sense of sight rather than touch. 



The school exhibit on the east side of the exposition building far sur- 

 passed those of former years. Especially interesting was the work of 

 some of the rural schools. Page county pupils had written little book- 

 lets on foolscap paper, dealing with such subjects as leather, corn, wool, 

 rope, corn enemies, etc. A description was given; methods of manufac- 

 ture, culture, or habits, as the case was, were dealt with; and the 

 whole was plentifully illustrated. One school had some fine weed ex- 

 hibits. The weeds had been pressed, mounted and labeled. Such work is 

 well worth while in either the rural or the city school. An exhibit show- 

 ing the grain and bark of native woods was worth inspection. Tables, 

 chairs, stands, etc., as well as sewing of various kinds, illustrated the 

 proficiency of our pupils in manual labor . 



The free traveling library of the state of Iowa had its headquarters in 

 the exposition building. We hope every farmer in the state knows about 

 this library. Any person in the state, outside of the city of Des Moines, 

 may secure books from the free traveling library by complying with cer- 

 tain conditions which are not at all hard to meet, and paying the cost 

 of transportation of the books to and from the state historical building at 

 Des Moines. Of special interest to the farmers is a list of some seventy- 

 five of the very best books on farm subjects — soils, drainage, crops, corn, 

 stock dairying, horticulture, spraying, poultry, farm buildings, etc. Ex- 

 periment station bulletins may also be had. Women may obtain books 

 on domestic science. Debating clubs may secure reference works. From 

 a hasty inspection of the exhibit of the free traveling library we con- 

 cluded at once that it would be well worth the while of many of our 

 readers to write to the library commission, at the state historical building 

 at Des Moines, for further information. 



The exhibit at the agricultural building was very little of an improve- 

 ment over that .of last year. Fruit, garden produce, and fiowers were 

 much the same as ever. The individual farm exhibits, however, proved to 

 be an even greater success this year than last. Some fourteen or fifteen 

 farms competed. In this department the farmer who has the most varied 

 display of field, garden and orchard products arranged in good shape, 

 wins. 



The pure food exhibit made by the state food and dairy department 

 in the agricultural building was worth careful inspection. Iowa farm- 

 ers, both to protect themselves and to avoid infringing upon the law 

 themselves did well to read carefully the circulars dealing with various 

 phases of the Iowa law distributed here. The maintenance of a high 

 standard for milk, eggs and other food products certainly deserves the 



