yx:>of THE MEMBERS OF THE IOWA STATE BOARD OF AGRICLXTURE. ^^■t1:i^"t^"i^^^°' state Veterinarian. No. 2. M.J. Wra^L', Seventh District No 3 John L^lg^Twood Eighth District. No. 4. C. E. Came?on. Vice-PrSfdent." No. 5. 7 Qarthr F^.'m rA^-'^^'^rS^- ^^- "^^ '^- ^^ Wadsworth, Tenth District. No No q iov ^ R 'r^^'''^*-^"*^tS^**^'*5^ No. 8. R. S. Johnston. First District, rjo y. Gov. A. B. Cummins. No. 10. W. W. Morrow President No 11 John CoS'^^No^iTm'^ n^^-,!?x?''-.^^^- Storms. presfdentfSwa Agricultural No T'r W Ph^n^,.?''?''"^^^' ,?'°*^ District. No. U. G. O. EUyson, Treasurer No" 7' H R w! Jf; Second District. No. 16. W. C. Brown. Third District. District No ■ 1^ «^ r' ?^*f Dairv Commissioner . No. 18. T. C Legoe, Sixth Kitrift Packard, Fifth District. No. 20. H. L. Pike, Eleventh THE Iowa Year Book of flgriciJltilrB ^ ISSUED BY THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONTAINING Proceedings of the State Farmers Institute of 1903; Synopsis of State Board and Committee Meetings; Weather and Crop Report; Proceedings of the Iowa Swine Breeders Association; Ex- tracts from the Dairy Commissioner's Report; Proceed- ings of the Iowa State Dairy Association and National Dairy Union Papers on Live Stock, Agriculture and Poultry Topics ALSO Papers Read Before Farmers Institutes; Articles and Illustrations Regarding The Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; Laws Relating to Farming and Stock Raising Indus- tries; Early History of the Iowa State Fair AND Reports of County and District Agricultural Societies LIBRARY EDITED BY NEW VORK J. C. SIMPSON, ^TANfCAr. ■'^RDBN PEORKTAUT STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE DES MOINES : PERXARD MURPHT, STATE PRINTER 1904 ,0c/ STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE EX OFFICIO members: GOVERNOR OF STATE. Des Moines. PRESIDENT IOWA STATE COLLEGE, . - - Ames. STATE DAIRY COMMISSIONER, -Des Moines. STATE VETERINARIAN, Forest City. OFFICERS: W. W. MORROW, President, Afton. C. E. CAMERON, Vice President, Alta. J. C. SIMPSON, Secretary, Des Moines. Gt. D. ELLYSON, Treasurer, Des Moines. DISTRICT members: First District— R. S. JOSNSTON, Columbus Junction. Second District— C. W. PHILLIPS, Maquoketa. Third District— W. C. BROWN, Clarion. Fourth District— R. T. St. JOHN, Riceville. Fifth District— S. B. PACKARD, - Marahalltown. Sixth District-T. C. LEGOE, What Cheer. Seventh District— M. J. WRAGG, Waukee. Eighth District-JOHN LEDGERWOOD, Leon. Ninth District— M. Mc DONALD, Bayard. Tenth District- J. W. WADS WORTH, Algona. Eleventh District— H. L. PIKE, Whiting. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are Elected for One Year. Terms of Directors for Odd-Numbered Districts Expire Second Wednesday in December, 1905. Terms of Directors for E ven- Numbered Districts Expire Second Wednesday in December, 190U. COMMITTEES. EXECUTIVE committee: W. W. MORROW, J. C. SIMPSON, C. E CAMERON. AUDITING committee: J. W. WADSWORTH, C. W. PHILLIPS, W. C. BROWN. committee on resolutions: R. T. St. JOHN, M. McDONALD, T. C. LEGOS. powers AND DUTIES OF BOARD: GOVERNOR ALBERT B. CUMMINS, W. W. MORROW, C. E. CAMERON. THE ADULTERATION OF FOODS, SEEDS AND OTHER PRODUCTS: S. B. PACKARD, - M. J. WRAGG, H. R. WRIGHT. DAIRY INDUSTRY AND PRODUCTS, INCLUDING FRAUDULENT IMITATIONS THEREOF: H. R. WRIGHT, - - JOHN LEDGER WOOD, T. C. LEQOE. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AMONG DOMESTIC ANIMALS: P. O. KOTO, R. S. JOHNSTON, H. L. PIKE. IOWA WEATHER AND CROP SERVICE. J. R. SAGE, DIRECTOR, DES MOINES. UBRARY NKW YORK tSOfANfCAl TABLE OF CONTENTS. QARDG^v PART I. PAGE. Proceedings op thb State Farmers Institute and Agkictiltural Con- vention, -.-..- ... . Synopsis of the State Board and Committee Meetings, 1913, - - l-lOO PART II. Weather and Crop Report, 1903, ... . . - 101-120 Iowa Climate and Crops for a Series of Years, - - - - 121-164 PART III. Proceedings of the Iowa Swine Breeders Association, - - 165-182 PART IV. Extracts from the Dairy Commissioner's Report, 1903, - - 183-204 PART V. Proceedings of the Iowa State Dairy Association and National Dairy Union, 1903, 205-334 PART VI. Papers on Live Stock and Agricultural Topics - - - 335-476 A— Baby Beef, 335. B— Steer Feeding, 341. C-Horses, 366, D-Sheep, 366. E— Corn, 376. F-Alfalfa, 380. G— Miscellaneous, 394. H-Iowa State Drainage Convention, 437. —I— Pig Feeding, 464. PART VII. • Poultry Topics, 477-520 PART VIII. Papers read before Farmers' Institutes, ..... 621-616 PART IX. Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, - - 617-629 PART X. Laws Relating to Farming and Stock Raising Industries, - - 631-658 PART XI. Iowa State Fair-Its Early History, etc, 669-678 PART XII. ^4Report8 of County and District Agricultural Societies, - - 679-726 O CO -z. Z5 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OFFICE OP IOWA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Capitol Building. Des Moines, Iowa, February 16, 1904. To His Excellency, A. B. Cummins, Governor of Iowa: I have the honor to transmit herewith the Fourth Annual Iowa Year Book of Agriculture, for the year 1903. Very respectfully, JOHN C. SIMPSON, Secretary State Boabd of Agricttlture. PART I STATE FARMERS INSTITUTE. AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION.— SYNOPSIS OF THE STATE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR 1903. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STATE FARMERS' INSTITUTE HELD AT THE Y- M. C. A. AUDITO- RIUM, DES MOINES, IOWA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1903. The meeting was called to order by the president at g 130 o'clock A.M. The President : The first subject on our program this morn- ing is entitled, ''Should the Institute Law be Changed," b}^ Prof. C. F. Curtiss, of Ames. REMARKS BY PROFESSOR CURTISS. I presume, from the reading of the subject assigned me, it will be inferred that I think the institute law should be changed, or that I have changes to recommend. I wish to put your minds at rest on that subject, by stating at the outset, that I do not think any radical changes should be made in our present institute law. I believe it has some excellent features and that on the whole the institute is a good one. Perhaps, however, there are some respects in which the institute law, as we now have it, will be improved. I believe an improvement was made a year or two years ago, when the legislature provided that the institute should have representation in this annual meeting of the board of agriculture; I think that that step was one that will lead to good results. While this is the first meeting that has been held under the new plan, with an effort made to bring the institute workers together, I think, with an arrangement of this kind, if carried out, this system can be worked out in such a way 1 2 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. that the institute workers can come together at these annual meetings and take part in a day's session devoted to institute work, and that it will be a very great help to the work in all parts of the State. One difficulty was encountered in the arranging of this program, that was the fact that the law provides for holding annual meetings on Wednesday, and that sufficient time could not be found during the week preceding that date to arrange for a suitable program. It does not seem possible, from previous experience, to get a large attendance in here before Tuesday. A good many men come quite a distance, come from remote parts of the State, from where it is practically impossible to reach Des Moines before Monday evening or Tuesday morning; conse- quently the Monday meetings have never been largely attended, and one day preceding the board's meeting and the election of officers does not afford sufficient time for such a program as might be arranged and should be arranged to provide for this work to the best advantage. It would seem, that under these conditions, the date of holding the annual meeting of the Stats Department of Agriculture might be changed to the day following, say to Thursday of the week. Of course, this date is fixed by law and could not be changed unless done so hy the legisla- ture; but if w^e could have this additional day for these meetings, to enable the oflficers to make provision for such a program as w^ould meet the requirements, anw that these meetings, when arranged properly, ought to and will bring the leading institute workers, and those who take most active part in all questions together. I know from experience, and every one knows from experience, who has attended these institutes, that some of the very best institute workers that can be found anywhere, are developed in localities where the work is purely local. Some of the very best institutes I have attended, in this or any other State, are institutes carried on by local help. These men are capable of imparting instruction and capable of formulating plans for institute work and are eminently successful. This meeting should bring together that class of men, and it should bring together all men interested in advancing the agriculture of this State, and should develop into a sort of a school of instruction for the institute workers, at which men will get an inspiration, suggestions, ideas and plans which they can carry home and apply to their own in- stitutes. That, I believe, is one feature in which our law can be im- proved. It is a matter of minor consequence, merely a matter of shift- ing a day one day ahead, to enable the oflacers to arrange such a program ' and such order of exercises as will bring more good out of these meetings. I think that the present system of local management of our institutes is a strong one. I believe it is a system our people would not be willing to abandon under any circumstances. I think that it has some better features to it than any system of central management that puts the authority and power completely in one central organization. I think that a central organization would perhaps bring about more co-ordina- tion of the institute work than we now have; but I believe in the demo- cratic system of our institutes as they are now conducted. I have noticed this in other states, where they have a central organization. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 6 The local communities there feel no responsibility; they feel that the institute is a State organization; that it is under the management and direction completely of this corps of institute workers, and those who attend will come in and sit down and feel no responsibility, and in a great many cases are but little interested. If the responsibility rests with the local men and the local people have control and they manage that institute, it is then their organization, their meeting, the respon- sibility is with them and they feel under the necessity of making it a success. They should have provisions by which they can get outside help, and that, of course, should be continued and strengthened. But I think no change in our institute law should be made that will take the management out of the hands of the local authorities. This system, where we have had the institute law in operation, that is, where we have the institutes in force, and where the institutes are regularly held, this system has developed, say in two thirds of our coun- ties, the best institute meetings that have ever developed in any State. I believe communities get more good out of those institutes under the present system of local management than they do under any other system. I think that the system we now have can be strengthened in the respect I have named. One criticism that has been urged against the present system is, that there is ho plan by which the institutes can be held on consecutive days, and that is objectionable. There is a great loss of time on the part of speakers going from one institute to another. Now. if in addition to our present plan some system could be devised by which institutes in certain localities or congressional districts could be arranged in consecutive order, that would result in an ability to secure better service, better institute speakers, it would enable those who do institute work to attend institutes in various localities and to accom- plish much more. I do not know just how that should be brought about — just what would be the best plan. Various methods have been suggested. I think it would be in order for this convention to take it up and consider it and endeavor to devise some plan by which it could be done. In connection with that, I may say that in some states an institute car has been arranged and the railroads have co-operated; in fact, I think they have borne a considerable part of the expense of fit- ting up a car and transporting it from one locality to another throughout the State, to meetings of a special nature and at regular institute ses- sions, and that plan has been suggested in this State. It has received some consideration. Whether anything of that kind may be brought about I can not say. but in case it should, you can see the difficulty in arranging for work of this kind without any co-ordination on the part of institute organizations. There should be, in case a plan of this kind were inaugurated, a series of consecutive institutes held in the same part of the State, so that that car and corps of institute workers, when called upon, could come to the assistance of the various institutes in consecutive order. That applies also to institute workers, as I have stated, who go from one institute to another. 4 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Then, I think, there is another fact in which our institute system is somewhat defective. The lack of a central organization has resulted 'n the proceedings of the various institutes being wasted so far as their neighbors were concerned, or so far as the people of the State were con- cerned. No plan ur.der the ])resent system, has been devised for collect- ing and bringing together and putting in printed form the best things that are given at these various institutes. A great deal of valuable in- formation is presented year after year in the institutes of this State, and particularly in some institutes I know of, where they have the very ma- terial available, and where the entire community takes a deep interest in it, and the subjects presented are the result of a great deal of study and careful thought and preparation. Many of these things would be worth vast sums of money, if they could be brought together in the form of an institute report of some kind and put before the people of tbe Srate. Now, the change made in the State Department of Agriculture con- templates something of that kind, but it does not quite reach the situa- tion. Provision was made by the last legislature, for the institute workers to report to Secretary Simpson of the State Department of Agri- culture, and he has the authority and is instructed to make up his re- port from this and other matter which he may consider of interest in connection with such report. The reports, however, are not as complete, not as exhaustive, not as valuable as they should be. I think provision should be made for furnishing as complete and exhaustive a report of these institutes as possible; not with the understanding that it shall all go into Secretary Simpson's report; for, necessarily, the matter printed there will have to be somewhat restricted; but, I think, the reports madf should be very complete, in order that a volume will be put out by the State Department of Agriculture that will be highly creditable and a lasting service to the department, in the form of methods presented at the various institutes. In that way it will be of great help. I believe, in order to bring this about, it might not be out of order, might not be a bad plan, to have the same principle in vogue here that we have in reference to the county fairs of the State; that is, that the secretary shall make that kind of a report, and that the securing of an appropria- tion shall be conditioned upon that kind of a report, the same as it is in reference to the county fairs. That will not be necessary in a majority of the cases, but it is necessary in some cases, and in order that unformity, in order that any institute organization may be properly represented. I think this report should be made to the secretary, and that the report should b« made before the money is paid out, so that not only the people of that locality may receive the benefit, but the people of the entire State, and I am sure that plan will result in a series of reports of institute work, and the proceedings of the De- partment of Agriculture, and when the system is properly perfected and the organization made complete and strong, as it should be, it will make these reports of such demand that it will be necessary to very greatly increase the edition. I understand now that the edition is limited, that it is not as large as it should be. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 5 111 connection with these suggestions, it seems to me, it will be well to consider a plan by which the edition of the reports could be increased to such size, that not only institute workers and the institute officers in the various localities could have these reports, but that practically every- body who is interested in the work of institutes — farmers, stockmen, fruit growers, and all people who are interested in this work will find in that report material that will be of very great value to them throughout the year, and the edition should be so large that it will meet the demands throughout the State. I believe that the developing and perfecting of the present system of institutes along some of these lines will not only stimulate greater in- terest in the institutes now being held, but will stimulate such an in- terest throughout the State, that there will be in a short time no county in the State that does not hold institutes. There are some counties who do not hold institutes, because they have not seen the advantage and be- come sufficiently interested; but I am sure this institute organization, that we have in Iowa is a good one. As I stated in the outset, I htve no radical changes to sug- gest. I do not think any radical changes should be made. I believe it is a system well suited to Iowa; it is a system different from that in any orher State. I like the Iowa system; it suits the Iowa people and puts them on their resources, develops their ingenuity and originality. They like to manage their institutes; they are getting more out of the institutes in two thirds of the counties in the State than are the people of any other stale I know of. The President: The next paper is entitled, "How to Con- duct a Successful Institute," by Mrs. F. A. Scjuires, secretary of the Clay County Farmers' Institute, of Spencer. HOW TO CONDUCT A SUCCESSFUL INSTITUTE. Mrs. F. A. Squires, Spencer, Iowa. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: My subject ''How to Conduct a Successful Institute." I supposed was to have been, ''How We Have Succeeded." Sixteen years ago a little band of Clay county farmers met in the city hall of Spencer to talk over the advisability of holding a farmers' institute. They made out a short program and decided on a time of meeting. It never occurred to the committee to have the date of this meeting published, hence, when the day set for the program arrived only those attending that meeting knew of it, and those few decided that persons attending such a meeting had certainly lost their senses, for they were very sure they knew all that was necessary for any one to know about farming. Thus the first institute in Clay county was a very quiet affair, and very soon forgotten, only by the few that made out the program. 6 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The following year they decided to hold' another institute, au'l when they succeeded in getting one lady to attend they felt they had made rapid strides in the work. This lady was the late Mrs. Higley, so well known to Iowa horticulturists. Thus they struggled on for four years, when they learned that some plan of action must be taken — they must have a system. They realized that it was a day of organization, and thought it best to perfect their organization, and when some member of the committee stated that a portion of the officers should be women of action, they had yet to learn women's wonderful ability to p^ish. However, a part of the new officers were women. Strong, capable women, and this is the way they succeeded. Women have wonderful reasoning faculties, you no doubt know. What should a farmers' institute be, and what are its benefits: First, it should not simply be a short gathering, talk at random, and close with "who shall and when shall" we draw our State money. The farmers' institutes are sources from which knowledge can be drawn. A stimulant to the pride and respect for farming. They bring farmers together in close social relations. They make public the latest discoveries in agricul- ture. They give the farmers of the State an opportunity to meet men who have made their business a science, as well as an art. " They are the banks for the deposit of experience, that they may become the common property of all." They are the organized friends of good crops and good prices. They teach the duties of home citizenship. They tend to keep a fair portion of the good boys upon the farms. "They energize and fertilize local thought, and arouse attention." They cost less, my friends, than a single cigar to each farmer of the State of Iowa. Success in any avocation means doing it well. Doing it well is all that is necessary to make the humblest occupation honorable. Whether we are planning to raise corn or calves, peg shoes, write sermons, or do farmers' institute work, doing it well is the true ambition for evei-y worker. Thus we made our plans and we have tried to follow them as closely as possible, although ever ready to grasp the new as it comes our way. Clay county workers felt that they had scored their first success when they decided to place the opposite sex side by side with them, not only on the program committee, but also their names were to be found among the list of officers. The first meeting with the revised list was held in a small hall, and the first day it was well filled with the Clay county farmer and his wife, and in some instances with their families. T,he second day we were obliged to adjourn to one of the largest churches in Spencer. Thus, we have pushed beyond the border of every available building in Spencer, even to our grand new opera house. Last winter at our meeting the manager of the opera house was obliged to lock the doors before the evening program commenced, with people clamoring outside to get in. We, of course, in all these years, have had many dear experiences, and have profited by them. One of the essential points we make at our institutes is that we meet all on common ground, trying to make each tired housewife feel she is welcome, then trying to make each overburdened farmer fe^l that FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 7 he is having an outing, as well as meeting at a school where they are taught many new and noble ideas in the art of agriculture. It doo:5 our inmost souls good, and we feel well repaid for all our hard work for the institute, when at the close of nearly every session some of the farmers, or their wives in attendance, step up to our desk and say, •'! want to shake hands with you; I have been helped so much by the many good things I have heard." Another important feature of our institute is the "Woman's Session." We do not know if this branch of the institute originated with us in Iowa, yet we do know that with us it was original, never having heard of a "woman's session" until we had held ours two years. Can you imagine the look of consternation that spread over the countenances of the male oflBcers when we proposed this? Ask them now what they think of it. We thought it best to hold these sessions separate, but ono year of this taught us it was a mistake. The men' are just as much — if not more — interested in what the women were doing, than the women were themselves. We elect our president, vice president, secretary and treasurer for one year; never re-electing them for more than two years. If we find an officer is a valuable one, we place them on' the executive committee for one year, and at the end of that time elect them again for their old offices president or secretary as the case may be. Some of the officers of our institute have served in this capacity for ten years. We have never changed our days for twelve consecutive yearg, although often changing our dates. Our days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and while Thursday and Friday are two of the best days for the farmer to leave home, Saturday the children are home from school, and the little members of the family can be left with the older children, that the mother may attend and enjoy the institute. It speaks better for an organization of this kind to be something that can be depended upon. People have learned this of the Clay county institute, that our days are established ones. Since holding our Mid-Winter Fair in connection with the institute, we have made this request of each school director, — "that they grant Friday to the teacher," for the reason that, we make a few special offers to pupils' line of work; such as the best map of Iowa, specimen pa^e of writing, etc., all for children under certain ages. And Mary ana John enjoy seeing their work on exhibition just as much as their par- ents, and, too, we find that John and Mary enjoy attending the institute. Our day sessions are made up of good solid work, with now and then a recitation by some farmer's boy or girl; always opening each session with an invocation and congregation singing. This is the plan of our program: The first forenoon we rarely if ever try to call the meeting before ten o'clock. Beginning we have congre- gation singing, — -this part being a very pleasant feature of the institute, and is conducted by some farmer or his wife who is an adept in that line. It is usually Nature hymns, or sacred ones, that are familiar to all, and all are requested to take part; and a stranger coming into the hall would surely think that no voice in all the Grand Opera House 8 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. was silent. It creates a pleasant, restful feeling that otherwise would not exist. If the audience gathers early they are requested to stand during the singing. This is followed by the invocation. If for any reason a person is not present whose name appears on the program, the presiding oflBcer calls on some one in the audience, who. as a rule, will respond. Then follows the president's annual address. The old oflBcers can usually tell if a mistake has been made, if he be a new president. To close we have some topic of general interest, in which we try to have all join in the discussion'. Thus closes the first session of our three days' work. We try to overcome the mistake of so many institutes, i. e., the delay in beginning. If there is not more than a half dozen present when the time arrives to commence, we take up the work. People have learned this of our institute, and unless the morning is a very severe one the room is well filled at the opening hour. The Woman's Session is next in line, and this is carried out in the entire by the ladies. If possible we secure a professor of domestic science to be with us on this afternoon. It is an afternoon we con- sider both pleasant and profitable. The institute president takes his place in the audience, and the ladies provide their own chairman. Our county is composed of diversified farming, and we aim to have topics that will be of interest to the corn" growers, the poultry men, dairy men, hoticulturists. and those interested in feeding stock. We secure the best authority that can be had on all these. We have our regular dairy session, sheep session, corn session (this, of course, is a very prominent feature of all institutes). We have our corn' exhibits in a room separate from the one in which the meetings take place, in which room it is scored and judged, and those who care to, after the corn talk is over, may go to this room and watch the work that is being done. We have secured two prominent corn men from Ames this year, and while one is doing the scoring the other will try, as far as possible — and it is nearly always possible — -to answer the questions the average farmer will ask. As far as possible we have the topics discussed by the farmers themselves. We learned, early in this work, that it was far the better way to have a farmer tell in his own way what he has done in his line, and how he did it, than have a man far more learned discuss the subject in an exhaustive manner, and you will rarely, if ever, get any response from the average farmer assembled. However, on the other hand, if a farmer leads, they seem so much better prepared to take up the line of thought conveyed by their brother in the work. We are very careful when we find it necessary to secure a general helper, or referee, if he is called on at the session to give a talk, not to have his address too long, and not have it too general, but go more into sufficient detail. We appreciate the fact that such helpers do not, or are not, supposed to understand the views of the farmers pres- ent, and hence if their talks are at all profitable, supplement them by answers to such questions as the audience may propose. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 9 We do not designate when asking a party to take a topic, whether ji shall be written or oral. Of course it all depends upon circum- stances. Some speakers can express their thoughts by a carefully prepared manuscript, and others by speech. We do not make the institute an object to exhort farmers to better methods, but as to enable them to teach themselves and take advantage of these better methods. We try to overcome the mistake of putting too much time on a l)aper, and too little on a discussion. Sometimes, however, it is im- portant to shut off discussion', and the good judgment and tact of the chairman must see to this. We believe that discussions must never he allowed to drift into immaterial things. We have seen' too many insti- tutes used for rambling exhortation of themselves, their county and State. Another great mistake we avoid is having too many subjects. We regard three or four at most to be enough for one session. We allow neither politics or religion to enter any discussion at our institute, yet we had a very tactful man last year who laid out the morals and ethics underlying both, in a non-partisan way. It was so nicely done that the chairman did not have the heart to call the topic off, and it seemed to produce its nice effect in its way. It is needless for me to say that no institute is or can expect to be successful unless the farmers' wives take a part in the program, and it always insures a full house. We sometimes offer a prize for the best essay on housekeeping, to be written by young women' of certain age for such a township. The boys from that township will all be there, and also from other town- ships. Oh, those boys, our future men, it is those the institutes are after. It very often happens in institutes that those needing the instruc- tions, the talks, the social features, and all the good things that are to be found in a well conducted institute, the most, are the ones who are the least apt to attend. We observed this, and now we have a special committee in each township to look after those who are least likely to attend, and manage, if possible, to get them there at least a part of the time. Get them to bring an exhibit for the midwinter fair; place some small member of the family on the program for a short recitation; teach them the institute is theirs, that it was gotten up for them, and that they have an interest in it. Some one of these incentives will bring them there, and once there the victory is ours. Our evenings are devoted entirely to light entertainments. The first evening we have the welcome address by the mayor of the city, which is responded to by a farmer, his wife or daughter. The rest of the evening is given to music, recitations and address by some promi- nent lecturer, etc. Friday evening is called the "educational evening." A large num- ber of Clay county teachers are usually present, and the boys and girls from the surrounding country, while the village turn out en masse. For this evening we have a strong address, something that will furnish ear-h one present fcoJ for thought for a long time after the institutt^ 10 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. has ceased to be. For a number of years our evening entertainments were free, and we found that a certain element attended who did not desire to listen, and intended that none within their radius should get a chance to do so, no matter how much they might wish lO. To overcome this we now have a small admittance fee, and if anything our audiences are larger, and certainly more orderly and appreciative. If possible when holding our institutes we, as our ancestors would say, "hold it in the moon." The young people find it very convenient to drive by moonlight, and is highly gratifying to the older ones. We have a number of times been called to other counties to consult witli the officers of their institute, as to just why and where they fail. I well remember one institute among the list of officers of which there was just one farmer, and he had retired to the village several years before; and not even a lady was to be thought of among the officers, or committees. It would be the last blow, in fact it was all that wa.3 needed to kill it entirely. The first day the president arrived about ten" o'clock; his wife and myself were the only persons in the audience. The secretary came in about eleven o'clock,, the rest of the officers the next day. A fair-sized audience for such an institute was seated at about fifteen minutes of twelve. During the carrying out of the pro- gram, when the election took place it was done in a haphazzard way. When the proper time came I advised them as to how we carried this out, and helped them to make out a list, not placing on the ballot one single person's name from the village, with the exception of the county superintendent, she being a lady. We organized a "Woman's Session." taking prominent women from the country who v/ere proud to do this work. The next year I attended the same institute again; we com- menced on time, with three persons in the room, and how many regr€t>j there were when they found the new president had commenced the program on time, and had not w^aited for them to come. They now have a lovely, flourishing institute that the county is proud of. You institute people who are present know that all this takes a great deal of time, and labor, and oftentimes with but very little cash with which to work. We trust it has never been said of Clay county that all she works for is money. We know other counties have been accused of this, and no doubt justly. All through the year we keep up the interest by having sm.all interesting items printed in the local papers. We are pushing on and on, far beyond the borders of our county, and we hope always to be numbered among the institutes to help agriculture challenge, not only a small portion of our counties, but the admiration of the whole world. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 11 The President: We have with us this morning one nf the bright, intelHgent ladies of the State, Mrs. Isaac Lee Hilhs. who will now address you. L^E.MaRK^ by MRS. HILLTS. Through the courtesy of your secretary I have been permitted to come to you for a few minutes to discuss a feature of farmers' institute work that has been touched upon so admirably in the fine paper you have just heard. I am not a farmer, nor a farmer's wife, nor do I live on the farm, but I have had a Jersey cow, made my own butter, hatched chickens In an incubator, read Wallaces' Farmer and the Woman's Farm Journal, and I think I am pretty closely in touch with what you are doing, and if I do not belong to your family, I think you ought to call me a son of a sister-in-law or stepsister. I am greatly interested to learn of the newest and best methods of creating the highest standard of development in cattle, corn and horses. I understand you have today, at the Capitol, a very fine exhibit of corn — every ear is up to the standard in weight, color and size. I wonder how many of you have lost sight of the fact that there is something more important to you as farmers and as men and citizens, than cattle, corn and horses; and that is your boys and girls. How many of you have found that your boys and girls are up to the standard of devel- opment? Are there any off color, under size, not fully grown to the best possible girlhood and manhood? You know, one hundred years ago the new science of agriculture was almost unknown; each farmer had to work out his problems for himself. There were no great colleges, and no special courses of study for the farmers; and twenty-five years ago there were no special courses of study for the home-keeper. But all that is changed. You have your great agricultural colleges, farmers' institutes, your splendid equip- ment, so every farmer who wants to can bring his corn and cattle up to the highest standard. I am here to tell you that within the last few years, possibly fiftean years, and every day increases the equipment, and there is now a science of child culture, and today the father and mother in the farm and city home can. if they want to, if they will act with a determined effort. can bring their boys and girls up to the highest standard of physical, mental and moral development. I believe the fathers and mothers on the farm are just as much interested in making the girls and boys on the farm the fine specimens they ought to be, as they are in making cattle and corn fine specimens. Let me urge that you organize, not only a woman's department, but a home and child culture department; that you have sessions where housekeepers and mothers can discuss this great question of bringing up children as they should be. L«t it not only be an annual thing, but let such literature be given out that the best things in domestic eeon- 12 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. omy, domestic science and the culture of the child in its manifold rela- tions shall be made an everyday culture. I am sorry there are not many women in this session today. 1 believe they will miss a great deal in the sessions that are to come. In New York, under the organization of the New York mothers, there are four hundred organizations. In Illinois, the president of the Illinois Congress of Mothers writes me that they are busy all week organizing child culture departments. I am here in behalf of the Iowa Congress of Mothers to tell you that we hold ourselves ready to meet with you at any time and at any place in Iowa. We will give you a list of speakers who will meet with you. if you prefer, and in many instances will give you literature and study outlines, so simple and so inexpensive that every woman can have them. We will tell the women how to organize a little neighborhood group to meet occasionally, weekly or semi-monthly, and discuss these questions and keep in close touch with the work, and we want to extend a most cordial invitation to them to meet us at the headquarters at the State Fair Grounds. I want to urge this upon the superintendents of the county institutes, that you do not spend all your time in these things which build up material wealth. What avails it to you if you are master of a thousand acres, your splendid herds, and your crops? What amounts it to, if that boy of yours, who is dearer to you than your right arm, if he fails to obtain the years of development that you want for him, He can have it; he may have it, if you, his father and his mother, begin now with the little child, to train it as it should be trained. I will be very glad to confer in this matter with any of the county superintendents and managers of county institutes who want the co- operation of our organization, and would be very happy to talk with any of the women of this organization. I believe there is a great field here, and I look to the future of our great Agricultural College at Ames, which stands for so much, to introduce child culture in that insti- tution. I look forward to the time when that institution, along with ito domestic economy, with its training of the young men, will also inaug- urate a child culture department. I believe it entirely feasible to take these children and put them in a special department under the care of an expert. I believe these children should be of both sexes. I believe every girl in that institution should spend some time in that nursery, where these children are trained. I think that a class of these children should be taken before the whole school, so that the students might learn the real development of the children, the awaken- ing of their mental faculties — the moral sense should be indicated and made plain to these people, so that when they get away from this great institution they will not only be cattle breeders or horticulturists, but that they shall be prepared for that culture which we all expect of them. I believe this is no fancy sketch. I think, as the years develop, that will come, and that our young people of the State will have an oppor- tunity to get an all-around education. I believe the prediction I make here today will after a while be verified in our State work. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. ■ 13 Thf: Prksidknt : We will listen to a further discussion of this matter of institutes, by the Hon. Eugene Secor of Forest City. Preparatory to the reading of his paper, Mr. vSecor said : Not being a ready platform speaker, I have reduced what T shall have to say into manuscript form. If I shall touch some- what on the same ideas, in some matters, with Professor Cur- tiss, it will only show, that I say Amen to his ideas. I am. somewhat embarrassed in following such an excellent address as you have had by Mrs. Squires of Clay county. I am sure I can not hope to interest you as she did, but I am on the pro- gram and am rather forced into this position and consequently. I will do the best T can. HOW TO CONDUCT A FARMERS' INSTITUTE. Eugene Secor, Forest City. I have not sufficient self-confidence to believe that I can answer this question better than a hundred other men the secretary might have selected to talk on this subject. I don't believe I know all about con- ducting these annual farmers' gatherings. In fact, I am sure of it. for I have learned a good many things in the last eight years' experi- ence, and as I don't want to confess that I am past improving, I think that I might still add to my store of knowledge in this respect. I realize the fact that there are a great many unlike conditions, even in Iowa, and that we can not lay down any cast-iron rules for the management of a farmers' institute any more than we can lay down inflexible rules for the management of children. Communities differ. A plan that will work in one county might not be successful in another. Subjects and men that would interest one community might not another. I want to say right here that the more I think about it the better I like our Iowa plan. There is a flavor of the old town meeting about It. The ones interested run their own affairs. The people of any county ought to be better able to choose subjects and speakers suited to their needs than any central office could possi- bly be. I have watched the workings of the centralized plan in some of our neighboring states, where a number of lecturers are sent from county to county, each one especially fitted to present some subject, an 'J after he has made his speech he goes to the next county, and so around the circuit, presenting practically the same theme wherever he goes. In some communities it may be exactly what they need, while in others 14 ' IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. it creales no interest or enthusiasm, and I think does not develop the local interest or talent as our plan does. It may be cheaper than our method, but is it better? What I like about our institute law is the freedom it gives every couni.y to choose the lecturers that the people want to hear. It puts upon every county the responsibility for the successful outcome of the convention. Our plan brings out hidden local talent that no central head would ever discover, and being run by home men, there is greater liberty to ask questions and to draw out practical information. But in order to have a successful institute it is necessary that the orgaaization have some capable man or men at the head. If the riglit man can be found for secretary, happy ought that county to be. If perchanco he is hard to find, put all the hard work on the president or executive committee. It is necessary that some one puts a good deal of timf- and thought into it — time and thought for which he is never paid except by the consciousness of trying to do good. And if some one can stimulate the thoughts and activities of his fellov/s, if he can incite them to more thorough work, make better farm- er:^ of them, see them improve in material wealth and in home build- ing, that ought to be some satisfaction even' if he does not make every stroke pay. The president, or secretary, or executive committee, or some one' needs to do effective work in various ways for some weeks in advance of tho meeting. Some one must do a little thinking during the year. He must talk with the leading farmers and find out what they are thinking abom — -get their ideas of the subjects that ought to be discussed, and the men they would like to hear. He must be arranging, or at least meditating on topics for discussion long before the meeting. No hastily prepared program is likely to be as satisfactory as one deliberately thought out. If everything is left till the last week many disappoiut- ments raay be expected. Speakers must be engaged while they have open dates, for our best institute workers are in great demand during the winter season, when most of the institutes are held. The institute ought to be moved from place to place in the county, so that all may have its advantages. The State appropriation is for the benefit of the people and this should be kept in mind. It should be a movable feast both in respect to date and locality. But the date and place ought not be fixed a year in advance unless such preliminaries are arranged by the inviting town as will insure its success. The State appropriation is not large enough to provide the best talent from abroad and meet other expenses incident to a good conven- tion, and we must choose between mostly home talent with small outlay, and aid from local business men to obtain strong men in the special- ties we wish diccussed. Ii has been our practice of late years to leave the fixing of the time and place to the officers of the county association. They are then able to open negotiations with the towns wanting the next meeting. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 15 We say to the representatives of the town applying: "There are certain things necessary for a successful meeting and before we appoint the institute we ask that you provide. "Firet. A suitable hall free. "Second. Hotel entertainment for our speakers and workers. •'Third. Local music for evening sessions. "Fourth. A certain sum of money for paying premiums, etc." By this plan we have no difficulty in supplementing the State appro- priation, and by the very fact of asking the town to help we interest the people of that community more certainly than if we dumped the thing into their laps "free gratis for nothing." We take an interest in whatever costs us something. No effort, no interest. Having arranged the preliminaries, we try to get the local papers talking about the institute. They are always glad to do this if they are given a few facts. If some one is expected whom the farmers know or have heard ot let the papers advertise it. If a specialist is to tallc on some topic of interest to the farmers, or of prospective interest, let it be known. Publish the convention so widely that everybody in the county will know the time and place in advance. Get them talking about it, if possible. In one town the business men organized, ap- pointed a committee w^iich sent out special invitations by mail, and we h&d a magnificent turnout and a great meeting. The best work can not be done without a crowd. There is no inspiration in vacant seats. Whether there should be a set program and papers read, or whether topics should be announced and a free-for-all discussion called out de- pends, I think, on local conditions. In a community made up largely of intelligent and well-read farmers, and with a presiding officer well acquainted with the people and capable of drawing them out, a very interesting time might be had without essays, but for the average com- niunity, and the average unwillingness of farmers to express them- selves in puglic,. I think it is well to have the discussion opened by some one who has had time to give it some thought. I aim to give local talent the first inning, then call out my reserve. After he speaks I invite question or discussion. It may need a good deal of urging to get some men (and women) to agree to read a paper, but I have often been surprised at the ability shown when they once attempt it. This is the talent that needs bring- ing out in every township, for if you can get a man thinking it is pretty sure to benefit him, and if he is led to more intelligent and profitable practices his neighbors will soon catch his spirit. Good works, like the measles, are infectious by contact. I think our county institute was among the first to take up the matter of offering premiums on corn. It has proved to be the means of interesting the farmers more than any other one thing, and the lec- ture? or the subject have proven a great stimulus to the wide-awake younp, men who attend. It is hard to reform the old but there is hope for the young. The average farmer thinks that he can raise a little finer corn than any of his neighbors, and the bait of silver coin in a premium 16 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. list is attractive enough to induce him to nibble at it. After he get:, there he may learn something about corn that he never thought of before, especially if he come? in contact with a man like Professor Holden. We try to have the evening entertainment of such a nature that the to\\n people will attend. It usually consists of a lecture or address, or addi esses, with some music and occasionally an entertaining elocu- tionary effort by some teacher or pupil, but I have never thought it wise to devote valuable time to mere entertainment except as thrown in for variety. 1 like to see the farmers' wives attend, and always try to get them a place on the program, but in some communities both are hard thing.^ to bring about. I am sorry to say that some of our foreign-born neigh- bors, although among the best of our citizenship, are slow to learn that the women need recreation and culture as well as the men. The most encouraging feature of these county institutes is the increased interest taken in them from j'-ear to year. Farmers are a con- servative class, and when these meetings were first called they acted as if they were taking the measure of the lectures. They wondered if some one hadn't an ax to grind. When they found that farmers' institutes are not quite so high toned as the name indicates and that there was no scheme to be worked they gradually warmed up to the subject. Institutes must be instructive, but the fodder must not be put 30 high that the common people can not reach it. At these meetings sci- ence should be presented in as simple language as possible. Subjects which might excite religious or partisan discussion ought to be religiously avoided, and speakers ought not to be allowed to stir up party spirit or personal feeling. The President: I see before me a large number of farmer?, members of the Iowa Instittite. We will be pleased to hear from any of them. Mr. Fox, we would like to hear from you. REMARKS BY MR. FOX. I do not believe in much more than two thirds of all the good things that have been said as regards the present institute law and the matter of running institutes. I think there is an old adage that the sire is half the herd, and I think that the president of the institute is at least; half the institute. The last gentleman upon the program touched upon that largely. I hope that the secretary of the Clay County Institute will forget that, or forgive me for referring to it. I can not believe, as I have just indicated, that the best thoughts,, or the best interests, are brought out by the local discussions. I believe that Professor Curtiss, Professor Kennedy and Professor Holden, and in Kansas, Commissioner Coburn. have done more for the institutes. