SEVENTH ANNI^AL YEAR BOOK— PART III. 63 



thereof must always be counted as the most potent factor in our com- 

 monwealth. 



In closing, permit me to read a choice poem on Iowa written many 

 years ago by Rev. H. M. Powers, then residing at Davenport, and w-hich 

 was recently rescued from oblivion by our worthy friend, Henry Wallace: 



"Midst land where mighty torrents run, 



With placid brow and modest mien. 

 With besom glowing to the sun 



Sits the majestic prairie queen. 

 Imperial rivers kiss her feet. 



And free winds through her tresses blow% 

 Her breath with unsown flowers is sweet. 



Her cheeks are flushed with morning's glow. 



"Strong is her beauty, what cares she 



For jeweled cliffs or rills of gold; 

 For seats along the sounding sea, 



Or storied monuments of old. 

 Her bends are strong, her frame secure, 



Her praise on lips whose praise is dear. 

 Her hands, her heart, her purpose pure, 



And God in all her landscape near. 



"Ah, splendid in her ample lap 



Are annual harvests heaped sublime, 

 Earth bears not on her proudest map 



A fatter soil, a fairer clime. 

 How sing her billowy seas of grain. 



Hew laughs her fruit on vine and tree, 

 How glad her homes in plenty's reign, 



Where love is Lord and worship free. 



"Land of the generous heart and brave, 



Thy hosts leaped in the fiercest fray. 

 When bled our noblest sons to save 



Our mighty realm to freedom's sway. 

 Thy children, known where honor lies, 



The deeds that greatness consecrates. 

 And en their stalwart virtues rise 



The pillars of a peerless state." 



The President : The next will be a paper by :\Ir. C. G. ]\Ie.ser- 

 ole, secretary of the Iowa Farmer.?' Co-operative Association. 



