456 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



economy, blacksmithing, farm carpentering, rural architecture, stock feed- 

 ing, care of soil and fertilizers, farm accounts, poultry dairying and science 

 of agriculture, in addition to other branches. 



A wave of interest seems to be surging over the country. The young 

 people are anxious to complete their work, upon which they nearly always 

 return to the farm, there to succeed. Some are taking up the duties of 

 leadership, but many more are in a quiet way setting an example that gives 

 a helpful tone to country life and setting the pace for others. Their course 

 has given them a broader vision of life, has taught them to depend upon 

 their own efiforts of hand. It has taught them that agricultural pursuits 

 must have a place in the science. A new dignity is given to their work, and 

 these students feel they can meet the business men and the world in a 

 business way because they have been trained in their profession and are 

 specialists. 



But how are we in Delaware county to receive benefit from such schools? 

 Situated as we are amidst most favorable circumstances for such industries 

 we may well ponder establishing such an institution. Seventy per cent of 

 our people are engaged in agriculture pursuits. Tis true their children are 

 within easy reach of good schools but do they specially fit them for their 

 calling? Does public sentiment demand such a school? If it does can such 

 a school be established under our present law? The first question I can not 

 answer, but if it does, I believe the sentiment will creep out sufficient to 

 make itself felt. I believe it now is possible to establish such a school. 

 Section 2728, Iowa School Law provides for county high schools and the 

 few following sections leave it descretionary with the board to determine the 

 course of study. A high school giving special attention to training of 

 teachers, also furnishing an elementary course in agriculture might be es- 

 tablished. Some special legislation would, however, smooth the way, and 

 make it easier to do the best work. The county must, of course, assume all 

 financial responsibility, for our State now makes no appropriation. We 

 could, without burden, carry on such a school. The assessed valuation in 

 Delaware county is about six million dollars. To build and equip such a 

 school would cost fifteen thousand dollars. The annual running expenses 

 would be, on the basis of other schools, six thousand dollars. This in the 

 aggregate seems an immense sum but when apportioned among the many 

 tax-payers dwindles to almost insignificance. A tax of two and one-half mills 

 would furnish necessary grounds and equipment. A five-sixth mill tax 

 would provide for current expenses. Let us carry our figures a little farther; 

 a person assessed one thousand dollars would pay eighty- three cents extra. 

 A man owning an average eighty -acre farm in Milo township would have 

 his taxes increased less than sixty cents. In Bremen township the same 

 amount of land would raise the tax eighty-one cents. We might bring the 

 matter still nearer home. A representative farmer in Oneida township, 

 whose name I shall not mention, would pay one dollar and four cents extra 

 tax, should Delaware county establish a county high school. 



I have given you the above figures for your careful consideration. I do 

 not expect that we will plunge immediately into something now hardly 

 thought of, nor do I think it best that we should, but again I say it is worthy 

 of thoughtful consideration. 