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 17 and that Professor Holden has done more for the institutes of Iowa than all the farmers combined. It is true that each one of these mem- bers thinks perhaps he can raise a little better corn; it may be possi- ble lie thinks he can raise a little better wheat, but he does not go \ip there and tell you how he does it. He is keeping it as a State secret; it is vory seldom he will tell you. He is not putting out his hands to keep rhtj other fellow from running into a stone wall (I was raised in the State of Maine, where we had those things; in Iowa I should say a wire fence). There is not one of the presidents or secretaries of the institutes in the ninety-nine counties who can make him tell you how- he does it. I have known Curtiss-to ride all "night, sitting up in the common coaches, as he had to, to get into a program at ten o'clock the next morning, without even having an opportunity to take a bath at one of our hotels. We have had a little too much harmony. Stir up! Thk President: We have with us F. D. Cohiirn of Kansas. We would Hke to hear from him in reo-ard to how thev conduct institutes in that state. REMARKS OF F. D. COBURN. I think it is due to mys'-lf to correct your Honorable president and say that I am not a professor. Possibly I am the only man in this room who does not profess. A Statf- like Iowa, that has; produced a Grime'?, a Kirkwood, a Cur- tiss and a Wilson, and a Beardshear. inevitably must have the foremost place in the galaxy of states, and when a man from the outside, es- pecially a man from the remote and woolly west comes to Iowa, he does not come to instruct or to profess, but to sit at the feet of your wise men and absorb such wisdom as he is capable of absorbing. I notice from your program, and from the remarks and papers here this morning, that you have up the subject of institutes. I am not familiar with your institute law and do not know what it may be. I come from a State which has no institute law, or no series of insti- tutes which are conducted under State auspices, although we have inci- dientally or practically a great many excellent institutes. The most that our State does is to make a small appropriation for^paying the expenses of the gentlemen from the agricultural colleges to attend to institutes that are worked up by the local people. The general scheme is to have two professors from the Agricultural College at each of these institutes, especially if they are invited, and they usually are;- and it is not uncommon, also, to have a professor from the State University, which in our State, as your own, is an entirely different institution from the Agricultural Ck)llege. One comment on the position taken by the gentleman who read a most excellent paper a few minutes ago. He seems to think that hav- ing these gentlemen from the institutions, for instance, is not the wisest 2 18 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. plan, or at least it is not the wisest plan to have them dominate^ at all events, the institute. In our State they do not dominate the institutes at all. The institutes are entirely in the hands of the local manage- ment; unless such local management works up the institute, there is none. These outsiders, if you please, are merely there by invitation. I want to say it is tremendously advantageous and it ought to be help- ful to a community of farmers, each one of whom has been occupied early and late with his own affairs, to have some man like Professor Curtiss, Professor Kennedy or Professor Holden come there and speak upon some subject of which he has made a life-long study. I may suggest, too, that in our State we do not send out any lee turer who does not have more than one lecture or more than one sub- ject, and when he goes to a certain part of the State where conditions are of a certain sort, or whoever goes, is presumed to have an address or lecture that will be adapted to the occasion and circumstances; that is to say, we aim, at least, to have the punishment fit the crime in each instance. Speaking for myself, I regard these addresses by these specialists of incalculable value to the institute. For example, at the meeting of the Sate Board of Agriculture two years ago, we had a young man (by the way, a pupil of Professor Holden) there to talk to us about corn. He was a young fellow, a boy in appearance. When he came forward there was a general expression of wonder upon the countenances of the members, if not expressed by words, as to what that kid could tell us old farmers about corn. Some one asked me in a sort of a rebuking tone why on earth we brought a fellow like that all the way from Illinois to talk to men two or three times his age. about corn. I remem- ber distinctly my reply was, "If he does not tell you more about corn in thirty minutes than you have learned in fifty years, I will come and apologize to you." This young fellow got up and cut loose. I presume that if any of you gentleman had heard him you would say that you probably never in your life heard such a torrent of corn talk and corn information as he gave out there. I think I am entirely modest in my statement when I say that his address, published as it was, far and wide in our State, was cheap at one million dollars; dirt cheap; cheap as corn at ten cents a bushel. That is one example. Along that line I might say that we have here in the room a Kansas boy, one of my boys, if you please,' who is on the program here this afternoon to talk about alfalfa. If he does not tell you more about alfalfa in thirty minutes than you ever heard of or dreamed of in your life, I will apologize to you from this platform. He is a modest fel- low; he does not pretend to know much; but he will do you good with alfalfa. I speak of these two gentlemen as illustrations of the possibilities of having this outside or imported talent at these meetings, and if I were to attempt to infiuence you at all, it would be in the direction of not overlooking that sort of assistance in your work. It does not put a man down by any means, to say that he is a professor, or to say that he is a school teacher. He may be all of this and yet know infinitely FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 19 more about your business than you have ever dreamed of. And so. to repeat, I would encourage you to take cognizance of these facts and get as much outside help as you can, if it is the right sort— not every- body to talk at your meetings and dominate your time, but when oppor- tunity presents itself for getting the right sort of men from the outside of your own community and your own local atmosphere, so do it by all means, and you will find it a wonderful and wholesome adjunct to your work. That is ail I care to say, Mr. President. I am not Mr. Butt-in; I find myself on the program this afternoon, and I will try to be here on time, if I can. I thank you. Mr. Mills : I arise to defend the farmers. I want to in- form you from the start that 1 am from Story county — right up Avhere we make professors, and Mr. Curtis? is a farmer amongst us. He was born, and I believe brought up in Story county. We do not have to go to Illinois or to Kansas for our talent. We live in a community, where, if you get the farmers stirred up a little, they will get up and discuss these questions; plenty of them. We have no quarrel, no fight with the pro- fessors; we all agree; we invite the professors out to our meet- ings and they come and talk to us. As I am not a public speaker, I have exhausted my subject, and I thank you for your attention. A Member : I think the gentleman back in the audience put the institutes in the wrong light. We do not wish to cut out professors, by any means, and still hold the management of the institutes for ourselves. We will use what talent we can and get other talent wherever we can and as w^e think we need it. What we are opposed to, is any mutilation of this law wath re- gard to institutes. We want our professors and we want to use tliem as we can. Mr. SpanglER : I am a farmer, and perhaps among the older, if not the oldest farmer present and I confess, I am unusually pleased at the situation, at the competition as between counties and professional men, etc. I never made a public speech in my life, but I have been very much entertained by the paper from Clay county, and also the other address by the lady — wonder- fully elevated. But it occurs to me w^e are all members of the human family and possess very much the same nature. The 20 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. great principles of co-operation and competition I find among- the farmers, and these two great principles are at the bottom of all commercial and national trade, and everything of the kind. I am pleased to see the farmers raise the question as tu who really has the right of leadership. I must say, I am somewhat in sympathy with home talent. I torgot to say, I am from Buchanan county. I am a farmer ; al- ways have taken some interest in agricultural questions. I liave been interested in the fair business there for nearly a lifetime, and am yet. W'hile I have expressed the wish to be retired after being seventy-four years old, they haven't retired me. They are violating the rules of professorships, schools and col- leges, and I guess the churches and all. Pardon me, if I say something that is a little out of order, a little extreme; excuse it, because I am an old boy and should have been relieved long ago; but I haven't quit and they haven't discharged me— I want an honorable discharge. But I have been remarkably pleased over the feeling and com- petition between the leadership and the rank and file. I have the greatest of respect for professors. The}- can frequenth- reduce to a mathematical point questions that we can not full\ comprehend, as plain as twice 2 is 4, and generally a farmer can not make his problems that plain. I am always glad to get sug- gestions from the men that can make it mathematically plain. I turn my cattle on bluegrass and feed them a little grain, etc. Perhaps I would not be too honest to try to make it appear, when I sell them, that they are wholly corn-fed cattle. I plead guilty to these things. Selfishness is one of the laws of nature. It exists in Buchanan county. It is not strange at all that pro- fessors should be suspicious and raise important questions. Mr. Frankun: Our friend from Story county, if he will look around, he will see quite a number of farmers here: he is not alone in his ideas. I desire to take the ground of the hanpv medium, between the two extremes. We need the professors and the imported speaker, and we also need the home talent. One of the best institutes I ever attended in my life was at a place where an imported speaker had the ability to bring out the hidden talent of the farmers and caused them to ask questions. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 21 and by asking- questions (which didn't seem to puzzle him very much), the meeting became one of the most interesting- I ever attended. A good plan to conduct an institute is to get a certain num- ber of outside institute workers who have the facult}- of l>ring- ing- out the home talent, cause men to tell what they know. A great many farmers do not tell what they know; some tell a ^^•hole lot more than they know. /\ Member : I am a farmer. I brought two or three or four of my neighbors with me, and they have been punching my back to say something, so that we would be represented in this convention. When I started from home I went down with the intention, as I heard it rumored around, altogether different from what I find it here today. They told me, as I got it through certain papers, that it was a kind of a farmers' union orp-anization. Of course, thev mav call it farmers union or they may call it farmers of agriculture; I don't know. But it seems to me they are talking about raising corn and raising alfalfa in Kansas and other points, and do not come down to the fact \\'hich concerns very much the farming community. Xow, I may be entirely out of order in explaining myself, bu' it is with the intention I come to find out something inj-egard to disposing of our agricultural product. Now most anybody can raise something. Of course, we can raise it as well as these here professionals of some college, that has the State to back them ; they can experiment with one thing or another and they can get certain things to grow remarkably well. The gentleman from Kansas is going to talk alfalfa ; it didn't do at all with me. But as I said before, we can raise a whole lot, but what can we get for it ? A Member: This is a sort of a Methodist love feast to me. Brother Secor's suggestion is quite applicable. It is like the measles; it is contagious. Now, I have always doubted, at least for a few days I have doubted, the sanity of my wife. The other morning she said to me that the Lord Almighty, when he distributed that article called common sense, that I must have been liidden somewhere. 1 am also reminded (^f something Sen- 22 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ator Dolliver said to me the other day. Fie came to m\- house. I don't know that he would have come, (jnly that it suited his convenience. He owns a farm in our county and it suited his convenience to stay all night. In walking about the yard and talking about different things, he said to me, "Let me tell you one thing that I have observed in my study of men. There is not a man in New York City today, and I don't know but what he said in Washington, that was tall enough to l>e seen beyond the Mississippi, but what walked up from the plow furrow. I am proud of the farmers; I am proud of the farmers' boys and the farmers' girls. I believe this much, I do not know whether you all agree with me, that the sum total of human happiness stands upon a higher plane to me among the farmers L)f the United States of America, and more praticularly among the farmers of the greac commonwealth of Iowa, than any other class of people on God's green earth." It has been said to me, why don't you get off the farm — trying to make me believe I was out of my sphere — I am just exactly where I want to be. I am just exactly where God Al- mighty intended me to be. I was bom on a farm and I have no desire to leave it. But these two papers, the one by the lady, and brother Secor's, just touched every fibre in my heart ; it has been an uplifting to me. Last winter the president of our Humboldt County Institute 'phoned up to me and w^anted me to get up a program for the farmers institute. It was only the year before that w^e dis- cussed the necessity and possibilities of the value of the tele- phone — you know that was the inspiration — and before the next institute we had it all over the county. I want to tell you about the value of that telephone. Do you know, w^e had t^venty- seven different subjects upon our program and I 'phoned evtvy one of these to the men and ladies from my own home and as- signed them their subjects. If I had gone to them individually, I would have had to drive one hundred and fifty miles. The re- sult of it was, we had a splendid institute; a grand thing; an uplifting. I know young men and w^omen, farmers and their wives, who never stood up before an audience, but we worked them in, got them on the program, and we drew out the hidden. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 23 the latent talent. I have Ijeen surprised at the latent talent in my own community. Young boys that came to school to me there — I am proud of them and their ideas. I came down here, not to speak, but to get inspiration ; I have got it. I do not regret any sacrifice I have made in com- ing one hundred and thirty miles to get here. I want to go back home and carry some of the lessons that I have gathered here into our institute work. Mr. Forster: My observation has been that wise men will differ. I am up here as a student. . The Saturday prior to this last, in our horticultural meeting held in Albia, the papers there enthused the farmers so that they began tO' ask for a farmers institute, and they at once set to work to organize, or rather, I called a meeting. On last Saturday, the 5th, we organized by electing the proper officers and electing delegates to attend this meeting, and they wanted a report carried back. I am proud to say I have the honor of acting as their president, unworthy as I am ; but I am like the lx>ys ; I was their choice and I am here to act. I am heartily pleased with the paper the lady read, the secre- tary from Clay county. That, has done me a world of good, and if the Lord will help me to unfold it, I will try to reveal some of the secrets to our people. The paper read by Mr. Secor was of great value. I thank the audience for their attention. I cm heartily pleased. A Member: I am glad I was selected a delegate to report what I listened tO' and heard here today. The lady that s[X)ke in regard to the youths, the boys and girls, impressed me won- derfully — the improvement of the boys and girls is a wonderful thought that came to me in this building today. I have some of my children here under the insti*uction of the Commercial School and am remaining upon the farm for the help which I can give my children, as that lady has spoken to us, and also the sister who has read the paper on how to run an institute. I have been president of the Ringgold County Institute. We have two institutes annually. We have organized a township institute. Professors Holden and Wright give us wonderful 24 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. assistance. We are now preparing for our annual institute, to be held in January. I came up in order to secure my help. I would like to have tlie help of the sister that came here. It is wonderful to me; it has given me great inspiration. I believe in this institute work there is a great help to be given to the farmer. The farmer has pride and ambition in himself which has been neglected in the offspring from the home. We ought to meet together in our home; but we need the assistance from the outside world; from the mothers of our country, as we have here today, trying to bring the children to a higher stand- ard. We come to you today to ask your assistance. But the inspiration I got from the mother, and from the sister upon the platform, has inspired me with greater zeal to try and get my mothers and sisters to do more for their children. At II :45 the convention adjourned until i 130 p.m. AFTERNOOX Se:s?I0N. Convention called to order at i 130 p.m. The President : We have with us this afternoon the Hon. John Hamilton, Institute Specialist, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. After Mr. Hamilton's address, any ques- tion any gentleman wishes to ask him, he will be glad to answer. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you the Hon. John Hamilton. THE VALUE OF ORGANIZATION IN INSTITUTE WORK. Remarks by Mr. Hamilton. I suppose that I owe an apology to you for not being here this morn- ing at the time I was put down on the program. I started in good time from Washington City, and ought to have been here to have taken my place at 9 o'clock, but the breakdown of two engines caused me to miss connections at Chicago, and of course I failed to reach here in time. I regret this because I wished very much to hear the discussions upon the two subjects — "Should the Institute Law Be Changed" and "How To Con- duct a Successful Institute." 'These topics have been before you, and if what I shall say duplicates the things already mentioned, you will under- stand that it is because I was not here and do not know what was stated in the papers. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 25 The topic that has been assigned to me for discussion is "The Value of Organization in Institute Work." I understand that in your State the several counties have separate institute organizations; that the law fixes the constitution of these organizations and the method of their support: that there is no central authority to which these institutes are expected to report, or that has supervision over their work; that each county insti- tute is in fact an independent entity. I think that I am voicing your sentiments when I say that we are all in favor of organization. Certainly our whole social system is based tipon that principle. Our forefathers tried for awhile to get along without or- ganization or union. The colonies, you will remember, did not co-oper- ate until driven together by the war, of the Revolution. After the war they realized the absolute necessity of centralization so that when occasion demanded the whole power of the country could be concentrated in a single direction. Our State governments have similar constitution; a central authority, and then local organizations. Our coimties likewise are based upon the same principle; a central or county organization, and then the townships which take care of local affairs. We carry the same method into our church government. The churches are organized upon the conviction that the infltience of the societies will be much more powerful, and their benefit to the public be much more beneficial if there is some central controlling authority. In the light of our experience and practice in state, and church, and business management there would seem to be no good reason why our institutes should not be organized on the same basis. Why there should be. lack of united effort and cooperation by institute societies, and they continue independent of each other when in all other affairs in which we desire the greatest efficiency we unite, is incompre- hensible. Perhaps I can do no better in showing the value of central control than by giving yoti one or two examples of things that institute organiza- tion has accomplished. I have in mind one of the Eastern States that had an institute organization similar to yours. When the institutes started they were very much in the condition that they are now in your State. The various cotmty organizations held their institutes independent of each other. There was no central control. This condition of things lasted until about eight years rgo, when a Department of Agriculture was organized at the Capitol of the State, In organizing that Department it was provided that the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture should be the Director of the Farmers' Institutes. To him was committed the general oversight and control of the institute work, and at the same time he was required to co-operate with the county agri- culttiral societies and all similar county agricultural organizations in pre- paring programs, selecting speakers and fixing upon places where insti- tutes shall be held. Upon beginning the work under the new system there were several things that it was found possible to imderlj.ke that were impossible before, and it is to two of these that I desin to call your attention in 26 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. order to show how influential institutes such as you have in in is State can be if properly directed and under central control. Some of us were very much interested in the improvement of the rural schools in our State. We felt that the country schools were not much better than they had been forty or fifty years ago, whilst on the other hand the city and town schools had greatly improved. The towns had commodious buildings, excellent teachers, and all of the appliances nec- essary for giving children a good modern education. Out in the country it was the same old cross-road schoolhouse; one teacher; sometimes many scholars; in other instances, very few. The curriculum of studies was not materially changed from that of half a century ago. There prac- tically had been no improvement in that respect, although country life had wholly different problems to meet, and country children were envir- oned by altogether different social surroundings. The first thing we did to bring about a change of public sentiment on the subject of rural school improvement was to require that an evening session in every farmers' institute held in the State should be given up to the consideration of the education of the farmer and his children, so that in every one of the two or three hundred institutes that were held that year, that subject was discussed. The State was districted and institute lecturers were sent out by State authority into each district. With each one of these insti- tute forces there was at least one man who was especially qualified to give instruction along the line of the education of country children. We went to a great deal of trouble and some expense to advertise the meet- ings that were to be held for the improvement of the rural schools. We sent out circulars, programs, and personal letters to the school teachers, also packages containing small advertisements, to be given to the chil- dren, calling attention to the fact that the subject of the education of iniral people was to be taken up and discussed by prominent educators upon a given evening. The school children were invited; county super- intendents, the school directors, and all who were interested in education were asked to come. The result was that we would have meetings, packed with people interested in this subject, and perhaps there would be three or four front seats across the schoolhouse filled with little chil- dren, who had come to hear this diS'Cussion of their education. The lecturer would take some natural object, as for instance, a peach limb. He would tell the children how the buds were arranged; how the sap circulates; what the leaf is to do; how the starch is transferred; the dif- ference between the leaf buds, and the flower buds; how the fruit i^ formed, continuing hisi explanations for perhaps thirty or forty minutes. The lecturers were experts in the subjects that they presented; laiew how to make their story interesting, and there would not be a .sleepy eye in the entire audience, the smallest child thoroughly understanding and enjoying what these men. were teaching. The result was that after the lecture men would get up in the audience and say. "Why cant we have this kind of instruction in our public schools?" The campaign of education by means of the farmers' institutes was conducted for five years throughout Pennsylvania until the most of the people of the State had been reached. Country people began to see that FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR ROOK — PART I. 27 it was entirely feasible to teach to rural children subjects which had formerly been confined to college classes and the higher schools. We made a canvass of the State and found that in the rural schools the aver- age number of classes taught each day was twenty-seven, which gave an average of about twelve minutes to the class. Out of that had to be taken the time necessary to assign lessons, keep order, and assist schol- ars in their work, and it didn't leave morei than about nine minutes to each for class instruction. In the town and!, city schools where the teacher had an average of only eight or nine classes, the time devoted to each was anywhere from thirty to forty minutes. We showed to a demonstration that all talk about improving the rural schools by introducing nature study while such a system continued was wasted breath; that the system was defec- tive; that it was impossible to add anything to the curriculum of studies in the country schools unless there was first some change in this system. Then we began to talk about a remedy, the consolidation of the rural schools. This was kept up for six or seven years, until the people became thoroughly aroused and informed upon that subject. When this was accomplished we went into) the State legislature and asked for the enactment of a law that would permit the consolidation of the rural schools into a single township school, and provide for the conveying of the children from their homes to and from the central building. We made an investigation of the work done elsewhere in centralizing schools, and this was also preached over the State until the people saw that it too was practicable. So when the Consolidation Act came before the legis- lature there was comparatively little opposition to it, and now there is in that State a law that permits each township to have a single central con- solidated school, a school graded as in the city or town, to which every child may be hauled that is not within walking distance. I give this example because it shows that in the course of a very few years it is possible to unify public sentiment in the rural districts if there is some directing power to take the initiative. No great change in social or governmental affairs can be effected in this country until a majority of the voters are agreed. Just as soon as the voting community understands that the change is to their advantage, that soon, and no sooner, we get it. There was another matter of public interest that was taken up in that same State about the same time; the improvement of the public roads. We had, upon actual count, something like thirteen hundred dif- ferent road laws in that State. Some townships had one supervisor, and some had fourteen. There was no unity of system; the legislature had been trying to get together on the public road question for years. We made up our minds that the time had come to go out into the\ country and educate the people upon the road question. We prescribed that the afternoon sessions of every institute held in the State should take up the consideration of public roads. A campaign of about six years was conducted over that State until the people had threshed out this question and had come to a conclusion about it. There was no throttling of dis- cussion ; opportunity was given to every man to tell what he had to say. 28 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The effect was that the legislature last year, in the State of Pennsyl- vania, passed a satisfactory road law, appropriated six millions and a half for public roads, and established a Highway Department, the super- intendent being a member of the governor's cabinet. This was brought about through the education that was given the country people by the farmers' institutes. Here are two instances that have come under my personal observa- tion, showing the power of central control and of consolidated organiza- tion. This consolidation does not mean that the localities shall give up all of their power to this central authority. It simply means that we shall do in a degree that which we did when we, organized the govern- ment of the United States, or conferred sovereignty upon the State; we gave up merely a portion of our rights to these governmental powers for the sake of the better administration of our affairs. The States gave up a part of their rights to the general government for the protection it could thereby throw around them, and they retained so much of their individuality as was necessary to make their home government effective. Central control in instittite work gives power to the institute organi- zation to take up any great fundamental truth of general interest or im- portance, and bring it promptly and effectively to the attention of -the people of a State. This is a most valuable power to possess, whether it be exerted for schools, roads, or agricultural improvement in crops ani- mals, or methods of culture. There is another thing that central control accomplishes. It secures better institute teachers, and elevates the standard of work. The life of the farmers' institute is in the teaching. Your institute will not rise higher than the ability of your teachers. If you have third-rate teachers, you will have third-rate institutes; if you have high class teachers, you will have high class institutes. If the school in your locality has a first- class teacher, you will have a first-class school; its grade depends on the teacher. The organization of the institute under central control enables the State Directors to select competent men for institute service. The teachers that are to give instruction must be men of superior attainments. One of the most serious difficulties is to know where to get such men. Where there is a central authority the opportunity for becoming acquainted with men of ability and for securing their services is greatly increased, and you are able to bring into your work the very best instruct- ors that the coimtry contains. It enables them also to so organize the' work in the several districts that the lecturers can be used to the best advantage. The meetings can be arranged to come in consecutive order, and more committees have the advantage of the teaching of your most capable men. Men of the quality needed are very scarce. In order that their services may be utilized to the best advantage, it is necessary to have the work so distributed that they can go from point to point with the least amount of travel: whereas, in the go-as-you-please method, institutes frequently conflict with each other. There is no co-ordination and the result is that many institutes are left without competent teachers FOURTH ANNUAL YfZAR BOOK — PART I. 29 when a slight change in dates or places would have enaljled ail to be supplied. There is another thing that a central organization can do. It can select men specially/ qualified to discuss the questions that are of para- mount interest in the several localities. In our State we have a great variety of crops located by districts. We have the market gardening districts, the dairy districts, the grain-growing districts, and various other kinds of agricultural interests scattered through the State. An institute is held in the tohacco district, we send a tobacco expert there. We do not send that same) man into a dairy district, but select for this a man skilled in dairy matters, and in like manner to the others. One man can arrange for supplying all of these various interests far better than twenty. a necessary practice where the go-as-you-please method prevails. In Ontario by means of the centralized system they have changed the whole character of the swine industry in four years. The swine breeders became convinced that the bacon hog was the hog for Canada, because investigation showed that the English butcliers were willing to pay more for bacon than for lard. They took up the matter in the insti- tutes, and taught the members of the lecture force the kind of bacon that the English market preferred. They had hogs both of the bacon and lard types brought to the institutes, and diagrams of slaughtered ani- mals were prepared and exhibited until the farmers were thoroughly acquainted with what was required. Today the farmers of the entire province are sending bacon to England. Agriculture has within fifty years become a scientific calling. There was a time when anybody could farm; now it is entirely different. A man must know something of chemistry; something of the principles of plant life and growth; he must know about animals, their diseases and the qualities that go to make the animal valuable. It has become a scientific occupation. The reason some farmers are distressed today is because they do not understand their business. We know of a great many men leaving agriculture because they cannot make a living at it. I do not know as this is true out here where your land is fertile, but go into some of the Eastern States where lands have lost a large part of their original fertility, and it takes a capable man to farm. But the time is coming here, as elsewhere, when men will have to take care of the future, when the capital deposited in your great agricultural banks will begin to be exhausted. You, too, will get into the same condition as men are now in the East and South unless you avail yourselves of the informa- tion that science affords. Practical men are very valuable; we all agree upon that. But the practical men of the country are not the men who have brought about did not know about a balanced ration; we did not know about the silo, the progress in agriculture that we have today. During all the centuries we have had practical men; just as good as any of us, thoroughly capa- ble, and yet the great advance that has been made in agriculture has been within forty years, and we are indebted to science for most of what we have. We did not know about the Babcock test forty years ago; we we did know about commercial fertilizers in any very accurate way forty 30 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. years ago. I could go through a list of fifty important improvements that have come to us with the last twenty years, and for which science is responsible. Secretary Wilson went to Texas the other day and found there an insect that threatens the destruction of the cotton crop of the United States, and has asked for $500,000 to assist in its extermination. In Bos- ton a little insect escaped from a scientist's window into the forests, and now threatens the destiiiction of all forest growth. The Hession fly is all over this country. In a great many districts around here they used to grow wheat; you are not doing it now. We have constantly new prob lems confronting us that we must meet or abandon our calling. We can- not look to practical men for relief. Science must aid us. The fact is science is now planning to locate a man on a piece of groimd and keep him, and his successors, on it for the next thousaml years, and to make it possible at the end of that period for that land to be a little better than it is today and have been a perpetual source of profit and support to every generation that possessed it in spite of drouth, and flood, and insect enemies, and fungous diseases. This will require scientific work in agriculture. With you, where things are so favorable and where lands are new, and your wealth is just at hand, to be had for the taking, any one may still be able to farm, but the time has come over a great part of this country when it is a serious question to know what men shall do to secure profitable crops. The agricultural experiment stations, the agricultural colleges, and the National Department of Agriculture are all at work endeavoring to solve the agricultural problems that arise to vex the man behind the plow, and the institute will take the information which they secure and hand it out to the toilers in the fields who have neither the time, train- ing, or opportunity to study these questions for themselves. I believe the institutei is destined to be the great school of agricul- ture of this country. Last year over nine hundred thousand farming peo- ple attended their meetings. Over three thousand institutes were held throughout the United States. Institutes were held in all of the States and Territories of the United States, except six; three Territories and three States; and the three States have agreed that they will hold meet- ings this year. When that occurs there will be farmers' institutes in every State in the Union. They are as a rule organized upon the central control plan. A few States only have the admirable arrangement you have for local organization. The work has been taken up by the agricultural colleges and experi- ment stations, so that in twenty-one States the institutes are controlled and directed by these institutions. In a large number of others they are in the hands of boards of agriculture, or special institute boards, or under the direction of a commissioner of agriculture. Last year there were over nine hundred teachers engaged by the State Directors. In addition to the men who were selected by the local managers, the States had in their employ over nine hundred lecturers. In taking the names of one hundred of these lecturers from the top of the list, forty-three were found to be college men, fourteen had normal or high school training, and the FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 3l others, almost vvithoiii, exception, were men who had special opportunities for knowing about the particular things that they were sent to teach. You can see the great influence this corps of teachers is going to have on the agriculture of this country — nine hundred skilled instructors teaching in farmers' institutes, embracing over four thousand days, which would equal a course of study continuing for twenty-seven school years of one hundred and eighty days each. The institute is coming to be the great educational go-between, between the colleges and experi- ment stations on the one hand, and the practical farmer, who needs in- formation, on the other. The great teaching force that is to take tmths relating to agriculture as fast as they are discovered, and bring them out to every hamlet where men are engaged in farming, and show how they can be advantageously applied. For the institute to do this work most effectively it will be necessary for the system to be so organized that there may be united effort in every State and by all of the States, guided by intelligent direction, the entire force concentrating for the accomplishment of the results that the farm- ers' institutes were intended to secure, the dissemination of agricultural information to the people of the United States. A Member: Where are you going- to get these men, these teachers ? Mr. Hamii^tox : We have got to raise some of them. The method we pursued is this, and I beheve it is a good method. We \vent to our Agricultural College and Experiment Station and got some men there. Then we had our institute managers in the various counties make reports with regard to men they thought were specially well equipped in some line of agriculture. Then we have our institute lecturers look out for men that seem to have an ability to present things clearly and intelligently. Then the next year we took some of these man and put them on the State force, so that they would have a chance to develop. We send them around, give them an engagement of perhaps two weeks and watch them and see how they get along. You can not take a man, and if he breaks down one day, reject him on account of that; give him two weeks, and then, if he looks as though he had in him the making of an institute teacher, then keep him ; and so you add to your force year by year. A Mk^nibER: And you can't employ them only about three months in the year. Mr. Hamilton: That is true; it usually is about three months. 32 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. A MiKMBER : Don't you find a whole lot of scientihc fellows who' can not make connection with the farmer's mind ? Mr. Hamilton : Yes and no. I will tell you what has been done. There was the greatest opposition to the Agricultural College and Experiment Station in our State — that is about eight or nine years ago — the State board was opposed to it and all were opposed to it. I was made the first institute director in our State; and the secretary said to me: "You don't want to talk about the State College when you go out in institute work." I said: "That is just one of the things I am going to talk about all over this State; that is what I want to do." I went up to the college and I said to the president: "See here; I want an open card in this w^hole establishment, and whenever I want a man, you must send him to me ; T am in the hole : I haven't got enough men to do the work." He hesitated some: but they knew me ; I told him I w^ouldn't abuse the privilege. We went out into the institute work and I sent for the men. The first time I put in five and a half months' solid work in our State and got to knowing it pretty well. I would get up to an audience and say something like this : Xow, here we have got a great institution in the central part of the State, spending a whole lot of money. I want to know who has been benefited by it; you people hold up your hands. Then I said, there is something the matter, either you are wrong, or they are wrong, that is clear. Now, if you are wrong, you ought to get right, and if they are wrong, they are wrong in one of two ways ; either they are not doing the work they ought to be doing, or else they are not publishing it; if it is not right up there, let us make it right. Now, I says, I have brought one of those men down here; I am going to stand him up on this platform and I want you to take notice; I want you to listen, take notes and see what he knows. The man gets up and tells his story; he is telling an interesting story. I would say, hold on now^; we want to know if anybody Avho gets up like that, we want to see whether he knows anything outside of what he has been telling you. I will ask a question ; and pretty soon it was dis- covered that there was a man who knew a whole lot more than they did. They got. after a bit, to asking questions for infor- Trophy awarded at the Iowa State Fair of 1903 to C. H. Gardner, Blandinsville, II]., for " (Irand Beef Herd." FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 33 mation; they were g-etting information that was of value; and it \\ent on that way, until we put five men every year on every force; five forces of men from the State College and Experi- ment Station. What happened? Why, two years ago, thir- teen of the grange alliances met at the State College in conven- tion and agreed they w^ould go before the legislature and ask for a building for that institution for $100,000. It went into the committee of the house, but the chairman happened to be op- posed to the college, and so it didn't come out of the committee until very near the close of the session, when the House agreed they would bring it out for consideration. The committee got wind of it and reported it with a negative recommendation, in which event it took two thirds of a vote to pass, and they didn't have the vote. What did they say ? They said : you can pass no more legislation from this on. The University of Penn- sylvania came up for $50,000; they knocked it out. The result was they had to adjourn; and then they asked: What do you want? These gentlemen said: We want the State College bill ernor vetoed it, and then two years passed, when they went in put back and passed. It was put back and passed. The Gov- for $200.000 — we are going to dedicate one of them the eighth of January. These people got this appropriation by simply go- ing to the Agricultural College and Experiment Station and getting men to go out among the farming people to teach them what they knew. That is the right way. I believe, if these agricultural colleges and experiment stations become favorably known throughout their own State, they become serviceable to the people. The trouble is, we are putting out very valuable 1)ulletins to our farmers and they do not read them; they get tired of test work. What we are trying to do now, is to get men who do read them and go out and tell in a few words what is of service to you and me, and in that way we get it. Down at W^ashington in this great department, there are four thousand two hundred men in connection with it. Secre- tary Wilson is at the head of one of the greatest educational in- stitutions — he is one of the greatest men — he has done more for agriculture than any other man I know of that has ever been in our country. Last year over nine hundred publications went 3 34 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. out from that department, on agriculture; there were over forty- hxe thousand pages ; there were over eleven million separate doc- uments sent out. There were six and a half million of those that were specially prepared for the farmers. Hov^ many did you gentlemen get? A Member : I got a wagon load ; I never used them. Mr. Hamilton : The farmers institute has got to take the knov^ledge these publications contain by word of mouth to the men who need the information. This is the great mission of the institute teacher; to take the scientific knowledge and dis- tribute it among the men who need it. A Member : I would like to ask about what per cent of the farmers — where an institute is held — come to the institute? Mr. Hamilton : That depends on the size of the hall. If the hall is big, there will be five hundred or more; and it de- pends upon what a man has to say. Henry Wallace : Of course, I came in during the address and did not hear all of it. I am a little bit interested in this talk of the consolidation of institutes. That question came up fif- teen years ago wdien the filrst institute organization was held in Iowa. Secretary Wilson and I were there and we made a determined fight when this institute bill was passed to get a central system; we absolutely failed to do it. We agreed to wait and see how the thing w^ould w^ork out. Now, I have had a pretty large experience in the institutes of this State and in institutes of other states adjoining, except Missouri, and there are advantages on both sides. I find, when I go to Wisconsin or Minnesota, where they have this regular institute system that the farmers do not take the interest in it they do here in Iowa. They go there and open their mouths and have information pumped into them; they are like a calf you are trying to feed. But you trust the calf you are trying to feed and when that sucks, you have gc^t the difference bet\\ een the Iowa and other systems. They all have their own way in Iowa. Let me tell my friend, when he meets an Iowa institute, he will meet about as big a batch of men and as intelligent a bcd}- of men, and the man that can stand up before an institute, must FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 35 know his subject, or he wiU never Ije at that institute again. I would rather stand before anybody else than an audience of Iowa farmers talking about these things with which they are familiar. I am not satisfied with the present situation. We are gradu- ally getting around to group our institutes together, so as to save labor. There are ver}- few men in Iowa who are able to do institute work; that is a very serious problem. There are not very many men wdio are scientists who can make the proper connection wath the farmer's mind. I would like to see a central organization in this State; yet, at the same time, I do not want to give up this initiative in the different counties. There are counties in this State that can get up a splendid institute and not have a man there from the uutside. Now, since Professor Holden has stirred them up on the corn question, they all want him. One of the best institutes ever held was one I didn't go to; I telegraphed them I couldn't come. They had some of the very best papers there I ever read. I never knew a first class institute in my life that didn't have a woman there. If yon can get the girls there and the boys ; the men will come; we must get the two together. The President: The next subject on the program is en- titled, "Live Stock at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, in 1904," by Hon. F. D. Coburn, Chief of Live Stock Division of the Exposition. Before reading his paper, Mr. Coburn said : P'or reasons, which I perhaps mildly suggested this morning, I have had to have my piece written out. I will say, it is not near as formid- able as it looks. On the one hand, I am glad to be here; on the other hand, I feel guilty for breaking into this meeting at such an interesting time, or appearing perhaps to interrupt the reg- ular procedure and discussions. But I think your officers fully understand that I am not here on account of any solicitation of mv own. 36 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. LIVE STOCK AT THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION, ST. LOUIS, 1904. F. D. Goburn, Chief of Department of Live Stock. Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The Department of Live Stock of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition is just now beginning the tenth month since active work was commenced upon its official classification. Inasmuch as the live stock show will not last throughout the exposition period, but will open on August 22d land close November 5th, the Department was not organized until som'3 time after the work of the other exhibits had been well under way. Tjhis does not imply that the management had not given full considera- tion to the importance of the live stock industry, for quite the contrary is the fact. It is; not only that St. Louis is practically the geographical center of the great live stock producing area of the globe, or that in connection with the celebration of the acquiring of the Louisiana Purchase terri- tory especial importance must be attached to the development of the live stock industry in the United States, although these in themselves are excellent reasons for giving more than secondary recognition to animal husbandry; but outside of special claims the importance and magnitude of the industry in this and other countries make it just that live stock farming should receive consideration at the hands of the Universal Exposition of 1904 on a larger and in some respects newer basis than that accorded at any former international exposition. No stockman has reason to be disappointed with the action of ihe exposition authorities, for the allotments made for live stock are in many ways on a scale unknovvm at previous world's fairs. An independ- ent department has been created and more than a quarter of a million dollars set aside for cash prizes. With this substructure to build upon it can not be said that the World's Fair directorate have not offered opportunity to set new marks and new standards in the history of stock displays. It should be borne in mind that an exposition of universal character is the display in miniature of the useful activities of civilization. Na- tions from the four quarters of the earth are already preparing their headquarters on the World's Fair grounds. The Chinese buildings are distinctively Chinese, not American; Brazil's lofty structure was de- signed by a Brazilian architect; the landscape effects around the build- ings of Great Britain, France and Sweden are peculiarly the work of gardeners from those countries. The World's Fair is a cyclopedia at first hand, wherever possible. As nearly as may be the progress of the world and the manner in which progress is being made will be actually shown. The Fair of 1904 is to be a workshop rather than a library. This means, of course, that a great many varied interests must re- ceive attention. Two square miles afford large grounds and five million square feet of fioor space would lead one to believe that all who come will be cared for. Yet the problem resolved itself some time ago into FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 3 I the placing of only the best and most representative of its class rather than of getting the exhibit space filled. No one at this time can grasp the immensity of the undertaking at St. Louis; even those who are daily engaged in its building will hardly realize its magnitud-e until after the first months of the Exposition. The preparation period has advanced far enough to permit it to be said, without boasting, that in achievement as well as in size the Louisiana Purchase Exposition will far excel its greatest predecessor, the Ck)lumbian at Chicago. Not only in its size and in the expected results but as much in that which is not looked for, will the Universal Exposition of 1904 be notable and sur- passing. I have wandered off the ranch in this fashion because it is important to emphasize that the World's Fair makes a special call upon the friends of animal husbandry to show to the world what there is of good and of Improvement in that industry. By practically doubling the largest cash amount ever before offered for live stock prizes and in other ways mak- ing its recognition of live stock wholly unprecedented, the exposition management has set a responsibility upon us from which we may pro- duce results to be proclaimed to all the world. An opportunity so great and so far-reaching has not previously been presented to the stock breeders of any country. It is safe to say that not many who will see the World's Fair live stock show in 1904 will live to know its records as relegated or its standards replaced. "At St. Louis in 1904" is a phrase more epoch- marking than either you or I can at this time comprehend. The live stock show at the Philadelphia Centennial had the same ground area that is planned for the show at St Lotiis. thirty-five acres. Live stock figures that are now daily commonplaces were then scarcely dreamed of. yet we have lately had about us the first stirrings of a movement in the agricultural world more revolutionary, with more of permanent change, and more beneficial to the whole earth than any one has con- ceived of. You know there are what are sometimes termed phychologi- cal moments, which are not stipposed to occur with the monotony that characterizes one's household expenses. If it be proper to predict the striking of a psychological moment I may be permitted to record my belief that the live stock show of the Universal Exposition of 1904 comes at an opportune time. When the events conspire and the pro- gram of ample scope is made ready for them it must take some mishap to prevent an exhibition long to be remembered. The provision made by the management has permitted the offering of live stock awards aggregating, in the preliminary prize list alone, more than fifteen thousand in number. These are divided among six divisions, which will be shown at succeeding intervals, beginning with horses and closing with the poultry and pet stock. Each will be a great live stock exposition in itself. We are planning space for at least three thousand horses, and for the same number each of cattle, sheep .^oats, and swine, and for about ten thousand fowls and smaller animals, animals. 38 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The classification prepared has been gone over with great care in an effort to give to each breed or variety recognition in due proportion to its accepted usefulness to man. The plan has been consistently fol- lowed of giving the animals more widely recognized and of greatest utility a larger allotment than those which have not so generally proved their usefulness. In doing this rank has been accorded hased upon statistics as to numbers and values furnished by those most competent to speak concerning the breed under consideration. This is in some respects at variance with the customary practice, Dut I think is based upon sound reasoning. A live stock show of the magnitude of that to be held in St. Louis next year will be unworthy its opportunities if it fails to make some new standards and yield new precedents. When- ever occasion arises for a change of this sort the step is not taken until it is clearly evident that the new precedent or readjusted standard makes for the advancement of animal husbandry. In regard to the details of the classification I shall not weary you with any soporific statistics, but a brief review of some of the newer features in each division will doubtless have a value. Horses, asses and mules form the first of these six divisions. The mule, while last named, does not by any means possess an obscure classification. In the last decade and in previous years he has by his sturdy performance, whether in war or on a railroad contract, proved himself worthy of a luster about his head as well as at his heels. His patient usefulness has been recognized in the World's Pair classification in arrangement of awards tnat has received the full commendation of his best friends. T^e horse for business, war or pleasure has been been given greater attention than is commonly allotted him. The market class of horse has a place entirely equal to his usefulness. Roadster, harness, busi- ness and saddle geldings and mares; artillery, cavalry, coach, draft, express, fire department and omnibus horses and ponies in harness have special classes and liberal awards. This is not in any way at the expense of the breeding rings, in which the sum of $80,000 is appor- tioned. Tjwenty classes of cattle are given place, from Shorthorn to buffalo and catalo. The dairy test is retained and enlarged, ana in addition are features to demonstrate the merits of the cow in beef production as well as dairying. Sheep, goats and swine all have the usual prizes enlarged and new classes added. The Angora has made his way nearer to the front in late years and his larger station has been duly recog- nized. Fowls and the smaller animals will have opportunity to com- pete for upwards of seven thousand five hundred awards. The Depart- ment of Live Stock has in its province arrangement for the display of nearly all animals and fowls of domestic utility to man, but no matter how much money might be placed at our disposal it would be impossible to give entire satisfaction to each of the varied interests concerned. We have tried to be as exact as possible in making just provision accord- ing to the knowledge obtainable. Throughout the classification an especial attention has been paid to the skill of the breeder whose attention to the progress of animal hus- bandry makes possible the winnings of the exhibitor. The breeder. