726 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 
quickly and effectively than in any other way. Three thousand tuilp, 
bulbs were distributed among the schools of the county, which were 
planted by the pupils. Tulips were chosen because they were sure to 
blossom before the schools are out in the spring, and also it was hoped 
a bright tulip bed in every school yard would help in the campaign for 
better and more attractive school houses and grounds. 
This account of the work done in Page county is introduced as a strong 
argument in favor of agriculture in the public schools. 
Theory is not what is demanded at present. Superintendent Riggs is 
no doubt sincere in his contention for secondary or vocational schools, 
but by his own admission it will require several years before his plan 
will bear fruit in the rural districts. What we want is a plan by which 
the schools as at present constituted can be utilized in teaching the rudi- 
ments at least of agriculture. 'There is no question as to the necessity 
of such instruction, and I believe the time is ripe for its introduction 
into the rural and graded schools right now. What has been done in 
Page county can be done in Poweshiek county, and if our teachers 
take hold of the matter as did the teachers in Page county our rural 
schools would at once spring into importance, and there would be less 
desire on the part of the pupils to enter the graded schools. Teachers 
can easily fit themselves for teaching primary steps in seed life and 
growth and with the assistance of the homes all would be surprised at 
the progress the. children would make and in the added attendance and 
interest in the rural schools. Farmers owning land adjacent to school 
buildings could be prevailed upon to donate sufficient ground for a school 
garden, wherein the children could spend an hour each day in pursuit of 
knowledge that will direct their attention back to the farm. These school 
gardens could be profitably introduced in the graded schools in the 
towns, and much would be gained by the pursuit of studies aided by 
actual experience in cultivating plant life. 
The demand for this sort of instruction is acknowledged by the bills 
in the congress and state legislatures favoring some plan of introducing 
agriculture in the public schools, but for the most part the plans sug- 
gested are complex in their workings and do not reach the vital question 
soon enough to be of much benefit to present day pupils. What we want 
is active interest on the part of teacher and pupils in present day facil- 
ities and a will to do the w^ork as best they can. Let the teachers take 
advantage of every opportunity to post themselves and interest the chil- 
dren in the w^ork along with their other studies, with a day given to the 
subject by the county teachers' institute. 
Dr. A. C. Trude, director of the experiment station of the department 
of agriculture, Washington, D. C, says that there must be and will come 
a general improvement in the country elementary schools. I think we 
should do something to promote the teaching of the elements of agricul- 
ture in the public schools and through the association of agricultural 
colleges and experiment stations, working in harmony with the national 
experiment station. 
There has been introduced in the lower house of the national congress 
by Representative Davis a bill to co-operate with the states in encourag- 
