THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 97 



legislature is in session. As this is an off year it is to be hoped that 

 the printing can be done and the book placed in your hands before corn 

 planting time. Although the copy was furnished promptly it was the 

 first day of May when we received the first books for distribution. They 

 should be out by the first of March, and this we hope to accomplish this 

 year. 



In preparing the "Year Book" of 1901, a radical change was made 

 in the usual style, by dividing the copy into parts, placing each article 

 as nearly as possible under its proper head, and by thus grouping the 

 different subjects, hoping thereby to popularize it. From press and other 

 comments received we believe our efforts along this line met with some 

 favor. More than five hundred requests for the "Year Book'' after the 

 supply was exhausted, have been received. 



The work of preparing the copy for the third annual "Year Book"' 

 is now under way, and it is our earnest desire to improve this over the 

 one of last year. It is the intention to use in this book several cuts 

 made from photographs of Iowa farm scenes, and animals shown at the 

 last state fair. Members of the state board and this convention are 

 requested to aid in this work by suggesting where pictures of model farm 

 scenes, improvements and live stock may be obtained. While I do not 

 intend offereing a premium for these pictures, I trust you will assist in 

 making the "Year Book" as attractive as possible by making suggestions 

 and assisting in collecting the views. A few good cuts will in no way 

 detract from its usefulness and my experience has been that a book is 

 read and studied much more if it is well illustrated. 



fabmeb's institutes. 



We expect to devote a number of pages in the forthcoming "Year 

 Book," to a report of the Farmers' Institutes. At the last session of 

 the legislature an amendment was passed to Section 3, Chapter 

 58, Acts of the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, giving to each 

 farmers' institute in the state a vote at the annual State Agricultural 

 Convention, provided such farmers' institute has been organized at least 

 one year, and has reported to the Secretary of Agriculture not later than 

 November first, through its president and secretary of executive commit- 

 tee, that an institute was held according to law, the date thereof, the 

 names and postoffice addresses of its officers. They are also to furnish 

 tue state secretary of agriculture with a copy of the program of each in- 

 stitute hereafter held and where addresses are read before such institute 

 one or more of these in written or printed form. No proxy given by any 

 delegate elected by a farmers' institute shall be recognized by said con- 

 vention. This we hope will bring the agricultural interests of the state 

 more closely together, and to insure a larger gathering at the annual 

 State Farmers' Institute and Agricultural Convention. 



We have prepared a blank which we ask the secretary of each farmers' 

 institute to fill out, giving the county in which an institute is held; topics 

 discussed; place of holding last meeting; place and date of holding next 

 meeting; names of officers, etc. This is the only way a complete record 