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 39 wheresoever located, through whose efforts the best animals in any- breeding class may be shown, will secure acknowledp;f^nient of this from the Exposition. Thus, in case the largest aggregate amount in the Percheron awards should go to animals bred by a Frenchman owning none of the horses on exhibition and perhaps not even in attendance at the World's Fair, he will receive an award in the form of the premier championship as a breeder of Percherons, proclaiming the recipient to be the winner of an honor above all others in his class. This is outside of all awards to exhibitors, for whom the premier championship as an exhibitor has also been provided. Particular care is being taken to provide for ihe selection of judges concerning the integrity and the justness of whose awards there may be no question or suspicion. All prizes in the Department of Live Stock will be awarded by individual judges or the "one-judge system," and the judge making the class awards will confer the championships for the same breed. All judging will be by comparison, and the awards made will stand. Selection of judges will in all instances be governed by their special qualifications and their intimate knowledge of the character- istics and qualities that make valuable the breed upon which they will give judgment. They will have definite instructions to bestow prizes only of such grade as merit fully justifies. Absence of competition will cause no exceptions to this. A feature that is novel at a World's Fair, although popular and well- established at the State fairs, will be the public sales to be held in con- nection with the Exposition live stock show. These will be conducted by the association representing the breed under sale, and during the period in which that breed is on exhibition. An encouraging number of applications for the holding of these sales has already been received. I have touched upon only a few of the features of interest about live stock at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, but if you are inter- ested in the details and have not received the preliminary prize list giving the classification and rules and regulations of the World's Fair live stock show, I shall be glad to send it to you if you will drop a line to me at St. Louis. Our friends, the farm press, have been kind enough to give considerable space to the plans for the show, and undoubtedly you have already learned from them much that I have suggested here. I have not said much about the World's Fair in a general way or of the innumerable exhibits in preparation for your delight and instruc- tion, because I notice that you are to have the pleasure of hearing Mr. Conaway at the Capitol tomorrow, and as he is one of your home folks I feel that this should be left for him. For fear that his modesty may cause him to overlook an important matter, perhaps I ought to say that it is generally agreed at the World's Fair grounds that Iowa has, as she deserves, a magnificent site and a building among the best of the many clustered on the Plateau of States. I do not need to say that the men by whose enterprise, patriotism and money the greatest of all Exix)sitions has been made possible, as does our nation at large, expect much of its best that is attractive and compelling- to come from imperial Iowa, and that her sons will achieve 40 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. at St. Louis victories no less brilliant than those they have already achieved in the fields of war, diplomacy and statesmanship. The President: The next subject will Ijc ''Alfalfa," by H. M. Cottrell, of Odebolt. ALFALFA IN IOWA. H. M. CottrelL OclehoU, loiva. Your speaker has spent twenty-one years in Kansas, nine years of the time with the Experiment Station, and had the opportunity to study the habits and requirements of alfalfa during all the time. He has spent the last eight months only in Iowa, and his recommendations in regard to alfalfa for Iowa must be taken as being based on observations during this short period, coupled with a long experience under other conditions of climate. The conditions demanded by alfalfa are a perfect seed bed. fertile soil and freedom from weeds at time of seeding and good drainage. It is probable that alfalfa will do best in Iowa on the naturally well drained fields, and when the land is sufficiently rolling to afford good drainage may be expected to do well under proper treatment. Alfalfa needs a good supply of lime and is short-lived in sandy soils. It is probable that alfalfa will do well on many level lands where tile drain- age has put the land in good shape. Alfalfa will not grow with wet feet, and the land must be well drained either naturally or artificially. On close soils alfalfa sometimes kills out in low places, and small de- pressions where water stands. Rolling, well-drained lands, such as are found in Sac and Ida counties, give every indication of being well adapted to alfalfa. CROPS TO R.A.ISE BEFORE SEEDIXG TO ALFALFA. With land that has been under cultivation for many years crops must be grown that will free the land from weeds and put it in good mechanical condition. Barley, oats and millet may be recommended for Iowa, followed by fall plowing thoroughly done. The best crop to raise on land before seeding to alfalfa is some legume like clover, Canada field peas, soy beans or cow peas. The legumes have the double value of putting the land in good mechanical condition and of adding nitrogen and vegetable matter to the soil in the form needed by the young alfalfa plants. Red clover is a good plant to grow before seeding to alfalfa on soils that have a subsoil which holds water and prevents good drainage. Red clover is much more vigorous than young alfalfa and will grow down, into bad subsoils under conditions that will kill young alfalfa. After the red clover has stood for two years and has penetrated the sub- soil to a good depth the ground can be prepared and seeded to alfalfa. The decaying clover roots will keep the subsoil open and well drained FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 41 and will furnish, nitrogen to the alfalfa plant until it reaches full vigor, when it will yield a much larger crop than clover and each pound of the alfalfa be worth considerably more than an equal amount of clover. In several cases known to the speaker red clover has been sown as a nurse crop with alfalfa with good success. I'KEPARATIOX OF THE SOIL. The ground for alfalfa should be thoroughly pulverized and deeply plowed, but it must be well settled before seeding and only the surface loose. Alfalfa will usually fail if seeded on freshly plowed ground. It is necessary to plow the ground before seeding; plow, as early as ^russible, harrow thoroughly, making a good seed bed, and then wait until a good rain has settled the soil before seeding. A careful farmer and a careless renter a few years ago put in alfalfa in adjoining fields in northeastern Kansas, where conditions are similar to those found in Iowa. The farmer plowed the land deeply 'and pulverized it until it was like a garden bed. He immediately sowed alfalfa, secured a thick stand, and in a few months the alfalfa entirely died out. The renter thought it would not pay to spend much time on another man's land. His field had been in corn the previous year. He broke the stalks with a pole, sowed ihe seel broadcast, and covered it lightly with a harrow. He secured a good stand that was permanent. Usually a good stand can not be secured with so little preparation, but a deep, mellow seed bed at seeding time generally in- sures a failure. The more thoroughly the seed bed is prepared the better, if it is allowed to settle before seeding. When fall plowing is practicable the surface should be fixed as for a garden in the spring just before seeding, but the stirring should not be done deeply. The seed bed is the most important factor in securing a -rand of alfalfa. PASTUEIXG ALFALFA. When alfalfa has become well introduced in Iowa it will be largely used for hog pasture. Where hogs are given a small feed of corn daily while on pasture, from five hundred to one thousand pounds of gain can be put on during the summer on the hogs for each acre pastured, in addition to the gain made by the corn. A suggestion in regard to pasturing may be in order. Alfalfa throws up stems from buds growing in a crown above ground. If this crown is eaten off the plant is either killed or greatly weakened. To pasture hogs on alfalfa and maintain a good stand, divide the field into two parts. Mow these parts alternate years and each year pasture the hogs on the part that was kept for hay the previous year. The stubs left in mowing will keep the hogs from eating the crowns too closely. EE-SEEDING. In Kansas we found it much easier to get a good stand of alfalfa on ground where alfalfa had previously been grown than on land that 42 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. had never been in alfalfa. In sections where alfalfa has not been previously grown it is frequently easy to secure a good stand. After a year or two it then begins to weaken and either makes a feeble growth or dies out in patches. In hard subsoils the roots of the first seeding have a hard time to w^ork their way down, and may not be able to penetrate to a depth of more than five or six feet, when they become exhausted. If. when, plants shov/s signs of this exhaustion, the ground is plowed and another crop sown the roots will decay, letting air into the subsoil, where it can break it up and make it more porous. Thor- oughly pulverizing the ground distributes the bacteria which are needed by the alfalfa roots. A year after breaking up the ground should be re-seeded to alfalfa. The plants from the second sowing wall find the ground prepared for them in the depth which the roots from the first seeding penetrated. By the time these plants have reached subsoil that has been untouched they will have reached an age and vigor that will enable them to fur ther extend their growth and to yield well. SEEDING. Seeding in Iowa should be done in the spring after the danger from hard frosts is over. On Brookmont Farm w^e seeded sixty-five acres April 24, 1903. and secured a good stand. Severe frosts will kill alfalfa if they occur just as the first tw^o leaves appear. We recommend twenty pounds of seed per acre. With every condi- tion favorable, experienced alfalfa-growers sometimes succeed in get- ting a good stand by using ten to fifteen pounds of seed per acre, bur this small quantity is not generally sufllcient. It pays to use enough seed to secure a good stand, as alfalfa, unlike clover, never thickens. and the number of plants per acre tends to continually decrease. The most even stand is secured by sowing with a broadcast seeder and harrowing lightly. Alfalfa should be sown alone. It does not want a nurse crop. Sometimes a good stand is secured when alfalfa is seeded with some other crop, but many times it fails entirely. Young alfalfa is a deli- cate plant and needs all the plant food and sunshine available and usu- ally when it has to share these with another crop it dies. T^JEATMENT AL'll.H SEK!)I^O. The young alfalfa is one of the weakest plants i,vown. It gr^wr, slowly, is a weak feeder, and is easily checked or killed by weeds and by unfavorable conditions of soil, weather or treatment. Mature alfalfa is a most vigorous plant. It grows down deeply in the soil, is a vigor- ous feeder, and lives and yields well under many unfavorable conditions. For this reason it will pay well to give the baby alfalfa plant good care ;and favorable surroundings for the first year of its life. Young alfalfa responds most vigorously to a top dressing of fifteen to thirty loads per acre of manure. This top-dressing is of special value when done after the ground is frozen in the fall after seeding, as it checks the alternate freezing and thawing that causes leafing, Young alfalfa must have a fertile soil. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 43 Alfalfa should be run over with a mower three or four times the first season to Iveep the weeds down. The mower should be set high, and the weeds mowed so often that when cut and allowed to remain on the ground they will not smother the alfalfa. Some good alfalfa growers mow the alfalfa three or four times the first season when there are no weeds, as they find that the pruning of the young plants makes them more vigoreus. TJie cut vegetation should be left on the ground to act as a mulch. If mowing has been delayed until the weed growth is heavy, it is often necessary to cut the weeds, rake and take them off the ground to prevent smothering of alfalfa. No stock of any kind should be allowed on alfalfa the first year of its growth. Cutting acts as a tonic to alfalfa. Whenever alfalfa does not thrive, cut it. This applies throughout the life of the plant, from the time it first becomes high enough to cut with a mower, and through all the years of its life. Whenever alfalfa begins to bloom, cut it, no matter how short, unless seed is desired. Alfalfa should be cut when not more than one tenth of the plants have come to bloom. Cut at the early stage, the yield of hay for the season will be much greater than if the alfalfa is cut near maturity, and every pound of hay secured will be worth more for feed. The late cutting of the first crop seems to injure the plant more than at any other time, and we have found it profitable to cut alfalfa the first time as soon as one tenth was in bloom, even though the weather was bad and we knew that the crop would spoil in curing. The increased yield from succeeding cuttings over that cut late much more than makes up for the loss of the first crop. Successful clover growers, the first time thej^ try alfalfa, often ruin the stand, so that it has to be plowed up, by waiting to cut until it reaches the stage at which clover is usually cut. It is going to be difficult to cure the first crop of alfalfa haj^ in Iowa. On Brookmont Farm we are going to save straw for the first crop and stack straw and alfalfa in alternate layers. With ordinary weather no difficulty will be experienced in stacking the second and third cutting. The President: This matter is now l>efore yon for disctis- sion. A Member: \A'ill alfalfa shed rain? Mr. Cottrell : It is not a g"ood material to shed rain. A Member: What kind of alfalfa will soil o-row that is orrav- elly and dry ? Mr. Cottrele : It will die out on gravelly and dry ground. A Member : In the southern portion of our State, along the tributary streams, draining into the Des Moines river, on land with clav soils, where we drill wells, sav one hundred and 44 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. twenty-five feet deep, although we get surface water at thirty feet, what kind of soil would that be? Mr. CottrEIvIvI That is first rate, if the subsoil does not hold the water too much. A Member: What about the alluvial land along the river? 'S[r. CottrEll : That would depend almost entirely on the river. Alfalfa will die if the water stands on it; it wnll kill it out. I think your alfalfa proposition in Iowa is wholly a matter of drainage. A MEMBER : In relation to seeds, is there any difference in varieties ? ^Ir. CottrEuu : Well, it is practically all alfalfa. Of course, some of these Asiatic kinds have been advertised. I think there is quite a point, as to where you people in low^a get your seed. In eastern Kansas they failed for a number of years, because they got seed from the southwest from the sandy land, where it has been irrigated. Now^ by accident a man got hold of some seed raised in western Kansas, where it was one hun- dred and eighty feet down to the water, and he got a perfect stand. The result was, in that section of the country, they have been having wonderful success the last five 3^ears. I would recommend for this section of the country that you get your seed from Nebraska, if 3^ou can; if not, I would go to the irri- gated regions of Utah. There is scarcely enough seed grown here in this country to supply the demand. It will be dif^cult to get seed this year. In an experience of twenty-one years, I do not know of a single case where the foreign seed has done well. A Member: What is the price of seed per acre? Mr. Cottreul: Ordinarily ten or tw^elve cents per pound: you want twenty pounds to the acre. A Member: Going into the northwestern portion of Ne- braska, along the Colorado line, where the irrigation ditches go dry in parts of the season, would a person have success there? Mr. Cottreli, : I do not know. There is no account of it. where there is no irrigation at all. A Member: The impurity of the seed is another thing; we o-et foxtail mixed in it. FOURTH ANNUM. YEAR ROOK — PART I. 45 Mr. CottrEUv : Buy of relial)le men. That is the greatest test to a man not famihar with it; the only thing- tu do is to Imy of a man he can depend npon. A MkmuKr: Did the Lord ever make that kind? The cc)n\-cnti()n here adjonrned until 8 o'clock p.m. EVENING SESSION. The PresidExNT : The evening session, according to the pro- gram, will hiQ devoted entirely to good roads. We are very fortunate in having with us a gentleman who will address you tonight on this subject. Good roads is something we all need. something we are all interested in. I have been identified VN-ith the movement for some little time in a small way. After the address you are free as ask any questions you may desire. The first speaker who will address you is the Hon. W. H. Moore oi* St. Louis, president of the National Good Roads Association. REMARKS BY MR. MOORE. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: — It certainly gives me pleasure to meet you here again as the agriculturists of this State. This is the third time I have been in Des Moines in the interest of good roads. In coming to your meeting today I had to travel over a thousand milevS; I have come from Texas; had a convention down there. I promised and wanted to be here. I notice some things here which I think I would correct. If I were you, I would extend an invitation to the farmers' wives. I was very much pleased this afternoon, listening to Mr. Henry Wallace, and to hear him say that we find the institutes the most successful where we find a large number of women. I would not confine myself simply to the wives, but I would invite the daughters and bo3''S. This afternoon, talking to the Governor, I remarked that you had not very many members here. No, he says, but most of our people are feeding Iowa people, and a large number of the people of Chicago and the nation. I want to compliment your agricultural papers in this State. Now. I have thirty-four agricultural papers that come to my desk every week, and with all the multitude of affairs— and we are not idle by any means — we have not yet got to the Philippines, but we have got as far us Hawaii— there are only forty-two agricultural papers published in the United States. In none of the states — and I said this at Cleveland, Ohio — do I find a more representative class of agricultural papers than I find in Iowa. I do not loiow where you gentlemen live, but you take these papers and allow your children and wives to read them. I take 46 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. them and send one to California to my sister, and one to Canada. If I miss them any week, they Will say, where are these papers? TJtiese subjects that are discussed here today; the question of organization which Mr. Hamilton spoke of; the matter of live stock interests at the World's Fair, by Mr. Coburn; all the matters these gentlemen have re- ferred to, you will be more or less touched on in these weekly papers. Now. gentlemen, you take these papers; they will be a Bible in your household; there are some Sunday school lessons in them that it will do you no harm to read. I also desire to state that I am watching closely what you are doing. I want to compliment your Governor, He delivered one of the best messages of all the governors, and we had governors of thirty states inviting people to consider this road question. I am sure he will be with you for the best interests of the State. I am also glad to see your commercial organizations taking such an interest in this matter. I am glad to see what Mr. Lyons has done, also Mr. Milo Ward — I am not going to forget him — because when we came here first, I know something of the work he done; and I want to congratulate Mr. Lyons on the work he is doing. He is doing it out of his own pocket, the same as I have done for fourteen years in these road matters. I have never come to the point where they gave me one dollar of salary and I do not suppose I ever will. Mr. Lyons is doing the work which enables you to get at the ideas you want to present to your legislature; he is perfecting an organization. This institute is called for what purpose? I must congratulate the gentleman who spoke here today; I was very much pleased. Without organization none of our institutions can be successful. You do not have a railroad corporation; you do not have a street car company; you haven't a bank, school or insurance business, but what are organized. When it comes to this subject we are speaking of. the subject of Good Roads, you have no organization in this State. There will probably be thirty or forty bills presented to your legis- lature soon to convene. Some of these bills will be good, and some of them not. Are you going to pass these thirty or forty bills? You can't do it. Then how will you obviate these thirty or forty bills? The only thing to do is to organize. The keynote of organization is the bringing of people of rural districts together, and to join in some feasible plan; then go to your legislature and say to them: Here are ninety-nine counties in Iowa; we banded together as an organized force, and we ask you to enact this bill. If you do that and come down to the next legislative session in January and February and adopt some bill, I believe you will enact it into law. I am going to state to you gentlemen what I think would be feasible and what would be the proper steps to take in the coming legislature. You passed a bill at the last session of the legislature. I know that some of you are opposed to that measure; I know a number of you are favorable to it. I understand there will be proposed a proposition to repeal that measure. I have given that matter close study and I have sent ten thousand copies of this circular over the State and to road FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK- PART I. 47 offifials and to the people, outlining and explaining the merits of that bill, what the measure meant. There were practically only two changes in the previous bill; one was that you pay your taxes in cash and that that tax goes into a separate fund which can be used as any other fund, only for road purposes; the other was doing away with your road super- visors. The road supervisors in these counties would naturally object to any plans that would remove them. I think a large number of the supervisors are good men; some of them are not. I want to say to you that we are spending nearly three millions of dollars in Missouri under the supervision of fifty-two road officials, and the system has been carried on for the last thirty, forty or fifty years, and it isn't giving us any good roads either. Therefore, I am in favor of the present law" that pays the tax in cash. You have noticed that in •a. large number of the counties the books are kept in a haphazard shape. You couldn't go into your counties previous to this law and find out where the funds went. No fund should be appropriated by the tax payers of this or any other State, unless you know where that fund goes and for what purpose it is used. Now. as to the bill that should be enacted by the coming legis- lature — I am speaking now from experience; going about these different States, investigating their laws, and having seen what they are doing in these different States. New York is spending nearly two millions a year; that is, the State itself is spending out of its own funds nearly two millions to aid the counties in that State in' road building. I want you gentlemen to understand it don't make one bit of difference to me whether you take the pro or con side of this bill; but I am just as anxious to see Iowa put on her statute books a progressive road law at this session as I am to see Pennsylvania appropriate six and one half millions f^r road purposes. I believe, gentlemen, we are on the right track when we ask you to pupport the State Aid Bill. It is a bill that provides that a certain fund out of the State treasury be divided among the several counties in proportion to their population or assessed valuation — it is assessed valuation in New York — providing the counties and neighborhoods shall put up an equal amount. What I mean is this: The State of New York appropriates two millions a year — we will say for uinety-nine counties — that will be divided in proportion to their population. The county making the first application is the first one served. Now, if you should allow the State Aid Bill to pass and do not make your appli- cation, you will not get any money. The county that did make the application would get the money, that is, pro rata to your county. But, if you make an application you must do this: the county in which that road is located must put up 25 per cent; the toworhip must put up 15 per cent, and the man abutting on the road pays the balance, 10 per cent. Now, what do we get? We have the State putting up one half. Who pays one half? Every man' that is taxed on the State of Iowa: every man that represents a corporation. Out of the State treasury you put up half. Now, the county which has the road and which it benefits mostly, puts up one third. The plan of the State putting up half, the counties 25 per cent, the township 15 and the man who owns 48 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the land abutting on this road puts up 10 per cent, gives you a good proposition. Now, gentlemen, that bill. I think, should be enacted by your next legislature. In order to make that law effective you should appoint some different power from what you have now. I don't mean your present county commissioners; I don't believe the county trustees would be the exact power to distribute these funds. I think you should do what New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut have done; create an Road Commission. I know some of you gentlemen will begin to scratch your heads and say, well, we have got so many new boards now; they are stealing everywhere; we don't want any new organization. Do you realize that today you are putting up $1,753,000 in that neighborhood, and you have no decent road to your house? Will you tell me why you object to a practical engineer that would be in touch with every single road? Will you tell me why you oppose a man who would be located at the Capitol to direct these roads and culverts sixteen feet and ten feet wide to be built, and to put down burnt clay? If you will do that you will have somebody you can hold responsible. So, if you enact the State Aid Law. you need a State Commission to disburse this money. I would favor three men, instead of one — one man in the western part of the State, the other in the eastern, and one at the Capitol, and let this man be a practical engineer who will furnish the plans and blue prints that you have today in building your bridges and culverts. Wouldn't it be better to furnish these plans for all the counties in the State? Without system you can never hope to have great success in your road affairs. The plan you want is organization, first; then agitation and education, and through education you come up to your legislature. I don't want to take very much of your time; it is not necessary. The law that you should pass should be the State Aid Law. I think you should not appropriate less than a quarter of a million as a starrer. If Pennsylvania can appropriate six and one half millions, I know the State of Iowa can start with a quarter of a million; I think some would favor five hundred thousand dollars. Get your machinery in good order before you increase too much. Gentlemen, there is another proposition I am going to present to you, and that is today we have a large number of men in Des Moines, *and in all the cities of the State, who are not working. You are feed- ing these men; the taxpayers are feeding them. You are subscribing to charities and a dozen things that are inviting these men into Des Moines and the larger cities. You are not pestered with this class of men as we are in cities like Chicago. I will say to you gentlemen we are arresting men, women, boys and girls in the United States which is costing somewhere about seven million of dollars a year, to arrest these people. Do you intend to allow the tramps and vagrants to start from Omaha and come along your railroad tracks and come into Des Moines and demand something of your wife, and if she does not give it, prob- ably knock her down, and in some cases set your houses on fire? I am giving you something that is going to appeal to you. this class of FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 49 vagrants and tramps that we are today having no law to regulate. Yon have no law to put them on the rock pile, but you can put them on the earth roads and you can run them out in gangs and you can force these men to assist in building these roads, or drive them out of the Stale. The tramps and convicts of the penitentiary should be used in the preparation of these roads. They have no right to come in contact witb free labor. We want a law that is rigid enough to take these fellows when they are standing around saloons and picking their teeth; that a policeman can walk up and say, how do you earn your living? and if he can not give a satisfactory explanation, let him assist in the con- struction of roads. I will say now that I think within five years most of the States will adopt some such law. Then we can take these pris- oners and move them out in stockades, ten, fifteen and even forty miles. You will be putting them on the public roads; in the cities you will be cleaning your sewers and streets, and paving them, if necessary. I will take one thousand of your men that are penitentiary fellows and you give me fifty guards; that is twenty men to a guard, and I will build you a mile of road, sixteen feet wide, eight inches deep; I will put on the gutters and ditches and will also put in drain pipe. "We will say we have three hundred and thirteen working days in a year. That means we will start in at Rock Island and we will build a road across the State. In the northern climate it will cost about thirty-five cents per head to feed and handle these fellows; it will cost about two dollars for guards. You take one thousand fellows at thirty-five cents, three hundred and fifty dollars a day, outside of your horses, mules and machinery, and you are getting a mile of road for it that will cost you two thousand dollars, or more, under the present system. I am looking at this from a business standpoint, not from a sympa- thetical standpoint. It is a business proposition; we have got to meet it. We have got to furnish work for these people, and we want to build permanently, I understand your conditions. While I know you haven't stone or gravel in many counties, I know you have clay. I know you can bum* that clay and put it down. First grade up your roads. You can grade up your roads for three hundred and fifty to seven hundred dollars a mile. You can put in tile from two to four inches in diameter in all the bad spots in Iowa at seven hundred dollars. If you haven't got stone or gravel, you can turn clay, roll it up and put on your clay, and in five years you can have hundreds of miles of the best roads you have ever seen. After you do that you can put on one hundred and fifty barrels of oil per mile, and after a second application you will have the best roads you ever had; it will shed rain. We tried it over at Keokuk. On the 30th of March, this year, I was at Santa Barbara. It so happened that Mr, Rockefeller was there, and I got to talking to him. I asked him whether he remembered the oil he gave us. After thinking the matter over a while, he says, yes, I do remember sending that oil. I said, Mr. Rockefeller, it was by you sending us those two barrels of oil that started the railroads to sprinkling their roads with oil. These one hundred and fifty barrels will not cost you over two hundred and fifty to three hundred dollars per mile. So if you have not stone or 4 50 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. gravel, you can advocate burnt clay and put that on top and sprinkle with oil. I want to speak of one other feature. Why is it that our railroads are spending millions of dollars annually to shorten their lines? They are doing it for the purpose of controlling trade. I want to say to you, gentlemen, that in my judgment it will not be long until the territory between here and Burlington and between here and Council Bluffs will be suburban property. We are not going to have such large farms, because the increase in population will demand tnat they should be smaller. The price will be of such a character that you will let loose of your own land. I have been interested in the proposition that is going to bring those changes about — the electric appliances on our elec- tric lines. I see the New York Central Railroad has adopted for fifty miles around New^ York electrical appliances of four thousand five hun- dred horse-power on cars. The force of such a car will draw a five- liundred-ton train sixty miles an hour. I want to say another thing — you may think I am visionary — within a reasonable time all of your great railroads will be operated by elec- tricity. Within five or ten years you will not see a fire engine going through the streets; there will be applicances placed in each block M'hich can be put in operation by the tap of the hand. I have only given these illustrations to show you what is com- ing as soon as you get electric lines established. It will not be unusual at all for your electric lines in and contiguous to Des Moines to go at the rate of one hundred and fifty miles an hour. People are not going to live in cities then; they will have their homes out of the city on two or three acres of ground. Now, I have tried to present two or three propositions — I don't know how many — ^to you gentlemen. I hope you will go to your homes and that you will come down to your legislature and bear on them for a State Aid Plan in road building. Governor Packard: What is the cost of making- a clay road ? Mfe. Moore : From three hundred and fifty to five hundred dollars a mile for the clay burnt. I want to say again, that I congratulate ]\Ir. Hamilton. I was very much and deeply in- terested in that speech he made. I want to give Mr. Ham- ilton the credit for passing the Pennsylvania road law ; for get- ting the six and a half million dollars. He stuck to the conven- tions year in and year out, and that, more than any other in- fluence combined was the cause of the passage of that law. Do not pass this over. There is too much attached to it; two much education; too much of everything that pertains to the welfare of vour State. Do not find fault because vou do not FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 51 happen to get the road down in your county. You do not have the Capitol down in your county, but you contributed to it. You do not have an asykim in your county, but you con- tributed to it. It is just the same with the roads; be a little iiexible. The State Aid Law is the proper law for you to enact at the coming- legislature; create a State of Iowa commission, and you will be on the progressive road to improvement. ]\Ir. Nichols : The gentleman spoke about John D. Rocke- feller contributing these tanks of oil. I don't know whether he pays any road tax in Iowa or not. He passes our house — or his man does — at all seasons of the 3^ear and he hauls about six thousand five hundred pounds on a common wagon. He does more than all the farmers put together to cut up our roads. I believe it is time for him to contribute something towards the improvement of our roads. I do not know how much he pays. I hate to see that oil tank come around. He used to have a wooden tank, but he wasn't satisfied wiith that, there was too much leakage, and now he has got the steel tanks. I don't know whether we get enough out of Rockefeller, or not. I just called attention to this to malce you people think of the wide-tire wagon. Mr. MoorE : I am extremely glad to have you bring up that question. I have used that argument a thousand times. If you pass a State Aid Law, then, for whatever interest Rockefeller has in the North- Western railway, he will assist you in paying for these roads. A Membkr : I would like to ask if three hundred dollars would make the foundation for such a road? Mr. MoorE: I am surprised that you gentlemen do not first grade up your roads. \A'hy don't you do it? It will not cost you from three hundred to five hundred dollars to first grade up your roads; from three hundred dollars to five hundred dol- lars a mile. Then it will cost yOu from three hundred and fifty dollars to five hundred dollars to burn the clay. To put on that clay, it will cost you from one thousand dollars to twelve hun- dred dollars. All you have to do is to burn that clay, put it on and roll it. 52 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. Mr. Wallace: AMU any kind of clay do for that purpose? Mr. MboRE: If you have a clay that will make a good vitri- fied brick, you have got a tremendously hard substance; what we are trying to do, Mr. \\^allace, is to teach the use of what we have in our own neighborhood. A Member: We have heard gumbo recommended. Mr. MoorE : I saw^ an article this week about hard pan ; you have got a great deal of it in this State; that makes the best material in the world, if you burn it and roll it. A Member: W^hat is the reason you have for believing that the roads wdiich you speak of, that we can not obtain them un- der our present road law, w^hich is not in full operation yet? Mr. MoorE: The last law, I think, is working very Avell. This law is not in full effect yet. Now, give it a fair trial ; do not go to work and cut it down. You only started in 1903; do not displace it until 3'ou give it a fair test. A Member : I would like to ask what we are going to make good roads of where our soil won't burn, like in southwestern Iowa ? Mr. MoorE : You will find these conditions. I lind in south- western Iowa you never grade your roads; you haven't done it. \11 along down the line you have not a drain tile in the road. How do you expect to get rid of the water. They are as flat as a pancake in most places. I want to say to- you gentlemen, a call is being sent out for the next national convention to be held in St. Louis in 1904. It will be held May i6th to 21st. The 19th of May, on Thurs- day, will be Good Roads day. There will be demonstrations had there of the different machinery; we are going to build roads there on the Exposition grounds and show you gentlemen how these roads are built. We are bringing people, not only from the United States, but from all the civilized nations in the world. All the great engineers in the world will be there. Will you go along in your own sweet way and tell the legislator how much \"0u love him and let these things go by default? Remember, it costs lots of time and trouble to bring about a FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 53 great educational feat like this. We are proud that the Louis- iana Purchase Exposition has assisted us to that extent. A Member : We disagree somewhat as to where to put the tiling, as to whether it should go to the side or the center of the road. Mr. MoorE : You wouldn'it place a drain tile under your gravel road; it will go on the sides, just where the gravel comes to the earth, you want your drain tile. In the earth road you place your tile in the center of the road. Mr. AWvllace : Suppose you have your tile through the center and that road is traveled until the horse tracks would stand full of water, what good would that do? yiR. ]\IooRE : It won't do any good. If you round up your hardpan clay on both sides to the ditches, you will find that you won't be troubled about the horses going down, .because that road will be dry ten months in the year. Mr. \A^\li.acE: Don't you think if we had our roads drained thoroughly and graded up, we would get along pretty well? Mr. Moore : If you will do that you are putting one hundred and fifty million of dollars in your State in good roads ; I will say, you will get along very well. That, gentlemen, is the first step. If you will just take our common earth roads and grade them up and drain them, it will throw this State hundreds of millions in advance. Grade up your roads first ; you can't do anything else until you do that. I would like to say one thing more. I believe you ought to put walks along the fences. I don't think the children going to school today have a fair show. If you would put your walk along the fence, and then your ditch between that and the road, see w^hat you would do for your children and wives. I think later, there will be shade trees planted. Why don't you or- ganize and do' it? I know it is getting late and I w^ill make way for the gentle- man who is to speak next. Gentlemen, I thank you for your at- tention and interest. 54 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The President: We have a gentleman here tonight, Mr. D. B. Lyons, president of the Commercial Exchange of Des Moines, and secretary of the Iowa Good Roads Association, who has done more for good roads than any other man in the State, and will now address you on the subject. REMARKS BY MR. LYONS. I deem it a great pleasure to have even one lady present at this meeting tonight, and I fully agree with what other speakers have said about having the ladies and young men in attendance at these meetings; the ladies, because they have such an influence upon the home and the voters, the boys, because they finally have to help pay the bill for build- ing these roads. An Iowa Good Roads Association was organized here last April. I see before me several faces of those who have been in other meetings and who are today members of this association. Your chairman here tonight, Mr. Morrow, is one of the vice presidents of the congressional districts. But I imagine that very few of you really know what has been going on in this good roads movement in Iowa, because you have not had a chance to know, unless you have been in one of the counties where our conventions have been held. I want to assure you there is a good deal going on, and I anticipate and predict with entire confidence that it is only a matter of comparatively short time until a perfect tidal wave will cover the entire State of Iowa on this subject, and that it will result in legislation that is similar to that which is now being- enjoyed in other states. Our friend, Moore, has been in the harness for so long, has seen so much, and dreamed so much about it, until he has the idea of good roads permanently fastened in his mind. I want to tell him that Iowa people have not yet gotten directly to the point. We are not yet quite ready, until we know more about it, to vote for the kind of a bill that he pro- poses; but I anticipate that we may be ready sooner than some of you think, because we are learning more about it every day. I want to challenge anybody here in this house, or in the State of Iowa, to prove that he knows less about the subject of good roads than I did six months ago; and I do not know much yet, but I have found out that you can, by investigating and reading and by hearing other people tell you things and by observing the experience of other people on the subject, you can become pretty well posted. While America properly boasts of her supremacy in arts, sciences and educational institutions, she must admit with shame that she is many centuries behind European countries in the important matter of improved public highways. Probably the chief reason for this lies in the fact that during the past eighty years, during which our chief growth has occurred, the FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 55 time and energy and money of our people has been largely concentrated on railroad building. Now that railroads have been builded into* almost every nook and corner of our land, the pendulum has begun to swing back and the long neglected country road is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. No single statement can more clearly illustrate how well deserved is this attention than that 95 per cent of all the freight carried by railroads and steamships is first carted over a primary road. It has been a great mystery to me that our Yankee and American business intellect has not taken a lesson from the builders of railroads and applied it to our dirt road improvement. Pray, what is a railroad but a road over which to haul something? So is the country road. What steps do builders of railways take in going about the work of construction? First, they provide for ample cash — two millions, ten or twenty millions of dollars. Then the most competent engineers and most re- sponsible contractors are secured, and everything is systematized, with a view to perfect, enduring and uniform construction. Why should not the improvement of our principal highways be con- ducted along similar lines? They will be when the people awaken to the truth, and especially when they learn that the tax they are paying for bad roads is ten times more than they would need to pay to build good ones. It is a positive fact that a load of 6,270 pounds can be hauled by- one horse on a macadem road. That it requires two horses to draw the same load on the best gravel road, and five horses on the best dirt road. I insist, therefore, that the man who is using five horses to draw what only one might haul, is contributing the value and use of four horses, constantly, for the privilege of having bad roads. This is his bad roads tax. Whenever, as often happens, a farmer is compelled to accept ten per cent less for a product while roads are passable, than he could have secured during a muddy season, if only he could have delivered the product to market, he is paying 10 per cent of the value of that product as an outright tax on bad roads. The merchant suffers proportionately, as the farmer buys less goods ^nd less of luxuries when he is receiving less for his products. In short, good roads are an absolute commercial and social necessity to every citizen and should be paid for by everybody. The New York law has proven exceedingly popular and is a demon- strated solution of the good roads problem for Iowa. Property abutting on a permanently improved highway is specially benefited by increase in value. Townships and counties are benefited directly, in contrast with those where no such highways exist. Iowa is ready to act. She is rich enough to proceed without wait- ing for Government aid. It may be many years; it may be never that Uncle Sam will help us. Let us, then, help ourselves. Let the State pay 50 per cent, the county 25, the township 15, and the owners of 56 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. abutting property 10 per cent of the cost of the permanent highway. Let the burden be distributed over a long period — ^thirty, forty or tirty years. To secure this end, legislation is our only recourse. About twenty-five counties have so far been organized. Our State Association is pushing the further organization as fast as possible. Already we are a, power, and should be doubly .strong before the next general assembly meets. Let every one of us return to our homes determined to co-operate in this grand work of organization, and good roads for Iowa will be an accomplished fact sooner than most of us have dared to hope. A ]\Iember : Is it not a fact that the principal difference in this new road movement, as compared with the old proposition, lies in the fact of contribution; that everybody should con- tribute, or that the Government should aid? Mr. Lyons : Yes. I think you may look up history all you please, and you will find that no nation anywhere under the sun, and no State, has ever builded the kind of highways we are talking- about, except through the aid of public funds. It would bankrupt you, gentlemen, to build these roads in front of your houses. We do that in the city, but we have only fifty or one hundred feet to pay for. The fact is, these roads contribute not only to your personal benefit, but if the citizens of Des Moines today, and if the mem- bers of the Commercial Exchange of this city, could only realize what it means to the commercial interests of this State, this hall would not have held the business men of Des Moines who would have been out here tonight. I have personally attended county con^'entions in about twenty- iive counties of the State of Iowa. Wq have enrolled about one thousand members since April in this organization, and, of course, the work has been done largely by m}'self. Senator Har- per, our president, has a large force and is doing a good work. The President : We will now listen to an address by Sen- ator J. T. Brooks, of Keokuk county. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 57 ADDRESS BY SENATOR BROOKS. When I consented to give up my place on the program to President Lyons, I had no doubt as to the wisdom of my doing so, and before I have been on the floor very many minutes you will be equally sure thai I have done a wise thing. The fact is, I think the best part of my speech was my consenting not to make it. However, if you are willing to stay a few minutes, I will simply talk a little on the good roads •question; a question that comes closer to the farmers of Iowa than any other class of men. Primarily, they are the people who are interested mostly in the public roads and wagon roads of this country. A great deal is being said in these days to attract public atten- tion to the condition of our roads, and nothing that I have heard said, or I know nothing that has been said from the rostrum tonight in 3ny judgment, which overstates the tremendous losses our country sustains T>ecause of inadequate roads. I prefer to come close down to the thing itself in the few moments allotted me, and I have no quarrel with those who advocate National and State aid. That thing may be all right; I simply don't know about it. Then the question is a large one for me. I find in these large aggregations of men, I do not seem to count for much. I find, in some way, that I am a larger proportion of one hun- dred men than one hundred thousand. I have the same feeling whon I approach these figures in regard to the cost of making good roads. It may be true that here in Iowa we can spend one thousand, two thous- and, or even five thousand dollars per mile in macadamizing our roads; it seems a very large sum of money. I am not prepared to dispute the wisdom of the matter; I simplj^ know nothing about it. With us, here in Iowa, of course, it is a very serious problem, be- cause of the absence of road-making material. The combination of ele- ments that have made us the first agricultural State of the Union, has also combined to leave us practically destitute of roacVmaking ma- terial: gravel pits are not with us to any appreciable extent. It has seemed to me that in our present condition the expense necessary to be incurred we are unable to meet. I may be mistaken, but it has seemed to me and does now. that here in Iowa we are fortunately not dependent on these high-priced roads. I do not remember of having examined a public highway, however ex- pensively built, that for general purposes was superior to the ordinary road. I am not unmindful of the figures President Lyons quotes us; what one horse can haul, and, my friends, we are not in the condition. I apprehend, of the people who haul these large dray-loads over our city ■streets, or over the suburbs of our European cities. We have wider stretches; we come with lighter rigs and with more speed and more pleasure than it is possible to get over these harsh, unyielding surfaces. For me it is a matter of regret to ride over these paved streets in Des Moines, and it is certainly not a pleasant thing for our country folks to ride and drive over them. 58 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. What is it that spoils our roads in Iowa? It is the excess of water that gives us our bad roads. While I have no quarrel with my friends- who are advocating these macadamized roads, it is perhaps right and for the best that we keep in our minds an ideal system, such as they advocate with such enthusiasm; I admire them for doing it. I hav& thought that we can provide some means or some way of getting the surplus water out of the soil, out of our highways; getting the surface properly rounded; getting our ditche? properly opened, to dispose of the excess water, I think we will have a magnificent road system for the present needs of the population. Perhaps time — and it may not be a great time — I am pleased to believe that President Moore is something^ of a prophet — that we may have all these things in twenty-five years, and that Burlington, Hedrick, Oskaloosa may become suburbs of Des Moines; but in the meantime, while we are waiting for that, I think the proper thing for us to do, is what we can, and I believe the main thing before us is to properly drain our roads. Let me give you a few instunces: One mile north of Hedi'ick, my home town, where the iiighwny makes a descent south of Sugar creek,, the road follows down into a ravine. For years that ravine, during wet seasons, in the early spring time, was almost impassable. During e\^ery rain: eYery time the frost went out of the grcamd, it v.'aH a mud Iiole. After a long time and after much persuasiop, we inducec the T-oad supervisor to try and tile it. He leveled up the surface and placed four- inch tile up close to the wheel tracks. That road, one of the worst pieces of road we had in that whole neighborhood, became one of the- very best in that neighborhood. It is today, and has been for almost fifteen years, an ideal wheel track; it became hard and compact; the lain or frost seems to have but little effect on it. About three miles east of Hedrick, Rural Route No. 2, there is a stretch of road on this route which was practically abandoned last spring; it was almost impossible for any one to drive along that road. The trustees^ finally came to the rescue. Tile was placed along the side of the road, and in just two days after that tile was placed there the rural carrier and other people were back on the highway, and the trouble ended. My experience and what I am talking about, refers to southeastern Iowa, where the blanket of the glacial clay is deeper, and the streams have eaten deeper channels. With us the road problem is much more difiicult than where there is a large amount of sand. In that section of the State are developed what we call spouty places. These places be- came so bad that something had to be done or trafiic be suspended. I do not know of a single instance where tiling was tried without the most satisfactory results. It is well understood that a tiled field may be in excellent condition to work, while the same field untiled may be abso- lutely miry. I know" of a field west of Hedrick, one third of which was tiled from the east end. A team could pass along the com rows towards the west, but as soon as the west two thirds was reached, there was simply an oozing frog mire, over which a loose horse could only pass by a plunging effort. