THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII 629 



On farms where dairy cows are kept the cream separator is in such 

 common use that we hardly think of it as a convenience, but rather as 

 a necessity but its use, and the shipping of cream to a central creamery, 

 has certainly made the task of caring for milk and the making of but- 

 ter much easier. 



It may not be possible for each one of us to have modern homes with 

 all of these conveniences at once, but let's add these appliances just as 

 rapidly as circumstances will allow. Let's not be skeptical and think 

 because our grandmothers got along without that we can do the same 

 and don't think for a minute that by the installing of them that the farm- 

 er's wife will have so much spare time, that she will as Geo. K. Holmes 

 says, "go society mad!" I am sure she will use the time profitably to 

 herself and family and the home will be happier if she isn't overworked. 



On a visit recently to our great agricultural school at Ames I was very 

 much impressed with the Home Economics department. In such pleasant 

 surroundings, the well arranged kitchens and pantries with everything so 

 white and clean looking, the tastily furnished serving rooms, and the 

 light, airy, conveniently furnished rooms for sewing. I thought surely 

 any girl who is privileged to take a course there could hardly come away 

 without having a love for house work. 



This same department through its extension work is doing so much 

 for the mothers as well as the daughters in teaching new methods not 

 only in the culinary department but in sewing, home decorations and 

 household economy and thus placing a dignity on one of the highest of the 

 arts — that of home making. 



SILOS. 

 (Wallace's Farmer.) 



We now look upon the silo in the same light as we look upon the disk 

 drill and the manure spreader. It is one of the earmarks of the up-to-date 

 farmer. A man is not, as some farmers still think, taking a jump into the 

 dark when he builds a silo. For thirty years past they have been experi- 

 mented wath in this country under all kinds of conditions. 



The map which accompanies the article indicates the distribution of 

 silos over the state of Iowa in the year 1911. We are not surprised to 

 note that in northeastern Iowa, where the dairy industry is strongest, 

 silos are the thickest. What is the matter with Lee, Plymouth, Fremont, 

 Union and Dickinson counties, that there should be in them such a small 

 number of silos? 



During recent years the silo industry has grown by leaps and bounds. 

 In 1909 there were 1,500 silos in Iowa. By 1910 this number had increased 

 to 2,700 and in 1911 there were 4,000. We now have no doubt but that 

 there are now over 6,000 silcs in the state of Iowa To the man who is 

 afraid to make the venture of buying a silo, these figures should be re- 

 assuring. But to the agricultural newspaper man, to the extension work- 

 er, and to all who are interested in the most economical methods of 

 agricultural production, these figures are a disappointment, for they in- 



