688 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the spirit that is proud to be seen carrying cornstalks. They took this 

 spirit back to their schools. Seed corn tests were most successfully car- 

 ried out. Some school gardens were made, and work along some other 

 lines carried out. 



One day of the teachers' institute was set apart for the report of these 

 teachers on the work done. There was also an address and some actual 

 milk testing by professor Holden and plans were outlined for the agricul- 

 tural work of the coming year. The reports were most interesting. There 

 was the teacher whose boys had walked five miles in a snow storm to 

 secure the sawdust for the germination box. One who had used his lap- 

 robe on a cold drive home to wrap the precious box and save it from 

 freezing. A brave girl teacher had gone back to her school after supper 

 to build up the fire and keep the temperature of the room even. Several 

 instances were reported of patrons who had been inclined to scoff at first, 

 but who have become more deeply interested in this work and in all the 

 work of the school than ever before. Germination tests in the schools 

 resulted in germination tests in homes where this had never been done 

 before. 



At the close of this afternoon conference practically every teacher in 

 the county had caught the spirit and was anxious to take up the work, too. 

 They realized that it could be done; that the children enjoyed the new 

 world it opened up to them; that untold good would result from it to the 

 neighborhoods in which they taught. In fact, one very successful grade 

 teacher came to the county superintendent and said: "How it does make 

 me want to be a country teacher." Yes, it is true that just at this transi- 

 tional period the country teacher has wonderful opportunities; she is free 

 to carry out her own plans and ideas and her influence will reach far in 

 the making of the splendid country school of the future. 



This fall the first work taken up was in regard to the harvesting and 

 storing of seed corn. On the basis of material furnished by the extension 

 department at Ames — I always want to spell the "Extension Department" 

 with large letters, for it is always such a great and splendid help — enough 

 circulars were sent to each teacher to furnish every child with one, which 

 was to be taken home after being considered at school. It was suggested 

 to the teachers that they have each child go into his father's cornfield 

 and pick the best ear of corn he could find and bring it to school with 

 him, where it should be labeled and hung up to dry in the approved man- 

 ner. After this was done Bulletin No. 77 on "The Selecting and Pre- 

 paring of Seed Corn" was sent to each teacher and the corn is being care- 

 fully studied. Very often the first question that greets the county su- 

 perintendent at inttermission is from some bright boy or girl who asks, 

 "WTiich ear is the best? We have been waiting to ask you." Before 

 planting time each school will have a germination test, using this corn. 



A number of schools also have taken up the study of weeds. They 

 have learned to recognize the common weeds, made collections of seeds, 

 and studied the best methods of exterminating them. We expect to do 

 more thorough work in this later on. 



The superintendent has purchased a Babcock milk tester and a complete 

 testing outfit, including a convenient portable case. This is being passed 

 to different schools, both in the country and towns, who wish to learn 