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I. 59 Now, I am sorry to say that I am not able to give you the- best detailed method of placing those tile; but, I think, any one who has had a little experience in tiling fields can not make any very serious mistake. In the first place, I would place along the road a single line on one side, and if time developed that more was needed, I would place another on the other side. Now, I do not care whether the water sinks to the tile from the surfacei or not; it is the water that is below you want to take care of; not the surface water. Your road boss should keep the surface smooth, sufficiently smooth from time to time, so that this surplus water would be shedded through the ditches. It is this surplus water on a cut up road that makes it bad. I do not say that tile will not take the water out better in some places than in others, but you get the tile well laid, with sufficient fall, and then if one will not do it, put in two, and if two will not do it, put in three, and then, my friends, you will not have the batch of figures given us from the stage tonight, as to the cost of the highways. Mind you, I do not want to disparage the work these men have done,, nor the figures they have given; they have more experience; I am talk- ing as a novice. But it matters not whether you are to do macadamiz- ing or what^ you are to do by way of further improvement, there is no question in my mind but what this under-drainage is the best part of the improvement. We can do this draining, and it will not only benefit the road, but it will benefit the fields. Now, I will hasten away from this branch of the subject to spend a few moments on another, concerning which I feel a very deep interest at this time, because here in Towa the question as to how we shall do it is even a more serious question than what you shall do. The Thirtieth General Assembly will meet now in a few days. There is a great deal of serious talk over the State, looking to the repeal of the new road law. Now, my friends, I want you to think what that means to us. If the new road law is inadequate, and you have something better to put in its place,, by all means repeal it and put it in its place; but, in the name of all that is progressive, all that is desirable in the State ot Iowa, do not repeal that law until you have something better to put in its place. Any law, if it is carefully considered by your legislature, is entitled to a fair trial. Let us look at it a moment. In the first place, any law that touches the people directly, as a general road law does, can not be expected to work smoothly from the start. Again, our trustees and road bosses of Iowa were almost wholly inexperienced and without information gener- ally as to its application, until they came right up to the time the work had to be begun. The job was a new one and had not time to attract eflacient and good men for overseers or directors. Again, this has been one of the most difficult seasons in the history of the country to get good men in any and all lines of work. Again, we had just passed through a series of dry years and almost all of the small culverts had gone out. and because of the dry seasons there was no need to replace them. The excessive rains in the past season required this work to be 60 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. renewed, almost in one job lot, it was an unusually bad -season for roads in the State of Iowa, and for work upon them. Yet, under all these adverse circumstances, the law has not proven a failure, so far as I can ascertain. I know there were some townships in the State of Iowa where an adverse judgment was passed on that law in advance; in these town- ships the people tried to establish the fact that their judgment was right. Of course there was great dissatisfaction in these localities, but it was not with the new law, because the new law was not put in force. I know of no township, and I have taken some pains to investigate, where the trustees took hold of the execution of this law in good faith and really tried to get the best there was in it, and where they were fortunate enough to get a reasonable overseer, but what the law gave reasonable satisfaction. So I say that I believe there will be an effort in the legislature to repeal it. I feel very anxious about the matter, because, to turn back now, to take up the old system that proved its inefficiency during forty or fifty years, and admittedly so by the people generally over the entire State of Iowa, to turn back to that now would certainly be an unwise thing. I can not believe that the farmers of Iowa — sober, steady-going, well- meaning, intelligent farmers of Iowa — desire to repeal this law and turn back to the old one. Let us be sure we are getting something better before we repeal the present law. I think we should take hold of this matter, and when we have once put the machinery in operation and get it to working smoothly with ref- erence to the improvement of our roads, the question with reference to National and State aid can come wisely. There are many things in its favor; the fact that taxation would become general, and the fact that it is spread over a wider amount of property is in its favor. I feel, from my standpoint, that we must wake up over the problem of good roads; we must get in harmony with the workings of it; we must get the machinery to working at home, and then, perhaps, these other things can come. This good roads edifice, I believe, should have its foundation at the bottom and build upwards. Governor Packard : We might get some expression with reference to the repeaHng of this law. It is a matter of consid- erable interest, and I apprehend the objection to the present law is from those who prefer the old system. That is going to be a dangerous proposition. If we go back to the old system, we will be going to step backwards ; if we stick to the present system, we are going to do something in advance. A Member : I have had some experience in the way of over- hearing trustees, clerks and road bosses talk. Of course, this year, I think it was because they had tO' collect the tax and then FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 61 work the road. But, after this year, the money is going to be collected by the treasurer; they know they can get the money and go aliead and do the work. As has been stated liefore, this has been the trouble. The law came into operation so late, and the men not acquainted with the law — they didn't get at it, and it being an exceedingly bad }ear, one man couldn't go over the township. That was the wa\' with ]\Iadison county. We needed a good many bridges that were washed out. In some of our townships w^e had four or five men appointed. I believe we should stay by the new system; 1 believe it will work all right. Governor Packard: Is there any objection to the system of paying cash? A Member: There is some objection; but I think that will soon pass away. After this, they will pay it all in a lump and will not know how much of it is for road purposes. A Member : I wish to say one thing in regard to this matter. For four years now% in Page county, w^e have been letting the road work out. There was a great deal of objection at first, and at last the trustees put it to a vote a year ago and the oppo- sition w^as ^•oted down by a vote of three hundred and thirty- three to- fourteen. Where it is tried and given a fair trial I think it will give far better results and the people are becoming ' better satisfied. Mr. Trigg : In order to put the matter suggested by Gov- ernor Packard in shape, I offer this motion: "That it is the sense of this convention that the present road law be not re- pealed until it has been given a full and fair trial; that is, not changed at all, unless it be simply amended. The motion was duly seconded. Mr. KleinEEIvTER : I would like to ask one question. Does the new law place the burden of taxation for public highways upon the farmers adjacent to the roads, that is, the burden of building the roads upon the local people, or does it dis- tribute it among other people who use the roads, and who really use the roads more than the farmer does ? In other words, does the new law leave the burden upon the farmer along whose land 62 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the road is built, or does it distribute the expense of it among all the people in different lines of business-? The President: As I understand the matter, everybody pays. Senator Brooks : This question, covered by the motion of Mr. Trigg, is whether you prefer the present system to the old one, that is, whether this law shall be tried or repealed; whether we prefer the present law or the old system. The motion as made by Mr. Trigg was put before the con- vention and carried, there being one dissenting vote cast against it. Mr. Trigg : I have another resolution I v/ould like to offer. You have noticed probably, since we came to Des Moines, the difficulty connected with the various meetings of the different associations, the Horticultural Society, the Farmers Institute, and the Park and Forestry Association. Many of us who have come from one hundred to two hundred miles, have been de- barred from attending these different meetings, because of their being held at one and the same time. The Forestry Association has passed the resolution I hold in my hand, and the Horticul- tural Society will adopt it tomorrow morning, and I was re- quested to present it to the Agricultural Society tonight. It reads as follows : Whereas, A large number of Iowa citizens from all parts of the State assemble at Des Moines in December of each year to attend the agricul- tural, horticultural and forestry meetings, and, Whereas, As these visitors have a common interest in all of these three branches of work, and the meetings so held are separate and held at the same time, thereby dividing the attendance and preventing these visitors from enjoying the benefits of these gatherings; therefore be it Resolved, That the officials of the three different named organ- izations be requested next year to arrange for a three or four days' con- solidated program, the meetings to be held at some suitable central hall, the sessions of siich meetings to be divided and apportioned to the three societies, to the end that a large attendance may be thus secured and that all may thus enjoy the benefits of these meetings. The motion was duly seconded and adopted. The convention adjourned. * FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART L 63 SYNOF^SIS OF BO^RD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FROM JANUAY, 1903, TO DECEVIBER, 1903. MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Tuesday, March 3, 1903. Board met at 9 o'clock a.m. in the office of the secretary, and on roll call the following members were found to be present : Morrow, Cameron, Simpson, Manatrey, Phillips, Brown, St. John, Packard, Legoe, Wragg, Ledgerw^ood, McDonald, Wads- worth and Pike. The president stated that the object of the meeting was for the purpose of considering the improvements and repairs on the fair grounds during the year 1903. Mr. Packard moved that the board take a recess and visit the fair grounds. Motion prevailed. AFTERNOON SESSION. Board met pursuant to adjournment, with all members present. Hon. John Cownie appeared before the board and on behalf of the State Board of Control extended an invitation to the State Board of Agriculture to attend a cantata at Mitchellville, given by the girls of the Industrial School. The secretary presented the form of contract as agreed upon between the Department of Agriculture and the Des Moines City Railway Company, granting a twenty-five (25) year franchise lor extending the said company's street car line into the fair grounds. Mr. McDonald moved that the executive committee be author- ized to make a contract with the Des Moines City Railway Com- pany for extending of their lines into the fair grounds. On roll call the motion carried by a unanimous vote. 5 (65) 66 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Appropriations were made for expenses and repairs to the amount of $18,500. Mr. Ledgerwood moved that the executive committee be authorized to have liorse barns Xos. 7. 11 and 12 moved. Mo- tion prevailed. The secretarv read communicati(;n from tlie president of the National Li^■e Stock Exhibitors' Union, and en motion the same \^■as referred to committee on resolutions. 2^Ir. Ledgerwood moved that the executi\-e committee be authorized to have repaired or torn down any buildings on the State fair grc unds belonging- to private parties, on which such repair's are needed or in their judgment are unsafe. Motion prevailed. The secretarv presented letter and claim of Mr. Truesdale in regard to the loss of a lace handkerchief at the fair of 1902, and on motion of Mr. W'adsworth said claim was laid on the table. Communication from the secretary of the Corn Growers' As- sociation asking that the department make an appropriation for a special premium for the corn exhibit which they will hold next winter at Ames was read by the secretary, and on motion of Mr. Packard the secretary was instructed to notify the Corn Growers' Association that in the opinion of the board it would be inexpe- dient to make appropriations of this character outside of our own premium list. ]\Ir. \\'ragg moved that the superintendent of privileges and the executive committee be made a committee to examine the books of the privilege department and report as to whether it would be possible to increase the amount of money received from privileges. Motion prevailed. On. motion of l\Ir. ;McDonald the board adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock ^^^ednesday morning. Wednesday Morning, March 4, 1803. Board met at 9 o'clock pursuant to adjournment, and on roll call all elected memljers were found to be present. ]\Iinutes of yesterday's meeting were read and approved. Vn'. Packard, chairman of the committee on resolutions, pre- sented the following reix^rt. and on motion of Mr. ^^Tagg the same was adopted. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 67 RESOLUTION. Your committee on resolutions to whom was referred the communica- tion from the President of the National Live Stock Exhibitors' Union, 'neg leave to report the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, The custom has existed for the free return of live stock exhibited at expositions and State fairs upon the direct return to the ix)int of shipment of such exhibitors, and, Whereas, Exhibitors to the State fairs are necessitated to pass from one fair to another on the circuit to exhibit their stock and not directly returning- to the shipping point, thus under the rules of the railways secrificing their half-rate claims; therefore be it Resolved, That the State Board of Agriculture respectfully solicit from the railways an exercise of their liberal rates on one half full faro U) exhibitors' following the circuit of the State fairs, which will greatly encourage the exhibition of the products of the farms of the country and thus add to the prosperity of the railways as well as the several states interested. Resolved, That the society forward a copy to the proper railway asso- ciation for the government of freight rates. S. B. Packard, R. T. St. John. M. McDonald, Committee. RESOLUTION. Whereas. Under the law creating the State Board of Agriculture one of the duties imposed in section six is in the following words: "And It shall be the duty of the board to look after and promote the interests of agricultural education and animal and other industries throughout the State," and Whereas, The high condition which the college has attained warrants our support in maintaining its high standard; therefore be it Resolved, That the President of this board appoint a committee of three members authorized to confer with the Board of Trustees of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts on the subject of a president for said college. S. B. Packard, R. T. St. John, M. McDonald, Committee. The president appointed as such committee, S. B. Packard, C. A\'. Philhps and John Ledgerwood. Mr. Manatrey moved that the committee on adulterations of foods be empowered to prepare a reix)rt on this subject and sub- mit to the board at their meeting- next December, and that a sum 68 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150) be appropriated to meet the expense of carrying on this work. ]\l!otion seconded by Cameron and prevailed. Mr. Erickson, in charge of the dairy department of the Iowa Louisiana Commission, appeared before the board and asked their co-operation in securing the exhibit for the Louisiana Ex- position. Aft*. Hamilton of the Daily News, Mr. Young, Jr., of the Daily Capital, Mr. Strauss of the Register-Leader and Mr. Wal- lace of ^Vallaces' Farmer, appeared before the board and asked that an appropriation of from two to three thousand dollars be made for the purpose of display advertising in the above-men- tioned papers; including also the Homestead and Farmers' Tribune. On motion board adjourned to i :30 p.m. AFTKRNOON SESSION. Board met pursuant to adjournment with members present as at morning session. Mr. McDonald moved that the executive committee be author- ized to secure night and day attractions for the fair of 1903. Motion prevailed. Mr. Manatrey moved that the price of admission to the am- phitheater and all other seats used at night attractions be sold at twenty-five cents. Motion prevailed. Mr. Manatrey moved that the executive committee be author- ized to purchase a show case of Morrison, Plummer & Co., of Chicago, for use in Exposition Building at a sum not exceeding $250 f. o. b. cars Des Moines. Motion prevailed. Mr. W^adsworth moved that the advertising of the State fair be left in the hands of the .executive committee, which motion prevailed. Mr. Manatrey moved that the president appoint a committee on per diem and mileage. Motion prevailed. President appointed as such committee Wadsworth, Manatie> and Brown. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 69 Mr. Manatrey moved that when this board adjourns all un- finished business be delegated to the executive committee to act, which motion prevailed. Committee on per diem and mileage reported as follows, and on motion of Mr. Cameron report was adopted : Name. Days. Amount. Miles. Amount. Total W. W. Morrow 4 $tG.OO 82 $8.20 $24.20 C. E. Cameron 4 16.00 140 14. Oo 30.00 J. P. Manatrey 5 20.00 118 11.80 31.80 C. W. Phillips 3 1 2.00 12.00 W. C. Brown 4 IG.OO 102 10.20 26.20 R. T. St John 4 16.00 195 19.50 35.50 S. B. Packard 4 IG.OO 58 5.80 21.80 T. C. Legoe 4 16.00 100 10.00 26.00 M. .1. Wragg 4 16.00 16 1.60 17.60 John Ledgerwood 4 16.00 87 8.70 24.70 M. McDonald 4 16.00 65 6.50 22.50 J. W. Wadsworth :j 12.00 123 12.30 24.30 H.L.Pike 4 16.00 200 20.00 36.00 $332.60 J. W. Wadsworth, J. P. Manatrey, W. C. Brown. Committee. On motion board adjourned. J. C. Simpson, Secretarv. 70 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. MEETINGS OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. State Fair Grounds, Thursday Morning, August 27, 1903, Meeting called to order 1)y the president, and on roll call the following- niemljers were found to be present : Morrow, Cam- eron, Sihipson, Ellyson, Phillips, St. John, Packard, Legoe. Wragg-, Ledgerwcod, AIcDonald and Manatrey. Mr. Cameron moved that the chief of police, superintendent of gates and the treasurer l^e permitted to relieve any of their men who desired to go home, and that the secretarv^ be instructed to issue warrants in payment of their services. yh'. Legoe moved that the secretary be authorized to issue war- rants in payment of stock premiums, as soon as books are re- ceived from the respective stock departments. Motion prevailed Mr. Ellyson moved that the secretary be authorized to issue warrants in payment of judges when the same had been o. k.'d l)y the superintendent of the department. Motion prevailed. On motion board adjourned to meet at I2 o'clock noon, August 28th. Friday, August 28, 1903. Board met pursuant to adjournment, and on roll call the fol- lowing members were found to be present: Morrow, Camerc'u, Simpson, ^lanatrey, Phillips, St. John, Packard, Legr3e, Wragg, Ledgerwc od, McDonald and Pike. August 29, 1903, 10 O'clock a. m. Board met pursuant to adjournment with the following menv JDers present : ^Morrow, Simpson, Brown, St. John, Packard, Legoe, Wragg, Wadsworth and Pike. Air. Packard presented a petition from the manufacturers of Miarshalltown, asking for a location of a building on the fair grounds. Action was deferred until the December meeting of the board. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 71 Mr. McDonald moved that tlie executive committee be author- ized to purchase a manure spreader. Mbtion prevailed. Mr. Legoe moved tliat the executive committee he authorized to proau'e cinders for use on the fair grounds. "Motion pre- vailed Mr. Packard moved that the executive committee be author- ized to have grounds surveyed for drainage, and tliat the work be done this fall if possible. The secretary presented resignation of Mr. C. S. Relyea as assistant secretary, to take effect September t, 1903, and on motion of ^Nfr. ]Manatrey the resignation was accepted. Mr. Packard moved that the vacancv caused by the resignation of yiv. Relyea be hlled by an ajjpointment by the secretary at a salary not exceeding $/^ per month. Motion prevailed. Mr. \\'ragg presented report on per diem and mileage as fol- lows : Name. Days. Rate. Amounr. Miles. Amount. Total \V. AV, Morrow 19 $4.00 $ 76.00 82 $ 8.20 $ 84.20 C.E.Cameron 19 4.00 76.00 140 14.00 90.00 J. P. Mauatrey 18 4.00 72.00 118 11.80 83.80 W. C. Brown 19 4.00 76.00 102 10.20 86.20 S.B.Packard 17 4.00 68.00 54 5.40 73.40 H. L. Pike 19 4.00 76.00 200 20.00 . 96.00 .John Ledgerwood 19 4.00 76.00 89 8.90 84.90 R. T. St. John 20 4.00 SO.Oo 195 19.50 99.50 M. McDonald IS 4.00 72.00 65 6.5i) 78.50 M. .T. Wragg 18 4.00 72.00 16 1.60 73.60 .T. W. Wadsworth 31 4.00 124.00 120 12.30 136.30 T. C. Legoe 17 4.00 68.00 100 10.00 78.00 C.W.Phillips 19 4.00 76.00 $1,143.40 72 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. AUDITING COMMITTEE MEETING. Tuesday, September 15, 1903. Auditing committee met as per agreement, with the following- members present: J. W. Wadsworth, W. C. Brown and C. W. Phillips. The chairman stated that the purpose of the meeting was to pass on all bills against the ])cpartmcnt of Agriculture, which were on file in the secretary's ofiice. The bills were audited and ihe secretary authorized to issue warrants in payment thereof, as \)er amounts allowed. Farm Scene -Home of Hon. F. M. Buckingham, Buera Vista County . FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 73 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING. Thursday, October 14, 1903. Committee met on call of the president, with all member^ present. Mr. Morrow stated that the purpose of the meeting was to consider the matter of surveyino- the grounds for drainrige, as l>er resoluion of the board at their August meeting. Mr. Baker, assistant city engineer of Des Moines, met with the committee, and together visited the fair grounds. All that part of the ground in need of drainage was gone over w^ith Mr. Baker. Committee decided to employ Air. Baker to run sucii levels as were necessary for drainage, and a combined curb a'-'d oiitter along the north side of Grand Avenue. Mr. Baker's sal- ary was to be $4 per day, and $3 per day for an assistant, if same was used. The committee decided to offer the following resolution for the consideration of the board : 1st. That the secretary be instructed to make a plat of the ground, laying it out in different sections, as per lines designated by streets and sidewalks, taking the measurement thereof, and that certain sections be reserved for the erection of future permanent buildings. 2d. We would recommend that the Department of Agriculture go before the next legislature and ask for an appropriation sufficient to build a fireproof building for the use of the agriculture, horticulture and •dairy department.^, and the remodeling of the old horticultural building for use as a woman's building; and an additional appropriation suffi- •ciently large for the purpose of erecting three hog barns. 3d. We would recommend that all buildings erected for the pur- pose of showing collective exhibits, by cities, towns or other parties, or corporations, be located immediately west of the ditch and south of Cap- itol avenue,, provided, that the board makes provision for a walk from Capitol avenue running east tq Rock Island avenue, and otherwise im- prove the street by curbing and guttering, and properly drain that part of the ground. 74 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION AT DES MOINES.. Wednesday, December 19, 1903. The convention convened in the rooms of the Department of A,^ricnlture in tlie Capitol, at to o'clock, with President Morrow^ in the chair. 'I'he first order of Intsiness being the appointment of a com- mittee on credentials, the president appointed the following dele- gates as meml:)ers of that committee: J. W. Wadsworth, Kos- suth county; Chas. Hearst of Black Hawk county and Chas. Stranahan of Ringgold county. Vice President Cameron was called to the chair, and President Morrow delivered the following address : PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. We are here today to make our annual report, and to elect officers. for the commg year. The expenditures on the State fair grounds for the year of 1903 were, in round numbers, $17,000, consisting of team, harness, wagon, scales, greenhouse brick walks new swine pens and a new street car station, a detailed statement of which will be foimd in the secretary's report. The board very wisely entered into a contract with the street car- company whereby they entered the grounds, and during the fair fur- nished first-class service; this, with the splendid service furnished by the Rock Island Railway Company, gives the patrons of the fair such method of going to and returning from the grounds as they have long desired. The fair of 1903, in point of exhibits, was one of the best in the his- tory of the State. Had the weather been favorable the net earnings would have been far greater than that of any fair ever held by this de- partment. As it was, the receipts were such as to leave a handsome sur- plus in the treasury, a detailed statement of which will be found in the secretary's report, showing that the people are interested in the success of the fair, and it becomes our dtities as officers of this association to- redouble our efforts to maintain the high standard and reputation that: the State Department of Agriculture now enjoys. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 75 The improvements already commenced, consisting of permanent buildings, sidewalks and other improvements, should be carried on. More brick walks should be constructed, also cinder walks should be laid to and from the different buildings, thereby enabling visitors to reach all parts of the ground with comfort. The executive committee have had the grounds surveyed with a view of thorough drainage. The different plats of ground have been measured, a plat of which is now on file in this office. We recommend that certain plats of ground be set aside for permanent buildings to be erected in the future by this society. Also, that plats of ground be set aside for build- ings to be used by the different cities of the State, to exhibit their manu- factured products. Great care should be taken that all buildings should be properly located. I also wish to suggest that a fireproof building should be erected for the use of the power house and pumping station, as the present building is not in the proper place for our lighting plant. The hay bam should be moved in close proximity to the cattle and horse barns. The three barns numbered 10, 11 and 12 should be moved to some other location, and the ground now occupied by them made attractive. The tract of land lying outside and east of the fair grounds proper, consisting of three acres now covered with timber and undergrowth, should be cleared, and the land rented for pasture, or what might be better, the level part of it cultivated and sown to meadow, the hay to be sold during the fair. I would recommend that the fences, as fast as they need rebuilding^ be replaced with woven wire, something similar to that now used by the street car company. If any excuse ever existed for side shows and fakirs in general, it seems to me that the time is past, ana I want to recommend that all such be excluded from the grounds, and that the Great Iowa State Fair be con- ducted on such a high plane as will meet with the approval of the intelli- gent people of the State. Secretary Simpson read his report as f()ll()\\s: REPORT OF SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR 1903. /. C. Simpson, Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa's State fair continues to grow. The exhibition of 1903 was the greatest in the history of the State. Probably no State fair was ever held under more adverse weather conditions, and the financial showing we are now able to make is all the more remarkable for it. What the outcome would have been under favorable conditions, can only be conjectured. That the receipts would have been from ten to fifteen thousand more I believe to be a conservative estimate. Thousands of people who were in the city did not reach the fair grounds, and from 76 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. information we have received, thousands of others who had planned on coming, did not leave home after it began raining. Certainly the pros- pects for a successful State fair were never as poor as on Monday even- ing after the heavy wind and rain storm. With a cloudy morning on Tuesday, followed by two days more of rain, the outlook was enough to discourage the most optimistic. But despite this unfavorable condi- tin of the weather, crowds of people thronged the grounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, it having been years since as many soldiers attended the fair, and the record of Wednesday has only been surpassed a few times. The race program was interfered with more than any other depart- ment. It being carried out to the letter on Monday, but on Tuesday, while it was not actually raining, the day was cold and cloudy^ and the condition of the track was such that it was after four o'clock before a heat could be started. Only three heats could be put on before it was time to clear the grand stand for the night entertainment. Wednesday and Thursday no harness events could be had, and it was not until Fri- day afternoon that the races could again be started. This interfered ve]y materially with the grand stand receipts. This year's fair certainly demonstrates that a successful fair can he held under the most favorable weather conditions, with the proper buildings, plenty of sidewalks and drainage. Wliere would the fair have been this year without the stock pavilion and sidewalks? It would have been an utter impossibility to have continued throughout Wednes- day and Thursday. The wisdom shown by the members of the Twenty- ninth General Assembly in making the appropriation for the erection of the stock pavilion, was certainly appreciated this year. For this expenditure no complaints were heard from the taxpayers of Iowa who attended the fair, and many expressed themselves in favor of the legis- lature making further appropriations, that other permanent buildings might be placed upon the grounds. I have always contended that the educational advantages resulting from a properly conducted State fair could not be measured in dollars and cents, and that the results obtained were far more beneficial than most of us are prone to believe. Many an inspiration for improvement in flocks and herds is received at these annual expositions which can not be gathered at any other place. T,he American' farmer, like the manufacturer, is never satisfied unless he is pushing forward and trying to do better than his neighbor. Where can he better compare the products of his own farm than with what is shown at our State fair? The stockman who does not keep pace with the improvements con- tinually being made in the different breeds of live stock, is no better off tiian the merchant who does not keep posted on the latest and most improved methods of conducting his business; or the grain farmer who does not take advantage of every opportunity to improve his seed and cultivate his crops that he may receive a better and larger yield of grain per acre. He indeed is a wise man who can not gather new ideas from his neighbor. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 77 As the value of farm land increases, so must the farmers' knowl- edge of how to produce greater results per acre Increase. A farmer, like a professional or business man, must be a close student of the work he is following. A study of the Government census report for 1900 shows that the increase of population of the United States for the pre- ceding ten years was over fourteen millions, or about twenty per cent of our total population. Iowa's population is shown by the same census to be a fraction over two million two hundred thousand, or about one sixth of the total increase for the whole United States for the ten years just mentioned. The amount of food consumed yearly by this great increase of population is enormous, and with a yearly decrease in the acreage of new agricultural land, but one choice is left, we must pro- duce more bushels per acre on land now cultivated, and raise cattle and hogs that will take on more meat per pound of grain and forage con- sumed. To accomplish this the farmer must keep in close touch with experiments continually being conducted, and by a careful observation of the results of his own work. Many improvements for the decrease in the cost of production, or increase in yield per acre, are noted by the exhiljits shown at the annual State fair from year to year If the same relative percentage of increase in the population of the United States is returned fom the census of 1910 as that of 1900, it will give us an increase of over twenty millions, or nine times the total population of the State of Iowa. Iowa farmers must do their part toward furnishing food for this great army of people. Anything that tends to increase their knowledge along these lines is of great importance, and that is the purpose of the Iowa State fair. The future never looked brighter for the fair than at the present time, but we must not cease in our efforts if continued progress is to be made. While the condition of the grounds is now better than ever before, this can not be truthfully said of the buildings thereon. Many of them have been repaired and patched so often that there is now little left other than the repairs. T.he time is soon coming, if indeed it is not already here, when many of the buildings will have to be replaced if a fair is to be held. The only way in which permanent fireproof buildings can be erected is by appropriations from the legislature. It is absurd to think that sufficient money can be secured from gate ad- missions for this purpose, when the burden of keeping the old build- ings now on the grounds in a safe and habitable condition is increasing yearly. Does the State expect its other educational institutions to erect and maintain their buildings? And are not the educational features of the State fair worthy of support of our great State? The question is often asked, why the management does not erect permanent buildings out of the funds on hand. This can better be answered by a statement of the improvements and repairs that are needed at this time. At the last session of the legislature the State Board of Agriculture asked and received an appropriation of thirty-seven thousand dollars, for the erection of the live stock judging pavilion. A total of forty- four thousand three hundred twelve dollars and fifty-one cents has been' expended during the past two years for permanent impovements and /8 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. repairs out of the gate receipts, which is seven tnousand three hundred twelve dollars and fifty-one cents more than the appropriation received from the State during the same period. A very serious problem now confronts the Board, in knowing just how to proceed with the improve- ments and repairs necessary for the future. Of the fifty-one stock barns, at least fifty of them are in need of new roofing; part of the fence sur- rounding the grounds will have to be replaced; a more prominent en- trance should be erected at the Grand Avenue gate, and more sidewalks should be laid. The west part of the grounds must be drained; com- bined curbs and gutters should be put in along the streets to properly care for the surface water; many of the buildings are badly in need of paint; and other improvements and repairs too numerous to mention should be given attention. Thousands of dollars will be needed for all these improvements; much more, in fact, than the Board will have at its disposal, therefore some of them will have to go over. An appropriation from the Thirtieth General Assembly should be asked for the erection of a combined agricultural, horticultural and dairy building; also for at least three hog barns. Should the State Board of Agriculture decide to go before the legisalture and ask for these appropriations, they should have the combined efforts of all the agri- ■cultural interests of the State. If an appropriation for the erection of the first building mentioned is secured, it will give much needed room in other departments. What is now agricultural hall could be easily arranged into a large poultry building. The one used at present is not half large enough for the exhibit, besides there being no room for the t'xhibit of incubators, which should properly be shown in the poultry building. The poultry and dairy buildings could be remodeled into sheep barns, for if something is not done to better the condition of this department, it will not be long until the sheep show at the Iowa State Fair will be a thing of the past. Horticultural hall could be rearranged for the women's building. The urgent necessity of a building of this character was never more apparent than at the last fair. All great expositions, and even the railway companies, have buildings or rooms fitted with every comfort and convenience for women. Every mother knows the hardships to be endured traveling with small children. If it were to become generally known that a building of this kind was located upon the grounds, where the mother could go with her children for a little rest, after a tiresome ride on a crowded excursion train, it would greatly popularize our fair. In our endeavor to better arrange for the comfort of fair visitors, the ladies should not be forgotten. Many improvements were made on the grounds during the past sea- son. More than one hundred thousand paving brick were laid in walks; a greenhouse and swine judging pavilion were erected; the seating capacity of the grand stand wa.^ increased by an additional twenty-five hundlred seats; a street car station was erected, one half of the cost being paid by the Board; and four hundred more hog pens were built. All the space in the Iowa building could not be rented while the building stood in the old location, and it was moved to the present site, thereby increasing the floor space in the machinery department about six thous- FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 79 and square feet. The erection of the street car station necessitated the moving of three horse barns; new sills and foundations were placed under six cattle barns. Two additional wells were put down, one in the speed, and the other in the machinery department; many hundred loads of cinders were hauled on the streets, and new ones were graded. The inside fence of the race track was rebuilt, and a new judges' stand replaced the one blown down; needed changes were made in the water mains and electric light lines, including the purchase of twelve addi- tional arc lamps. A glance a the financial statement will show that all these changes and improvements necessitated the expenditure of a large sum of money. If new buildings are not erected in the near future, it will just about take the entire surplus each year to keep up the repairs, leaving nothing with which to make needed improvements. Insurance to the amount of seventy-eight thousand dollars is now being carried on the fair ground buildings. The exhibit of horses at the last State fair was the best in years, this being especially true of the draft and coach breeds. While the number of entries in the cattle classes was no larger than a year ago. the herd showing was stronger. Twenty-five hundred and seventy hogs were on exhibition, this being the greatest number ever shown at any fair, and exceeds the combined number shown at the Minnesota. Wis- consin, Illinois. International and American Royal shows. No one Tisiting the fair had any reason to doubt Iowa's greatness as a pork producing State. It was utterly impossible to provide coop room for all the poultry iDrought to the fair. If people could comprehend the magnitude of the poultry industry in our State they would more readily understand the reason for so large an exhibit. To give you some idea of what poultry is doing fo the farmers of Iowa I will state that in the year 1899 the value of poultry raised and eggs produced amounted to over nineteen million four hundred thousand dollars, or only about three millions less than the total value of the oat crop for 1902. At no State fair was there ever a larger and more diversified show- ing of farm implements, buggies, carriages, fences, etc., than was on exhibition this year. It would be difficult to conceive of any agri- cultural implement now used on the farm that was not shown. Never has there been a year when it was more difficult to gather an exhibit of agricultural and horticultural products than the past, and, all things •considered, the showing made :n the agricultural and horticultural halls was very good. An unusually large and tastefully arranged exhibit was to be seen in the exposition building. A new and popular feature added to the program this year was the' Iowa State College Scholarship, awarded to the boy scoring the highest in the judging contest. Out of the twenty-eight boys who had entered, twenty-six of them were on hand ready for business at the designated time. Mr. Ellis Rail of Birmingham, Iowa, received the highest score and was awarded the scholarship. T,he rules and regulations governing this contest, together with the score of each contestant, will be published 80 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. in the Year Book. I believe this contest should be made an annual feature of future State fairs. Seventy-twoi county and district agricultural societies reported hold- ing a fair this year, and received the State appropriation according to law. From the reports received, this State was not the only fair to suffer the effects of wet weather. Fully 75 per cent of those reporting stated that the rain interfered with their fair. The reports received show that the interest in county and district fairs is increasing instead of decreasing, as many are prone to believe. INSTITUTES. Sixty-six counties in Iowa held institutes during the year ending June 30, 1903, and fifty-eight the preceding year. The total amount paid out by the State for institute work during the biennial period was $6,801.85. Below will be found the name of counties receiving State aid for institute work during the year ending June 30, 1903, and amount each leceived: Counties. Amount. ' Counties. Amount. Adams $ 42.57 Audubon 43.10 Black Hawk 75.00 Boone 73.24 Bremer 75.00 Buchanan 58.50 Buena Vista 75.00 Butler 75.00 Calhoun 47.05 Carroll 43.00 Cedar 34.50 Cerro Gordo 54.40 Cherokee 75.00 Chickasaw 69.75 Clay 75.00 Clayton 46.70 Clinton 75.00 Dallas 75.00 Decatur 60.00 Delaware 35.74 Dickinson 61.33 Emmet 51.00 Fayette 75.00 Floyd 73.50 Franklin 74.75 F'remont 73.94 Greene 74.00 Grundy 58.51 Guthrie 50.50 Hancock 15.75 Hardin 33.85 Harrison 75.00 Humboldt 75.00 Ida 71.50 Iowa $ 75.00 Jackson 63.14 Jasper 31.30 Jefferson 49.00 Kossuth 49.65 Linn : 75.00 Louisa 60.52 Lyon 75.00 Madison 75.00 Mahaska 75,00 Marion 50.00 Mills 19.30 Mitchell 75.00 Monona 75.00 Muscatine 59.15 O'Brien 75.00 Page 75,00 Palo Alto 75.00 Polk 62.80 Ringgold 30.50 Sac 75.00 Scott 64,56 Shelby 75.00 Sioux 75.00 Story 46.35 Tama 33.25 Taylor 64.94 Van Buren 51.15 Winnebago 75.00 Winneshiek 75.00 Worth 52.54 Woodbury 50.00 Total $4,035.33 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 81 In the following counties no institutes were held during the year ending June 30, 1903: Osceola, Howard, Allamakee, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Wright, Webster, Hamilton, Dubuque, Crawford, Marshall, Benton, Jones, Poweshiek, Johnson, Pottawattamie, Cass, Adair, Warren, Keokuk, Washington, Montgomery, Union, Clark, Lucas, Monroe. Wapello, Henry, Des Moines, Wayne, Appanoose, Davis, Lee. From the expense accounts filed with the State Auditor, it would seem that more attention is now being given for exhibits of corn 'and ether farm products at the county institutes. It has been hard to secure statistics and papers from the institutes in the past, for the reason their officers are not obliged by statute to send in reports, other than the expense account filed with the State Auditor. It has been suggested by many that the law should be amended, requir- ing a report to be filed with the Department of Agriculture, in order that such papers and statistics deemed of importance to the State could be published. As it is, many valuable papers read before our county insti- tutes are lost to every one except those living in the vicinity of the city or town in which such institute is held. I can heartily endorse such an amendment, believing, as I do, that it would work to the mutual ad- vantage of the institutes and department. The local management of the institutes would not be altered in the least. This, to say the least, is worthy of consideration, and should the change be asked I believe it would have the support of every institute worker in the State. Attached to, and made a part of, this report is a complete statement showing the financial condition of the department December 1, 1903, which is the close of the fiscal year. Gentlemen: Herein find moneys coming into my hands as secretary and paid to G. D. Ellyson, treasurer, as shown by his receipts: From exhibitors tickets $1,550.00 From sale of fed, forage department 1,730.65 From advertising in premium list 180.00 From refund on error in payment of premiums 203.00 From refund on insurance and loss 212.34 From speed suspensions 140.35 From judging contest, entry fees 54.00 From speed entries 2,892.65 From Des Moines City Railway Co 228.60 From refund on purchases 23.00 6 82 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. From rent of fair grounds $ 50.00 From State appropriation for insurance and improve- ments 1,000.00 From Chicago & North-Western Railway Co 120.00 P'rom Shorthorn Breeders' Association 477.00 From interest on deposit 1,009.90 Total $9,871.49 Secretary's Account of Expanse Warrants During Fiscal Year Ending December 1, 19(t3. Bills paid for the year 1902 $ 220.14 Board meeting December, 1902 412.10 Fair Ground expenses 687.27 Improvements and repairs: Street car station $ 3,033.67 Sidewalks and crossings 1,403.34 Moving and repairing lov/a building 793.36 Rebuilding and repainting race track fence 487.68 Pair scales 125.00 Team, harness and wagon 510.02 Planting trees 280.64 Hauling gravel, cinders and Avork on streets.... 269.71 Swine judging pavilion 1,789.64 Raising and repairing cattle barns 623.20 Repairs on sheep pens 156.24 Repairs on horse barns 214.29 Repairs on poultry house 28.66 Repairs on agricultural hall 41.87 Improvements on exposition building 339.95 Repairs on dairy hall 175.08 Washing places for cattle 20.67 Greenhouse 1,580.97 Swine pens 1,780.27 Bleechers 568.88 Awnings on stock pavilion 188.40 Painting 199.23 Electric light and power station 657.54 Insurance 203.13 Secretary and treasurer's office 78.11 Amphitheater 55.15 New wells and pumps 101.41 March board meeting called expressly for consid- ering improvements 332.60 Miscellaneous improvements 1,817.36 $17,855.77 Executive committee meetings 397.60 Executive committee annual meeting 34.18 Postage 460.00 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 83 Printing $ 791.70 Advertising 2,609.49 Express and telegraph 156.12 Superintendent fair grounds — salary 800.00 Dues, American fairs and expositions 15.00 l'»remium list 494.50 Engraving and medals 11.50 Miscellaneous expenses 1,226.20 Pure food committee 69.46 Special committee work 131.75 Collection paid to trotting association 61.15 Dues to American Trotting Association 75.00 Insurance 203.13 Telephone 19.25 Office supplies 1.35 Clerical work 363.60 Cattle department 342.46 Music 868.20 Attractions 4,226.50 Scavenger work 153.75 Auditing committee ( 58.50 Scholarship contest 219.00 Assistant superintendent fair grounds 64.55 Police department 1,574.75 Forage department 1,853.52 Horse department 328.85 Speed department 327.25 Swine department 258.40 Sheep and poultry department 274.45 Machinery department 221.27 Agricultural department 413.75 Dairy department 131.75 Horticultural department 234.34 Art department 591.70 Gate department 726.50 Ticket department 200.56 Treasurer's department 610.55 Marshal's department 120.00 Privilege department 179.50 Electric light department 407.60 President's department 84.20 Total $41,550.16 84 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. SECRETARY'S ACCOUNT WITH G. D. ELLYSON, TREASURER. Receipts. Credit. Debit. To cash on hand December 1, 1902 $30,372.25 From W. C. Brown, Supt. horse department 617.00 S. B. Packard, Supt. cattle department 678.50 W. M. McFadden, Supt. swine department.... 590.50 H. L. Pike, Supt. sheep and poultry department 212.90 J. Ledgerwood, Supt. machinery department. . 1,092. 5'0 R. T. St. John, Supt. agricultural department. . 245.00 M. McDonald, Supt. dairy department 120.35 M. J. Wragg, Supt. horticultural department.. 30.00 J. P. Manatrey, Supt. fine arts 1,255.75 T. C. Legoe, Supt. gates 510.36 Donald Hill, chief of police 4.50 John Cownie, refund on railroad fare 31.95 John Cownie, Supt. electric light plant 106.75 W. W. Morrow .90 J. W. Wadsworth, Supt. privileges 5,660.00 J as. H. Deemer, Supt. fair grounds 1,617.55 J. C. Simpson, secretary ■ 9,871.49 Ticket sales 41,333.35 Disbursements. By expense warrants paid — 1902 $ 29.55 1903 41,547.91 $41,577.46 By premium warrants paid — 1902 $ 54.90 1903 23,756.13 23,811.03 By cash on hand December 1, 1903 28,963.11 $94,351.60 $94,351.60 Cash on hand December 1, 1903 $28,963.11 By outstanding warrants December 1. 1903. 68.50 Total credit for department agriculture. $28,894.61 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS FOR 1903, d.3 compared with the preceding year, showing increase or decrease as the case may be. I herewith give a comparative statement of the receipts for the years oi 1902 and 1903, with the exception of the $37,000 appropriation received from the State in 1902 for the erection of the stock pavilion. This statement shows an increase of $2,182.78 in gate, quarter stretch, and receipts from other sources; but a decrease of $5,324.90 in day am- phitheater, night amphitheater and evening admissions; making a total decrease of only $3,142.42. This is remarkable, considering the unfavor- able weather conditions which prevailed throughout the entire week of the fair. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 85 From What Sources. Receipts, 1902 Rec^pts, Increase. Decrease. Gate receipts Day amphitheater receipts Evening ad.m.i8sions .. .. $35,496.00 3,789.75 1,496 00 5,851.50 3.25 20, 485. 27 $67,121 77 63, 979 35 $36,010.36 2,577.10 511.25 2,724.00 21 00 22, 135. 64 $ 514.36 ".$"i,'2i2.'65 984 75 3, 127. 50 <^uarter stretch receipts From all other sources, not including $37. 000 appropriated for stock pavilion in 1902 . . . 17.75 1,650.37 Totals Totals $63,979.35 $ 2, 182. 48 $ 5,324.90 2, 182 48 Totals.... S 3, 142 42 $ 3,142.42 Department A, Department B, Department D, Department E, Department F, Department I, STATEMENT OF PREMIUMS PAID IN 1903. horses $ 2,501.00 cattle 5,208.00 swine 1,316.00 sheep 1,081.00 poultry 763.50 grains, grasses and seeds 1,584.50 Department J, pantry and kitchen 636.00 Department K. dairy products 699.13 Department L, fruits 473.50 Department M, plants and flowers 510.00 Department N, mechanical and fine arts 2,499.00 Department N, children's 277.00 Department B, speed 6,113.50 Premiums on corn at convention December, 1902 151.00 Total $23,813.13 Mr. R. T. St. John of Mitchell county moved that a commit- tee be appointed on the address of the president, and reports of secretary and treasurer. Vice President C. E. Cameron, occu- pying- the chair, appointed as such committee, R. T. St. John of Mitchell county, B. L. Manwell of Black Hawk county and W. J. Scott of Ida county. Mr. F. R. Conaway, secretary of the Iowa Louisiana Pur- chase Exposition Commission, appeared before the convention c'ud read a pamper on "The Work of the Iowa Commission to the Louisiana Exposition." Mr. Miller appeared before the convention and extended in behalf of Charles Aldrich, curator of the State Historical De- partment, an invitation to the delegates to call at the Historical Building and enjoy the many pleasures of an inspec.ion of that department. 86 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Mr. S. B. Packard moved that the convention be now ad- journed until 1 130 o'clock p.m., which motion prevailed. AFTERNOON SESSION. Pursuant to adjournment the convention met at 1 130 o'clock with President Morrow in the chair. Meeting called to order and the convention listened to the leading of report on credentials as follows: REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Delegates to Agricultural Convention, 1903. Adams County Agricultural Society — W. J. Drennan, Corning. Audubon County Agricultural Society — W. H. Edwards, Audubon. Black Hawk County Agricultural Society — La Porte City District, B. L. Manwell, La Porte City. Bremer County — Elmer M. Reeves, Waverly. Buchanan County Agricultural Society — S. P. Spangler, Aurora. Buena Vista County Agricultural Society^ — C. E. Cameron, Alta. Cerro Gordo County — ^W. A. Burnap, Mason City. Clayton County Agricultural Society — Strawberry Point District — J. C. Flenniken, Strawberry Point. Davis County Agricultural Society — H. Wray, Bloomfield. Delaware County Agricultural Society — M. S. Van Auken, Manches- ter. Dubuque County — Thos. H. McQuillan, Cascade. Franklin County Agricultural Society — S. W. Ferris, Hampton. Greene County — Amos Johnson. Grundy County Agricultural Society — E. A. Crary, Grundy Center. Guthrie County Agricultural Society — A. H. Grissell, Guthrie Center. Hancock County Agricultural Society — Geo. P. Hardwick, Britt. Hardin County Agricultural Society — Robert Smith, Eldora. Henry County Agricultural Societj' — C. M. Clark, Mount Pleasant. Ida County— W. J. Scott, Ida Grove. Iowa County Agricultural Society — Williamsburg District — F. O. Har- rington, Williamsburg. Jackson County Agricultural Society — C. W. Phillips, Maquoketa. Jasper County Agricultural Society — W. J. Miller, Metz. Jefferson County Agricultural Society — J. P. Manatrey, Fairfield. Keokuk County Agricultural Society — What Cheer District — T. C. Legoe, What Cheer. Kossuth Couniy Agricultural Society — J. W. Wadsworth, Algona. Louisa County Agricultural Society — ^Columbus Junction District — F. L. Molsberry, Columbus Junction. