134 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
hundred dollars over the preceding year. In the competition for the ex- 
hibit of corn by the county farmers' institutes or corn clubs at the last 
State Fair the Polk County Farmers' Institute was awarded first prize, 
$100.00; second to the Packwood Corn Club of Jefferson county, $50; 
third to the Story County Farmers' Institute, $25.00; fourth to Dallas 
county, $15.00, and fifth to Warren county, v-LO.OO. 
The statute relative to the manner of filing reports from farmers' 
institutes should be changed, providing for the filing of such through 
the office of the Department of Agriculture upon blanks sent out by the 
secretary, and said reports to be filed on or before May first of each 
year. This would then give ample time for the publication and distribu- 
tion of farmers' institute bulletins mentioned previously in this re- 
port before the opening of the next institute season. 
ADVERTISING IOWA'S RESOURCES. 
The census report taken for the year 1905, as you will remember, 
showed that there had been practically no increase in the rural popula- 
tion of Iowa since the last report was made, but, on the other hand, in 
certain townships and counties an actual decrease was reported. People 
were generally amazed at that statement of facts and quite curious 
to know why the increase in our rural population had so suddenly stopped. 
Many reasons were advanced by various persons endeavoring to explain 
this cause. The arguments presented were in some instances quite 
plausible, but in our opinion they did not follow along the lines respon- 
sible for this situation. If a merchant expects to keep pace with his 
competitors he must keep up a thorough and systematic campaign of ad- 
vertising, laying great stress and playing up strongly any bargains he has 
to offer. The breeder uses every legitimate means of keeping his herd or 
flock before the public by taking advertising space in the press, issuing 
catalogs, and in the show ring. He feels that he must advertise to let 
his brother breeder know what he has. The manufacturer never loses 
an opportunity for keeping his output before the consumer; he lets the 
world know what he is doing by advertising. Did it ever occur to you, 
my dear friends, that the foundation of all our industries was builded 
upon that one little word "advertising"? Let the manufacturer, breeder 
or merchant cease advertising and the effect is at once noticeable in the 
sales. If advertising then is so essential to the successful carrying on 
of trade, why should not the State of Iowa advertise to the world the op- 
portunities for the further development of her great resources? We should 
not only seek to encourage immigration of desirable citizens to Iowa, but 
endeavor to point out to our native citizens the mistaken idea that they 
must emigrate to other sections of the country to better their conditions. 
The time has arrived when the gospel of truth should be spread broadcast, 
portraying in a decisive manner the advantages of citizenship in Iowa. It 
is time to lay the foundation and to begin a thorough and systematic cam- 
paign of advertising with the ultimate object of increasing by twofold 
our rural population. Thousands of dollars are expended annually by other 
states, railway companies and real estate men in getting out attractive 
literature to attract immigration. Thousands have gone from Iowa, and 
