648 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



right spirit will be a great agency in directing the social instinct of 

 the community, developing a literature atmosphere, stimulating a love 

 for country home and country people. The farmers have it within their 

 power, if they will pull together and trust each other, to control and 

 direct the nation. "In unity there is strength." 



In 1908, President Roosevelt, learning that there was so much dissatis- 

 faction among the farmers, appointed a committee to investigate and see 

 what the reason was for so many wanting to leave the farm and move to 

 town. The President summarized the conclusion that the three greatest 

 needs of the farmers were: 1st, Organization among the farmers to 

 put them on a level with the organized interests with which they had 

 to do business; 2nd, That agriculture be taught in the country schools. 

 Teach the children as much out-door as in-door, perhaps more, so they 

 will prepare for a country life. 3d, Better means of communication, in- 

 cluding good roads, and parcels post, which the country is everywhere, 

 and rightly, demanding. Only the other day I read a report of a con- 

 ference held by ministers of seven states to confer over the welfare of 

 the country people. Sixty-two men registered and about half as many 

 women. They recommended organization. They chose a prominent min- 

 ister to deliver an address. One of his theories (and he had tried it) 

 is that every country neighborhood needs a building to be used as a real 

 social center for the community. He believes the country boys and girls 

 do not play enough, do not know how. They will stand around and listen 

 to stories and talks of older persons when they would better be frolicking 

 in some wholesome game. 



Veering problems of labor and life disturb our minds in country as 

 in city. The great need of the present is organization. We need leaders, 

 socially and educationally, in the country, as well as leaders in better 

 farming. We need earnest men and women, interested in learning better 

 ways to the Waters of Life. May we not instill into the young hearts that 

 will take the place that will soon know us no more, that all rights which 

 we enjoy have duties which they must perform. To them shall be 

 given those finer qualities which shall be to those who come after them 

 what the finer natures of those who have gone before us have been to us. 



We resolve to labor for the good of our Order, our country and man- 

 kind, striving to develop a higher manhood and womanhood among our- 

 selves. We want to meet together, talk together, eat together, sing to- 

 gether, arouse our better nature, imploring the continued assistance of 

 our Divine Master to guide us in our work. 



PTOMAINE POISONING. 



MBS. ALBEKT RINDEX, OSKALOOSA, IOWA. 



The woman who presides over a household should consider as one 

 of her most important duties the handling and storing of foods. In the 

 buying, storing and handling of food it is most important that we realize 

 the causes of what is called the "spoiling"' of food. This knowledge is 

 comparatively recent. 