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 87 Madison County Agricultural Society— I. J. Hudson, Winterset. Mahaska County Agricultural Society — ii^dward Pritchett, Oskaloosa. Marion County Agricultural Society — Lake Prairie District — Chas. Porter, Pella. Marshall County — S. B. Packard, Marshalltown. Mills County Agricultural Society — H. Byers, Glenwood. Monona County — Harold Pike, Whiting. Monroe County — John Foster, Albia. Montgomery County Agricultural Society — \,. S. Ellis, Red Oak. Muscatine County Agricultural Society — Union District — Eb. Fogg, West Liberty. Page County Agricultural Society — Shenandoah District — E. S. Welch, Shenandoah. Polk County — Lew Burnett, Des Moines. Poweshiek County Agricultural Society — Central at Malcom — James Nowak, Malcom. Poweshiek Comity Agricultural Society — Central at Grinnell — S. Jacob, Grinnell. Ringgold County Agricultural Societj- — C. G. Stranahan, Mount Ayr. Sac County Agricultural Society — V. S. De Lay, Odebolt. Shelby County Agricultural Society— H. W. Byers, Harlan. Sioux County Agricultural Society — J. F. Morris, Ireton. Union County — W. W. Morrow, Afton. Van Buren County — ^W. A. Duckworth, Keosauqua. Wapello County— W. O. Bagley, Eldon. Warren County Agricultural Society — ^C. F. Moorman, Indianola. Washington County — D. J. Palmer, Washington. Webster County — M. J. Haire, Fort Dodge. Wright County Agricultural Society — W. C. Brown, Clarion. FARMERS' INSTITUTES. Audubon County — A. H. Edwards, Audubon. Black Hawk County — Chas. E. Hearst, Waterloo. Buena Vista County — C. E. Cameron, Alta. Calhoun County — ^A. T. Jamison, Lohrville. Cherokee County — W. i^. Dawson, Quimby. Clinton County — Geo. S. Forest, Miles. Dallas County — John Fox, Dallas Center. Iowa County — F. O. Harrington^ Williamsburg. Polk County — A. L. Plummer, Altoona. ^ Winnebago County — Eugene Secor, Forest City. Jos. H. Wads worth, Chas. E. Hearst, C. G. Stranahan, Committee. S8 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Mr. A. H. Grissell of Guthrie county moved the adoption of the report as read, and that committee making report be dis-. charged, which motion was seconded and prevailed. The report of the committee on address of the president, and reports of the secretary and treasurer was read as follows: To the President and Members of ihe Agricultural Convention: We, your committee, to whom has been referred the address of the president and reports of th© secretary and treasurer of the Department of Agriculture, beg leave to submit the following: We hereby indorse the administration of President W. W. Morrow, and congratulate the State that during his term of office the affairs of the department have been attended to with unprecedented success. The thanks of the convention are due, and are hereby tendered to him, as a thoroughly competent and faithful official and for his zealous and official work. That during the term of office held by the president, W. W. Morrow, improvements have been made at a large expenditure of money which was under his direct supervision, and we therefore com- mend him for the admirable manner in which the plans of the department were carried into execution, and for the economical expenditure of the department's funds. We fully endorse his views of excluding all side shows of an ob- jectionable nature, but there may be shows that are entirely unobjection- able, that are not only entertaining but instructive, and add to the at- traction of the fair. We, therefore, suggest that the society use due d scrimination in the selection of these shows. The secretary's report is a most comprehensive outline of the year's business, and contains many valuable suggestions which are highly corn- men dec' by your committee, especially is this true in reference to the niaking of permanent and lasting improvements. Your committee wish to commend the secretary for the admirable executive ability he has displayed in carrying on the business of the de- partment the past year, and we also desire to commend him for the promptness with which he completed the entry books of the fair and placed them in the hands of the judges of the different departments. thereby hastening the business of the fair. We also commend G. D. Ellyson, the treasurer, for the careful and judicious handling of the funds of the society, and recommend that he be accorded the thanks of the directors of the Iowa State Fair. R. T. St. John, B. L. Manwell. W. J. Scott, Committee. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 89 Mr. Geo. S. Forest of Jackson county moved the adoption of the report as read. Motion prevailed. Convention nov^ proceeded to the election of officers. The president appointed R. T. St. John of Mitchell county, J. F. Morris of Sioux county and Chas. Porter of Marion county as tellers. R. T. St. John placed in nomination for the office of president for the ensuing year W. W. MorroAV of Union county to suc- 'ceed himself, and moved that if there were no other nominations that the rules be suspended and the secretary instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the convention for W. W. Morrow. Mo- tion prevailed. The secretary so cast the vote, and Mr. Mor- row was declared to have been duly elected president of the Department of Agriculture for the ensuing year. M. J. AVragg placed in nomination for the office of vice president C. E. Cameron of Buena Vista county, to succeed him- self, and moved that if there were no other nominations that the rules be suspended and the secretary instructed :o cast the iinanimotis vote of the convention for Mr. Cameron. Motion prevailed. The secretary so cast the vote and the president oard from the First district. B. L. Manwell of Black Hawk county placed in nomination for member of the State Board of Agriculture from the Third district, W. C. Brown of Wright county, to succeed himself, which motion was seconded by E. M. Reeves of Bremer county. It was moved that if there were no other nominations that the xules be suspended and the secretary instructed to cast the unani- 90 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. mous vote of the convention for Mr. Brown. Motion pre- \^ailed. The secretary so cast the vote and the president de- clared W. C. Brown di:ily elected as member of the board front the Third district. M. McDonald of Guthrie county placed in nomination for member of the State Board of Agriculture from the Fifth dis- trict S. B. Packard, to succeed himself, and moved that if there were no other nominations that the rules be suspended and the secretary instructed to cast the unanimous vote. of the conven- tion for Mr. Packard, which motion was seconded by Mr. Mc- Crary of Grundy count}^, and prevailed. The secretary so cast the vote and the president declared S. B. Packard duly elected as member of the board from^ the Fifth district. S. B. Packard placed in nomination for member of the State Board of Agriculture from the Seventh district 'M. J. Wragg of Dallas county, to succeed himself, and moved that if there were no' other nominations that the rules be suspended and the secretary instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the conven- tion for Mr. Wragg. Motion prevailed. The secretary so cast the vote and the president declared M. J. Wragg duly elected as member of the board from the Seventh district. H. W. Byers of Shelby county placed in nomination for member of the State Board of Agriculture from the Ninth dis- trict M. McDonald of Guthrie county, to succeed himself. W. S, Ellis placed in nomination for member of the Ijoavd from the same district J. M. Hull of Montgomery county. The sec- retary called the roll and the vote was cast and the tellers re- ported the result of the ballot as follows : Total number of votes cast, seventy-four, of which M. McDonald received fifty- eight (58), and Mr. Hull sixteen (16). M. McDonald, having received the majority of the votes cast, was declared, by the president to have been duly elected as member of ti^e board from the Ninth district. W. S. Ellis moved that the vote be stricken out and Mr. McDonald declared unanimously elected, which motion was put to the convention and prevailed. Geo. S. Forest of Jackson county placed in nomination for member of the State Board of Agriculture from the Eleventh district H. L. Pike of Monona count}-, to succeed himself, which FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 91 motion was seconded by W. J. Scott of Ida county and moved that if there were no other nominations that the rules be sus- pended and the secretary instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the convention for Mr. Pike. Motion prevailed. 'The sec- retary so cast the vote and the president declared H. L. Pike duly elected as member of the board from the Eleventh district. There being- no further business, Mr. A. H. Grissell moved that the convention be now adjourned. Motion pre 'ailed and the president declared the convention adjourned. J. C. SiMPSOX, Secretary. 92 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, DECEMBER, 1903. Thursday Morning, December to, 1903. Board met at 9 o'clock a.m., with President Morrow in the chair. On roU call the following members were found to be present : Morrow, Cameron, Simpson, Ellyson, Johnston, Brown, Pack- ard, Legoe, Wragg, Ledgerwood, McDonald, Wadsworth, Pike, Wright and Phillips. Hon. John Crockett, clerk of the supreme court of the State of Iowa, was called in and administered the oath of office to the newly elected members. Mr. Wragg placed in nomination for secretary, to succeed himself, J. C. Simpson; that the salary of secretary be $1,500 per annum, and moved that the rules be suspended and the president authorized to cast the entire vote of the board for Mr. Simpson. The vote was so cast and the president declared J. C. Simpson duly elected as secretary of the State Board of Agriculture for the ensuing year. Mr. Legoe placed in nomination for treasurer to succeed, himself, G. D. Ellyson, and moved that the rules be suspended and the secretary authorized to cast the entire vote of the board for Mr. Ellyson. The vote was so cast and the prer.ident de- clared G. D. Ellyson duly elected treasurer of the State Board of Agriculture for the ensuing year. The salary of treasurer was fixed at $100 per annum. Alinutes of the last board meeting, auditing and executive committees were read and on motion of Mr. Packard approved. My. Packard moved that Mr. Jas. H. Deemer be elected superintendent of grounds, to succeed himself, at a salary of $800 per annum. ]\rotion prevailed. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 93 Mr. Ledgerwood moved that Garth C. Fuller be selected as assistant secretary at a salary of $75 per month. Motion pre- vailed. Mr. Legoe placed in nomination for chief of police Mr. Don- ald Hill of Buena Vista county, and moved that the rules be suspended and the secretary instructed to cast the ertire vote of the board for Mr. Hill. The vote was so' cast and the presi- dent declared M'r. Hill duly elected chief of police for the fair of 1904. Mr. Packard placed in nomination for chief marshal Mr. T. D. Doke of Davis county; there being no other nomrnations, it was moved that the rules he suspended and the secretary in- structed tO' cast the entire vote of the board for Mr. Doke. The secretary so cast the vote and the president declared Mr. Doke duly elected as chief marshal for the fair of 1904. T. J. Hudson of Madison county and C. M. Akes of Decatur count}' were duly elected as assistant marshals. Mr. McDonald moved that the salary of chief marshal, assist- ant marshals, chief of police, gate keepers, superrtitendents, assistant superintendents and all other assistants be tlie same as lor the year of 1903, which was seconded, and motion prevailed. Salaries are as follows : Superintendents, not members of board $4.75 per day and actual railroad fare Assistant superintendents $3.75 per day and actual railroad fare Other help in departments not to exceed $3.25 per day Two assistant treasurers $5.75 per day each Ticket sellers $3.25 per day Police $2 50 per* day Mounted police $3.00 per day Gate keepers $2.50 per day Captains of gates $3.25 per day Chief marshal $50.00 Two assistant marshals $30.00 each Chief of police $5.00 per day Assistant chief of police $3.25 per day and actual railroad fare Mr. McDonald moved that a fair be held in 1904 on the dates recommended at the meeting of the American Association of Fairs and Expositions at Chicago, viz : August I9ih to 28th, 94 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Avhich was seconded by Mr. Wright. The motion was put to vote and on roll call the following members voted in the af- firmative: Johnston, Phillips, Brown, Packard, Legoe, Wragg, Xedgerwood, McDonald, Pike, Wright, Morrow, Cam.eron, Simpson and Ellyson. Those voting in the negative: St. John and Wads worth. Result of vote was announced and the president declared the motion to have carried. ]\Ir. Cameron moved that the board recommend to the gov- ernor for reappointment as director of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service Mr. J. R. Sage of Polk county. Seconded by Wadsworth and motion prevailed. On motion the board adjourned to meet at i :30 .'clock p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION. Board met pursuant to adjournment, and on roll call all mem- bers were found to be present except the Governo:', President of the Iowa State College, Koto and Ellyson. Secretary presented bill of Mr. John Cow^nie for $25 for services rendered as superintendent of the electric light plant at the fair of 1903. On motion of Mr. Wadsworth bill was allowed, and the secretary authorized to issue warrant in pay- ment therefor. Secretary presented bill from Mr. Cownie for $60 for eighty police billies, purchased from the Institute for Feeble-Minded at Glenwood, and on motion of Mr. Brown the bill was allowed and the secretary authorized to draw warrant in payment therefor. Mr. Cameron moved that the rental of pens in the swine de- partment be placed at $1 each, size of pen 4 feet by 8 feet. Seconded by Ledgerwood and motion prevailed. Mr. Packard sumbitted report of committee on adulteration of foods and seeds. Mr. Cameron moved the following resolution: Resolved, That the report of the committee on adulteration of foods and seeds be received and adopted, and that a copy be forwarded to the Governor and members of the Thirtieth General Assembly for consider- ation. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I. 95 Mr. Packard offered the following^ resolution, v/hich was adopted : Resolved, That the executive committee have prepared a plan show- ing a perspective and ground plan of a fireproof building of suitable dimensions to hold the exhibits of agriculture, horticulture and dairy departments, with estimates of the cost. Also, the cost of remodeling the old horticultural building for use as a woman's building and an emergency hospital. Also, the cost of three hog barns. Also, fireproof building for the power house and pumping station. Also, the cost of repairing the agricultural building for use as. a poultry building. Re it further resolved, — That the executive committee prepare and present to the Thirtieth General Assembly a bill for an appropriation to <"over the cost of the improvements above named. Mr. McDonald moved that the executive committee be author- ized to see what the purchase of the land lying south of the fair grounds would cost, and what the land belonging to the State and lying on the east of the fair grounds coald be sold for, and confer with the executive council in regard to the sale and purchase of same. Seconded by Packard and ir-ction pre- vailed. Mr. Wadsworth moved that the grounds north of Grand Avenue between the west fence and the ditch be set aside for the location of city buildings. Motion prevailed. The assignment of superintendents of departments for the fair of 1904 was delegated to the executive committee. Mr. Packard moved that the executive committee take proper steps to have ditch running through the west part of the fair grounds opened to a proper width and depth for drainage. Mo- tion prevailed. , , The executive committee presented the following assignment of superintendent for the fair of 1904, and on motion of Mr. McDonald report was adopted : , Superintendent of tickets C. W. Phillips Superintendent of gates T. C. Legoe Superintendent of privileges J. W. Wadsworth Superintendent of horses W. C. Brown Superintendent of speed C. E. Cameron Superintendent of cattle S. B. Packard Superintendent of swine R. S, Johnston 96 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Superintendent of sheep and poultry H. L. Pike Superintendent of machinery John Ledgerwood Superintendent of agriculture R. T. St. John; Superintendent of horticulture M. J. Wragg. Superintendent of dairy H. R. Wright Superintendent of fine arts M. McDonald: On motion of ]ylr. Packard meeting adjourned until g o'clock A.M.. tomorrow morning. , FRIDAY MORNING, DKCEMBER II, I9O3. Board met pursuant to adjournment, and on roll call all mem- bers were found to be present except Gov. A. B. Cummins, Dr^ A. B. Storms, P. O. Koto and G. D. Ellyson. Alinutes of Thursday's meeting were read and approved. The president announced the appointment of committees as follows : , ,. Resolutions — R. T. St. John, M. McDonald and T. C. Legoe. Powers and Duties of the Board — Gov. A. B. Cummins, W. W. Mor- row and C. E. Cameron. Adulteration of Foods, Seeds and Other Products — S. B. Packard, M^ J. Wragg and H. R. Wright. Dairy Industry and Products — H. R. Wright, T. C. Legoe and Johtt Ledgerwood. Contagious Diseases Among Domestic Animals — P. O. Koto, H. L^ Pike and R. S. Johnston. Auditing Committee — J. W. Wadsworth, W. C. Brown and C. W. Phillips. Mr. Packard, chairman of the committee on food adultera- tions, submitted a statement of the expenses incurred for the year of 1903, as follows: To J. B. Weems, chemist $50.00 To S. B. Packard, expenses 14.80> To M. J. Wragg, expenses 11. 1& Total $75.96; Secretary read estimate diawn bv the executive com.mittee on expenditure of funds for year of 1904, as follows: FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 97 Expenses for fair of 1904, including bills on file, which neces- sarily will have to be paid out of moneys on hand before fair of 1904 is held $ 5,000.00 Removal of horse barns Nos. 10, 11 and 12 1,000.00 Remodeling agricultural and poultry buildings 500.00 Repairs on roof of agricultural building 200.00 Repairs and reroofing a number of horse barns 1,150,00 Painting roof and interior iron work of stock pavilion 400.00 Sidewalks 1,000.00 Salary superintendent of fair grounds 800.00 Drainage 500.00 Repairing race track 200.00 Planting trees 50.00 Contingent fund for repairs and improvements 3,000.00 Total $16,800.00 Mr. McDonald moved that the report of the executive com- mittee on improvements be approved. Motion prevailed. Mr. Wadsworth moved that Thursday, August 23d, of the lair of 1904, be designated as ''Old Soldiers' and Children's Day" and that the admission of old soldiers and children on this day be the same as last year. Seconded by McDonald and mo- tion prevailed. Mr. Packard moved that in the Holstein and Jersey classes that the fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) premiums be dropped, and that a ''calf herd" be inserted in the four beef classes ; premiums to be $20, $15, $12, $8 and $5. Mr. Packard also moved that classes be made for "Iowa Exhibitors" in the three beef herds, viz : Shorthorn, Hereford and Angus, and that the first and second money winners in the open classes — should they be Iowa cattle — be barred from showing or drawing premiums in the Iowa classes. Premiums offered to be as follows, and shall be the same in the three classes : INDIVIDUALS. Bull 3 years old and over $10 $7 $5 $3 $2 Bull 2 years and under 3 10 7 5 3 2 Bull 1 year and under 2 10 7 5 3 .2 Bull calf under 1 year 10 7 5 3 2 Cow 3 years old or over 10 7 5 3 2 Heifer 2 years and under 3 10 7 5 3 2 Heifer 1 year and under 2 10 7 5 3 2 Heifer calf under 1 3'ear 10 7 5 3 2 7 y^ IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. EXHIBITORS' HERD. Herd to consist of one bull 2 years old or over, one cow years old or over, one heifer 2 years old and under 3, one heifer 1 year old and under 2, one heifer under 1 year old $12 $8 $5 BREEDERS' YOUNG HERD. Herd to consist of one bull under 2 years, two heifers 1 year and under 2. and two heifer calves under 1 year, all except the bull to be bred by the exhibitor $12 $8 5 GET OF SIRE. Four animals of either sex. the get of one sire $10 $7 S:> PRODUCE OF COW. Two animals. of either sex. the produce of one cow $8 $6 $4 SWEEPSTAKES. Not less than two entries required in this class. Bull any age '. $10 Cow any age 10 The above motion was seconded l;y Mr. Phillius, and the roll call resulted as follows: Thcjse voting in the affirmative were: Johnston, Phillips, St. John. Packard, Pike. Wright. Cameron and Simpson, total being 8. Negatives : Brown, Legoe, Wragg, McDo.^aVl, \\'adsworth and MlOrro^^■, total be- mg 6. The president declared the motion to have carried. Other changes for list of 1904, see premium list. Mr. Wadsworth moved that a class for Yorkshire hogs be added to the swine department, and that premiums not exceed- ing $200 be-ofifered for same. Seconded by Johnston and mo- tion prevailed. Mr. Pike moved that a separate class be made for Delaine Merino. Motion prevailed. Mr. Pike moved that a premium be offered in all shcrp classes for "pen of four lambs," the get of one ram, the ram need not he shown. Motion prevailed. Upon motion of Mr. Johnston lioard adjourned tr meet at I :30 o'clock p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION. Board met pursuant to adj( urnment, and on roll call the fol- lowing memte's were found to be present: Wright ]\Iorrow. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 99 Cameron, Phillips, Bniwn, v^t. John, Packard, Legoc, Pike and Simp.son. Messrs. Johnston, Wrag^-, W'adsworth and McDon- ald came in later. Mr. W'rio-ht mcAed that the exhibit of cheese be limited to o ioAva exhibitors, and that all cheese must be exhibited by the maker. Motion prevailed. Mr. St. John moved that the superintendents of aoriculture, liorticulturc, exposition and all other halls, have tlie privilege of selecting- from the corps of police o,ne man for duty in the respective halls. Motion prevailed. Mr. Wrag-g- moved that $100 be added to the premiums in the horticultural department. Motion prevailed. Mr. St. John moved that it is the sense of this b. 'ird that night attractions b.e provided for the fair of 1904. and that the matter be left in the hands of the executive committe.. M'r. Brown moved that the executive committee act as the legislative committee, and that the}^ be empowered to call in members of the board from time to time as the-- may deem it necessary. Seconded by Legoe and motion prevailed. Mr. Wragg- moved that a committee on per diem a id mileage be appointed. This motion prevailed and the presirlent ap- pointed as .such committee Messrs. \Vrag<^^ St. John and Pike. Mr. Wragg made the report of committee on i)er diem and mileage as follows : Name. Days Rate. Amount. Miles . Amount. Total. W, W. Morrow C E. Cameron 6 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 $ 4 00 400 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4 00 4.00 400 4.00 4.00 4.00 400 4.00 $ 24 03 24.00 12.00 24.00 24.00 24.00 24.00 24 00 24.00 24.00 24.0(1 24.00 24.00 12.00 82 140 158 102 54 200 89 195 65 16 123 100 $ 8.20 14.00 $ 82.20 38.00 12.00 W. C. Brown 10 20 5.40 20.00 8 PO 19.50 6.50 1.60 12 30 10.00 34.20 S. B. Packard H. L. Pike 29.40 44 00 32. f R. T. St. John M. McDonald M . J. Wragtj 43 50 30.50 ?5.^0 J. W . Wadsworth T. C. Legoe 36.30 34.00 C. W. Phillip'^ 24.00 J. P. Manatrey 118 12.80 23. 80 Total 1440 40 M. .J. Wragg, •H. L. Pike. R. T. St. John, Committee. 100 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Mr. Wragg moved that all unfinished business be delegated to the executive committee, with power to act. Motion prevailed. It was moved by -Mr. Packard that the '7i^<^§i"§" Co}itest" for the Iowa State College scholarship be included in the premium list. Motion prevailed. Air. Cameron moved that the board now adjourn, to meet at call of president. This motion prevailed and the president de- clared the meeting adjourned. J. C. Simpson, Secretary. PART II. REPORT OF THE IOWA WEATHER AND CROP SERVICE FOR 1903. WITH A SUMMARY OF IOWA WEATHER AND CROPS FOR A SERIES OF YEARS. John R. Sage, Director. CLIMATOLOGY OF THE YEAR 1903. Barometer.— The mean pressure for the year was 30.04 inches. The highest observed pressure was 30.68 inches on February 18th and Decem- ber 14th at Des Moines; the lowest pressure, 29.19 inches, on October 6th at Sioux City. Range for the State 1.49 inches. Temperature. — The mean temperature for the State was 47.3''. which is 0.3° below normal. The highest temperature reported was 101° on August 24th at Logan. The lowest temperature reported was 27° below zero on December 13th at Sibley. Range for the year 128°. Precipitation. — The average amount of rain and melted snow for the year, as shown by complete records of ninety-five stations, was 35.66 inches, which is 4.75 inches above the normal, and 8.65 inches below the average am^ount for 1902. The greatest amount recorded at any station for the year was 50.53 inches at Onawa. Least amount recorded 26.41 inches at Ames. The greatest monthly rainfall was 17.74 inches at Wood- burn in August; least monthly amount, a trace at Afton and thirteen 0.3° above normal. By sec- tions the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 47.6°; central section, .50.0°; southern section, 51.8°. The highest monthly mean was 53.8', at Burlington; lowest monthly mean, 44.9°, at Forest City. The highest temperature reported was 86°, at Mt. Vernon on the 11th; lowest temperature reported, 17°, at Larchwood, on the 30th. The average monthly maximum was 77.4°; average monthly minimum, 25.0°. Greatest daily range, 52°, at Stuart; average of greatest daily ranges, 39.7°. Average precipitation for the State, as show^n by records of 120 stations, was 2.98* inches, which is 0.03 of an inch below normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 3.38 inches; central section, 2.89 inches: southern section, 2.67 inches. The largest amount reported was 6.00 inches, at Grand Meadow; least amount re- ported, 0.74 of an inch, at Logan. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 3.16 inches, at Columbus Junction, on the 10th and 11th. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 9. Pre- vailing direction ot the wind, north v/est; highest velocity reported, 45 miles per hour, from the south, at Sioux City, on the 27th. Average num- ber of clear days, 11; partly cloudy, 9; cloudy, 10. May. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown by records of 117 stations, was 61.6 •', which is 1.4 above normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 60.4°; central section, 61.9°; southern section, 62.6°. The highest monthly mean wag 65.2°, at Burlington; lowest monthly mean, 55.2°, at Estherville. The highest tem.perature reported was 91°, at Clinton, on the 20th; lowest temperature reported, 24°, at Bedford and Earlham, on the 1st and 3d. The average monthly maximum w^as 83.3°; average monthly minimum, 29.6°. Greatest daily range, 49°, at Larchwood; average of greatest daily ranges, 33.8°. ..-Average precipitation for the State, as shown by records 104 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. of 129 stations, was 8.55 inches, which is 4.52 inches above normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 8.11 inches, central section, 8.73 inches; southern section, 8.80 inches. The largest amount reported was 15.45 inches, at Thurman; least amount reported, 2.88 inches, at Fort Madison. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 4.80 inches, at Thurman, on the 22d. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 16. i Prevailing direction of the wind, southeast; highest velocity reported, 72 miles per hour, from the southeast, at Sioux City, on the 21st. Average number of clear days, 9; partly cloudy, 12; cloudy, 10. June. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown by records of 109 stations, was 64.6°, which is 5.6° below normal. By sec- tions the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 64.1°; central section, 64.5°; southern section, 65.3°. The highest monthly mean was 67.8°, at Tipton; lowest monthly mean, 59.4°, at Ogden. The nighest temperature was 96°, at Cedar Rapids and Sigourney, on the 26th and 30th; lowest temperature reported, 30°, at Denison, on the 4th. The average monthly maximum was 89.7°; average monthly minimum, 38.6°. Greatest daily range, 50°, at Scranton; average of greatest daily ranges 34.1°. Average precipitation for the State, as shown by records of 125 stations, was 2.86 inches, which is 1.52 inches below normal. The aver- ages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 2.84 inches; central section, 2.89 inches; southern section, 2.85 inches. The largest amount reported was 6.04 inches at Humboldt; least amount reported, .IB of an inch, at West Union. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 3.00 inches at Washta, on the 30th. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 10. Prevailing direction of the wind, northwest; highest velocity reported, 66 miles per hour, from the north- west, at Sioux City, on the 8th. Average number of clear days, 13; partly cloudy, 10; cloudy, 7. July. — The monthly mean temperature for the State as shown by the records of 112 stations, was 72.9°, which is 1.5° below normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 71.0°; southern section, 74.7°. The highest monthly mean was 77.4°, at Keokuk; lowest monthly mean, 68.5°, at New Hampton. The highest tenr^erature reported was 100°, at Thurman and Sigourney, on the 9th and 27th; lowest temperature reported, 40°, at Chester, on the 31st. The average monthly maximum was 92.7°; average monthly minimum, 46.4°. Greatest daily range, 39°, at Lansing, Clarinda, Earlham; average of greatest daily ranges, 31.3°, Average precipitation for the States, as shown by records of 12-^ stations was 4.83°, which is .91 of an inch above normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 6.49 inches; central section, 5.28 inches; southern section, 2.73 inches. The largest amount reported was 12.72 inches at Elkader; least amount reported, .94 of an inch at Belknap. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 5.12 inches, at Delaware, on the 10th. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 9. Prevailing direction of the wind, south; highest velocity, 48 miles per hour, fiom the northwest, at Sioux FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 105 City, on the 1st. Average number of clear days, 17; partly cloudy, 9; cloudy, 5. August. — The mean monthly temperature for the State, as shown by records of 99 stations, was 69.1°, which is 3.1° below normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 67.0°; cen- tral section, 69.3°; southern section, 70.9°. The highest monthly mean was 75.0°, at Logan; lowest monthly mean, 63.8°, at New Hampton. The highest temperature reported was 101°, at Lx)gan, on the 24th; lowest temperature reported, 41°, at Ogden, on the 31st. The average monthly maximum was 91.6°; average monthly minimum, 47.3°. G-reatest daily range, 45°, at Logan; average of greatest daily ranges, 31.4°. Average precipitation for the State, as shown by records of 110 stations, was (3.f;4 inches, which is 3.45 inches above normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 5.51 inches; central section, 5.67 inches; southern section, 8.74 inches. The largest amount reported was 17.74 inches, at Woodburn; least amount reported, 2.55 inches, at Toledo. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 11.22 inches, at Chariton, on the 27th. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 11. Prevailing direction of the wind, southwest; highest velocity re- ported, 44 miles per hour, from the southeast, at Sioux City, on the 1st. Average number of clear days, 12; partly cloudy, 10; cloudy, 9. September. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown by records of 104 stations, was 60.8°. which is 3.4° belovv^ normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 59.0°; central section, 61.1°; southern section, 62.4'-. The highest monthly mean was 66.2°, at Belknap; lowest monthly mean, 56.9°, at Forest City. The highest temperature reported was 94°, at Logan, on the 1st; lowest temperature reported, 28°, at Larchwood. on the 16th. The average monthly maximum was 84.8°; average monthly minimum, 33.6°. Greatest daily range, 51°, at Clarinda and Marshalltown; aver- age of greatest daily ranges. 34.8°. Average precipitation for the State, as shown by records of 116 stations, was 3.81 inches, which is 0.61 of an inch above normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, 3.94 inches; central section, 3.46 inches; southern sec- tion, 4.09 inches. The largest amount reported was 8.79 inches, at Lar- rabee; least amount reported, 1.42 inches, at Waukee. The greatest daily rainfall was 4.09 inches at Larrabee, on the 11th and 12th. Average number of days on which 01 of an inch or more was reported, 10. Pre- vailing direction of the wind, south; highest velocity reported, 42 miles per hour, from the northwest, at Sioux City, on the 26th. Average num- ber of clear days, 14; partly cloudy. 6; cloudy, 10. October. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown by records of 105 stations, was 52.2°, which is 0.3° above normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 50.7°; central section. 52.1°; scuthern section, 53.8°. The highest monthly mean was 57.7°, at Belknap; lowest monthly mean, 47.2°, at Belle Plaine. The highest temperature reported was 90°, at Chariton, on the 3d; low- est temperature reported, 16°, at Earlham, on the 27th. The average monthly maximum was 80.4°; average monthly minimum, 25.4°. Great- 106 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. est daily range, 57°. at Carroll; average of greatest ranges. 39.7^. Aver- age precipitation for the State, as shown by records of 115 stations, was 1.95 inches, which is 0.49 of an inch below normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section. 2.12 inches; central section, 1.78 inches; southern section. 1.95 inches. The largest amount reported was 4.50 inches, at Harlan; least amount reported, 0.32 of an inch, at St. Charles. The greatest daily rainfall reported was 2.90 inches, at Ruthven on the 6th. Average number of days on which 0.1 of an incli or more was reported. 5. Prevailing direction of the wind, south; highest velocity reported, 58 miles per hour, froni the west, at Sioux City, on the 7th. Average number of clear days. 19; partly cloudy, fi; cloudy, 6. November. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown 1 y records of 105 stations, was 34.2, which is 0.1 below normal. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section, 32.2°; central section, 34.0°; southern section. 36.3°. The highest monthly mean was 39.0°, at Osceola and Red Oak; lowest monthly mean, 3^0°, at Estherville. The highest temperature reported was 76°. at Pacific Junction, on the 1st; lowest temperature reported, 5° below zero, at Carroll and Audubon, on the 18th and 26th. The average monthly maximum was 68^3°; average monthly minimum. 3.1°. Greatest daily range, 43°. at Osceola; average of greatest daily ranges. 30.9°. Average precipitation for the State, as shown by records of 116 stations, was 0.52 of an inch, which is 0.85 of an inch below normal. The averages of sections were as follows: Northern section. 0.17 inch; central section. 0.57 inch; southern section. 0.82 inch. The largest amount reported was 1.74 inches, at Allerton; least amount reported, trace, at Algona. Charles City, F<^^rest C ty, M'^S'-^t C"tv. Northwood and Whitten. the greatest daily rainfall reported was 1.38 inches, at Washington, on the 10th and 11th. Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported, 3. Prevailing direction of the wind, northwest; highest ve- locity reported. 43 miles per hour, from the northwest, at Sioux City, on the 9th. Average numl:!er cf clear days, 13; partly cloudy, 8; cloudy, 9. December. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown by records of 103 stations, was 19.0°, which is 3.9° below normal. By sec- tions the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern section. 16.0°: central section, 19.7°; southern section. 23 0°. The hij^hest monthly mean was 26.2°, at Glenwood; lowest monthly mean. 12.5°. at Siblev. The highest temperature reported was 58°. at ITopeville. Mount Ayr. Osceola and St. Charles, on the 31st; lowest temperature reported. 27°, at Sibley, on the 13th. The aA'erage monthly maximum was 48.8° ; average monthly minimum. 15.3°. Greatest daily range. 56°. at Whitten; aver- age of greatest daily ranges, I'^.S". Average precipitation for the State, as shovn bv records of 118 stations, was 0.41 of an inch, which is 0.88 of an inch below normal. The averages by sections were as follows: Northern section, .49 of an inch; central section. .37 of an inch; southern section, 38 inches. The largest amount reported was 1.96 inches, at Ridgeway; least amount reported, trace, at Storm Lake. The greatest daily rainfall reported was .68 of an inch, at Ridgeway. on the 25t]i. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 107 Average number of days on which .01 of an inch or more was reported. 4. Prevailing direction of the wind, northwest; highest velocity re ported. 50 miles per hour, from ihe northwest, at Sioux City, on the 28th. Average numl)er of clear days, 11; partly cloudy, 9; cloudy, 11. CLIMATE AND CROP REVIEW. COMPAIJATIVK DATA OK TIIUEE ABNORMAL SEASON S. AND SUMMARY OK 1903 . The first three crop seasons of the new century— 1901-1902-1903 — may be classed as radically abnormal in respect to seasonal rainfall and temperatures, their records serving as striking illustrations of possible climatic extremes of this section. The season of 1901 was notable for extreme heat and aridity of air and earth, breaking all records of daily averages and maximum temperatures in the midsummer period. The droughty conditions continued until about May 1, 1902; then came heavy downpours, with streams bankfuU and overflowing, and continued excess of precipitation for a period of about seventeen consecutive months, or until September 15, 1903. For reference and comparison the following table is appended, showing the average precipitation and mean tem- peratures for the State, for the six crop months-7-April 1st to September 30th — in the last three years; also the monthly normals for the same period. , PRECIPirATION, INCHES. Months. 1903 1902 1901 2.98 1.71 1.79 8.55 5.39 2.35 2.86 7.16 3.17 4.88 8.67 2 34 6 64 6 58 1.2P 3.81 4 35 4.77 29.67 33.86 16.25 35.39 43.82 24.41 Normal April May June July August .... September Total for six months Total for the year . . . 2 89 4.13 4.50 4.23 3 43 3.30 22. 48 31 42 MEAN TEMPERATURE, DEr^REES. April. .. . May .1 une July August — September Means . 49 8 48 2 49.9 61.6 6.3.8 607 64.6 65.2 72.3 72.9 73.1 82.4 69.1 69.1 73 8 60.8 5'J 1 63.3 fi3. 1 P3.0 67.0 49.3 60.4 69.6 74.2 71.8 63.6 64.8 The records of the four critical crop months— May 1st to September 1st — show the marked difference in the rainfall and temperature of 1901 in comparison with the two following seasons. The total amounts for the four months were as follows: In 1901. 9.69 inches; in 1902, 27.80 inches: in 1903, 22.88 inches. The normal for the four months is 16.29 108 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. inches. The most favorable showing in these records is the fact tliat the rainfall in the crop season of 1903 was nearly 5.00 inches less than in the same period in 1902, indicating a return towards normal condi- tions. The winter of 1903 was generally about normal and favorable for live stock and the usual farm operations of the season. The soil was very wet, and the ponds and streams were more than usually filled with water and ice. Fall wheat and rye wintered fairly well, though the covering of snow was generally light. March was warmer than usual, with somewhat less than the normal precipitation; but the excessive cloudiness and humidity retarded farm work except in dry, sandy soil. While the spring opened earlier than usual, the fields were too wet to allow an early start in farm work. April was about normal in temperature and rainfall, but the prev- alence of cloudy, misty and humid weather during the larger part of ihe month retarded the necessary drying of the surface. The usual farm operations were pursued under these adverse conditions, causing ma- terial reduction of the acreage of spring wheat, oats and barley. Pas- tures and meadows made an early start and the grain crops germinated readily making a fairly good stand. A snowstorm with freezing tem- perature at the close of the month checked crop growth and injured the earlier varieties of apples cherries and plums. May was the wettest and most unfavorable month of the season. The soil at the outsat was supersaturated and the average rainfall for the State for the month was 8.55 inches. The distribution of this ex- cessive amount of rainfall was variable ranging at local stations from 2.88 to 15.45 inches; but the averages of each station was above 8 inches. The best conditions as to dryness of soil were in the Mississippi river districts. The great interior basins v^f the Des Moines, Iowa and Cedar rivers were subjected to very heavy floods ^bout the close of the month, causing much delay in farming operations and damage to all crop.^. From about the 3d to the 18th cotfditions were at their best, and during that part of the month the plowing, planting and other farm operations were in progress on the drier lands, with only occasional interruption by showers. Most of the corn that was planted was put in during thai period. The protracted and very heavy storms during the last decade rendered field work impracticable in more than four fifths of the Sta^.e. At the close of the month not more than two thirds of the usual corn area had been planted. The germination was generally quick and sat- is^j^clory in the stand, but the fields soon became very foul from the lack of cultivation, and much more than the usual amount of replanting was necessitated as a result of washing and flooding the fields. The genera' condition of wheat, oats, rye. barley and meadows was better than seemed to be possible during prevalence of the storms. June was unseasonably cool, but generally dry and more favorable for field work and crops than the preceding month. The mean tem- perature was about 5° below normal, and the rainfall was 1.52 inches below the average. The surface dried off slowly, and the cool weather FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 109 was more favorable for small grain than for the rapid germination and growth of the belated corn. Good progress was made in replanting the washed out corn fields and in cultivating the early planted corn on the dry upland. Seasonable temperature about the close of the month caused a marked improvement in the appearance and prospects of this important staple and in size and color it was much nearer the normal condition than was deemed possible at the outset. Clover-cutting was begun near the middle of the month and haymaking was quite general at the close, the output being above the average. July was characterized by frequent and sudden alternations from high to low temperatures. The daily mean for the month was about ?*= below normal the first decade being unusually warm the second decade unseasonably cool and the third decade bringing the two extremes of temperature. The average rainfall for the State, 4.83 inches, was .91 of an inch above the July normal. The distribution was very unequal, the average of the northern section being 6.49, the central section 5.28, and the southern section 2.73 inches. The heaviest amounts of rainfall were reported at stations in the northeast district. The most destruc- tive storm of the month occurred on the afternoon of the 20th. sweeping across the state on a direct line from Lyon and Osceola southward to Adams, Taylor and Ringgold its pathway varying in width from one to eight miles. At numerous points along this line the storm was accompanied by high winds and very heavy hail, causing almost total loss of growing crops within an area of more than three hundred square miles. In portions of the southern section droughty conditions prevailed for many days, causing some detriment to growing crops; but the clos- ing week brought generous showers. On the whole the month was favorable to haymaking and harvesting of wheat, oats, barley and rye. The hay crop proved to be one of the best ever produced in the State, and the greater part of it was secured in excellent condition. "Wheat 'and oats were generally harvested in good condition, but on account of the rust and blight the yield has been disappointing, though the quality of the grain will be greatly superior to the output of last year. ' The corn crop made fairly good progress during the month, though the tem- perature was somewhat unfavorable about half of the time. The early planted portion of the crop reached the earing stage while the late planted corn was generally small and unpromising. The outlook for the crop as a whole was not encouraging at the close of July. August was cooler than usual, with a large excess of rainfall, hu- midity and cloudiness. TJtie mean temperature was 3.1° below normal, and the average rainfall, 6,64 inches, was 3.43 inches above normal. The southern section received the larger amount, an average of 8.74 inches, the bulk of it falling in the last week of the month (State Fair week). It was the wettest August of which we have records for the State, There were nineteen cloudy or partly cloudy days. During the fair weather periods considerable progress was made in threshing and other farm operations. Haymaking was continued throughout the month, when the weather permitted, securing a large amount of after- math, wild hay, and second crop of clover for seed and fodder. More 110 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. than the usual amount of plowing was done, with generally favorable conditions of soil for this work. Threshing returns indicated generally light and unsatisfactory yield of wheat, oats and barley; the yield of timothy seed has been unusually heavy. The development of the corn crop was all that could be expected under the prevalent weather condi- tions. At the close of the month the early planted corn, about forty per cent of the whole area, had reached the roasting ear stage, or a little beyond, giving promise of reaching maturity within twenty days, unde^ favorable conditions. The balance of the crop was in various stages of growth, indicating need of very good ripening weather for a full month or more to place the bulk of it beyond danger of harm or frost. The outlook for the crop as a whole was at that tim-e unsatisfactry. The late potato crop made fair growth in dry and sandy soil, but there were reports of damage by rot in many localities. The crop of early and fall apples gave good returns, especially in the northern half of the State; but winter apples were unpromising. Pasturage made a heavy growth, giving assurance of abundant fall feed for stock. September was cooler than usual, the mean temperature being 3.4^ below normal. Frosts occurred at numerous stations on the 16th. 17th. 18th, 24th and 27th, but little damage resulted to corn and other crops, except in limited areas on low ground. The main detriment caused by the cold and frosty period was the delay in bringing belated corn to full ma- turity. The period of most unfavorable weather and heaviest rainfall was from the 4th to the 16th. In the last half of the month there were about twelve days of ideal weather for maturing crops, harvesting, thresh- ing and plowing. During this time corn made very good progress, and at the close of the month fully 80 per cen^; of tlie crop was well matured, the balance requiring two weeks of frostless weather and generally favorable conditions to make it safe. There was but little expectation of bringing all of the belated portion of the crop to maturity, as some of it was green and soft at the close of September. A considerable amount of the early corn was cut and put into shock after the first appearance of frost. Fall pasturage was never better, and seldom as good at this time of year. Fair progress was ihade in harvesting the minor crops, and a good deal of second crop hay was secured. Fall plowing was well advanced, much more than the usual acreage having been done with the soil in excellent condition. The potato harvest showed a very light yield, and much dam- aged by rotting. The fall apple crop was fair, but winter apples were inferior in size and quality. On the whole September was a fairly satis- factory month, though below in temperature and sunshine. The adverse features of the month were the natural sequence of the preceding abnor- mal spring and summer. October was an ideal autumn month. The mean temperature was slightly above and the rainfall below the normal, and the percentage of sunshine was higher than usual. The bulk of the rainfall came in the first seven days, and generally with but little disturbance of the elements. No trace of snow was reported during the month. The first general kill- ing frost occurred on the 18th, at which time there was practically very little of value exposed to damage by freezing temperature. The greater FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. Ill portion of the late planted corn was fairly well matured before the middle of the month. Reports were received of very many fields planted as late as June 15th which were well ripened by October 10th. The amount of fall plowing in the State at large was much greater than in recent years. A limited acreage of fall wheat and rye was sown, and the conditions were favorable for germination and growth, insuring a good stand. The fall pasturage was never better, being very green and succulent at the close of October. The dry weather was favorable to harvesting potatoes, apples, and all the late maturing crops. The potato crop was generally light, with considerable damage by rot, though some localities report a fair yield. The yield of winter apples was much below the average. Forage crops- and {garden truck made excellent yields. As a whole Octo- ber was a remarkably fine month, making an exceptional record in view of the adverse weather conditions of the preceding months. November was unusually dry and seasonably warm, with less than the average amount of atmospheric disturbance. Conditions were favor- able for farm operations, and excellent progress was made in cribbing the corn crop. The cobs contained more than the usual amount of mois- ture, but the dry weather and freezing temperature prevented damage by heating in the cribs. The small acreage of fall wheat and rye suffered no material injury from dry weather and freezing. The weather was highly favorable for stock feeding and pastures afforded good feed throughout the month. The supply of water for stock was ample for the winter. On the whole the crop season of 1903 was materially better than the preceding season, the quality of the output of the soil being much superior. The forage crops have been exceptionally heavy, and the fall months were favorable for securing the full benefit of the abundant yield of pasturage and fodder. There is much cause for congratulation and thankfulness that, under such unusual conditions, the yield of all staple crops has been sufficient to afford a liberal reward for the labor of the tillers of the soil of this most fertile State. CROP REPORT, JUNE 1, 1903. Reports of the regular crop correspondents of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service, made June 1st. have been received and tabulated for the State at large. The showing as to the acreage, as compared with last year is somewhat better than we had reason to expect in view of the adverse weather conditions and saturated state of the soil in the seeding and planting season. The county reports were generally mailed about the 27th to 30th of June, when the conditions were at their worst for the formation of a fair estimate as to the status of the crops. The percentage of the acreage of the staples are as follows, the figure 100 representing the area of last year: Winter wheat, 83 per cent; spring wheat, 85; oats. 92; barley. 90; rye, 88; meadows. 101; potatoes. 94; flax, 87. 112 IOWA DEPARTxMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Conditions of Crops and Fruit. — Winter wheat, 96; spring wheat, 93; corn already planted, 75; oats, 93; barley, 96; rye, 94; meadows, 109; pastures, 107; flax, 84; potatoes, 91; apples, 70; plums, 35; peaches, 40; cherries, 35; grapes, 70; strawberries, 90; blackberries, 92; rasp- berries, 85. Live Stock. — Cattle, 99; sheep, 99; hogs, 98; spring pigs, 89; horses, 96; foals, 95. Last year at corresponding date conditions were rated as follows: Corn, 97 per cent; wheat, 99; oats, 98; barley, 100; rye, 99; flax, 98; potatoes, 103; meadows, 96; apples, 70; plums, 72; cherries 70; grapes, 72; strawberries, 80; raspberries, 71; blackberries, 67. CROP REPORT, JULY 1, 1903. Reports from county and township crop reporters for July 1st have been tabulated, showing the following percentages of condition: Spring wheat, 88 per cent; corn, 77; cats, 87; barley, 89; rye, 98; flax, 85; meadows, 104; pastures, 107; potatoes, 96; apples, 70; plums, 49; grapes, 78. Last year at corresponding date the percentages were as follows: Wheat, 97; corn, 92; oats, 95; rye, 98; barley, 97; flax, 99; potatoes, 108; meadows, 99; pastures, 107; apples, 65; grapes, 65. A revised estimate of the area of corn planted this year shows 87 per cent, or an average decrease of 13 per cent, compared with the area planted in 1902. CROP REPORT, AUGUST 1, 1903. Reports from township and county crop correspondents of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service have been tabulated, showing the following estimates of the condition of the staple crops on August 1, 1903: Spring wheat, 82 per cent; corn, 73; oats, 77; millet, 96; flax, 8«; buckwheat, 89; pastures, 104; sorghum, 84; potatoes, 80; apples, 65; grapes, 80. At corresponding date last year the estimates were as follows: Spring wheat, 84; corn, 93; oats, 83; flax. 91; potatoes, 107; apples. 66. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II. 113 IOWA CROPS— FINAL REPORT, 1903. WBRAGE YIELD PER ACRE; TOTALS FOR THE STATE; CURRENT FARM PRICES, DECEMBER 1, 1903. Following is a summary of crop reports from correspondents of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service, showing the average yield per acre and totals of staple soil products, and the average prices at the farnts or nearest stations December 1, 1903. In this showing of the value of the season's output of grain, forage, etc., no reckoning is made of the increment in value gained by consumption of soil products on the farms in the production of beef, pork, mutton, horses, butter, poultry, eggs, etc. Usually the prices obtainable for ^he crops at the close of the season do not express more than two thirds of the actual value of the staple products of the soil. The Corn Crop. — In estimating the output of this crop the most difficult problem is to determine the extent of loss of acreage caused by floods and adverse weather conditions in the season of planting and cultivating. As a result of inquiry and careful computation it appears that the corn area actually cultivated and harvested this season is ap- proximately 7,398,320 acres. The returns of township assessors show that the area planted in 1902 was 8,925,068 acres, and by comparison it is shown that the reduction this season amounted to about 1,526,748 acres. The average yield per acre for the State this year was 31 bush- els, and the aggregate product is estimated at 230,511,310 bushels. The average farm price on December 1st was 36 cents per bushel, making the aggregate value $82,984,071. Last year the product was much inferior in quality though much larger in amount, and the value was computed at $83,000,000. The yearly average for thirteen years has _been .569,633,000. In respect to quality of the grain and actual commercial value, the corn crop of this season is fully 20 per cent better than the output of 1902. Wheat. — Winter wheat acreage harvested 84,934 acres; yield per acre, 16.9 bushels; total yield, 1,435,380 bushels; average price 70 cents per bushel; total value, $1,004,706. Spring wheat area harvested, 752,488 acres; average yield 12.6 bushels per acre; total product, 9,481,350 bush- els; price per bushel, 65 cents; total value, $6,162,877. Aggregate value of wheat, $7,167,643. Last year the value was $7,062,640. Average yearly value for past thirteen years, $10,524,000. Oats. — The oats crop this season has been below the averag? in yield per acre and weight per bushel, as a result of adverse conditions. The area harvested was 3,822,882 acres; average yield, 25.9 bushels per 8 114 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. acre; total product, 99,012,660 bushels; aggregate value, at 30 cenis pe!