vi INTRODUCTORY 
to issue such literature. Tlie agricultural interests of the state 
should unite in demanding that the next session of the legislature 
provide an ample support fund and authority to the Department 
that the work could be carried On in a commendable manner. Iowa, 
the greatest of all agricultural states, has done less toward the main- 
tenance of a Department of Agriculture than any state in the 
union. 
Part I of this volume contains the final summary of the Iowa 
Weather and Crop Service for the year 1908. In this part will 
be found a monthly review of the climatology for the year, the an- 
nual precipitation chart, dates of the last killing frost in the spring 
and first killing frost in the fall, the final acreage of the yield and 
acreage of soil products together with their estimated value (farm 
prices) December 1, 1908. Part II contains tables of Iowa's prin- 
cipal farm crops for a period of years, farm crops of the United 
States for 1908, farm crops of the world for 1907, and number and 
value of farm animals for the United States, January 1, 1909. 
Parts III and IV contain the proceedings of the state farmers ' insti- 
tute and agricultural convention held in December, 1908. Part V 
gives a synopsis of the state board and committee meetings for the 
year 1908 ; Part VI the proceedings of the 1908 Iowa Swine Breed- 
ers' Association meeting: Part VII the proceedings and addresses 
given before the Iowa State Dairy Association with a copy of the 
law passed by the last general assembly for the promotion of the 
dairy interests of the state ; Part VIII statistical information on the 
dairy industry of Iowa ; Part IX a partial report of the work of the 
state veterinary 's department; Part X symptoms and treatment of 
some common diseases among domestic animals; Part XI a report 
of the Iowa State Fair and Exposition of 1908; Part XII papers 
and addresses relating to agriculture in its various branches; Part 
XIII reports from county and district agricultural societies; Part 
XIV a report of the division of horse breeding from May 1, 1908, to 
May 1, 1909 ; Part XV laws relating to the work of the department 
of agriculture, new fence law, and the lien law for stallion service • 
and Part XVI a directory of associations and organizations repre- 
senting agricultural interests, both state and national. 
Care has been taken in preparing the copy for the Year Book and 
an earnest effort made to have it issued promptly. The failure of 
the last general assembly to provide adequate clerical assistance for 
the department has caused much delay in preparing and proof- 
reading copy. The number of copies issued is three thousand. 