- bushel, $29,703,798. Last season the product was 92,907,000 bushels, valued at $22,907. The average yearly output for thirteen years has been 117.318,000 bushels, and the value $25,420,000. Barley. — ^Area harvested, 493,108 acres; yield per acre, 24.7 bushels; to'al product, 12,179.790 bushels; average price. 37 cents per bushel; lo^al value, $4,506,522. The yield and value are about the thirteen-year average. Ryej. — Area harvested, 123,273 acres; average yield, 15.6 bushels per aero; total product 1,923,060 bushels; current price. 44 cents per bushel; total value, $846,146. Flax. — Area harvested, 40,823 acres; yield per acre, 8.7 bushels, total yield, 355,160 bushels; current farm price, 78 cents per bushel; total value. $277,024. Potatop:.s. — Area harvested, 113,433 acres; average yield, 5.38 bushels per acre; total product, 6,082,694 bushels; average farm price, 75 cents per bushel; value of product, $4,562,020. The total yield is about half the thirteen-year average; total value about the average of the l.hirleen- year period. Hay. — (Tam.e). Average yield per acre. 1.9 tons; total product. 5,216,404 tons; current farm price, $5.75 per ton; total value of crop. $29,994,323. Hay.— (Wild). Yield per acre, 1.3 tons; total product. 1,191.345 tons; average price, $4.96. per ton; total value, $5,897,157. The hay crop as a whole (tame and wild) is nearly 900,000 tons in excessi of the thirteen-year average. Pasturage. — This most important soil product has been at its best in the recent wet seasons, when the cereal crops have suffered much detri- ment from excessive moisture. It is not measurable by the ton or bushel, and its value can only be estimated approximately by consider- ing it as the basis of stock growing and dairying. From this point of view it will be a conservative estimate to figure the output of pastures and all other grazing lands at an average of $300 per farm. This makes a total value of $68,000,000 for the State. Corn fodder in shock and fields is worth at least $10,000,000. Sorghum broom com and sweet potatoes are worth about $750,000. TABULATED CROP SUMMARY, Crops. Total Products. Farm Values December 1. Corn Wheat 230,511,310 bus. 10, 916 730 bus. 99,012,660 bus. 12, 179, 790 bus. 1,928,060 bus. 355, 160 bus. 6,082,694 bus. 5. 216, 404 ton?. 1,191, 345 tons. $ 82,984,071 7, 167, 648 29,703,798 4,506,522 846 146 Oats Barley. Rye Flax 277 024 Potatoes Hay (tame) Hay (wild) 4,562,020 29,994,323 5 897 157 Pasturage (estimated) 68,000,000 1 225,000 Timothy and clover seed Corn fodder 10,000,000 750,000 Sorghum, broom corn and sweet potatoes Fruits and vegetables 10,500,000 Total value .$ 258, 413, 704 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 115 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 117 aod suox 03 2 o o jad suoj, OT5 aaoB aad ■QSOK aad spqstig ajoB aad siaqstig SI aaoB aad spqsng O cTj •aiOB jad spqsng ■djiye J9d spqsng 'OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQQOOOOOQOOpOOQOOOOO r-l CI — C ,-1 IM fs 5^j »n >o lO - iiOiO«>f3iOO-^»n»OCO>0 0000«0'«-*0 OOOOOOOC) '-:iO O ^OOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOQQOOOO -tiait-o»5-*cD!C<:ffOcooc»ecooo-.«£i oi^c^i 05 w C>f<>f 30-^— ^OOodoi'-^— <"^-^OOC^^C^oI^-^-^ OCDCa ^— Too lOa -T^» O »f5 OOt-" CQ L- — O >OQ0Ot-O'OC7iO00C>C>C5OOa)i0X>O3i'-D»0OOOOXCDO0000OClOa0O ^ ^ oi .-• c>i -H — i oj — «' c« ■?! 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Oi c^j >rj 00 00 o 'I' l^ 00 :^^ O t- 1- t- OC t- 00 05 Oi -«1< w. -* o t- •— — CO 00 — t- CO -q- 00 ajoB aad s^aqsna >eooococMeocMCOcoc C • o c C ;- cc O CO i; PM a.'i' c aJ'r a ^ =-« 3 Js"^ ^ ^ > a ■r S g c:S c s FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II, 119 HI )»t-OOOOOiOSrHCCOQOO^ :§ 1^5 > CO 05 C'i lO O) I r-c I 15 »ooowooioci-^io»n>o®ifl-*:ocQira«oioo>oicioi«u3u30 X t- ■* CJ t~ X 55 -o CO 30 :c lO 00 X X c^i -r c; lO ro -K CM t- 1- :c CM -^ o x<»ooci:co-t-ox — r;t~-^-^-t'ooa-. ■^iom«:cx»0'^ >*< Xt-OXOO-CiCr.OOt-OOOXXt-OOOXCMOOOOOOj 1 ^ ^ ^ cvi ^ -^ ci CM c-j -^ CM ?i -H c^i c^i oi o i r-i r-. r-; c^i -<■ ci c>i — > ?1 ?i cm | • '^ )0 . «5 i?5 <£ 00 Ol )50CMlO--O.- 00000000C50 000O0OOOO0 . -» 7i s: »o o o X Ti lO 05 ^ m i^»ocooi I- -^ i~ i3 :c ui -I' — cc T CM -T -T f ^ >.T r.t M ;c ?o CM ooooiooo'MOomosMOO'^icvioro-^oioiraoowifso S tCXCMCMJOCM XXOOJT-IOO 30Qc:>000000000000 8'»CCCMC>i'-ltDC^iXOl-'fflM-T1 ?C ■«< r-H CC I- -H 35 OM -ICM C<»— — t-r-lOO ?5 i.;iO oooooo it-CM -^l-OCOOlr-i •CXCMCMOC^lOOQOin— iXSCOCMCi— • 7 < CM CVI CM 2 C^ ! CM CM CM r-i C J 't'O • to CO CD O O "^If 71 TO • CM OM CM CO CO Ci OOlO-^XlCCSOOOOOCMCMC-iCOXCfi^mCMXOlO •■«oooo 1 1- CM -f< CO I jOt-CiX •CO •— CM-» ^1 : CO— ICMCMIOCJCOC:COCCCOCM-^CO Oi -IM-X-ti •irSCiJOCMO^kO S : 3 _' 20,360 12,120 1,300 13,020 ■5; ico- ■■■70,810 44, 160 50, 140 24,200 27, 180 2,370 ^'0 : in X : i isSJiSi-!; ;r^ : ;- :22S2Sg2t2 : oox I 1T9 C^»CM^C33COCDOO — OXOXOXXt-C^JlOOOOCCCO-^^ I —• u0t--O_U3CiC0-«*3roorirt"oococM'crii:rco'cc'c^rt>r?D'oco'"x'"x'"»t>^— ' -^" oocMcsooscoi eooso-HCQinco — cMCM»rs — oiiotc-HSi'ffliocD I — Xt->O05C-t-— lt-'*fT--r^'"i--r,-HC>rcM— rc'i' CM'c'jr- Trt' o xoo?oo«ojif?io«D— lCMCOCnc<3COCO-MCO^COJ^COCOOJC^jC>jrTCOCCOJCMCMCO( Is UU I = s °1 ? = 11-1 i « s s &-S-S-S ? s-= APPENDIX. IOWA CLIMATE AND CROPS, Climatic Data Compiled from all Available Records, and Statistics of the Soil Products of the State. PREFATORY NOTES. In response to a constantly increasing public demand for climatic data and statistics of farm products, the following pages have been appended to this report. In this age of intensive scientific investigation and far-reaching statistical inquiry the matter herein presented is of vital interest to students of climatology, producers and consumers of foodstuffs, and men of affairs who direct the operations of our complex industrial and commercial system. Meteorological records have been made at stations of observation well distributed throughout the state, and cover sufficient periods of time to illustrate fairly the general characteristics and permanent conditions of the climate of Iowa, and the statistics of farm crops afford ample proof of the marvelous productivity of its soil. To answer questions being the special purpose of this compilation of data, the tables of climatic means and crop averages and totals have been placed in convenient form for reference and comparison. In the systematic collection of climatic data the medical department of the United States army took the initiative in the early part of the last cen- tury. The surgeons or hospital stewards at all military posts were directed to keep a diary of the weather, and to note everything of importance relating to the climate. And the records made in pursuance of this gen- eral order afford all the accurate knowledge we have of the climate of the northwest in the years antedating the general settlement of the country . Observations were made and recorded at Council Bluffs military post in 1820-25; at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island) , in 1824-35; at Fort Des Moines in 1843-46; at Fort Atkinson in 1844-46; and at Fort Dodge in 1851-53. These somewhat fragmentary records have a special value as evidence of the fact that the climate of this region has been practically permanent for more than three-quarters of the past century. To the late Prof. Theodore S. Parvin belongs the honor of being the Dioneer voluntary meteorological observer of this state. His service in that (121) 122 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. line was begun at Muscatine in Jannary, 1839, and continued at that place until 186 J. , After his removal in the latter year to Iowa City to accept a professorship in the state university, his observations were resumed and continued until 1873, when the service was transferred to Dr. Gustavus Hin- richs, who began the organization of the Iowa weather service. » The records made by Professor Parvin, covering a third of a century, were used by him in the preparation of articles on the climate of Iowa, contributed to various scientific publications, rendering valuable service by setting forth the climatic advantages of this then comparatively unknown and sparsely settled region. At Muscatine the observations were continued by the Rev. John Qfiford and J. P. Walton, making a consecutive record of more than fifty years, of much public value. In 1849 the Smithsonian Institution, aided by the general government, established stations of observation in all parts of the Union, wherever ama- teurs of science could be found to serve as voluntary observers. An issue of instruments was made to observers, and about twenty fairly well equipped stations were established in Iowa. The records of mean temperature and precipitation are to be found in the voluminous reports of that institution. The first attempt to predict the course of general storm movements in the United States was made previously to 1850 by the Smithsonian Institution, which secured telegraphic reports upon temperature, atmospheric pressure and rainfall from a number of stations east of the Missouri river. This was the inception of the system of daily weather forecasting which has become so popular and useful to the public. Upon the foundation thus prepared by series of observations covering a period of fifty years, the structure of the National Weather Bureau was erected by the general government in 1870. In Iowa five regular and fully equipped stations have been established by the government, as follows: At Davenport in 1872; at Keokuk and Dubuque in 1873; at Des Moines in 1878, and at Sioux City in 1889. The Iowa weather Service was organized in 1874, the special object being to collect climatic data from a much larger number of stations than were provided for by the national service. In 1878 the general assembly made an appropriation to defray a portion of the expense of the state service, and named Dr. Hinrichs as director. In 1890 the service was re-organized and made co-operative with the National Weather Bureau, and its scope was enlarged by providing for the collection and tabulation of statistics of the acreage and yield of staple farm crops in addition to the climatic records. By this system of co-operation it is be- lieved, the state is recipient of a much larger measure of benefits than might be secured by the independent operation of either the national or state service. Climatology is properly included as a branch of physical geography, cor- related to geology; and, therefore, as a fitting prelude to the study of climate and crops, the following paper on "The Physiography of Iowa" has been gen- erously contributed by Prof. Samuel Calvin, chief of the state geological department.^ In this most excellent paper we have a clear presentation of some of the results of surveys and studies made by the able scientists of the geological corps. The foundations of agricultural empire appear to have been laid deeply and securely in this central valley during the far distant FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 123 glacial epoch, when the ponderous ice mills were grinding the primeval rocks, ' 'slowly but exceeding fine, " to provide a covering of drift as the bed of the richest deposits of soi! found 0:1 earth. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF IOWA, By Prof. Samuel Calvin, State Geologist. General Statement . —\\. would neera that a very short chapter ought to be sufficient to include all that can be said concerning the physical features of Iowa; for the state is simply an extensive plain— over large areas a very monotonous plain — lying between the great rivers and rising but little above them at any point. The relief is small. The zero point on the river gauge at Keokuk has an elevation above tide of 477 feet; the elevation of Sibley, the highest important railway station in Iowa, is 1,572 feet. It is possible that Ocheyedan mound or some of the morainic prominences in Osceola county rises 100 feet higher than Sibley, but even then there is less than 1,200 feet of diflference between the lowest and the highest points in the state. One hundred feet is gained at once by ascending the bluflfs at Keokuk and passing on to the upland a short distance northwest of the city, and so there is left but about 1,100 feet as the sum of all the variations in level occurring over the general surface of the whole great state of Iowa. There are stretches, many miles in extent, so monotonously level that differences in altitude are scarcely perceptible. TOPOGRAPHY. Larger Features. — Looking at the state as a whole there are a few con- spicuous topographic features worthy of special note. On the eastern border the Mississippi flows in a gorge which, at New Albin and Lansing, measured from the summit of the bluffs facing the valley, is 400 feet in depth. From the level of the divides a short distance back in the interior, the depth exceeds 600 feet, an amount equal to more than half the sum of all the variations in altitude encountered in the entire state. The depth of the Mis- sissippi gorge diminishes toward the south. Instead of measuring from 600 to 700 feet between the flood plain and the higher levels as in the northeastern corner of the state, there is a difference in altitude between Dubuque and the upland at Peosta of only 430 feet; between Davenport and Walcott the difference is 190 leet; between Keokuk and New Boston, 140 feet. Further- more the valley is a curious patchwork of newer and older parts. At New Albin, Clinton and Burlington the valley is old, wide and deeply filled with mud. It is comparatively young at Dubuque, and younger still at Le Claire. Twice at least in the course of recent geological history the great stream has been forced to abandon parts of its old valley and cut several miles of chan- nel relatively new. The narrow, rock-bottom gorge above and below Le Claire is yet unfinished; adjustment of stream to valley is not yet complete. The valley of the Missouri river is very different from that of the Missis- sippi. It is bordered by a series of bluffs unique in appearance and more unique in structure, for they have been built up largely of fine dust trans- ported by the winds. The constantly shifting meanders of the stream and the great width of the level alluvial flood plain are among the striking char- acteristics of this peculiar valley. 124 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Another of the larger topographic features is the great watershed . This is the ill defined ridge which extends in a sinuous course from Dickinson county to Wayne and forms the line of parting between the waters flowing to the Mississippi on the one side and to the Missouri on the other. The watershed is in reality the southward extension of the noted ridge of the Dakotas and southwestern Minnesota, known as the Coteau des Prairies. An area somewhat greater than two-thirds of the state lies east of the water- shed; less than one-third lies on the west. In the eastern area there is a comparatively short but rather important ridge which is followed for some distance by the railway passing through Calmar, Ridgeway, Cresco and Bonair. At Bonair the altitude is more than 1,300 feet. On one side the general slope is toward the Upper Iowa and the Mississippi; on the other side the surface inclines stron8:ly toward the south- west, the inclination being continued as far as the Cedar river. The stream last named occupies the bottom of a broad trough which has the Cresco- Calmar ridge for one margin, while Wesley in Kossuth county is situated on the divide which forms the western rim. The eastern side of the trough presents the interesting anomaly of a region drained by streams which flow at an angle of but little less than 90° with the general inclination of the sur- face'. For example, the direction followed by Crane creek and the numerous branches of the Wapsipinicon is toward the southeast, but there is a much greater fall to the mile toward the southwest. The southwesterly slope of the surface is indicated by the following series of altitudes taken along a line nearly at right angles to the present drainage: Arlington, 1,113; Oelwein, 1,049; Fairbank, 1,000; Dunkerton, 945; Dewar, 889; Waterloo, 841/ In this direction, across the drainage courses, the average fall is more than seven feet to the mile. Betw£en Oelwein and Waterloo the fall per mile is exactly eight feet. In the direction of the drainage the average slope of the surface is less than four feet to the mile. That the Cedar river flows in the axis of a great trough is farther illustrated by such a series of altitudes as the following, taken along the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail- way: Calmar, 1,263; New Hampton, 1,169, Charles City, at the bottom of the trough, 1.014; Nora Springs, 1,070; Mason City, 1,132; Garner, 1,223; Britt, 1,235; Wesley, 1,258. Clear Lake is omitted from this last series for the reason that it is located in the morainic ridge of the Wisconsin drift and so stands above the general level of the surface sloping toward the Cedar river . Minor and More Localized Features. — On the basis of the efiFects pro- duced by the great ice .sheets of the glacial epoch, the surface of Iowa may be divided into two parts, to be known respectively as the Driftless Area and the Drift-covered Area. So far as size is concerned the driftless area is quite unimportant, for it covers only the small fraction of the state embraced in Allamakee county, and parts of Winneshiek, Fayette, Clayton, Dubuque and Jackson. But, small as it is, it presents topographic features in some respects more interesting than all the rest of the state together. As the name implies, this area was not invaded by the ice sheets of any of the stages of the glacial epoch. Its soils are largely residual, for they have resulted directly, in place, from the decay of the local limestones, sandstones and shales. Its topography is a product of erosion acting upon indurated rocks of_varying degrees of hardness and varying degrees of elevation above base FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 125 level. The driftless area is a land of thin soils, high, rocky precipices, long steep hills and deep rock-cut valleys. It is a picturesque land. The main streams have made valleys that are from 600 to 700 feet in depth, measured from the higher points to the divides. The upper Iowa— or the Oneota as it might better be called— flows between rockv bluffs which in places rise almost sheer to a height of 300 feet above the level of the water, and from their summits the surface, in many long swells and undulations, rise 300 feet higher to the tops of the dividing ridges which are back some miles from the stream. The whole surface of the driftless area has been carved into an elaborate system of branching and re-branching trenches separated by steep-sided ridges. The details of topography resulting from erosion are governed to no small extent by the geological structure of the region. The picturesque escarpments, buttresses, towers and castles which crown the bluffs and give charm to the scenery along the lower courses of the upper Iowa are due to the effects of the weathering on the hard, resistant, dolomitic formation called the Oneota limestone. We owe the impressive scenery above and below Decorah, culminating in those majestic cliffs at Bluffton, to the presence and characteristics of the Trenton limestone. The Galena lime- stone gives us the splendid castles, towers and other grand scenic effects about Dubuque. For the great Niagara escarpment, probably one of the most striking of the topographic features of the driftless area, we are indebted to another hard dolomite, the Niagara limestone. The Nia2:ara escarpment forms the steep acclivity, looking like a line of bold hills, which curves around Dubuque at a distance of six or seven miles to the west and culmi- nates toward the southwest in the high, promontory-like salient known as Table Mound. The escarpment makes up those conspicuous cliffs seen crowning the long slopes which form the walls of the valley of the little Maquoketa in the vicinity of Graf. It zigzags back and forth to accommo- date itself to the rims of numerous small valleys opening to the Mississippi, between Table Mound and Bellevue. North of Dubuque the escarpment forming Niagara expresses itself in the steep slopes of Sherrill's Mound, and in a number of other prominent and symmetrical buttes of circumdenuda- tion; and across the river, over yonder in Wisconsin, the eastern sky line is broken by another mass of Niagara, the far famed Sinsinewa. The Maquoketa shales are the most important of the slope making formations coming to the surface in the driftless area. The gently inclined and largely cultivated plain, more or less trenched by erosioQ, which lies between the summit of the precipitous bluffs of Galena limestone at Dubuque and the foot of the steep Niagara escarpment six or seven miles to the west, is due to the presence of the Maquoketa shales. At some points near Graf the slope due to the Maquoketa is less than a mile in width, and detached blocks of Niagara limestone, loosened by frosts and other agen- cies from the escarpment above, gradually creep down the inclined surface to be at last precipitated into the stream over a cliff of Galena limestone. At no points are there better illustrations of the effects of structure on topography. Here are two hard limestones separated by shale; two steep escarpments separated by cultivated slopes. Had it not been for the incursion of glaciers and the distribution of drift, the whole face of Iowa would have resembled the driftless area in many particulars. Thin soils, bare rocks, steep precipices and deep valleys would 126 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. have prevailed everywhere. The effect of the successive ice sheets which in turn covered nearly the whole of Iowa, was to tone down and conceal the preglacial, rock-carved topography by spreading over it a deep mantle of drift. The drift-covered area occupies much the larger part of the state. In this region the topography is young as compared with that of the drift- less area; it is in no way related to geological structure; its characteristic features are due partly to the manner in which the load of glacial detritus was distributed and deposited by the ice, and partly to the effects of ero- sion and other modifying influences acting on the mantle of loose materials since the glaciers disappeared. There were, however, not less than five dif- ferent episodes of ice invasion for Iowa, each of long continuance, and separated one from the other by still longer interglacial periods, from which it follows that among the different sheets of drift consequent on the suc- cessive stages of glaoiation, there are enormous differences in age. The glaciers of the later stages were not so strong and did not extend so far as those belonging to the earlier part of the glacial epoch. On many accounts it may be regarded as a fortunate circumstance that the geographical posi- tion of Iowa was so exactly related to the magnitude and movements of the later ice sheets that not less than three of them successively entered her borders and terminated by melting before advancing over more than a small fraction of her entire area. The terminal margins of these later glaciers have been mapped with a high degree of accuracy, and it turns out, for- tunately again, that the particular parts of the state which the invading lobes of the later glaciers occupied, were not twice the same. The drift- covered portion of Iowa presents four well-defined areas, each having at the surface a sheet of drift differing in age and, to some extent, in origin, from the drift of either of the others. Iq some places, as, for example, south of a line drawn through Des Moines and Iowa City, the drift is very old; in other places, as in the middle northern counties of the state, the drift is very young. The topographic features of the several glacial areas vary with their age. The older drift, which has been long exposed to the action of weathering and drainage waters, has the upper zone profoundly changed, and the whole surface has been carved into an elaborate system of drainage trenches and deep stream valleys. The withdrawal of the latest ice sheet from Iowa is an event so recent that the surface of the younger drift is yet unaltered; it has not been affected in any way; it remains precisely as the waning glaciers left it. The oldest glacial deposit known in the state does not appear at the sur- face anywhere. It is effectually covered by the drift of tbe second ice inva- sion, and is revealed only through the erosion of stream valleys and the making of artificial excavations. The second glacial invasion and the result- ing sheet of till have come to be known in geological literature as the Kan- san. The Kansan ice, flowing in this region from the northwest, covered the whole of Iowa except the small fraction belonging to the driftless area; it extended southward half way across Missouri; it spread westward into Nebraska and Kansas; eastward it joined other glaciers which radiated from centers of accumulation into Labrador, and so formed a continuous sea of ice reaching from central Nebraska to the Atlantic ocean. Outside of the comparatively small areas occupied by the younger sheets of till, the Kansan drift gives character to the surface of Iowa. The topography of the Kansan FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 12 < has been developed by erosion of the drift mantle. Valleys have been cut in the loose glacial clays to depths ranging from eighty to two hundred feet. The great age of the Kansan valleys is further indicated by the fact that they are broadly U-shaped, and their sloping sides are trenched by numerous lateral channels which branch and re-branch repeatedly until traced to their origin in a multitude of minute twigs up on the divides. The whole surface has been carved and shaped by flowing water and developed into an intri- cate system of rounded hills and ridges separated by steep-sided ravines. (PI. I, Fig. 1.) Every foot of the surface is thoroughly drained. While the Kansan areas everywhere present the same fundamental type of topog- raphy, the erosional features are probably most strikingly developed in the counties drained bv the forks of the Grand. Nodaway, Nishnabotna and other rivers of southwestern Iowa. It is a wholly dififerent type of topography from that noted above, that is seen between Wilton and Walcott, around Morning Sun and Mediapolis, between West Burlington and New London. These points all lie in an area of drift which rests upon and overlaps the weathered and eroded surface of the Kansan. An ice sheet having its origin in the Lauren tian highlands south of Hudson Bay, flowed outward until it crossed Illinois and pushed over for a short distance into Iowa. This was the Illinoian stage of glacia- tion, and the detritus left on the surface when the ice melted is the Illinoian drift. The Illinoian drift is more or less trenched around its edges; near the larger river valleys, as between Walcott and Davenport, it has been carved by erosion so as to develop young, narrow and steeply graded ravines. But over the greater part of its area the surface is unchanged; the topographic features are due, not to the carving effect of drainage waters, but to the leveling and moulding influences of glacier ice. The drift of this small area in southeastern Iowa is young as compared with the Kansan. The flow of the Illinoian ice across the Mississippi river into Iowa is responsible for another interesting bit of topography. Nichols is located in the midst of a level undrained area, the bed of an extinct lake. The Illinoian ice choked up the channel of the Mississippi from the mouth of the Wapsi- pinicon to the mouth of the Des Moines, and the waters of the great stream were diverted around the glacier front. . Southward from West Liberty and Atalissa there was a low, wide basin which was hemmed in on one side by the high bluffs seen a mile or two west of Nichols, and on the other side by the thick margin of the Illinoian ice. The waters were ponded in this basin and formed an extensive glacial lake in which sediments composed of mud, sand and gravel accumulated. When the ice melted and the Mississippi returned nearly to its old course, the lake was drained, but the level floor of sedimentary deposits remains to bear testimony to former conditions. Lake Calvin, the name given to this ancient body of water, has been mapped and described by Udden; the level floor of the old Illinoian glacial basin attracts the attention of all observant travelers between West Liberty and Columbus Junction. Embracing Buchanan, Black Hawk, Bremer, Chickasaw, Mitchell and a number of the other counties in northeastern Iowa, is an area of what is known to geologists as the lowan drift. The evidences of newness, of youth, are much more strongly marked in the lowan than in the Illinoian drift. There has been no alteration of the till and practically no erosion of 128 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the surface anywhere since the lowan glaciers retreated from the state. It is true that, in places, the surface is more or less undulating and irregular, but such inequalities as do exist were brought about by the erratic and dis- orderly way in which the transported materials were distributed at the time the ice disappeared. Prior to the general occupation of the region by the white man, there were extensive undrained sloughs covering a large percent- age of the entire area. The rivers of the lowan region illustrate in an ideal way the characteristics of young streams. They have cut no valleys; they simply flow in narrow, shallow trenches at the level of the drift plain. The minor drainage courses are very largely broad sags in which there is not, as yet, even the beginning of a definite stream channel. Cultivation and artificial drainage have wrought greater changes in the surface, in the last score or two of years, than had been accomplished in all the preceding centuries since the lowan stage came to a close. Large granite bowlders ranging up to thirty, forty, or even fifty feet in diameter, are characteristic features of the lowan area. The outer margin of the lowan plain is usually quite sharply defined by a thickened ridge of the fine silt-like clay called loess. (PI. I, Fig. 2.) From the summit of such a marginal ridge the observer looks outward upon the billowy and deeply eroded surface of the older Kansan (PI. I, Fig. 1); in the other direction the young, uneroded lowan plain extends away to the horizon, as level as the surface of the sea. (PI. I, Fig. 3.) Younger than the lowan is the Wisconsin drift, which, so far as our own state is concerned, covers an area nearly triangular in shape. The base of the triangle, where the comparatively narrow ice lobe crossed from Min- nesota to Iowa, extends from Worth county to Osceola; the apex is at Des Moines. Through the western part of Worth, Cerro Gordo, Franklin and Hardin counties the edge of the Wisconsin drift overlaps the lowan; the apex of the Wisconsin lobe rests at Des Moines on the older Kansan. The Wisconsin area is in general a level ill-drained plain. The traveler may go for scores of miles without seeing a definite drainage trench so much as a foot in width or depth. Saucer-shaped depressions or "kettle holes,' varying from a rod or two, to an eighth or a quarter of a mile in diameter are common features of the Wisconsin plain. The Wisconsin, more than any of its predecessors, was a moraine form ing ice sheet. Part of the transported materials was piled up around the margin of the lobe in a bewildering series of disorderly hills or knobs, vary ing from eighty to one hundred and fiftyl feet in height. A well char acterized belt of lawlessly heaped up morainic knobs six to ten miles wide, extends from the north line of Worth county to the south line of Cerro Gordo, from which point southward the knobby character of the Wisconsin margin becomes less pronounced. Pilot Knob, near the northeastern corner of Hancock, is the most noted and the most prominent of these great morainic heaps of drift. The marginal moraine is well developed at many points along the western edge of the Wisconsin lobe. It forms a belt of more or less prominent hillocks and knobs passmg through Osceola, Clay, Buena Vista, Sac and Carroll counties. As on the eastern margin, the morainic characters gradually fade out toward the south. While the Wis- consin ice lobe was slowly melting and disappearing from the state, the retreating margin halted at intervals for periods long enough to pile up con- FIG. 2 130 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. spicuous recessional moraines; and so areas of knobby drift of considerable extent are distributed in the Wisconsin area at varying distances from the outermost margin. Recessional moraines are especially well developed in Palo Alto, Emmet and Dickinson counties. Intimately related to the subject of Wisconsin moraines are the many charming lakes of Iowa. There are no lakes worthy of note in the Kansan, Illinoian or lowan areas. All our lakes are of Wisconsin age, and most of them occupy basins in the irregularly piled morainic ridges. Indeed it was the very lawlessness accompanying the deposition of the morainic materials that left the enclosed basins in which imprisoned waters might accumulate. Clear Lake lies in such a basin in the eastern moraine, surrounded by promi- nent constructional hills and knobg. Spirit Lake, the Okobojis and a num- ber of beautiful but less important sheets of water in the same part of the state, are all located in an extensive morainic belt belonging to the reces- sional series. The beauty and charm of all these delightful bodies of water are greatly enhanced by the eccentricities of distribution, and the ever vary- ing curves and slopes and outlines, of the surrounding morainic knobs. Among the interesting, though rather inconspicuous topographic fea- tures of the lake region are the walls, embankments and causeways which coincide in position and direction with lake margins, and often present the deceptive appearance of railway grades or other artificial structures. So common are these that they may be expected to occur somewhere, in some form, along the margin of every considerable sheet of water in northern Iowa. The conspicuous ridge of sand, gravel and bowlders lying along the lake shore in front of the Assembly grounds at Clear lake, must be familiar to every visitor. When this marginal feature of our northern lakes assumes the form of a rude wall of cobbles and bowlders, it seems to be capable of taking a stronger hold on popular attention and popular imagination. Hence it is that our Walled Lakes have long been famous, descriptions of them occupying column after column in newspaper and magazine, while other lakes bordered by embankments of plain sand and clay, though equally as interesting and instructive, equally as worthy of investigation and comment, have suffered the neglect and inattention that usually falls to modest, unobtrusive merit. These marginal ridges and walls, along the shores of northern lakes with shallow basins, have been heaped up by the expansion of ice in winter. In our severe climate, particularly if the snowfall be not great, quite an ex- tent of shoal water near the shore freezes to the bottom . Indeed the effects of freezing go deeper than the water, and bottom sands and clays and bowl- ders become a part of the frozen sheet. The alternations of temperature, such as take place between colder and warmer days or between noon and midnight, affect the volume of the ice in such wise that from day to day it expands and is thrust shoreward with tremendous energy. The resist- ance is least on the low, gradually sloping shores, and here the move- ments are most pronounced. The marginal ice, with all the materials frozen in its lower surface, is shoved up on the slope, and stones and earth are left as a contribution to the growing ridge or wall when melting takes place in the following spring. The process has been going on for cen- turies, and where the conditions have been most favorable, the results are somev/hat surprising. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II. l3l The curious peaks and knobs of the wind-drift topography, developed on the bluffs facing the Missouri river, need only be mentioned. There is here a perpetual contest between erosion and construction, which has resulted in many erratic forms. This type of land surface is best seen in Iowa in a nar- row belt extending from Sioux City to Hamburg. . DRAINAGE. The rivers of Iowa fall naturally into two systems — the Mississippi system and the Missouri system. The headwaters of the two systems are separated by the great divide. The Upper Iowa, or Oneota. has a more than usually distinct drainage basin, for in its upper courses it is separated from the other rivers of the eastern slope by the Cresco-Calmar ridge. Looking at the irivers of the state as a whole, there are only a few points deservinjij special mention. The streams and stream valleys of the driftless area are unique. They are comparatively old. The waters began working on their present channels before the beginning of the earliest glacial stage. The valleys, in places ten or fifteen miles in width from crest to crest of the divides, have been cut to depths of 500, 600, or even 700 feet. Near their mouths the process of down-cutting, or corrasion, has brought the streams to base level, and the walls of the valleys have receded so as to give broad alluvial flood plains covered with what is probably the most productive soil in this great fertile state. In the upper courses of the streams of the driftless area, and in all the smaller tributaries , the gradients of the valleys are steeper , flood plains are absent, adjustments are not yet perfect. In some portions of this area the minor drainage is largely underground, a fact well demonstrated by the numerous springs which pour out copious volumes of water along the hill- sides and the steep river bluffs. In the area of the Kansan drift, water-cut channels have been developed everywhere, and practically every foot of the surface is thoroughly drained. None of the basins and sags which must have been present in the original surface of the Kansan drift have been left undivided. The whole area of this drift sheet, where not concealed by younger deposits, is characterized by a miniature type of mature erosional topography; but surface drainage has worked to best effect on the shorter and steeper slope west of the great divide. Here the river valleys are deeper and wider, and the numerously branched lateral channels have cut back and become deeply entrenched in the higher plateaus. The rivers of the lowan area have done but little work since they began to flow in their present courses. Lateral drainage is not well developed; there are large areas in which the surface remains just as it was left by the glaciers; not a little of this surface is yet without effective means for getting rid of the sur- plus storm waters. On the east slope of the great Cedar valley trough the several streams drain areas which are remarkably narrow in proportion to their length. Apart from the branches of the Des Moines river, there are no important streams in the area of the young Wisconsin drift. Over the greater part of the Wisconsin plain even the rudiments and beginnings of effective drainage have not yet been established. The physical features of Iowa are conspicuously lacking in the rugged and impressive types which characterize many of the states. The relief forms are relatively tame. The scale on which they are designed is an exceedingly modest one. What is lost in the matter of bold and massive 132 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. grandeur, however, is more than compensated for in the quiet charm of our rock-walled river valleys and other erosion forms of the driftless area; in the beauty of our clear crystal lakes nestling among morainic hills; in the hope and joy inspired by fertile plains loaded with bounteous harvests and stretching on in endless vistas to the far horizon; in all the evidences of peace, comfort, intelligence, wealth and prosperity which everywhere abound within our borders. The uniformity of the surface of our state, and the physical agencies which produced this uniformity, are to be reckoned among the fundamental causes of Iowa's marvelous succe.-s, a success which states of more rugged topographic forms could not possibly attain. But a full discussion of the causes of the physical features of Iowa, and their consequences in connection with the progress and development of her people, while making an interesting chapter, would make one too long for our present purpose. IOWA CLIMATE AND CROPS. Iowa easily holds the foremost place among agricultural states. Statis- tics of its soil products and live stock industry justify this claim, and a care- ful study of climatic records and vast resources of soil fertility will reveal the cause of its primacy in agriculture. Its location within the greatest corn- producing area in this country or the world is especially favorable. In fact, it may be claimed without exaggeration that Iowa constitutes the most pro- ductive portion of the far-famed corn belt of America; the statistical records of the past thirteen years will sustain it. The distinctive feature of this state is the fact that about 95 per cent of its area may be made to produce some- thing of value. And fully 90 per cent of its surface is exceedingly rich in the elements of plant growth. In a paper entitled "What Glaciers have done for Iowa," Professor Calvin wrote as follows concerning the value of its soils: The soils of Iowa have a value equal to all the gold and silver mines of the world combined. In fact it is difficult to find sources of wealth with which our soils may properly be compared. And for all this rich heritage of soils we are indebted to great rivers of ice that overflowed Iowa from the north and northwest. Tr.e glaciers in their long journey ground up the rocks over which they moved and mingled the fresh rock flour, derived from granites and other crystalline rocks of Brit'sh America and northern Minne- sota with pulverized limestones and shales of more southern regions, and used these rich materials in covering up the bald rocks and leveling the irregular surface of preglacial Iowa. The materials are, in places, hundreds of feet in depth. They are not oxidized or leached, but retain the carbon- ates and other soluble constituents tnat contribute so largely to the growth of plants. The physical condition of the materials is ideal, rendering the soil porous, facilitating the distribution of moisture, and offering unmatched opportunities for the employment of improved machinery in all the pro- cesses connected with cultivation. In their appointed time those ancient glaciers wrought well in preparing the material and overspreading the rocky valley with drift. That formative period in earth-building was succeeded by more genial climatic conditions, with alternations of wet and dry seasons like those of recent years, with fervent heat of summer and intense cold of winter, producing growth and decay of vegetation for unnumbered thousands of centuries, and transform- FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 133 ing the surface of the drift deposits into a mantle of humus as rich in the elements of plant growth as tne famed valley of the Ni'e. There is no con- tinent on earth that contains so large an area of exceedingly fertile lands as we have in the great corn belt of America. CLIMATE THE CHIEF FACTOR. In crop production the prime factors are fertility of soil and a congenial climate; and climate is the chief factor. There are millions of acres in this country, now comparatively worthless though containing abundant supplies of fertility, the one thing lacking being a favorable climate. Nothing can fully compensate for the lack of ample moisture in the growing season, as only a small part of any arid region may be made productive by irrigation. And prevalent low temperature, or frequent occurrence of frosts in the crop growing season, will render nugatory the most fertile soil and abundant rainfall. The true tests of climatic excellence are found in the tables of mean temperature and precipitation, and the average number of days between killing frosts in the crop season. Iowa has attained its present unrivaled position as an agricultural state by its heritage of vast wealth of soil and its generally favorable climate. In attestation of that claim the appended tables of annual crop yield may be cited. There has been nothing near a total failure of the staple farm crops in the worst season experienced since its settlement by civilized people. There have been lean and fat years, but the products of the leanest season would be fatness to the people of less favored regions. This is the result of the fine texture and great depth of soil, whereby it is able to endure the greatest extremes in form of wet or dry seasons. GENERAL CLIMATIC FEATURES. Situated near the geographical center of the United States, too far inland to receive the equalizing thermal effects of winds blowing directly from the oceans, the climate of Iowa is strictly continental in type. This implies a very wide range in temperature, winters of considerable severity, summers of almost tropical heat, and a large percentage of sunshine as compared with insular regions. As there are no mountain ranges, nor considerable differ- ences in the altitude of the several sections, the climate of the state is quite homogenous, with only such variations of temperature and rainfall as result from latitude and location with reference to the pathway of the cyclones which traverse the continent. Despite its remoteness from the oceans, the seasonal constants of temperature, humidity and precipitation afford a guar- anty of ample production in the future as in the past. In fact, it is the best watered and most productive mid-continent region known on earth. Its worst droughts and seasons of floods have never been famine breeders. Climate is the product of certain elements and properties of the atmos- phere, and physical features of the earth's surface. The sun's energy pro- duces in the air and earth the threefold forms of force termed light, heat and electricity, and causes the varied phenomena of evaporation and precipita- tion. The climate of this section differs from that of other midland regions bceau'^e of material differences in the topographic features of the western continent. The great mountain ranges that gridiron the western third of the continent, stretching from the Arctic Sea to the isthmus and enclosing numerous valleys of the semi-arid or desert type, effectually cutting off the 134 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. rain-bearing winds that blow inland from the Pacific Ocean; as a result the eastern slope of the Rockies receives a scant and irregular supply of rain- fall, and the Mississippi valley practically receives no moisture from that source. The western and northwestern winds in this section are cool and dry, while the southerly and easterly winds are warm and moist, affording generally an ample supply of rainfall. If the great mountain ranges had been stretched diagonally across this continent, cutting off this region from the rain-bearing wind currents from the Gulf, this section would be in reality the great American desert, instead of the richest domain of Ceres. It appears, then, that the essential features of the climate of this region are determined by the size and general topography of the continental area at the westward, the height and location of the mountain ranges, the direc- tion of the prevailing winds, and the general movement of the "highs" and "lows" that cross the valley. PRECIPITATION . Nearly the entire amount of moisture precipitated over Iowa and contig- uous portions of the Mississippi valley comes directly or indirectly from the Gulf of Mexico. The mechanics of this irrigation process may be under- stood quite readily. By cyclonic force, or the powerful suction of low area storms of a rotary character, the warm, moist winds from the south are drawn up into the valley, and by dynamic cooling are made to deposit a goodly portion of their burden of moisture. It may be said, therefore, that this valley is watered by cyclones, which in their mechanical action and ef- fect may be termed vast rotary pumps, and condensers of atmospheric va- pors. This great central depression, which may be called the.' 'trough of the continent," extending from the Gulf to the Arctic Sea, gives an unob- structed pathway for the warm and moist south winds and the cool waves from the north, which here commingle in the atmospheric eddies, and re- fresh the earth with copious showers. The heaviest annual precipitation is deposited in the region near the Gulf , and there the bulk of it comes in the fall, winter and early spring, frequently in excessive downpours. In considerable portions of the Gulf region the mean annual rainfall is double the average in Iowa, and as a re- sult commercial fertilizers are in demand to restore some measure of the loss of fertility caused by the washing and leaching process. This state is more fortunately located, in the region of the golden mean between the extremes of heavy precipitation at the south and east, and general deficiency at the west and northwest. In other words, the people of Iowa suffer less damage from excessive rains than their neighbors at the east and south, and very much less harm from drouth than their neighbors in the western and north- western part of the interior valley. At an early day in various historic and scientific publications this' state was credited with a mean annual precipitation of 40 to 47 inches. This hisjh average was obtained from insufficient climatic data, collected at a few stations in the extreme east and southeast parts of the state, where the year- ly average is somewhat greater than in the west and northwest districts. Since that early period stations have been established in all parts of the state, and from the mass of observations obtained the true mean is found to bs 31.40 inches. During the past thirteen years, the voluminous records FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II. 135 collected by the Iowa Weather and Crop Service show the state average to have been 31.07 iuches. Prof. Lorin Blodgett's hyetal chart of the continent, published in 1855, placed Iowa in the belt having a range of 25 to 40 inches, the southeastern counties showing a mean of about 40 inches, the central belt from south- west to northeast, 30 inches, and the northwestern fifth of the state, about 25 inches. The more recent observations do not show so great difference in the yearly rainfall of these sections. A bulletin issued by the Weather Bu- reau in 1897 contained a rain chart in which Iowa was placed in the belt having an average of 30 to 40 inches, except an area of a few thousand square miles in the belt ranging from 20 to 30 inches. Rainfall tables in the following pages show that no single station having a record for more than ten years has an average as high as 40 inches, and no station for alike period has an average below 23 inches per year. RAINFALL DATA BY DISTRICTS. For convenience of reference and comparison, the state is divided into three belts, or sections, on lines running east to west, each section three counties in width. These sections may be subdivided into three districts, following county lines, giving us nine districts, designated as follows: Northeast district, seven counties; North Central district, fourteen counties; Northwest district, nine counties; West Central district, nine counties; Cen- tral district, fifteen counties; East Central district, fourteen counties; South- east district, ten counties; South Central district, thirteen counties; South- west district, nine counties. The tables show the following yearly averages by districts: Northeast, 32.25 inches; North Central, 29.40 inches; North- west, 28.16 inches; West Central, 29.36 inches; Central, 31.66 inches; East Central, 32.61 inches; Southeast. 33.65 inches; South Central, 32.53 inches; Southwest, 32.60 inches, it will be seen that the Southeast district has a yearly average of 5,49 inches more than the Northwest district, and only 1,05 inches more than the Southwest district. The annual average rainfall of the three eastern or Mississippi river dis- tricts is 32,50 inches; three Missouri valley districts, 30.04 inches — a differ- ence of 2.46 inches between the eastern and western slopes of the state. The central belt on nDrth and south line has an average of 31.51 inches, or very nearly the state average. On the east and west line of division the averages are as follows: Northern section, 29.93 inches; central section, 31,21 inches; southern section, 32.92 inches. These figures show a quite regular gradient of decrease in yearly amount from south to north, as well as from east to west. RAINFALL IN THE CROP SEASON. From an agricultural point of view the most important feature of the climate of Iowa is that its maximum of rainfall comes in the crop season, April to September, inclusive. The average winter precipitation is 3 30 inches, or 10 per cent of the yearly amount; spring, 8.85 inches, 28 per cent; summer, 12.15 inches, 39 per cent; autumn, 7.10 inches, 23 per cent. In the six crop months the average rainfall is 22.48 inches, or 71 per cent of the annual total. And in the four most critical crop months. May 1st to September 1st, the average for the state is 16.29 inches, or 51 per cent. It will be seen from these figures that the bulk of precipitation is distributed 136 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. through the months when it is needed for irrigation, while in the balance of the year it is relatively dry. This feature of the climate is more in evidence iu the western districts than in the balance of the state. By districts the percentages of the rainfall in the six crop months are as follows: Northeast district, 70 per cent; North Central district, 74 per cent; Northwest .district, 77 per cent; West Central district, 74 per ceat; Central district, 72 per cent; E ist Central district, 68 per cent; Southwest district, 66 percent; South Central district, 70 per cent; Southwest district, 73 per cent. The Mis- souri valley receives the least amount, but gets a greater percentage in the crop season. In other words, the fall and winter precipitation is much lighter in the west than in the east. So there is in this state a wet and dry season, about as well defined as in some of the tropical countries. Professor Blodgett, in his American Climatology, referring to this feature in this climate, said: ' 'For the whole period of the warm months the quan- tity of rain distributed over the Mississippi valley is very great, and there is no great area so far in the interior which presents a similar result. The quantities are absolutely as well as relatively large, and they considerably exceed those of the plains of the Atlantic coast in the same latitude." VARIATION OF RAINFALL. Meteorological records in all parts of the United states show marked variation in the seasonal rainfall, and a perpetual succession of wet and dry periods, though the general averages are steadily maintained through long periods. There are some faint suggestions of periodicity in the occurrence of wet and dry seasons, but the complex problems relating to the variable- ness of the weather have not been solved. All long-time tables of monthly and annual precipitation show that the distribution is exceedingly erratic, though the totals for the continents and hemispheres may be about the same from year to year. During the past thirteen years the lowest yearly average for this state was 21.91 inches in 1894, and the largest amount was 43.82 inches in 1902. At single stations the range in total rainfall is much greater tnan for the state at large. It has occurred quite frequently that considerable portions of the state suffered from excess of moisture, while other districts were complaining of drought. In 1894 the state average for the four critical crop months (May-August) was only 6.75 inches, or a monthly average of 1.68 inches. In 1902 the total for that period was 27.80 inches, or 6.95 inches per month. And yet por- tions of the state received about the normal amount of rainfall. Evapora- tion acd precipitation are constants, but we have no means of determining in advance where the vapor will be precipitated, for that is subject to vicissi- tudes in the ebb and flow of the great atmospheric currents of the continent. Since the early settlement of this section the records show that quite severe midsummer droughts have occurred at irregular intervals, averaging from one to three in each decade, 'ine normal amount for the four critical months is 16.21 inches. During the past thirteen years 'his was exceeded Siven times, and the average fell below the normal six times. There has been, in fact, a greater liability toward excess than deficiency in the crop mouths, and more real damage to crops in this state has been caused by excess in the season of planting and growth than by the reverse. In this connection the fact may be noted, esi ecially in seasonal rainfall, that thp-e is a tendency in nature which causes oue extreme to be followed FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 137 by ano.her; and this oscillation from dry to wet, or vice veisa, may occur qaickly, or it may run throujjh two, three or four years. In the biennial period of 1901-1902 there was a very rapid swing of the pendulum from excessive heat and drought to the opposite extreme of cold and wet weather. And in respect to quality and commercial value the soil output of 1901 was much better than that of 1902. Generally, it may be said, the predominant influence in this valley in midsummer is much stronger toward prolonga- tion of wet weather periods than the dry weather type. A considerable portion of the summer rainfall comes in form of local showers, which irri- gate narrow belts and short distances; and it not infrequently happens that a portion of a single county may be well watered, while other parts are greatly in need of moisture. Though subject to very considerable fluctuations in the amount of rain- fall in the crop season, there is a measure of compensation in the deep, rich and porous soil of this state, which has produced fairly good crops in the driest or wettest seasons. In the worst season ever experienced in this por- tion of the great valley there has been no near approach to a famine. The most severe drought within the past fifty years occurred in 1894, and yet this state produced in that year 256,OCO,000 bushels of cereals, and sufficient other soil products to swell the total value to over $121,000,000. The su- perior quality of Iowa soil was noted by the late Prof. T. S. Parvin, who in a contribution to the American Journal of Science, Vol. XIII, said:/ "In 1854 occurred the great drought in this and the western states generally; but owing to the porous nature of our soil the crops with us turned out much better than in the states east of the Mississippi. In 1856 the season was also very dry, the total quantity of rain in the summer months being only 6.78 inches, or 10.20 below the summer mean. The crops were, notwithstand- ing, more than an average yield, both of corn and small grain; and the three or four dry seasons we have had abundantly prove that the soil and climate of Iowa are unsurpassed on the continent for farming purposes." TEMPERATURE. On the climatological map published by the United States Weather Bureau , Iowa is situated in the isothermal belt wherein the mean annual temperature ranges from 45"^ to 50®. The lines inclosing this belt run nearly parallel from the Missouri valley to the Atlantic coast, and embrace a large part of the territory between 41° and 44° north latitude. The mean annual temperature of this state is 47.5°. By sections the mean tempera- tures are as follows: Northern section, 45 7°; central section, 47.3°; south- ern section, 50°. The highest yearly mean at any station is 51.7° , as shown by records of the Weatner Bureau station at Keokuk; the lowest is 43.2°, according to records of voluntary stations at Osage and Cresco. F'rom the south line of the state to the Minnesota boundary the temperature gradient is quite uniform, making due allowance for differences in altitude of stations In this part of the Mississippi valley the summers are warmer and the winters colder than on the same parallels near the Atlantic coast. In July the 75° isotherm passes through the southern half of Iowa, dips southeast- ward below Cincinnati, passing between Baltimore and Philade'phia. The mean maximum of the state for July is 85°, and the midsummer tempera- ture is about as high as that of Virginia and North Carolina. In January 138 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. the larger part of Iowa is within the isothermal belt 15" to 20^ . These lines run northwestward through Wisconsin, northern Michigan, Ontario, north- ern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The midwinter temperature corresponds to that of the vicinity of Montreal, while the sum- mers are as warm as in Washington, D. C, and Richmond, Va; The winters, however, are shorter than in the same latitude in the Atlantic states. The transition from winter to summer is usually quite rapid, the average increase in temperature in April being more than half a degree daily. The daily mean of April is 17° higher than that of March, and May averages 11° per day higher than April. The season of seeding and plant- ing is 8 to 12 days earlier than in the 'eastern states. The autumns are usually drier and warmer in Iowa than in the coastal regions on the same parallels. The average duration of summer temperature, the daily means ranging from 65° to 75°, is about four months. The average duration of winter, or the period having a mean below 30°, is about three and a half months. The highest temperature registered in Iowa by a standard thermometer was 113°, at Sigourney in July, 1901. The lowest temperature recorded was 43° below zero, at Cresco, in January, 18S8. These records indicate the remarkable range of 156° from minimum to maximum temperature. These extremes of heat and cold are rendered more endurable to man and beast by the prevalent dryness of the air at the time of their occurrence. In the humid air of insular regions such extremes would be intolerable. In this connection it may be stated that both heat and cold are important fac- tors in the production of the great crops for which this section is noted. The myriad plowshares of the frost penetrate the earth to great depths, pulver- izing the clods and preparing the soil to respond to the quickening influence of the gentle rains of spring and the almost tropical heat of summer. This is not an ideal climate for invalids, ^ who need equable temperature, but na country is better adapted to develop hardy, stalwart and brainy people than this valley, where the rigors of winter incite men to a strenuous life. Some adverse conditions seem to be necessary to develop hardiness and vigor in plants, animals and mankind. The best types of all races have been reared about midway between the tropics and the Arctic zones. The following table shows the monthly and annual mean temperatures for the state, for the thirteen-year period, 1890 to 1902, inclusive. This is followed by a table showing the averages by districts and sections, and also for the state at large, for all the years of record . A slight difference will be noted in the state averages for the thirteen-year period, as compared with the means shown in the latter table: FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II, 139 MONTHLY AND ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURES FOR THE ST ATE -1890-1902. (DEGREES. ) •< YEAR. 4 1 April. May. 6 a t-3 1" P. QQ 6 > Q 1 i^ u QQ ll 1S90 19.7 26 128.0 19. 4 '26. 8 51.8|57.7 72.7 75. 6 •8.4 59. 3 49. 2 PA.^ 29.147.7 24.9 4,5.8 72.2 49.0 1891 ■?.(\. 50. 6 58. 3 69.1 68.6 69.1 67. 3 50. 30. 5 ,82.3 47.4 25.9 4,5.2 68.9 49.2 1892 15.8 28.1 31.9 45.4 54.0 69.2 73. ( 71.^ 64.7 54.5 ,33.3 18.9 47.5 20.7 43.7 71.2 50.8 1893 9.8 16.4 31.9 45.5 56.6,71.2 75. ( 69 4 64.7.52.^ 34. ( 22.0,45.7 15.9 44. e 71.7 .50.3 1894 19.3 19.7 41.0 51.7 61.173.2 76.^ 74.6 65.151.7 32 7 30.149,7 23.0 51.2 74.7 49.8 1895 13. « 16.4 34.4 54. 2 6L 7 6 '.7 72.] 71A 66.8 46. ( 34.;- 25.2 45.5 18.4 46.7 7L2 49.0 1898 23.4 27.4 30.9 51. 5 65. 5 69. 1 73. e 71.7 .58.5 47.9 2.^.6 30.8148.5 23.8 50.;: 7L4 45.0 1897 17.2 24. H 32. 47. 9 59. B 69. 1 75. 6 68. 1 70. 9 56. 8 34. J 18.(1 46.7 19.9 46.1 71.2 54.3 1898 23.4 24.2 37. 5 4S.1 59.6 71. 'I 73.4 71.2 65.347.5 32.218.1 47.6 2L9 48.^ 72.0 4.5.0 1899 19.8 12.2 24. 5 4X.9 60.2 70.7 73 1 74. 4 62.5 56 7143.9 22.6 47.6 IS. 2 44.5 72.7 6L3 1900 25.6 14.8 m.7 52.2 m. 2 69.7 73. 4 77. 4 64.4!59.3,aS.5 26.9 49.5 22.4 48.7 73.5 52.4 1901 23.7 17.5 33.2 49 9 60.7 72. f S2.4 73.8 63.3 54.2 35.8 20.5 49.0 20.5 47.1 76.2 51.1 1902 22.4 17.6 39.1 48.2 63.8 65 2 73. 1 69. 1 59. 1 53. .5!4L 2,20.1 47.8 20.0 50.3 69.1 51.2 Means . . . 19. 9 20. 3 32. 5U9. 9 HO. 2 ro.2 74.3 71.6 64.0 52.3l34.9'24.2 47.7 2L2 47.2 72.0 49.9 MONTHLY AND ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURES BY DISTRICTS AND SECTIONS. ^> 4A "3 DISTRICTS. S3 2 a S 1 ^ § c5 •-3 1^ < p. QQ 1 1 1 Northeast District 17.0 16.6 3u.l 47..^ 59.4 68. 2 72. 7 70. 6 6i!. 2 51.0 ,38.0 20. 5 4,5.7 North Central District 17.5 16.2 29.2 46.4 ,59.3 6S. 3 73. 1:70. 161. 9 50. 4 ;82.1 19.5 45.4 Northwest District 17.8 16.9 29.8 48.4 59.0 68.4,73.3 71.2 63.0 51.1 1 1 3L8 20.6 46.2 North section averages 17.4 16.5 29.6 47.3 59.3 68.3 73.0|70.5'62.3|50.7 32.3 20.1 45.7 West Central Distr ict 18 8 18.9 18.0 19.4 19 4 2L3 31.9 32 4 32.1 49.4 49.4 48.1 59.9 60.4 60.1 69.3 73.9 7L5'63.4 51.3 ('9 7 74.1 71.9 6.8.5 ^9.9. 33.7 84.8 34.8 23.5 22.8 23.4 47 9 Central Distric East Central D t 47 5 istrict 69.5 74.2 71.3 62.9 50.8 47.1 Central section averages 18.5 20.3 32.2 48.8 60.2 69.5 74.1 7L6|63.2 5L4 34.6 23.2 47I Southeast District. 23.5 23.7 .36.8 51.7 62.8 72.0 76.2 74.2'66.4'54.7 ,38 5 26.7 .50.6 South Central District 22.1 21.7 35.4 52. 1 61.6 JO. 7 7.5. 3 73. 2 65. 6 54.1 ;87. 5 2,5. 2 49.6 Southwest District 22.8 22.2 35 6 52.8 61.6 7L4 75.4 73.3 65.154.8 37.2 25 4 49.9 Southern section averages .... 22.8 21.5 35.9 52.2 62.0 71 3,75. 6 73.6 65.7 54.5 37.7 25.7 50.0 State averages 18.2 19.6 32.4 49.3 60.4 69. 6 74. 2 7L8 63.6E2.1 ,34.7 22.9 47.5 LATE AND EARLY KILLING FROSTS. In common with other portions of this country, this state is subject in the crop growing season to occasional depression of temperature down to the frost line. On the average, however, there is immunity from killing frosts for a period of about 170 days. The records of the United States Weather Bureau stations, covering a period of about thirty years, show that the average date of the latest killing frost in the spring has been April 20th, and the earliest in autumn, October 9th. In every season there have been light frosts at later and earlier dates, causing no appreciable damage to vegeta- tion, but extensive injury to staple crops by heavy frost has occurred at very infrequent intervals within the past thirty years. In 1870 Prof. T. S. Parvin wrote as follows: ' "It has happened but once or twice in the last thirty years that the frost has, over a great extent, seriously injured the corn crop. When the spring is late, the fall is either quite hot or lengthened so as to afford time for the crop to mature." The records covering the period since 1870 confirm this statement. The following tables show the dates on which the latest and earliest frosts have occurred at the United States Weather Bureau stations since their establishment: 140 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DES MOINES FROST DATA. LATEST KILLING FHOST I^f SPRING. p. a; d, p ^ ^ |5& EARLIEST KILLIVQ PROST IN AUTUMN. ^3, 1878 )87y ls8U ISSl 18.S2 188:3 1884 1885 188fi 1887 ]888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 Average. No record |. . . April I 18 April , April May . April April May . April April April April May . May . April . April May . May . April , April . April . April . April . April . April . April . U I rs I 2i 1 8 7 2 25 20 4 16 11 29 23 19 12 3 19 4 16 4 20 4 September , 2 September 24 November 7 November j 9 November 13 October I 20 O.-tober October October October September 29 Si'ptember , 27 SeptembiT i 13 October 5 October 9 September 25 October 14 September 30 September 2-i October 2.) October i 14 September j z9 October 8 October 4 October 14 October J 59 210 210 175 202 198 150 181 183 162 176 120 147 163 155 148 141 178 h'3 187 167 193 171 day8. DAVENPORT FROST DATA. LATEST KILLING FRO^T IN SPRING. EARLIEST KILLING PROST AUTUMN. IN YEAR. MONTH. ^ o j MONTH. i II q 1872 - 1 -. Octo .er October 10 22 J 2 18 5 11 27 30 4 10 2 .3 23 6 I 12 3 6 28 8 19 15 H 30 29 23 30 8 4 28 1873 April April May Mav April March April 8 28 'I 30 I? 1 14 oo 22 22 "9 8 2(5 13 6 6 5 15 13 8 14 8 17 7 !6 5 21 15 21 196 1874 October 166 1875 135 Ih7ti October 148 1877 163 1878 October 212 1879 ... October 201 1880.... April October 185 1881 April .... 209 1882 May November. 163 1883 Mav October 133 1884 April October 182 18S5 May October 149 1886 April. October 175 1887 April. October 169 1883 Mav October 142 1889 April October 182 1890 May September . . . 145 1S91 viay October 155 1892 April Octo er 186 1893 April Octobnr 184 1894 April 180 1895 Mav September October 187 18£)6 Anril 181 1897 April. October October 194 189S Ajiril 198 1899 April 167 1900 Apnl 216 1901 April . . October . . . 165 1902 April . October 195 Average rlate. April October 13 174 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 141 DUBUQUE FROST DATA. LATEST KIM.ING B ROST .•«PKING. fl i: ?' |S5 EARLIEST KILr.TNG FRO.-T IN AUTUMN. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1«92. 1893. 1894. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. Averape April. . May.. . May. . . May. March April. . April. . April . . May. . . May. . April . . May. . . April . April.. May. . . April. . May. April. Ai)ril. . April . . April.. May. . . April . . April. . April. . April. . April. . April. . April. . Ara-il . . October . . . . October . . . . October . . . . October . . . . Octc ber . . . . October October October . . . . No vera her . October October . . . . October October October October . . . . September. Septt mbev . September. October . . . October . . . . September . October . . . . OctoVer October October . . . . October . . . September. . November . October . . . . October 19 I October 12!. KEOKUK FROST DATA. LATEST KTLl.ING FROST IN SPRING. EARLIEST KILLING FROST IN AUTCJMJN. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1889. 1890. 1891. 189i. 1894. 1895. 1896. 1897. 1898. April . March April . April . March April . April . April . March April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . April . . April . April . April . . April . 23 2 2 8 4 13 17 16 ' 22 1 24 8 I 8 1 6 ' 20 I 6 10 I 6 i 23 12 14 4 19 6 16 October . . . October. . September October. . November October. . (.)ctober . October. . . October. . . November October . . . October — October — October — September September Septembei- October October October October. . . October — September October — October October — September 190 S29 187 215 228 193 169 190 235 172 197 ItiO 177 206 160 1 74 191 IPS 199 174 179 169 198 192 190 195 142 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. KEOKUK FROST DATA-Continued. LATEST KILLFNG FROST IN SPRING. EARLIEST KILLING FROST AUTUMN. IN YEAB. MONTH . 1 MONTH. 1 '0 c III 1900 April April April April 13 18 8 November ... 8 3 14 15 208 1901 November 209 1902 . 188 Average October 190 SIOUX CITY FROST DATA. 1890. 1891. 1892. 189;^. 1894. 1895. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. Averages. May.. April. May . May . May . May . April April April May . May . April April May . September . September. October . . . October . . . September. September. September. September. September. October . . . September. September. September. September. 1 September. 129 182 154 146 134 129 153 141 163 139 136 150 143 145 SUNSHINE AND CLOUDINESS. Iowa enjoys the advantage of a good average amount of sunshine. The mean for the year is 50 to 60 per cent, and this average is maintained in midwinter as well as in midsummer. A distinctive feature of the climate as compared with the eastern states is the large percentage of clear skies in the winter season. The coldest periods in winter are generally cloudless, as a result of the low percentage of humidity during prevalence of north and west winds. For the year the average for the state is as follows: 156 clear, 107 partly cloudy, and 102 cloudy days. The following table shows the yearly averages for the state from 1892 to 1902, inclusive. It wil^ be seen that in the hot and dry years, 1894 and 1901, the number of clear days much exceeded the normal: YEAR. No. of partly elov.dy >> o cs 1892 1893 14tj 93 184 169 145 158 160 160 172 178 145 102 108 109 1U8 115 105 105 116 101 103 109 117 164 1894 72 1895 88 1896 1897 105 102 189^ 100 1899 .. 89 1900 1901 92 84 1902 111 Average .... 156 107 102 DESTRUCTIVE STORMS. Cyclones of the transcontinental type, which move in rapid succession across this central valley and irrigate the larger part of the continent, are FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 143 moderate in force in comparison with the tropical cyclones or hurricanes that occasionally devastate portions of the Gulf and Atlantic coast .> I ^ y C-^ S!?^ 1^^ oS-^ >.^ 03^ o-^ \a 1 q 5 o O QQ O m ^ ^ (2 m 1-9 h, < H 1890 28 12 29 24 16 10.5 48 1.5 3.56 7.70 1.98 3.41 16.71 1891 3S 15 40 29 20 10.7 142 1.7 3.18 5.39 4.22 4.24 17.03 1893 29 12.3 25 24.3 15 8 51 2.0 8.77 5.19 5.29 2.24 21.49 1893 35.7 12.4 24 22.6 16.3 9.1 50.2 1.7 8.45 3,91 3.33 2.32 13.01 1894 14 8 12.8 24 18.4 15.1 8 40.7 0.8 1.87 2.67 .63 1.58 6.75 1895 3S 19 48 41 19 11 106 1.3 3.19 4.32 3.40 4 43 15.34 1896 39 13 26 29 16 9.5 87 1.5 6.69 3.11 6.90 3 52 20.22 1897 ?9 13.4 30 25 15 10 60 1.6 l.ii2 3.81 3.26 1.80 ]0.85 1898 34.5 14.8 32 27.5 16 10.5 76 1.7 4.67 4.72 2.98 3.44 15.81 1899 36.3 12.7 34 25 6 16.3 11.2 98 1.5 6.23 5.04 3.07 3.68 18.02 1900 40.3 14.3 35 25.3 15.6 11.7 78 1.4 3.3L 3.98 6.15 4.65 18.09 1901 26.2 15.3 32 24.2 15.8 8.8 37.4 1.4 5J.35 3.71 2.34 1.29 9.69 1902 34 13 13.8 31 25 17 8 91 1 8 5.39 7.16 8.67 6.68 27.80 Averages . . 32.5 31.5 26.2 16.4 9.7 73.8 1.5 4.19 4.67 4.02 3.32 16.21 TOTAL YIELD IOWA STAPLE CROPS— 1890-1902. TEAR. |1 P 1 1 i -© ^ F ^ % i' ox; II 1 1 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 .... 1899 1900 1901 1902 239,675,156 335,031,598 173, 867, 354 214,804,758 129, 104, 930 285,000,000 312,692,210 239,452,150 289, 214, 850 306,852,710 345, 055, 040 227,908,850 296,950,230 3,395,609,8.36 261,200,756 19,041,000 27,586,000 7, 534, 952 11,385,899 9, 470, 306 14,340,000 10,398,785 14,613,054 22, 321, 268 19,900,830 21, 288, 350 18. 295, 000 13,512,840 209,694,284 16,130,339 80,002,735 115,810,800 83, 485, 150 100, 742, 852 107, 691, 460 201,600,000 73,450,000 132,571,150 139,915,340 140,647,300 138,832,300 114,883,000 92, 907, 900 1,522,540,287 117, 118, 483 i,6a8,9i;o 2,051,400 1, 536, 270 1,785,202 1,624,073 2,014,000 1,891,716 3,490,844 .3,370,550 2, 061, 160 1,621,130 859,630 882, 83U 24,797,265 1,907,482 3, 664, 368 4,528,669 14,049,072 11,437,666 8, 635, 600 18, 678, 000 15,881,618 14,076,850 14,138,000 14,719,310 12,695,200 14,654,410 15,380,910 2,979,081 3,151,016 5, 188, 104 2,263,861 1,371,165 2,310,0(J0 1,946,720 2,498,600 2, 376, 600 1,597,790 1,222,980 916,890 755,350 8, 332, 352 25, 620, 350 8, 729, 160 6,172,257 7,869,321 21,200,000 14, 814, 795 10,051,910 12,538,410 15, 252, 930 10, 850. 900 5,098,460 12,C51,670 5, 668, 182 7,120,000 6, 958, 000 7,382,000 3, 220, OOO 3,810,000 5,701,440 5,301,320 5,498,080 5,311,130 5,139,060 4,980,380 5,641,900 Sums. Avgs . . 162, 539, 673 12,503,051 28,578,357 2,182,950 158,582,515 12,198,347 71,732,492 5,517,884 148 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. •R|otipojd I«;oji •uoj jad o2bj9AV •anxBA •stiq J8d agBjaAv anxBA I«!JOI, ■snq jad •enx'BA •snq J8d aSisaaAV •anxBA ■snq jad ag-BjaAV •aniBA •snq aad •anxBA •snq aad •enxBA snq jed >ogocc 0030000 > oi '^ CO o o w ^ t^ o in CO « !^fe CQCMfeo- ) «:■ — i^ -t ci -* lO > CO kO CO Oi oj t- --H JSSSSSS^ oogpoiooi(M'*'-HOOc 'fciocoin^QOO'iomiMr -s'OOT'-ieot-coc^co.-n > o 00 (M oi (M oi ■>} c>i 3; 1 -* CO CO oi c^ cj oi Ti w ooij^ioooO'-icoi^'asioo 8g§8g8gS§38Sg cvfc^icjoo-^OOicocr. t-co«c«> a5 0WM->*scofco'5Cooco'»o t-cocOosi-ioowSsootoxixcio •^lOsocoeocoN^coco' icsiraoo-— iiO'— i-tioo-' ■CO«'-HW-*C0C\J^CJ? OOOOOQQC-i 00000 35CQW&t-ooot-c5a)-*ooco «D CO OS cot-' t- OJ O -* t- c (Mlf3 05 050( )CO--(>i )C0C5t- CO(Mi-ii-((Mi-li-iCQ.-H.-H.-i OOOCOOCCUSt-C i-(00O500CQt-Ci00C lO ^ OS 00 't o c ocoiO' 00 CO CO! >QOO OC 00 oi Clio o ICQOOCOOOCO uOCD-<*CO-^iMCviCOC ss^^§a?jg^g2^s ■>«•«*< ICO loi-eocot-ic-'*' at- N T-T^oi t^cQ CO t-f o i^oTt-iTuj OiT-ICvJOOOOpt-COOi— lOO-^b; t-00OC0C0-^>-H0iCl'<*r-i-*O T-H»— tt— COCO"^COC icOiOfo^C JOCO-^CO JCCCO^CO 500QOOC S88SJ sO'^coc int-co-^oi'^ooocot-t-oso 05in^"310CDCOO'-iO(MOt- ^s cococo oco 005 S8 ocio ?8S )OOQOOOOpQ 1 1- C5 O OC CJ X CO CO o •»n)OOcoc^^o-^(>i^ >COCQ00-*'— iCO->iCDO;t- lCOlOrHi-l(M00WC0t-t- t-o S§3S5§JS322SoJSSS^ iii 00 -^l >oo< ;si88 .^-'*05S»S^QOO 00000000000000000000i»O>O5 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — -PART II. 149 PRECIPITATION DATA FOR THE STATE AT LARGE. The following tables contain precipitation data that will be valuable for reference. Table I shows the averages for the past thirteen years for the state at large. Table II contains the averages of meteorological stations and the counties wherein they are located grouped by districts and showing the district and section averages. The last two columns show the number of years covered by the averages of each station . TABLE I-MONTHLY AND ANNCJAL PRaOIPITATIONT FOR TEE STATE, 1890-1903. 1 1 1 < 6 a •-9 th 1 1 > i 1 INCHES. YEAR. II Bo ^1 II M 11 11 11 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 ^^ T^era^es 1.75 1.09 0.74 1 09 0.85 0.48 2.01 1.60 0.28 0.53 0.74 0.88 U.83 1.16 1.20 1.89 0.89 0.49 71 0.88 1.20 0.81^" 1.30 1.01 0.73 1 57|1,78 2. 60 2. 15 2.22 4.75 2.144.21 2.30,3 07 0.83|2 62 1.10,5.02 2.39 5.35 1.94 2.51 1. 62 2. 40 2. 06 2 67 2.6411.79 1.45 1.71 3.56 3 18 8.77 3.45 1 87 3.19 6.68 1.92 4.67 6.23 3 31 2.35 5.39 7.76 5.39 5.19 3.9' 2.67 4.32 3.1! 3.81 4.72 5.04 3.9S 3.71 7.16 L.98 4 22 5.29 3.33 0.63 3.40 6.90 3.26 2.98 3 07 6.15 2.34 8.67 3.41 4 24 2.24 2.32 1.58 4.43 3.52 1 86 3 44 3.68 4 65 1.29 6.58 2.97 1 33 1.53 2.34 3.57 3.03 4.09 2.04 2 69 0.93 4.08 4.77 4.35 3.48 2.77 1.55 1.28 2.67 0.47 .3.13 1.14 3. 56 1.73 3 91 1.98 2.54 1.46 1.70 1.10 1.17 0.92 1..51 1.83 0.66 2.50 1.20 1.06 0.86 2.13 45 2.41 1.65 1 31 0.95 1.63 0.65 1.65 48 1.61 0.45 0.93 2.23 31.28 32.90 36.58 27.59 21.91 26.77 37.23 26.97 31.34 28.68 .34. 15 24.41 43.82 31.07 H.31 5.32 3.94 3.44 2.93 2.97 1.84 4.54 3.28 2.78 2.28 2.68 3.84 3.32 6.91 7.93 15.74 9.80 7.14 6,64 12.81 9.66 9.17 10.25 8.04 6.78 8.55 9.19 13.15 13.85 12.72 9.56 4.88 12 15 13.53 8.93 11.14 11.79 14.78 7.34 22.41 12.02 7.81 5 80 4.18 4.79 7.16 5.01 9.05 3.84 7.75 3 86 9.05 7.61 9.02 6 53 150 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. D< •v- ci (U o >H 1— 1 H o < ll en Oh d O z H Xi P4 H 0. ^ O ^ p3 <1 en a 02 S < ^ u a < S Q UJ o ^ o ^ <1 "cS >^ C/J hJ (A ffi O ^ JH ^ m o u s X5 1 pOIJ8(J JO -ox •I.uuv •oaa •AOK •^OQ •!}Cl8g •Sny •iCltif •auTijc •^epi •ludy •JBH •qa^ UBf '^J 00 Ol C? 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FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 151 )ooiooo— looooo cc oi u3 »o :c CO -* ■ coOTcooococoic^tocomOT csSbooc jNCMN^CQ »00C0O3U8O5kO-^CCO00^D oooocccoocaooocccoccccco (0«DTjioo-*>oe-i— it-oot~2-*oo ^ O Oi OO --' -* OJ 3i oi CQ TO 00 22 C5 S3 W ei JO CM X Oi Ct CJ Ol ;^i CO CM -H^OMcnt-co JOOirtxOXOOOS lO lOOSC'l'-^OCO-^OJlOCMlO'* i-i oi rH c^i rH .-H*cioJ CM CM CM ^'ci , cm co-^si-^CMCM0(2cocMC30o ^ 00 OOCDOOO o o in 00 »c ci t- !3 eS fe ■ O feb. b C : e O 03 'x:!5O0aDOQoW* «D 00 » CM O »0 t- Ci t- t- T oooeoiooiCMO 00 ci — I ^ CM - - -■ ^ CJ r^ 00 CM — < COCMCMCMMCO 00 Oi i-H ■>». 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But with the quality of corn we have at our disposal in the corn belt the lard hog will no doubt always be with us. The hog raising fraternity is composed of "many men of many minds," hence there will always be roam for the different breeds to supply the ideals of the many minds regarding color and minor char- acteristics. But as the end of the coming hog is the same as that of his ancestor he must be, whatever his color, type or characteristics, the hog that will convert our grasses and corn into the greatest possible amount of desirable pork. This paper excited a good deal of comment. Professor Olin asked what the breeders of hogs considered the most essential point at the present and Vv hat change in the feed must be made m order that we improve. To this ]\Ir. ]\IcTavish rephed : It has always been my opinion that it was too much corn that kept from the hog that straightness and strength of bone and good muscle that is necessary to make a strong, healthy, vigorous animal. On this point Air. Prine added : It occurs to me that we need something to balance up the corn. We have our pastures, but we need more of this and should raise a corn that is adapted to the growth of the pig. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART III. 171 Mr. Turner said : I came here to find out, not only with regard to corn, but what else we should use and how to use the foods that we have on the farm to avoid buying feed. I want to hear the opinions and experiences of the breeders as to the feeding value of rye, oats and barley. We thought a hog would die fed on oats when I was a boy. We are right in the grain country and the hogs followg the cattle and we feed them corn. I would like to know how we can utilize the grains we use on the farm aside from the corn, to avoid buying these feeds. I would like to know and hear fro mthe breeders who have used these other feeds. Dr. Hammer expressed some good ideas as follows . In what is it that the most people fall down? It is up to you to meet the expectations of other men and improve the hog. It is a mis- take to breed stock too young. You have to make the parent mature if the offspring is to be of any use. A brood sow must be three years old before you can see what there is in her. A man I know is using a sow now which did not show any development until she was three years old. If you breed a sow to a six-months-old male you will get three or four pigs. I would never use breeding sows until they are over a year old, at least, and then breed them right along and give them food that will produce fine stock and develop their bone. I have been interested in breeding hogs for a good many years. This is the corn belt, and we are in the center of it. There are other things as essential 'as corn, and if we can raise alfalfa in this country it might mix well with the corn. They say they are raising alfalfa on the hills in the West. If alfalfa will grow there it will surely grow here. I want thio hog association to get some alfalfa seed and try it. It takes two or three years to get started and then you will have it right along. Just think of it and you will find that it is just as essential to have alfalfa to mix with your corn as anything else for a progress, for this association should bring in everything along this line. Breed from a matured ani- mal, and when you get the pigs you have them large enough so that you can breed pigs that at six months old will weigh 250 pounds. You will interest men in that way. As a continuation along this line 'Mv. Swallow said : I listened to Mr. Hammer's talk and I think none of the men who heard it and who are interested in hogs can put too small a value ou pasture for your hogs. We want corn, but we want pasture, too. The corn business will grow and build up just as our pig business has. There are just a few who can look into this and teach us all about it. Of course, there is the fault of keeping the hogs in too small lots and feeding them too much corn, and those who do so are not making good hogs. Put all these things together — plenty of pasture, room and corn and plenty of exercise, and your hogs will be good. 172 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Mr. Munson, who advises against the free use of corn to breed- ing and growing stock, said : While we are studying the corn it would be worth our while to pre- pare the seed bed better if we want to increase the busfhels. If you have the right kind of a seed bed you can raise without a doubt, from three to five more bushels to the acre than if you have the same kind of seed in a seed bed badly prepared. I have found that, as a rule, I can not feed much corn to my hogs. I do not believe that corn is the feed for a breeding hog. During the winter I feed my hogs only about two ears of corn. When I put them in the fattening pen I feed them plenty of corn, but it will not pay for any breeder to feed his hogs too much corn. It produces fat — not bone. My brood sows get nothing but a very light slop and plenty of exercise. They have had good pas- ture and they are not worth giving corn if they will not be good on that. This again brought j\Ir. Swallow to his feet with the remark : You think it about the right thing to- feed them plenty of corn while they are on the pasture? You have to give them some corn. I have always had to. Iowa corn is a pretty good article to have around. To this Mr. Munson replied : I do not want you to understand that I do not feed any corn at ali. I feed 2 per cent corn and 2 per cent oats. Now I have seventy-five brood sows that are not getting any corn at all and they are not going to get any. I can raise pigs without corn. My pigs that are running on white clover are not getting corn, but good slop. Now, I have two sows; one lacks seven days of being a year old. They are not fat when they have their pigs and their pigs do not get fat when they are sucking them. Air. ]\IcTavish steered the discussion into a talk on alfalfa. He said : It is just along this line that I would like to have shown what should be the balance for our corn. I believe we will all admit that the pasture is the thing to balance our corn. It is the thing to give health, vigor and strength to the animals. But some men will talk about a hog pasture and think a pasture of four or five acres sufficient for a large number of hogs. Some men have timothy pastures and think their hogs as good as the man's who has a good clover pasture. But we can have something better. We can have alfalfa. We can raise it in this country. Mine is doing fine so far, but, of course, it must come through the winter before I can tell what will become of it. It we can raise it we can give it to our hogs, and we know they need it. But you have to use brains in this hog business. You have to use it in order to have the best success, and it seems that, as Mr. Swallow has said, it would be well to put our hogs on a pasture that is suited to them, and then feed them all the corn they want. I have done so at FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 173 home with good results and have my pigs coming along with wonderful good growth and I do not stint on corn, as long as they have plenty of clover and milk or anything that will balance it up. Study what to feed your hogs. Mix a good deal of brains, so to speak, in with the feed, /and you will have success. If you do not you will run up against failure. To this Mr. Johnson said : There seems to be a great problem in pasture for hogs. I have white and red clover and alfalfa and that is what they need. What we want to do is to give our hogs pasture, not put too many together and not breed from too young stock. Do noi use a sow until she is past a year of age. This is an interesting topic and we must think of it. The program provided for a paper on the subject, ''Precautions to the Breeder," but the gentleman to whom it was assigned failed to respond. Mr. Turner referred to it briefly, saying: What is the meaning of this "precaution of the breeder," that Is as regards business transactions? I think that we, as business men, should do a good, straightforward business. If a man buys an animal for breeding purposes I feel that he is entitled to something that will do him some good. If we sell a thoroughbred hog the buyer is entitled to a pedigree and not have to wait six or eight months for it. I feel that we, as a body, should take some action as regards this matter. T bought a thoroughbred sow some time ago. I have waited five months for the pedigree and am about to send the hog back and demand my money. The seller said she has never raised any pigs for him and she has not for me. I would like to know the idea of the association and how far it justifies it. No new light was shed on this vexatious subject : "Alfalfa and the Hog," was another subject proposed, but on which the paper failed to appear. Henry \Vallace, however, ex- prcosed himself on the matter as follows : I have lately been out in the alfalfa country and learned that they raise more hogs there than we do, and raise them on alfalfa. Fivo pounds of alfalfa chopped fine and one pound of corn a day will make them gain about six tenths of a pound a day. I spent about a week among the farmers, and what struck me was the fact that hogs groAV on alfalfa into different kinds of hogs. That is, they are longer and more of the bacon type. Alfalfa puts more bone and muscle into them. The Nebras^ta Experiment Station takes pigs fed on corn and then alfalfa and breaks the bones and they find that the breaking strain of the bone of hogs fed on alfalfa is from four hundred and fifty to five hundred pounds and of the corn hogs three hundred and fifty pounds. We can grow alfalfa if we take the proper precaution. We can not cure it, but we can grow it enough for hog pasture, if we go about it in the right way. And I think we can do it with a good deal of success. 174 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. They do not like to keep more than six hogs together. If you put more than that together they will run it out Y/ith trampling. They make paths through it, and in that way they keep the alfalfa free, and do not interfere with making a crop of hay. I saw the railroad men and they said they could keep the alfalfa hogs separate from the corn hogs dur- ing the cholera times by disinfecting their cars and making separate chutes for them where they are loaded and unloaded, and allow nothing else to go through them except alfalfa hogs. Now, I am satisfied that there is a good deal in this. I want you to see that we can grow alfalfa Alfalfa should be cured when the bloom first begins to come out. Ii you wait you will find it very difficult to cure. Alfalfa is certainly a good hog feed in the winter. The gentlemen I visited feed five pounds of alfalfa to a pound of corn, and they find it profitable. They have kept books on it and I have no reason to doubt their word. To raise alfalfa you must prepare your seed bed in the best possible manner. The bes.t way is to let it to someone to raise beets on for a year and then It is just ready for the alfalfa. In the fall take your land and get it into the best possible shape. Start weeds and then disc your land; and when the weeds start again disc it again. Soav your alfalfa about the first week in May or the last week in April on up to the first of June, and when it beginS( to put out blossosm cut it off and mow it again and lagain. You have to cut it off every time it begins to grow. Another gentleman went on to sa}' : I have a friend who sowed three acres the last of April. It is about three to six inches high and in three or four weeks it will have to bo cut off. He has been growing alfalfa for some time. He is a breeder of Aberdeen-Angus cattle and when the alfalfa gets up about so high he turns them on it and cuts it down. Then he lets it grow again and gets a second crop the same year. There is one thing of which Mr. Wallace spoke that is very important. I hat is, that it should not be pastured early in the fall and it should noL be pastured the first year. If it is left to grow, probably one to four inches high, and the frost settles down on it, it will preserve it. ]\Ir. Munson asked : You speak of cutting alfalfa fine to ieed hogs. We are not fixed here to feed alfalfa. Is not clover prepared in the same way just ns good ? To this Air. AA^allace repHed : I think if you will chop your clover fine and put corn with it, it will do just as well. On the subject of feeding- clover to hogs Mr. Alunson said : I read an article about feeding hogs clover. I did not believe it, so one morning I tried it. I had ten old sows, and when I put the ■clover out I did not see one of them, but; before long they were every one there and ate it all. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. l75 Mr. Failor added a few words on the corn question : I want to say a little along the line of hogs and corn. Hogs and corn go well together, but there are other things to be considered. What are we going to do with the land that vv^e cannot raise corn on? We can not feed corn alone. It is not good for the hogs and our hogs are better off with a balance of wheat, barley or rye. Now, we have the hogs to feed and we need the wheat and barley and rye to balance the corn. What is the use to talk corn all the time when we need these other things to balance our farms and our feed? It is just as easy to raise them as a balanced ration .is it is to undertake to raise the corn as. a balanced ration. I have been raising hogs for a good many years, and I have learned by experience to use a good deal of something more than corn. Mr. ^funson followed by saying: We have been talking corn and hogs and we want to talk sensibly. If we can raise an extra bushel of corn to the acre by better cultivation we might raise from five to twenty extra bushels by preparing our seed bed better, as has been suggested, and by better cultivation. Dr. Hammer said : When we think of going into the hog business I think we should follow Mr. Swallow. A little more milk and never so much that a little more would not be better. I found the Jersey has a great deal of cream. We concluded to try the Holstein. We found the Holstein milk breeds the very best stock. It produces bone and muscle, while the Jersey makes fat. My son and I got seven cows and sold cream enough to pay a man to work on the farm and fed the milk to the pigs. The sooner you can get the milk to the pigs and calves the more healthy it is for them. We take a heaping tablespoonful of oilmeal and stir it up and then pour in the milk and give it to the pigs. There is noth- ing like Holstein milk for pigs. Keep your lots sowed in rape for pas- ture. The first time I sowed it the neighbors all wondered at it. I sowed one and one half acres and when it was, grown I turned half ri dozen sows into it. At the end of six weeks I had sold thirty-six of thirty-eight head fed on it. And now T notice that the neighbors are sowing it. too. I used to buy oilmeal and shorts and bran, but now 1 am raising rape and oats and corn and I put my corn up and have green corn all the year around. I raise everything I feed to my cattle and hogs on the farm and I think we should do it. i Use the rape and alfalfa and corn and raise everything on the farm that you feed your stock. Mr. Munson came back to corn again and said : It seems as though I stirred up a kind of hornets' nest when I Raid I did not feed corn. You mis,understood me. I do not believe in feeding corn to breeding stock, but if you have a pig that you are fattening feed him all the corn you can. But if you have nice breeding stock that you are trying to develop and grow, I say, feed him no corn. 176 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Mr. Johnson gave alfalfa a little boost when he said : Last spring we sowed a hillside that would grow very poor corn with alfalfa, and it is just wonderful to see it now. I can get about two tons to the acre, and a dealer paid me $9 an acre for the first crop and it certainly ought to get another crop just as, good as that is this year. This shows what the poor soil will produce in alfalfa. Mr. Wallace said : Alfalfa is not a pasture except for hcgs. It is simply a hog pas- ture, and cattle and sheep should be kept out. The college here Is try- ing to get a carload of alfalfa and have offered $12 a load. Mr. Turner brought up the question of State fair premiums : There is a question that I thought nnght be of interest to the breed- ers, and that is with regard to having the State act with the associa- tion in the matter of premiums. Now, I believe that on hogs they have nothing eycept Fix months, six months and under one year and one year and under two, and it seems to me that it would be a good plan to get the association to change this so that the hog that is thirteen months will not have to compete with the hog that is twenty-three months, and give them a better chance. If this association would take some action to request this change it would please a good many. Mr. Johnson said : This matter has been acted and passed upon and it was promised the grand sweepstakes prize would be abolished and an extra class pro- vided. The premium list has dropped I he sweepstake prize, but failed to give the extra class. The matter was referred to the committee on resolutions. Hon. F. D. Coburn of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition had been placed on the program for a talk on the coming World's fair at St. Louis. Being unable to attend, he sent a paper, which was read. The dates contemplated for the swine exhibits are from Octo- ber 3 to October 15, 1904, but our preliminary schedule is of course subject to revision. The dates proposed for all live stock exhibits extend from August 22nd to November 5th. It is planned to have the cattle shows over by September 24th, thus giving ample time to get them out of the way before the swine people will w^ant the room for their exhibits. A feature being considered is the holding of public sales under the auspices of the different breeders' associations. This is al- ready attracting the attention of breeders and the associations are FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 177 already making applications for sale privileges, the American Berkshire Association being among the first. It is expected that a special building will offer facilities for these sales, so that they may be held independent of anything going on in the show ring,, which will occupy an entirely separate building. EVENING SESSION. The entire evening session was devoted to talks on corn and corn culture. D. B. Nims of Emerson, Iowa, forwarded a paper, in which he said : Since Iowa has shown that it takes no second place in the galaxy of states as a producer of cabinet officers, Spoor trophy winners and live, stock breeders, why should it not lead the world in corn? There is no good reason why Iowa should noL excel all other states in corn as well as in live stock. This will surely follow if the same principles of breeding and selection are used in the production of corn as are used in the production' of live stock. Corn is yearly becoming a more important crop, and every meauo should be used to increase the yield per acre and also to increase its feeding vaule. This should be done for the same reason that we seek to produce a bullock that will give the largest per cent of high-priced cuts. We should talk corn to our boys at home and talk corn to our neighbors, and we should study corn. We should also score corn, not in an indifferent way, but enthusiastically. The cattle breeder or the hog breeder who does not carefully study his animals will never become an expert breeder. Corn is susceptible to just as much improvement as live stock. The swine breeders years ago formulated a score card for judging hogs. Iowa corn growers formulated the first score card for corn. They have changed that score card from time to time, much as the score card for hogs has been changed. Iowa corn breeders have produced Bome first-class varieties of corn that are especially adapted to Iowa condi- tions. We anticipate that the corn show at Ames, January 4th to 17th, will bring together the greatest exhibit of corn ever collected. We will find it profitable to give this subject more careful attention. We should not get into ruts and think we can't make any more improvement. We should adopt the "Iowa idea" as applied to corn raising as well as al'. other matters. Prof. A\\ H. Olin, assistant in agronomy at the Experiment Station of the Iowa Agricultural College, gave an extended lec- ture on 'Improving Corn to Meet Pig-Feeding Requirements." It was illustrated by the numerous enlarged photographs of va- rieties and forms of ccTrn. His remarks were as followb : 12 178 " IOWA DEPARTMENT • OF AGRICULTURE. One of the most unique cartoons that I ever saw was a car of one of the relief trains Kansas sent to the Ohio flood sufferers in 1884. In the middle of the cartoon was pictured a swollen stream; on the Ohio side was shown a long-nosed, slab-sided, razor-backed elm-peeler, with starvation minutely pictured in his face; on the Kansas side stood one of Secretary Coburn's sleek, trim, well-fed "mortgage lifters," holding in his mouth a fine ear of Kansas corn and represented as saying: " 'ere's to ye." Through the energetic work of the breeder and feeder the days of the elm-peeler and razor-back are numbered, while they have brought into the foreground the modern-bred, well-developed swine of today, calling upon practical experience, the scientific leader, the plant breeder and the chemist to so lend their help in providing the proper foods for this creature of modern development that he shall grow in all his parts symmetrically, and enable his American owner to keep pace in foreign markets with his energetic Irish, Danish and Canadian competitors. It is ''ears" to his swineship that I wish to present now, which, in accepting, I feel will enable him to develop that muscular energy, 'that rigidity of frame, that firmness, smoothness and even quality of flesh whereby he can outdistance all competitors. We will, therefore, study these ears fiom the pig-feeding side for a few moments. In this State of 229,000 farms, the statistician tells us, are 10,090,000 hogs, an average of 43 2-3 hogs per farm. He further states that the swine industry comprises nearly one fourth the value of all the live stock of the State, making the hog a most important factor of revenue to our commonwealth. Our State feeds to her stock approximately $100,000,000 worth of feed every year. Since the most important of all our feeds is corn, the "staff of life" to our swine, it is worth our while to study this feed to see how it may be made to better meet our porker's bodily requirements. Professor Henry, in his most excellent work on "Feeds and Feeding," says: "In this country corn must con- tinue the common feeding stuff for swine." The chemist tells us while corn is rich in carbohydrates, or fat, it is low in protein and ash. The feeder tells us that corn is the best relished grain available for domestic animals of all classes, and that their fondness for iit is remarkable. In leeding tests, made by practical swine breeders in this and other states, as well as by the various ex periment stations, I learn that corn in its present composition tends to produce an excess of heat, while both chemist and feeder tell us that it is too low in protein ash. Therefore the plant breeder is asked to direct his energies toward correcting this fault. All through the pork producing states the plant breeders of farm crops at the experiment stations are giving this matter earnest attention. Just before we take a glance at their work, may we read the pri- mary units that the feeder has given them to work upon? These units are protein, carbohydrates, fats and ash. Protein is that part of the corn that is a nitrogen compound and its digestible part is utilized by the growing animal in building up the various organic tissues of its body, giving vitality to the blood; in fact feeding the body its nitrog- eneous wants. Approximately 16 per cent of the protein content is FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 179 niitrogen, so fundamental to the living cell in either plant or animal life. Then we may say, with Professor Henry, "that the organic part of bones, muscles, tendons, internal organs, skin, etc., of the animal body are formed from the protein nutrients of feeding stuffs." The carbohydrates, largely represented by the starch compounds, seem in funcition to give heat, store fat and in a measure aid in the nor- mal functions of the body. The fat, or oil, of corn,* contains a very large per cent of neutral fats or glyceride^ (over 80 per cent of the fat content) and a small per cent (6 or 7 per cent) of free or true oil. This is animal nutrition worth two and one half times as much as either the protein or starch compounds, and can be used to produce heat or lay up adipose tissue. The ash is valuable as a bone build ei- and a bone renewer. The feeding tells us that young pigs require a relatively much larger pro- portion of ash in food than the hog, on account of the rapid and neces- sary development of the bony frame. For this reason we must havo a corn richer in ash to meet the necessities of the young growing pig or supply it in other foods. The plant breeder now seeks to produce for you a corn that is richer in protein and ash, accomplishing this by reducing the starch content of the kernel and increasing the protein and ash content. The work done by the chemist and plant breeder ai the South Carolina, -Georgia, New York, Kansas, Illinois and Iowa stations shows corn to be very susceptible to improvement, a change being made not only in physical appearance, but in chemical content as well. This is most clearly shown by the work of the Illinois Experiment b cation with corn within the last seven years. This clearly shows that the chemical content can be improved by judicious and careful selection or breeding. Permit me to next call your attention to the following facts: Corn «ars have an individuality as marked as different breeds of swine, wliile corn kernels have as distinct types as individuals in a breed of hogs. This is what renders so valuable the dams that have received careful breeding through generations of well matod ancestors and hence evince a strong prepotency. This has led to the careful study of the princi- ples of breeding, and we find that in the main the general principles that govern and control animal breeding hold true in plant breeding as well. In applying this to corn the row system is practiced where individual differences can best be studied and the poor strains rejected. Corn by nature cross-pollinates and therefore the male parent of individual ear is in doubt. For this reason our registrations must be based upon the dam. I here desire to present to you the plan I have formulated for carrying out an experiment to meet pig feeding requirements in corn. The work already done simply points the way for future work. From what we know of the chemical content of the kernel it would seem that the most of the oil lies within the germ. Doctor Hopkins, of the Illinois station, states that here he finds over 85 per cent of the oil of the kernel. The hard or horny portion usually constitutes over 60 per cent of the kernel and contains a large portion of the protein that is found outside of the germ. 180 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Professor A. D. Shamel says 25 per cent of the protein of the kernel is within the germ. The white or sitarchy part of the kernel, Doctor Hopldns finds to be equal to about one fifth of the whole kernel. The very poorest starch in the kernel, from the feeder's standpoint, lies just back of or underneath the germ. Hence by increasing the legnth, breadth and depth of the germ we decrease the amount of starch con- tent and get rid of a certain amount of starch that is low in feeding value. These facts show the tremendous advantage gained by the me- chanical selection of the seed. The production of hand pollination or artificial pollination has not been a great success. Detasseling is yet in its experimental stage, but seems to promise important results. Until it is fully demonstrated, the sv/ine breeder is advised to depend upon the great law of all breeding, '"Like tends to produce like." and thus select his seed and give it the soil food and culture its nature and grow- ing habits seem to demand. Today the glucose people call for more oil in the corn and offer 5 cents additional per bushel for every pound of oil increase per bushel. The feeder of bacon hogs calls for less oil and more protein and ash. The starch factories call for an increase in starch at the cost of other units. Thus you see varied interests demand a change in corn com- position, and it is our purpose as plant breeders to meet these commer- cial demands, if possible. Doctor Hopkins tells us that a bushel of common field corn (weight 56 pounds), at present yields 38 pounds of starch, 7 pounds of gluten. 5 pounds corn bran or hull. 4i/^ pounds germ and the rest made up of water, soluble or other matter. He rates the germ as containing 40 per cenit corn oil, worth 5 cents per pound, starch 1% cents, gluten 1 cent and hull % cent. The average yield of corn m our State last year was 32 bushels per acre. On the chemists' basis this would yield 1,152 pounds of starch at IMi cents, $17.28; 57.6 pounds oil at 5 cents, $2.88; 224 pounds gluten at 1 cent, $2.24; 160 pounds corn bran at 1/2 cent, 80 cents. Total, $23.20. Tihirty-two bushels of corn at present prices — Ames market Saturday — 50 cents, would yield $16 per acre. If we breed and grow corn for a special purpose we will derive an added profit, just the same as we do from the dairy cow. the beef cow. the draft horse, the roadster and the mutton sheep. Let us not be content to grow corn, or even good corn, but let us grow corn for a spe- cial purpose. If we wish to feed corn, let us grow high protein corn to be balanced for ash and lack of full protein ration by that legume most easily grown in your locality. If we wish to grow corn for a starch factory, let us grow a corn high in starch content. If for a glucose factory, one high in oil. and thus derive the greatesit profit from our crop. Let us use the good judgment in improving our corn that is exer- cised in developing our swine, and then we will be able to do the great- est good to the greatest number of Iowa pigs. The matter of pedigree js of as great importance in improvement of corn as it is in improvement of pigs. The Illinois Experiment Station is growing a plot of high pro- tein corn, each ear of which has a pedigree protein content net only of FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 181 its dam and granddam, but so far back as its great-great-great-great- granddam, seven generations. To the swine breeders of Iowa let me say, we, who are now seelc- ing to improve the corn you feed, wish at all times to co-operate with you and will deem it a kindness if you will point out to usi the correc- tions you think it possible for us to make in the corn you desire to feed. We want to help you to geit the best corn, and the best forage, that you may continue to grow the largest hogs of the best quality and the greatest number of any State in the whole galaxy. When, if It be nothing but hogs and hominy, it will be the juiciest, best-flavored pork and the sweetest and most nourishing hominy in all the land. Then here's to King Corn, and the mortgage lifting, bank-account-making hog. May both long bless our Hawkeye prairie State and their union cause every Iowa farmer to rise up and, calling them blessed, receive the silver offering this union always brings. May peace, prosperity and pedigreed corn bless your pigs henceforth evermore, causing all doubters to move out of Missouri, establish permanently in this realm of realized fact and demonstrated profit. Then as far as this proposition is concerned, "I'm from Missouri" will be of the past. Considerable discussion followed this paper. Facts brought out Avere that there were good qualities, in both smooth and rough A-arieties of corn ; that smooth sorts showed a more marked ten- dency to revert to original types ; that experiments in detasse!- ing had not yet reached that stage which justified positive state- ments as to value of results ; that no definite knowledge existed as to the comparative maturing qualities of white and yellow varie- ties ; that the ordinary period of ripening was from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and twenty-five days ; that those sorts having large cob usually called for longer ripening period ; that radishes were valuable as a hog food ; that every man had a dif- ferent opinion as to the value of the potato as hog feed. RESOLUTIONS. A committee on resolutions, consisting of Messrs. Howard, McTavish, Swallow% Prine and Munson, reported the following resolutions, which were adopted : Whereas, Tjhe paper presented before this association by Secretary F. D. Coburn of the St. Louis Exposition sets forth many new and im- portant additions and classifications of the premium list proposed for the swine department of said World's Fair, in which this association heartily concurs, and Whereas, This association's attention having been called to the con- struction and size of the new swine pavilion now being erected at the 182 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Iowa State Fair grounds, and as it is our earnest desire that said pavilion may afford ample room for the proper showing and judging of swine, and Whereas, This association, at its last fall's meeting, recommended that a new class for swine 18 months old, both in individual classes and in herds, be added to the Iowa State Fair premium list and in order to put in this new class that the grand sweepstakes herd prize, all breeds competing, be discontinued, and Whereas, The growing and improvement of our corn crops is so closely allied to the proper feeding of the hog, be it therefore Resolved, First — That we hearitily endorse the classifications pro- posed by Secretary F. D. Coburn for the coming swine show at St. Louis. Second — That it is the sense of the association that more room is necessary for the display and judging of swine in the new pavilion and that we respectfully recommend that seats be not constructed more than half way around said pavilion. Third — That it is the sense of this association that inasmuch as the State fair board has granted the latter part of our request we respectfully request 'that the 18-months class be added to the premium list. Fourth— That this association shall hereafter devote a part of its time to the study of the best means of improving our corn crop. Among those in attendance were: A. G. Munson, Maxwell; Strater Bros., Monroe; Dr. T. B. Hammer, Des Moines; Wilson Rowe, Ames; F. H. Houghton, Marshalltown ; Harvey Johnson, Logan; W. Z. Swallow, Waukee; Charles Swallow, Waukee; Alonzo Baker, Colon; W. A. Jones, Van M'eter; W. D. McTav- ish, Coggon; W. J. Kinzer, Ames; Mr. \\^atson, [Madrid; E. B. Watson, Ames; George S. Prine, Oskaloosa; D. L. Howard Jefferson; W. L. Willey, Menlo; T. W. Miller, Menlo; F. F. Failor, Newton; O. W. Browning, Newton; S. W. Lee, Wick: B. R. Vale, Bonaparte; W. S. Hart, Panora; C. S. Hammer, Indianola; Turner & Son, Maxwell; Albert Sundell, Boxholni, all of Iowa. PART IV. EXTRACTS FROM THE STATE DAIRY COM- MISSIONER'S REPORT FOR 1903. H. R . Wright, Dairy Commissioner . The condition of the dairy business in the St^.tc is not all that conld be desired. As frequently pointed out in .these reports, the dairy business booms when other lines of agriculture return but meager profits. During the year up to 1898, prices of farm products other than butter were extremely low and uncertain. From and including 1898, prices of other farm products have been very high. This is the chief factor which accounts for the present ebb in the dairy business. Without doubt, the introduc- tion of the hand separator and the centralizing plants have re- duced the output of creamery butter in this State, as is pointed out elsewhere in this report under the discussion of hand separa- tor statistics. One of the striking features which the statistics of the last several years show is that the number of skimming .stations in Iowa is steadily and rapidly decreasing. In the boom times of creamery building, beginning about 1896 and before the advent of the hand separator and the system of shipping cream by rail from patron to creamery, about the only me^thod by which a creamery could increase its product was by the use of the skimming station system. There have been a number of disastrous failures of the creamery companies that have operated a central plant and numerous skimming stations. There have been other failures, more or less complete and e^jually (183) 184 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ■disastrous in the ag-gregate, of smaller concerns with only a few skimming stations each. If one may judge the future by the past history of the skimming' station idea, it seems to be only a question of a few years until the skimming station will be a thing of the past. It is difficult to make a general statement that will 2pply in every case, but it seems entirely safe to assert that it is bad policy at this time to invest any money in a skimming sta- tion. If there is patronage enough at any point to warrant the building of a skimming station, the patronage will be entirely sufficient to warrant the erection of a co-operative creamery. The difference in expense between building a skimming station and a creamery is veiy small and the difference in expense in operating them is still less. There are two creameries in the State, within ficty miles of each other and operating under very similar conditions, but upon entirely different plans. Each of them has about six hundred patrons, but one of them has not only a churning plant, but eight skimming stations. This creamery has an investment in the creamery of $5,000.00 and reports the average value of the skim- ming stations at $2,500.00, which makes the total investment $25,000.00. This creamery makes 175,000 pounds of butter. The other creamery has an investment of $5,000.00 in the creamer)^ and makes 540,000 pounds of butter. It is evident that the ex- pense in the first of these plants must include the wages of eight skimming station operators, as well as the wages of the men who operate the churning plant, and hence the expense of operating this system of skimming stations will be very much larger than the expense of operating the other creamer};, which makes three times as much butter. And it is evident that when two cream- eries such as these get into competition, that the creamery with the skimming stations must certainly give way to- the creamery that has no skimming stations. The creamery operator who invests his money in a skimming station, in a very large number of cases, is almost certain to lose a large part of his investment. A large number of centralizing plants are now in operation in this State and a still larger number are apparently about to be FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 185 built, and the question to be settled in the daii-y business of Iowa is whether these pbnts will take the place of the smaller cream- eries of the State. OLEOMARGARINE. The new national oleomargarine law has been ni force since July I, 1902, so that statistics are at hand for the year ending- June 30, 1903. The make of oleomargarine for ':lie year just preceding the new national law was 126,315,427 pounds. For the first year under the new law the make was 71,21 1,3.14 pounds, a decrease oi 55,104,183 pounds, or 44 per cent. Tlie following table shows the number of fifty-pound tubs of oleomargarine made during September in the Chicago oleo factories : Months. 1903 1902 1901 July 18,562 22,360 34.096 53,100 27,800 37, 100 75,849 63,268 September 80,594 The total make for the whole United States for the months of July and August during the last three years has been as follows : 1901 15,814,835 pounds. 1902 • 9,002,054 pounds. 1903 5,795,125 pounds. A careful study of the foregoing figures will sliow clearly that there has been a very great decrease in the amount of oleo- margarine made in the United States, and that the decrease seems to be more and more the longer the law is in effect. For many years the opponaits of the oleomargarine traffic -lave been putting forth the claim that there was a small legitimate trade for oleomarofarine sold as such, but that the bulk of the oleomar- garine trade was only possible when the oleomargarine was col- ored in imitation of butter and sold so that the ultimate consumer was deceived into thinking that it was butter. The figures from the internal revenue department given above seem to prove that this assertion is borne out by the decreased sale of so-called ''un- colcred oleomargarine" even when the 'oleomargarine was given 186 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. a slight yellow color, as has been the case wtih most oleomar- garine put on the market since July i, 1902. It was tO' be expected that manufacturers of oleomargarine would make every effort tO' avoid the regulations and restrictions of the new law and that they would also use every legal means to weaken tlie value of the law by adverse court decisions. A number of expedients were resorted to by them, but the only one that seemed to be effective was the use of palm oil in very small quantities. This was successful in evading the spirit of the law until a chemist was found who could detect in the oleomargarine the small quantity of palm oil that had beeen used. Following the discovery that certain manufacturers of oleo- margarine had been using palm oil, the internal revenue depart- ment assessed against a number of them very large sums under the feature of the law which requires the payment of ten cents per pound on oleomargarine having in it any "artificial colora- tion." These sums of money they have been obligfed to pay and they are now suing the government for tlie return of the money so paid, and these suits, of course, raise all the points that have l)een urged against the oleomargarine lav/, and the determination of them w^ill go very far towards settling the exact meaning of the law and determining the future eft'ect of it. In the meantime the make of oleomargarine decreoses still more because the man- ufacturers are not using the palm oil now as it is alleged by the department of internal revenue they were doing last year. The oleomargarine interests have also succeeded in getting a case before the Supreme Court of the United States on appeal from the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, the determination of which will have a very important bearing* on the future success O'f the law. While it is true that the law has been a large part of what its supporters hoped for and that the enforcement of it has been rigidly carried out by the internal revenue department, and all the suits under this law so far have been determined in favor of the support of the law, yet it is also true that the butter interests should not now give up the fight against oleomargarine, and must be warned against assuming that the battle for honesty in the sale of both butter and oleomar- garine has been won. The oleom.argarine interests are, as al- FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 187 ways, well supplied with money and loth to give up a business that has made them wealthy, and they are certain to use every possible means to avoid the enforcement of the law, to weaken its effect by adverse court decisions and if possible to have some of its obnoxious features repealed. The dairy interests should be more than ever on guard so that we shall not lose what has been obtained by most strenuous efforts during the past four or five years. The National Dairy Union and its officers, who have led in the fight for the recent oleo law, have proved tliemselves to be not only earnest but successful opponents of enemies of the dairy industry. For reasons of self-interest the organization ought to receive the active financial support of every man who believes that oleomargarine ought to be sold for what it is, and not, as has been the case for so many years, sold for and in the place of butter. For a considerable number of years there have been scarcely any retail dealers in the State of Iowa ; not more tlran two or three licenses have been issued each year. The reason for this is that it was extremely easy in Iowa to convict a man for the sale of colored oleomarg^arine, and practically all the oleo put on the market was of this variety, hence, no dealer would take out a license if he fully understood the Iowa law, and the f?.ct that the dairy commissioner would certainly find him out and easily suc- ceed in having him fined for selling yellow oleomargarine. As a result of the effort made by all manufacturers of oleomargarine immediately after the new law went into effect and ot their rep- resentations and misrepresentations to^ Iowa dealers in regard to the Iowa law, a large number of grocery and meat market men in all parts of Iowa, 1:fut principally in the large cities, took out licenses for the sale of oleomargarine. It will be remembered that the new law reduced the retailer's license fee from $48.00 a year to $6.00 a year. Two hundred and five licenses were issued in Iowa in the year ending June 30, 1903. It was early discov- ered that only a few of the dealers that had taken out licenses were selling any large quantities of oleomargarine. It v^^as not thought best to make any crusade against the retailers, but rather to make one case against a prominent dealer who would be cer- tain to oppose prosecution and if possible to have the case carried 188 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. to the supreme court and a decision rendered on that feature of our law which is held to forbid the sale of oleomargarine "having a yellow color." There is no qtiestion in regard to any State law which forbids the sale of oleomargarine which has been artificially colored in imitation of butter, but there seems to have b<:en no decision rendered by any court of last resort which bears directly upon the part of the Iowa law mentioned above. Early in Jan- uary the dairy commissioner purchased from the Armour Packing- Company in the city of Des Moines a quantity of uncolored oleo- margarine, which, nevertheless, had a considerable tinge of yel- low, and after some effort an indictment was secured charging the Armour Packing Company with having sold oleomargarine "having a yellow color." The commissioner was assured that the Armour Packing Company was as anxious as himself to have the supreme court pass upon this feature of the law at the earliest date possible. However, this desire on the part of the Armour Packing Company has not prevented their attorneys from using every technical means to delay the suit. The first trial of the case resulted in a disagreement of the jury; a jury under peculiar in- structions. The second trial, before the same judge, but with slightly different instructions to the jury, resulted in a conviction. The Armour Packing Company then interposed an objection to the form of the indictment, an objection which had nothing whatever to do with the meaning of the oleo law, but was simply a technical error in wording the indictment which compelled the court to set aside the verdict. Instead of dismissing the case, as he might have done, the judge sent the indictment back to the grand jury for correction. On the meeting of the grand jury in September the indictment was again returned and again objected to by the attorneys for the Armour Packing_ Com- pany, and up to this date, November ist, the case has not come to trial. However, upon convicting the Armour Packing Com- pany the dairy commissioner sent out the following circular to the 205 dealers in the State : Des Moines, Iowa, May 12, 1903. Dear Sir, — From the records of the Internal Revenue oflBce I under- stand you are selling so-called "uncolored" oleomargarine, and this letter is addressed to you for your information in regard to the laws of this State governing the sale of oleomargarine, or substitute for butter. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 189 One of the provisions of the law is that the substitute for butter sold must not have a yellow color, and this department holds that this provis- ion means that it must not have any shade of yellow. In order that the courts might pass upon this phase of the law a test case was made against the Armour Packing Company in Des Moines upon the sale of a tub of "uncolored" oleomargarine, which nevertheless had a slight shade of yel- low color. On May 8th this corporation was convicted on an indictment charging the sale of oleomargarine "having a yellow color." It is the duty of the dairy commissioner to enforce the law against the sale of oleomargarine in this State. 1 have refrained from making suits against the numerous dealers until this test -case could be decided. This case having resulted in conviction, I am sending you this statement, in the belief that you will, without further efforts on the part of this office, desist from selling oleomargarine having any shade of yellow color, whether it be called "colored" or "uncolored." Respectfully, H. R. Wright, Dairy Commissioner. A considerable number of the men who held licenses in the State answered this circular, saying that the sale of oleomargarine was not a success with them and had been only an experiment, the result of v>'hich would prevent them from attempting the sale of oleomargarine in the future. On October 15, 1903, there was not a single license for the sale of oleomargarine held in the Northern District of Iowa, and only six in the Southern District of Iowa. There will doubtless be a few more licenses taken out before next July. The Dairy Cominissioner hopes to secure a final conviction in the case mentioned above, and a supreme court interpretation of the law which will support the contention that a man may not sell oleomargarine in Iowa if it has a yellow color. RENOVATED BUTTER. LIST OF RENOVATED BUTTER FACTORIES. County. Location. Firm Name. Post Office Address. 1 Calhoun Rockwell City... Andrew Wood Co . Rockwell City McGregor Redfield 2 Clayton The J. D. Bickel Produce Co Smith Produce Co Iowa Grain & Produce Co... The Stevens Co Keota Produce Co B Dallas Redfield 4 Des Moines 5 Dickinson Burlington Spirit Lake Burlington Spirit Lake 6 Keokuk Keota 7 Lee Keokuk Des Moines Des Moines Des Moines ... Iowa Pure Butter Co E M. Ellingson Co Schermerhorn-Shotwell Co . MacRae Bros Jas . L . Humphrey, Jr T. L. Emrv & Son Keokuk 8 Polk 9 Polk Des Moines Des Moines 10 Polk Des Moines 11 Wayne 12 Washington. ... Hunae^ton . . Humeston Washington Sionx City 13 Woodbury N. R. Hathaway Sioux City The foregoing table shows the names and locations of the thirteen process butter factories of the State of Iowa. All of these factories have been in operation for the year ending July 1, 1903, and have made to this 190 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. office quite complete reports of the amount of business done, and the table given below shows the aggregate for the State. For obvious reasons the amount of business done by each factory is not given. It is sufficient to say that the product of these factories ranges in amount from fifty thousand pounds to two million two hundred and fifty thousand pounds each, and that seven of them put out half a million pounds of butter each, annually. Butter . Year ending July 1, 11)02— reports from nine fac- tories. Year ending July 1, 1903— reports from thirteen factories. Pounds of renovated butter made Average per factory 4, 530, 388 503,376 991, 333 3,539,055 9, 193, 450 707, 188 Sold for consumption in Iowa Shipped outside the State 2, 168, 276 7,025,174 It is impossible to state just how much of the stock from which this butter was made was produced in Iowa, for the reason that some of it changes hands a number of times before it cx)mes to the process factory and so the renovator cannot tell the origin of the butter. Perhaps not more than one third of it is Iowa butter originally. NATIONAL STATISTICS. Number of pounds of renovated butter made 54,658,790 Total number of factories, about 63 The managers of these, factories have shown a disposition to obey in all its features the United States Renovated Butter Law, although they have objected very strenuously to some features of the law, as well as some of the rulings of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Agriculture. Their business, moreover, shows a remarkable increase over the business done in the previous year. Attention is called to the fact that the figures for the year ending 1903 are statistics for the first year under the new renovated butter law and the figures for the year ending July 1, 1902, are the ststistics for the year immediately preceding the operation of the United States Renovated Butter Law. This large in- crease is doubtless due to the fact that before the law went into effect butter was renovated in a small way by a very large number of factories. The taxing feature of the law has served to concentrate the business in the hands of the larger operators, as will be clearly shown by the average product of the thirteen factories of the State. There is every reason to believe that the business of renovating butter and selling the same is one of the most profitable branches of the dairy industry at the present time. In this connection there is given herewith a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the National Association of the Process Butter Manufacturers in answer to a request on the part of the process FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 191 butter manufacturers that the word "process" might be substituted for the word "renovated'' in branding the product when it is put upon the maricet. Further experience has shown that the Secretary of Agriculture is right at least when he says "Evidence is constantly accumulating that full and cordial compliance with the existing regulations is no real im- pediment to the business Those who keep the name 'reno- vated butter' most prominent in all their transactions and especially in the retail trade, are now doing the best business." The prices of renovated butter for the year ending November 1, 1903, are shown in the table below and compared with- the prices of creamery butter. Date. II u November, 1902 21.0 c. 21.9 c. 21.5 c. 18. 87c. 18.80c. 18. 87c. 18. c. 18. 40c. 17. 75c. 17.0 c. 17.0 c. 17.0 c. 26.5 c. December, 190;i 29.2 c. January, 1903 27 ei2c February, 1903 26.0 c March, 1903 28. 60c. April, 1903 27 25c. May, 1903 22 c June, 1903 July, 1903 - 21. 60c. 20. 12c. August, 1903 19 40c. September, 1903 20 75c October, 1908 21.0 c. SHOWING AVERAGE MONTHLY PRICE OF FANCY WESTERN CREAMERY BUTTER IN NEW YORK MARKET. Month. II is. Sg2 ^ -:• > o p o a; tc > a; -cj^ H ^•7 2" II 11 S"' gtx. >B ■ >.z . Ill H b^ ^ November . December., January . . . February . March April May June July August September October .2510 .2440 .2519 . 2394 .2670 .2000 .1785 .1794 .1770 .1980 .2125 .2294 .2330 .2500 .2266 .20; .2185 .1650 .1572 .1550 .1505 .1571 .1600 .1850 Average value per lb. for each year $ .2190 $ .1882 $ .1885 $ .1971 ? .2112 .2250 .1900 .2050 .1900 .18S0 .1530 .1500 .1500 .1675 .1930 .2290 $ .2325 .2290 .2040 .2042 .1937 .1980 .1580 .1687 .1687 .1860 .2025 .2235 $ . 2337 $ .2600 •$ .2160 .2720 . 1975 .2650 .2100 .2500 .2075 .2550 .1962 .1980 .1790 .20] 2 .1881 .1950 .1835 .1960 .2000 .2100 .2262 .2150 .2400 .2 90 $ .2065 $ . 2278 $ $ . 2487 .2540 .2262 .2250 .2212 .2099 .1900 .1925 .1960 .2050 .2110 .2200 .2412 .2510 .2425 .2862 .2840 . 2825 ,2275 .2195 .2131 ,1990 .2170 ,2362 .2165 $ .2416 $ .2417 $ . 2650 .2920 .2762 .2600 .2860 .2725 .2200 .2160 .2012 .1940 . 2075 .2100 192 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THE PRODUCT OF IOWA'S CREAMERIES. It is impossible to get complete returns from all the creameries. The following table shows the figures of milk and cream received and butter made at six hundred and one of the six hundred and sixty-one cream- eries of the State, and in a general way at least shows the relative amount of milk and cream produced and brought to the creameries in each county. The reports show very generally that four pounds of cream are necessary to make one pound of butter and so about seventeen million five hundred thousand pounds of butter, or about 29 per cent of all that was reported, was made from cream instead of from milk. TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF POUNDS OF MILK RECEIVED, NUMBER OF POUNDS OF CREAM RECEIVED, POUNDS OF BUTTER MADE, POUNDS SOLD TO PATRONS IN IOWA AND SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE STATE, SO FAR AS REPORTED BY THE CREAMERIES. ih G 1 u u 1 ll t 0) u o ll r- CD Pounds of Butter Made and Market for Same. Counties. 1 u 0) ll CD a a EC o 1°^ The State 601 8 1 6 11 3 14 3 20 11 4 17 6 11 2 7 4 5 16 7 17 975,906,837 18,781,326 3, ©00, 000 11,428,020 20, 286, 055 9,530,918 24, 987, 484 5, 664, 876 63, 590, 159 46, 653, 180 8, 253, 754 38,292,174 5, 561, 330 9, 133, 887 392,904 5,091,240 1,983,789 2,063,682 34,405,713 11,098,614 38, 538, 113 69,626,449 183, 359 13,000 2,523,858 471,849 112, 713 2,736,387 488 6,238 990, 774 239,030 591,590 248,709 17, 553 3,784 703, 132 679, 884 250,076 5,131,096 80, b38 4, 588, 771 601 8 1 6 11 3 14 3 20 11 4 17 6 11 2 7 4 5 16 7 17 59, 642, 487 855,828 120,000 1, 167, 578 994, 103 374, 095 1, 287, 458 244, 264 2, 887, 263 2, 265, 786 427,927 1,864,287 399, 696 453,770 15, 804 459,937 264,924 149, 127 2, 680, 175 523,930 2,293,068 3,924,489 25,902 1,200 36, 977 78,663 7,146 207, 467 12,006 253, 344 171,925 19,711 128, 760 19,572 18, 448 300 19, 479 7,872 2.388 197,544 39, 623 88,640 3,945,978 19,411 1,920 21,115 3,250 21, 820 243,073 84,1)0 57, 233 75, 593 16, 681 77, 084 19, 239 4,517 "89,863* 28, 447 13,815 72, 887 23, 743 11,931 51,772,020 Adair Adams 810, 513 116,880 Allamakee . 1, 109, 386 Audubon Benton 912, 190 345, 129 Black Hawk 896,918 198, 148 Bremer 2, 506, 686 Buchanan Buena Vista Butler ... Calhoun Carroll 2,018,268 391, 535 1, 658, 443 360,885 430,805 Cass 15,504 Cedar 347, 595 Cerro Gordo Cherokee 228, 6C6 132, 924 Chickasaw Clav 2,555,518 4fi0, 564 Clayton 2, 192, 497 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 193 POUNDS OF MILK RECEIVED, ETC.— Continued. Counties. II 0.. Pounds of butter made and market for same. 2 c-2 p! O O'-i O O X Clinton . . Crawford . Dallas Davis Decatur . Delaware. Dickinson Dubuque . Emmet . . . Fayette. . . Floyd . . . . Franklin. Greene .. Grundy . . Guthrie . . Hamilton. Hancock. . Hardin . . . Harrison . Henry . . . . Howard. . Humboldt. f da Iowa Jackson. . . Jasper . . . Jefferson Johnson. Jones Keokuk.. Kossuth . Linn Louisa . . . Lucas. .. Lyon Mahaska . Marion . . Marshall. Mitchell . Monona.. Monroe Montgomery Muscatine . . . O'Brien Osceola Page Palo Alto... Plymouth . . Pocahontas . Polk Pottawattamie Poweshiek Ringgold Sac Scott 13,613,748 438, 883 9,396,047 845, 307 160,000 63, 839, 256 4, 604. 587 29,181,880 9,028,547 57. 586, 164 10,971,377 2, 079, 447 16; 745, 241 14,488,231 12,995,277 6, 147, 433 20,632,971 2, a55, 659 689, 549 13,635,871 10,636,025 8,016,301 12,183,468 16, 327, 989 4,801,488 1,812,192 51,393,619 448, 970 35,653,208 24,980,087 22,500 771,675 562,689 5, 720, 222 1,504,040 1,831,800 850,000 300,000 4,992,317 2,450,000 2, 176. 700 32, 524, 788 7,067,936 2, 618, 579 2,620,429 1,054,225 2, 532, 126 135, 202 8,157,866 657.000 474,000 264,054 40, 990 45,000 128, 484 260, 372 6,150 306, 877 351,937 ,941,478 301, 432 25, 195 404, 532 216, a38 117,421 556, 870 643, 071 1,200 1, 953, 859 869, 722 345,637 1,189,746 477,505 95,624 2-5,560 87, 248 506, 391 138, 694 902, 665 80, 209 72.000 507, 292 280,000 167, 176 1,978,994 5,479,775 12,853 30,000 469,200 281,815 103, 031 1,017,425 1,135,501 221,784 957, 672 1, 970, 588 826, 120 1,471,849 410,000 683, 491 87, 220 402,876 33,688 28,800 2,823,569 265, 229 1,378,021 478, 160 2,625,556 710,836 496, 967 89,806 794,009 751, 499 382, 408 1,019,113 103,427 83, 597 1,983,322 678, 056 205,701 791,516 786, 125 234, 179 145,065 24,307 2,331,521 51,850 1, 908, 137 1,556,310 1,800 1,112 121,322 99, 757 42, 822 658, 746 1,798,188 3,714 52,292 46,828 123,900 295, 607 135, 672 346, 607 1,801,018 370,218 391,811 629, 198 114,015 324,780 5,116 689,025 181, 380 13,640 1,256 18,828 804 5,675 68,261 511 105,873 5,540 300 258, 432 30,336 96,445 43, 454 263,501 220, 577 24,680 114,615 8,499 153, 541 36,816 80,699 1,269 71,299 29, 103 16,819 12,474 88,243 12, 916 66,064 54, 117 15, 515 73, 287 10,580 1,419 4,419 3,429 34, 179 48,694 826 36, 248 59, 482 4,460 185,748 21,889 1,396 1,166 2,000 69,114 32,370 11,780 7,786 8,152 24,260 168, 465 204 118,289 188,842 64,466 66,698 128,444 6,000 1,022 9,605 90 2,467 3,664 28, 564 13, 978 31,221 318,315 130 20,062 61.720 67 2,868 8,000 1,100 71,720 220 13,464 18, 828 43, 400 20,777 2,024 2,900 186, 201 21,926 10,711 11,232 82,000 75, 572 7,832 4.605 364,919 4,898 4,906 629 41,018 1,200 28,426 45, 320 42, 404 89,000 601,590 85,558 277,675 27, 344 22,825 2, 344, 566 210, 213 1,166.9^1 426,207 2, 208, 514 658, 196 4.53,796 50, 294 709,794 667, 282 549, 457 363, 464 911,647 44, 153 31, 353 1,045,683 617, 408 199, 141 .-3!'., 654 730, 865 214,247 113,020 24,307 2,054,767 51,646 1, 652, 697 963, 410 13,000 "169,' 450 57,621 28, 844 607, 453 1,428,148 3,517 36,960 3,000 79,400 208, 110 138, 326 261,707 1,589,245 350, 961 375, 995 263, 642 80,691 274, 554 4,587 C05, 606 441, 180 13 194 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. POUNDS OF MILK RECEIVED, ETC.— Continued. u G 1 £ 1 a 1 Pounds of cream re- ceived. Pounds of butter made and market for same. Counties. 1 u Is 2; 6 1 1 S 1^ 1 I Shelbv 7 5 12 5 2 2 2 2 2 5 1 4 9 16 2 10 6 m 8,746,092 1,7:6,728 2 ,542,343 1,307,315 1,339,730 3,031,374 'i,'855,'796' 1,985,U00 3,267,066 4, 10 <, 734 3,728,758 21,920,535 920, 000 889, 087 1, 526, 169 407,916 1,371,001 2,196,330 101,928 227,420 4,349 ■l,'628,'9i2" ■■"524," 138' 4S1, .13 6, 238, 920 1.173,020 1, ©89, 550 1,313,381 69,626.444 7 5 12 5 2 2 2 2 2 5 1 4 9 16 2 10 6 601 587, 016 592,530 992, 620 4i;3,917 618,685 168,000 56, 855 80,011 83, 05U 293,085 172,666 248, 972 1,011,717 1, 592, 451 341,607 823.797 356,807 59.642,487 38,941 5,589 103,209 1, 504 2,200 7,875 500 1,800 8,750 2,616 3,000 7,896 117,484 20, 157 4,276 64,958 23, 101 3,924,489 2,742 14,278 168, 7'M 2,641 10,000 7,608 901) 28,486 23,050 64. 112 545,333 Sioux Story 572,684 720,644 Tama . Taylor 405,762 606,485 Union 152,607 Van Buren . 47,355 Wapf'llo 48,725 Warren Washington 56, 250 324, 357 169,866 Webster Winnebago 37,036 20,477 85, 446 4,276 15,516 15, 348 3,94.1,978 204, 040 873. 766 Winneshiek Woodbury 2, 4^!6, 848 332,055 Worth Wright 12,261,638 1, 301, 180 975, 906, 837 741 322 3 7,558 The State 51,772,020 Average make of butter pe- creamery, 97,770 pounds, of the state make 64, 565, 970 pounds. On this basis the 661 creameries COMPARISON BY YEARS. Ending May 1— 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. Average pounds of butter per creamery. . , . To all pounds of butter for all creameries. . . 104, 918 84,965,063 105, 491 82,704.»44 104. 152 77, 88), 696 97,770 64, 565, 970 Of the creamery butter made, 1.5. 4 per cent was consumed in Iowa. The figures for 1903 are for the year ending July 1st. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 196 RAILWAY BUTTER SHIPMENTS. The tables of railway butter shipments represent the shipments of butter to points outside the State, and are for the year ending September 30, 1903. Creamery butter statistics printed in this report are for the year ending July 1, 1903. The creamery butter figures are partly estimated from the reports of creameries so far as received. The railway butter shipments are reports direct from the railroads of the State. The latter reports are, therefore, considered very accurate, and the former somewhat subject to inaccuracy. Particularly this year, the creamery butter figures are low on account of the closing of so large a number of creameries, which materially affects the estimate of the total product for the State. Not all the butter here reported is made in Iowa. It is true that we do not import butter for consumption, but considerable quantities of low grade butter are annually imported to be made into renovated butter or resold outside the State. Sioux City, in Woodbury county, has a large renovated butter factory and is also a center for the col- lection of packing stock and renovated butter stock. Naturally, a large part of this butter comes from South Dakota and Nebraska. These facts and the fact that Sioux City also has the largest creamery in the State, account for the great increase in the total butter shipped from Woodbury county. A like thing is true in regard to Polk county, which has three renovated butter factories and two large creameries, located in the city of Des Moines. Clayton and Dickinson counties, showing large gains in butter shipments, each have renovated butter factories. The stock from which renovated butter is made comes largely from outside the State, and so the total shipments from these counties do not represent at all the amount of butter made in the counties. The shipping of cream to the larger plants is accountable for some of the changes in county totals. It therefore happens that the figures in scarcely a single case represent even approximately the amount of butter produced in a county and shipped from it. This department is under great obligations to the railways of the State that have made reports of butter shipments at considerable ex- pense of time and effort. 196 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OP CREAMERIES-GROSS POUNDS OF BUTTER SHIPPED OUT OF STATE. Counties. Number of Cream- eries for 1902 and 1903. Gross Pounds of Butter Shipped Out of the State for the Years Ending Sep- tember .30, 1902, and 1903, Show- ing Increase and Decrease by Counties. 1902 1903 1902 1903 6 V S D The State 919 13 6 7 661 13 3 7 •85,854,721 846,409 444, 431 1,304,818 70,737 1,090,121 600,097 1,847,781 103, 517 2,878,128 3, 191, 442 1,026,794 2,318,258 1, 417, 367 1, 193, 172 370, 228 443, 197 788, 204 129,246 2, 715, 724 17, 00 J 665, 572 2, 980, 3S6 1,1^0,200 1,079,005 877,279 13=5,615 22, 757 2.672,243 295, 926 641, .90 2,322,444 773, 618 2, 448, 793 959, (08 534, 164 3,432 284,813 675, 65 1, 218, 177 1,170,630 548, 176 1,835,; 21 411,383 71.468 l,433,4c2 888, 985 307,980 616,428 1,141,627 255, 717 91,761 661 592,912 171, 643 1,489,747 113,367 990, 537 797,321 1,494,874 71, 617 2, 496, 880 2, 442, 670 1,094,595 1, 827, 661 1,574,950 1, 520, 613 226, 102 418,508 645, 449 171,463 2,619,271 is, 755 614,318 3,916,094 660,676 958, 798 731,682 47, 157 125,640 2,967,206 301, 670 1,201,551 2,73^,755 854,436 2. 494, 6.^3 924,558 372,920 3,868 230,652 703, 698 1,180,018 1,654,582 461,156 1.629.760 340,37. 84, 423 1,360,360 794, 480 214.290 698, 689 1,408,303 297,360 13,912,417 8,005,477 253, 497 : 72, 788 Adair Allamakee 184, 929 42, 630 Appanoose Audubon . .. 11 13 20 7 22 18 10 21 10 13 10 9 6 7 19 4 13 20 17 5 10 5 4 35 11 10 17 4 21 17 7 20 8 12 7 9 7 4 18 8 18 Ih 3 8 4 5 26 99,584 Benton 197,224 Black Hawk 350 907 Boone 31 900 Bremer 381 248 Buchanan 748,772 Buena Vista 67,801 Butler 490 537 Oalhonn 157, 583 327, 441 Carroll Cass 144, 126 24,689 Cedar Cerro Gordo 149 755 Cherokee 42,217 Chickasaw 98,553 Clarke 1,755 Clay 51,254 Clayton 935, 708 Clinton 5:9,524. 120,207 145,597 86, 458 Crawford Dallas Davis Decatur 102,883 294,963 5,744 559, 961 416,311 80,818 45,860 Delaware Des Moines Dickinson. ... 5 20 11 20 7 12 1 6 14 17 11 12 17 5 3 10 12 3 12 20 8 4 23 8 19 6 10 4 10 15 13 12 16 2 i 9 11 2 10 16 6 Dubuque Emmet Fayette Floyd 35,050 161 244 Franklin Fremont 433 Greene 54,161 Grundy 28, 143 ""■483,' 952' Guthrie 38. 169 Hamilton Hancock 87, 020 Hardin "12,855 20 ,761 Harrison 71,008 Henry Howard 73,092 94,505 Humboldt Ida 93,690 Iowa 76.961 266, 676 41.643 Jackson Jasper FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV 197 rABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF CREAMERIES-GROSS POUNDS OB^ BUTTER SaiPPEO our of state— Continited. Counties. Number of Cream- eries for 1902 and 1903. 1902 Gross Pounds of Butter Shipped Out of the State for the Years Ending Sep- tember 30, 1902, and 1903, Show- ing Increase and Decrease by Counties . 1903 190:^ 1903 Jefferson Johnson. Jones Keokuk . Kossuth. . Lee Linn - . Louisa Lucas . Lyon . . Madison . Mahaska . Marion Marshall . Mills . .. Mitchell Monona Monroe Montgomery Muscatine ... O'Brien . . . Osceola . . . Page Palo Alto . Plymouth. Pocahontas . . . Polk Pottawattamie . Powe^shiek Ringgold Sac . . . . Scott . Shelby Sioux . Story. Tama Taylor Union Van Buren Wapello . . . Warren Washington Wayne — Web.ster Winnebago . Winneshiek Woodbury . . Worth Wright The State. 4 14 5 1 5 5 4 7 15 15 3 12 8 919 97, 937 211, 4 1,532 383 1,758 106 34 68 Iowa • • 44 Jackson. ... 26 Jasper 70 Jefferson . Johnson . 81 84 Jones Keokuk Kossuth Lee Linn Louisa Lucas . . . . . . . 2 57 33 69 29 88 Lyon Madison Mahaska ... .... 196,874 21, 595 581,752 56, 742 442,253 12,367 1,325,483 51,067 49, 280 125,712 103,419 569,574 256, 341 1, 767, 294 1,280,365 390, 5S3 541,798 2,708,386 27^, 894 342,517 10, 337 587,8-2 274, 538 194,334 793, 753 1,166,093 458,560 435, 200 535,929 81,222 115, 169 335 37 1,009 98 767 27 2,8Ci2 93 114 291 236 988 640 3,172 2,222 454 940 4,629 284 588 19 1,020 603 329 1.032 2,024 636 794 1,240 167 266 ""598 1,274 769 2,304 2.610 7,043 1,848 1,153 73 93 43 Marion Marshall MilLs 90 54 95 Mitchell Monona Monroe Montsfomery . ..... 10 91 87 76 80 O'Brien 45 56 Page 7 Palo Alto 9 Plymouth 66 Pocahontas Polk 47 3 Pottawattamie Poweshiek 77 63 Ringgold Sac 96 42 Scott Shelby Sioux 61 75 41 Story Tama Taylor 21 5S 51 Union .... . . ... 36 Vail Bur en 85 Wapello 78 Warren . 99 Washington Wavne 338,625 667, 342 553,833 928,549 1,811,873 6,148,916 745}, 270 664, 621 77,079,794 62 35 Webster . . 53 Winnebago Winneshiek . 17 12 1 TviTi^ St A T'lr •J 7 38 FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 201 TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF COWS FOR EACH COUNTY AND FOR THE STATE FOR THE YEARS 1895, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, AND VALUES FOR 1903. Il'1gur(;^^ are from census 1895 ar.d the reports of county auditors to the State Arditor for the years 1900, 1901, 1902 and 1903. Countr. Value. Number. 1903. 1903. 1902. 1901. 1900. 1895. $ 82,181,178 1,370,082 1,423,-348 1,382,242 1,295,960 1,087,250 3^6,992 278, 773 314,597 360,540 268,902 17, 013 11,926 13,639 11,598 13, 282 17,724 12, 524 13, 395 12,012 13, 673 16, 192 11,857 13.550 11,910 12,920 14,0.50 10,7»i2 12, 677 10,928 11,581 9,685 7,699 12,289 8.142 8,276 422, 616 433,969 293,922 454,042 385,984 17, 959 17,968 14, -89 17,605 16,5d6 18, ces 19,072 15, 169 17,492 17,816 18,653 18,647 14,543 17,989 17,605 17,407 17,807 13,631 17, en 17, 254 14,503 17,865 11,121 18,001 18,790 332,030 370, 188 275,046 327,915 345, 430 15,028 15,5(14 13,758 15,5.58 14,290 15,914 15,497 14,215 15,825 14,446 15,046 16, 157 13, 544 16,172 13,872 14,094 15,954 12,389 14,467 12,299 9,924 15, 434 9,929 10,823 9,813 428,088 255, 980 30^,508 357, 487 240,251 16.615 12,718 12,466 14,890 10, 168 17, P29 12, 252 13,377 15, 773 10,701 17,807 12,609 13.999 15,582 10,298 16, 475 11,795 11,743 15,807 9,397 12,710 10,089 8,882 16,05S 6,887 2.36, 293 530,564 470, 376 .358, 255 328,761 12,110 21.724 19,541 17,344 15, 152 12, 464 21,714 19,706 16. 917 15; 346 12.782 21,698 19,583 16. 197 14, 169 11,689 20,850 19, 167 14,997 13,703 8,394 21, 732 21,272 11,401 10,512 249,080 322, 700 444, 448 228,694 157,261 10,020 13,210 21,334 8.779 6,502 10,260 14,015 20, 836 8, 624 7,010 10,252 17,331 21,163 8,501 6,842 9,877 12,040 20,801 7,793 6,188 7,242 8, 1! 6 20,777 7.525 4,018 438, 738 150, 664 524, 208 283, 934 282,217 18, '69 7,598 21,768 12,003 13,fc'80 18,054 7,030 2.3,018 12,462 13, 801 19,0^5 6,712 22,575 12,604 13,056 17,844 5,894 22,282 12,920 12,117 19,372 3,834 23, 734 12,564 11,320 204,049 287,412 344, 134 360, 869 371,723 8,744 14, 050 14,559 It', 197 15, 267 8,602 19,902 15, 177 17,554 16,099 8,214 18,873 15,214 15,96! 15,535 7,497 12,955 14,778 14,525 14,441 5, 348 10, 899 1H.606 8,8.34 12,769 231,356 376,047 292, 124 203, 060 291, 157 11,580 15,519 4. 3:;5 8,264 12,638 11,573 17,113 14,986 8, 789 13, 051 11,160 15,825 14,214 8,909 13,031 10,008 1J,669 12,661 8,621 11,695 7,475 11,959 9,286 7.074 11,010 The State . Adair Adams — Allamakee .. Appanoo.?e . . Audubon — Benton Black Hawk Boone Bremer Buchanan. .. Buena Vista Butler Calhoun Carroll Cass Cedar Gerro Gordo Cherokee ... Chickasaw .. Clarke .Clay Clayton ... . Clinton Crawford . . . Dallas Davis Decatur Dela^ are . . . Des Moines . Dickinson. . Dubuque — Emmet Fayette Floyd Franklin Fremont . . . . Greene Grnndy Oiuthrie Hamilton ... Hancock Hardin Harrison Henry Howard 202 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. NUMBER OF COWS, ETC. — Contijjued. Value. Number. Counties. 1903. 1903. 1 1902. 1901. 1900 1895. Humboldt 220,321 213,698 404,040 409, 132 478, 443 248, 120 452,314 490,022 340, 152 439, 4b8 289,071 497,067 187,976 243,948 236,298 289,892 329,600 311,124 343, 848 234,952 2?9, 904 234,980 2.31, 452 225,504 287, 962 262,835 155,043 344, 753 264,990 365, 964 254,784 392, 116 614, 124 356,690 298, 833 368,502 393, 207 395,840 360,214 346, 733 433,461 2S6, 570 269,832 248,248 236, 892 347,320 304, 666 322, 276 405,080 187, 448 448,656 .308, 184 242, 301 261,477 .$ 32,181,179 10,695 8,949 16,938 16,684 18, 689 9,110 7,893 17, 757 14,279 21,239 11,118 21,212 7,345 10,138 10, 724 13,763 13, 676 13,063 15,891 9,255 11,684 11,651 9,027 10,984 10, 228 17, 728 7,142 13, 661 13, 778 17,868 13,493 15, 682 21,933 15,i^78 12,525 15,615 14,717 16,674 16,839 15, 082 16,461 13,577 12,024 9,154 9,672 14,888 12, 381 13,418 16, 186 11,519 18,613 15,078 11,385 12, 836 1,370,082 11,081 9,472 17, 175 16,750 18, 862 9,665 17, 549 18, 175 14,922 22, 912 10,868 22,071 7,675 10,227 10, 350 15,388 1.3, 919 13, 226 16, 496 9,803 12,003 12, 525 8,981 10, 853 9,193 12.895 7,118 14,067 14, 764 16, 848 14,083 15,492 22,356 16, 220 13,332 16, 546 14,899 17,960 16,137 16,017 18,098 12,321 12, 735 9,247 9,877 15, 106 11,267 14,064 16. 1.35 11,769 18,834 16, 139 11,980 13,793 1,423,348 11,206 9,308 17, 382 16, 270 17,974 9,306 17,897 19,045 14,203 21, 467 10, 626 20,653 7,256 9,387 9,231 14,095 13,725 12, 667 15,557 9,039 11,744 11,578 9,152 10, 402 11.040 12,356 6, 435 11,875 14,869 16,299 14, 191 14,815 21,378 15,327 12,723 15,472 14,995 17, 117 14, 838 15, 112 17,974 13,453 11,590 9,099 9,608 14,084 12,972 14,459 15, 438 10,450 19,038 16, 106 11,630 13,749 1, 382, 242 10,358 8,165 15,457 15, 537 16,201 8,228 17,430 18,454 13, 340 19,846 10, 570 20,646 6,701 9,238 8,239 13,300 12,840 11,226 14. 167 8.588 11,198 11,757 8,222 9,907 10, 104 11,023 5,381 12,756 14,305 14,593 12,790 13,616 18,336 14,786 12,311 14,658 14,204 15, 195 13,409 14.394 17,028 11,833 11,344 8,678 8,925 13,022 12,620 13, 178 14,928 9,368 17,809 13,885 11,386 12, 191 1,295,960 8.546 Ida 5,950 Iowa JacKSon — Jasper Jefferson 12,270 16, WJ 13,870 7,465 Johnson Jones.... Keokuk . 12,656 18,347 10, 126 Kossuth 14. 120 Lee Linn 8.914 24,363 5,603 Lucas 7; 217 5,301 Madison Mahaska 9,426 10,328 9,624 Marshall 12,331 Mills 5, 522 Mitchell Monona Monroe Mo'^^tffomery . 10,965 6,739 6, 533 6,970 Muscatine O'Brien. .... 9. 233 10, 179 Osceola Page Palo Alto 3,858 8,084 10,269 10,811 9,354 Polk 11,578 Pottawattamie Poweshiek 14,437 12,190 8,514 Sac 11,344 Scott 12,779 Shelby Sioux 9,522 9,01ti 12, 2nj Tama Taylor Union .... .... 13,65a 8,894 7,510 7, 132 Wapello 7,665 Warren 9,417 Washington Wayne 9,036 8,54;j Webster 13, 462 Winnebago Winneshiek ... 7,101 18,41C W^oodbury . 10, 26e Worth Wright 9,75^ 10, lOfc The State. ],087,25f Average value of cows, .$23. 48. Lowest reported value, Winnebago county, $16.27. Highest reported value, Appanoose county, .$31 08. The very low average value is accounted for by the fact that the assessors include a>< 'cows" all the animals not included in the classification "heifers one year old, " and 'heifers two years old. " Heifers two years old, 332,476; average value, 118.36; total, $6,103,178. Heifers one year old, 516,071; average value, .$13.51; total, $6,974,484. FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV. 208 HAND SEPARATORS IN IOWA. The first statistics of hand separators secured for use in rhe dairy commissioner's reports were obtained in the year 1898. It is evident that any reports made will fall below the actual facts. A number of creameries neglect to report in regard to the number of separators in use and there is no way of determining how many they have. This is true for each of the years, so that for purposes of comparison the fig- ures given below are sufficiently correct and. indeed, it is believed that they do not in any instance fall much below the actual facts. XUMBER OF HAND SEPARATORS REPORTED. 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 904 1,762 3,332 5,231 8,323 16,041 The introduction of the hand separator into Iowa creamery methods has caused something like a revolution in the last six years. The total number of creamery patrons is now estimated to be about seventy-five thousand, of which more than sixteen thousand are using hand separators. This is more than twenty per cent of the total creamery patronage of the State. It is also estimated that fourteen million five hundred thousand pounds of butter are made from hand separator cream. There are in the State thirty-eight creameries that are practically receiving nothing but hand separator cream. Two thirds of the creameries of the State receive cream from one or more hand separators. There are forty-five plants which report that they receive cream shipped to them by rail and of these forty-five plants eleven are receiving nearly all their cream by rail and are properly called centralizing plants. In this connection, attention is called to the fact that sixty-one skim stations have been closed in the State during the last year, and the tendency seems to be to substitute for the skimming station the hand separator and the ship- ping of cream. The skimming station has been found to be a very expensive addition to the local creamery and for this reason it seems certain that the skimming stations will soon disappear. CHEESE FACTORIES IN IOWA. The report for last year showed fifty-two cheese factories in opera- tion in Iowa, and the list found in this report shows but forty-three cheese factories. Nine of the cheese factories have gone out of busi- ness and two new ones have been established. Of the cheese factories now in operation in the State, thirty-one factories report 20,621,763 pounds of milk, from which was made 2.039.- 921 pounds of cheese, and the patrons of these factories received $174,864, which is almost exactly 85 cents per hundred pounds for the milk. The largest factory in the State receives almost three million pounds of milk and pays for it an average of 90 cents per hundred. The most 204 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. successful factory in the State receives two million pounds of milk and pays for it an average price of $1.08. The difference between these factories is that the larger one is not in a dairy district and the other one is, hence, the cost of getting the milk to the factory is less in the one case than in the other. The prices paid by other cheese factories range down as low as 68 cents per hundred pounds. The average production of these thirty-one cheese factories which have reported appears, therefore, to be about sixty-five thousand eight hundred pounds of cheese per annum, and on this basis the forty-three cheese factories now in operation in the State would make approximately three million pounds of cheese, worth perhaps three hundred thousand dollars. From the foregoing figures, it will be seen at once that the cheese business in Iowa is not a very great amount, and probably so long as conditions remain the same as they are now. the cheese business will continue to be of little importance in the State. The relative prices paid per hundred pounds of milk by cheese factories and creameries may be a matter of some interest to those who are unable to account for the small number of cheese factories in the State. A certain Dela- ware county creamery, making 165.000 pounds of butter last year, paid its patrons $1.01 per hundred pounds of milk. It is evident that a cheese factory which could only pay an average price of 85 cents per hundred pounds of milk could not exist in that community and suc- cessfully compete with the creamery. The creameries of Bremer county last year paid an average price of 82 cents per hundred pounds of milk. No cheese factory could compete with these creameries unless it were able to pay a considerable amount per hundred more than the creameries are paying. It is evident that the expense of getting the milk to the creamery will not be more than that of transporting the milk to a cheese factory, and that the skimmed milk will be of much greater value than the whey which the farmer gets back. It is true, however, that other creameries that are not so successfully operated as the one with which the above comparisons are made have not been able to pay as much as the creamer:es mentioned above, and in these locali- ties a cheese factory could easily compete with the creameries. The cheese business does not seem to be adapted to all localities where milk can be easily and cheaply produced. Every northern state, with the exce.icion of those in the semi-arid district of the Middle West. is a large producer of butter, but the same is not at all true in regard to cheese production. Nearly all the cheese is made in the states of New York and Wisconsin, and Iowa with its small number of cheese factories is given sixth place in cheese production by the national census of 1900. There are communities in Iowa where large and successful cheese factories are in operation, so that it is conclusively proven by them that cheese can be profitably made in Iowa but it is doubtless true that so long as the profits in butter making are equal to those of cheese making, the number of cheese factories in this State will be relatively small, for the reason that the making of butter and the utilization of ihe skimmed milk is more to the taste of the stock raising farmer than the making of cheese and the use of whey. PART V. TWENTY-SEVEMTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THK IOWA STATE DAIRY CONVENTION. HELD AT WATERLOO, WEDNESDAY, THURSD.VA' AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER i8, 19, AND 20. 190;,. PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION AND NA- TIONAL DAIRY UNION. Officers for 1904. S. B. Shilling, President Mason City W. B. Barney, Vice President Hampton F, H. Kieffer, Secretary Manchester F. A. Leighton, Treasurer New Hampton The Iowa State Dairy Association met in annual convention at Brown's Opera House, Waterloo, Iowa, November 18. 1903, at 8 o'clock P.M. President Samuel B. Shilling- in the chair. President: We are a little late in starting owing- to the ab- sence of some of the speakers, but we will commence the pro- gram with the hope that they w^ill be here soon. (205) 206 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Mr. J. G. Murtaugh, of Waterloo. Mr. President, Members of the Iowa State Dairy Association and Visiting Friends: It is indeed with genuine pleasure that I stand be- lore you tonight and welcome you to our city, welcome you to Waterloo, which is known all over the length and breadth of this land as the city of progress; welcome you to Waterloo, the public spirit of whose citizens is known throughout the whole country; welcome you to Waterloo, a lypical city of the twentieth century; and one which has elicited the most favorable commendation of any in the whole United States, the people of whose community are also mindful of the great advantages to be derived from a convention of this character. We also know the good influence that is brought to bear by the Iowa State Dairy Association, and we believe that your deliberations here will have a tendency to ad- vance the industrial interests of Waterloo and of the State. We also recognize the fact that in all these United States there is no place in the Union that produces better dairy products than the grand old Hawkeye State. I want to say to you tonight that your welcome is sincere and that it is cordial. We give you the freedom of the city and ask you to partake of the best that we have. I now extend to you the welcome of Waterloo on behalf of our mayor and on behalf of our citizens, and in the name of Waterloo, the most thriving and the most beautiful little city in the most magnificent State in the Union. Thank you. RESPONSE TO ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Hon. H. J. Neitert. Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with some reluctance that I appear before you again this evening. I fear that I am becoming something of a "chestnut" in connection with the Iowa State Dairy Asso- ciation, but I presume there was no one else they could tickle with the privilege of appearing before this august assembly excepting this weak mind, and that is my excuse for appearing before you. We have certainly received a most cordial welcome from the citizens of Waterloo. We appreciate this welcome from a city — as has been truly said — that is known from all parts and all points of the compass of this land, and yea even further, for I have learned in my sojourn in the city this afternoon, in visiting a manufacturing plant, that they are sending their manufactured product not only into all the markets of the United States of any importance, but also to Glasgow in Scotland, London in England, the Hawaii Islands, the Philippine Islands and other points in Europe which I can not now recall. This certainly speaks wonders FOURTH ANNUAL YEAPi BOOK — PART V. 20'^ lor this magnificent little city upon the l)anks of the Cedar. Think of It, from the State of Iowa — the State of our adoption — and the one that Has never to beg the question wherever known upon the face of the globe; there is less than 3 per cent of illiteracy in the State; that it has voters for every 3i^ per cent of its ijopulation and casts a vote which I ;im proud to announce, because that is the right of every citizen — not only his right but his duty — to exercise the right of franchise, which is given him. I mention this simply to show you the intelligence of our people. r can speak for Waterloo from my own knowledge, from what I have read in' the different papers, journals and magazines, what I have heard irom the traveling men (who always know all about the commercial enterprises of every city) from all parts of the compass, from the great markets, from all the people we meet — that Waterloo is held up as an example for others to follow. Its wonderful manufacturing industries and its great commercial interests; its stores are palaces, but the enter- prise and push of its people certainly is to be admired. These things have not come about by chance and certainly their citi- 7,«