rience and poorly qualified. One reason for this is that we are so situated that our teachers cannot have the advantages of higher education without going off to some college, and this only a few do; and those who have done so find better employment somewhere else. If we had a good academy, on the normal plan, in this county, it would be well attended, and would be a wonderful auxiliary in building up better schools. As it is, the large majority of our teachers have only a common school education, and too frequently it is very common, and school boards do not sufficiently discriminate between teachers holding first-grade certificates and those holding third grades. Our normal institutes have done great good, but the term is too short to prepare pupils for teachers.

NORMAL INSTITUTES.

Our normal institute was organized soon after the law establishing them had been passed, and we have held one session annually in the month of August. The coming session will be the fourteenth for this county. Usually we hold a three-weeks' term. These institutes are well attended, and much good is done.

Our principal aim has been to give our teachers academical instruction, sandwiched each day with an entertaining hour on the subject of theory of teaching. We have an institute library of text-books on the common branches and civil government, ranging from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty copies on each branch. These are furnished to the members of the institute free of charge while attending the institute, and are used as text-books in class work. The institute is divided into three grades, viz.: A, B and C. The A's hold first-class certificates; B's second class, and C's third class, if any. The B and C divisions pursue the common branches. The A division this year will take up algebra, literature, and Hewitt's Pedagogy. All the divisions will be instructed in hygiene and physiology in compliance with the new school law.

SCHOOL-HOUSES.

The school-houses of this county are generally neat, well seated and comfortable. Ventilation is as well secured as can well be by means of windows. With this mode of ventilation the purity of the air in the school-room depends largely upon the watchfulness and tact of the teacher. Our houses are well lighted and usually well supplied with blackboards. What I have said of school-houses applies especially to those that have been constructed within the last ten or twelve years. We have some very poor houses, one old log house. But it is only a matter of time when these will all be replaced with the modern painted frame.

GROUNDS.

As far as I have observed the school grounds are generally very well fenced, and shade trees receive considerable attention. The out-houses are generally a filthy nuisance, contaminating not only to the nose and eye, but

degrading to the moral sensibilities of the young, who must gaze upon the obscene language and pictures daily that defile the walls and floors of these stench pens. In my opinion there is not a feature of the public schools that cries for redress more persistently and with greater merit than does this. It ought to be regulated by law.

SCHOOLS

The length of our school term does not vary much, but stands close to an average of seven months. Teachers' salaries fluctuate somewhat. In 1880 the average wages were, males, $30.98; females, $23.89. In 1885 they were, males, $45.03; females, $26.67. This year the report shows a slight decrease from last year, males, $42.46; females, $26.50.

The common school branches, thanks to the normal institute, are generally all being taught, and not merely arithmetic to the exclusion of the other branches. The poorest work is done in reading and grammar. Penmanship is fairly taught. Drawing and vocal music are scarcely attempted. There seems to be a general desire to conform to the requirements of the new school law regarding instruction in hygeine and physiology, etc. There has been some misunderstanding as to what would be a compliance. Some boards have thought as teachers were not required to pass examination under this head until after July, 1887, that boards were not required to act until that time. Such mistakes have been corrected from this office when found to exist. So far I have not heard of a board refusing to act in compliance when they rightly understood the matter, nor have I heard any complaint from boards or teachers in regard to this matter. We claim to be a loyal community, and hence the law will be enforced without any serious complaint.

I have already made my report quite lengthy; therefore I will forbear making any "general remarks and suggestions" until I have had some experience in the duties of this office.

WAPELLO COUNTY.

BY W. A. M'INTIRE.

The condition of the schools and school interests in Wapello county is certainly very encouraging. Each succeeding year furnishes a better class of teachers than the preceding one. Each succeeding school officer seems to be better qualified for his duties and to take more interest in the affairs of schools than his predecessor. I think this is all due to the education of

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the whole people. The school interests demand better school officers, and better supervision than formerly.

The best teachers in the county are in demand, are sought for by school boards. The best citizens now have interest enough in the schools to serve as members of school boards and school officers. As a result of this it is the rule now and not the exception to receive correct reports from school secretaries and treasurers. I have had no difficulty in furnishing the State department accurate reports for the past five years.

A few years ago children in the country schools selected their own studies at pleasure. There was no system or uniformity in the schools. As many different teachers were employed in the school district as there were terms of school during the year. It is now the custom to employ teachers for the school year. In 1883 a course of study was introduced and through the earnest efforts of the best teachers was adopted by nearly every school board in the county in less than a year. It outlined the work for each grade and contained suggestions to young teachers how to use it.

By the united efforts of teachers and superintendent the schools were practically graded and classified in less than two years. To assist in securing uniformity of work lists of questions on examination for each grade in the school are prepared and sent to each school from this office. Examination days are appointed by the superintendent, all the rural schools in the county taking the examination the same days.

The examination manuscripts from each school are sent to the county superintendent's office. This induces children to take the course of study prescribed that they may be able to compare favorably with other pupils in the examination, and that their school may compare favorably with other schools in the township and county. I know by observation that it works excellent results.

TEACHERS' NORNAL INSTITUTE.

We can hardly estimate the importance of a systematic, well organized, well conducted normal institute. I think it is the important educational factor in the Iowa school system. To be successful a graded course of study must be followed. The same system and discipline that makes a good school makes a good institute. In 1881 we introduced a four years' course of study in our institute very similar to that sent out by the State department. To classify and grade the institute was a difficult problem in the beginning, but we labored with it until it has been solved satisfactorily. We have not space to give our system in detail but results speak plainly. In 1881 we enrolled but 87 members. The attendance has steadily increased with each succeeding year to 230 in 1887. There are no more teachers in the county now than there were in 1881. We have resorted to no compulsory measures to secure this increased attendance other than to require applicants to attend at least one session of the institute before receiving a teacher's certificate. My observation is that teachers will voluntarily attend whenever the institute is such that they realize that they get full value for the time and money expended.

We are now following the State course of study to the letter, and are endeavoring to make our institute more and more a school of methods; to make it the great distributing point of the best methods of the best teachers in the county and the best instructors that can be procured.

SCHOOL-HOUSES.

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The school-houses that have been built recently are models compared with those of a few years ago. Nearly every new school-house has a belfry with a large bell that can be heard all over the district. Windows have been placed with reference to admitting the light properly rather than the outward appearance of the building. Ceilings have been made higher and the houses provided with comfortable seats. In the rural districts no special provisions have been made for ventilation. Last year a commodious eightroom building was put up in South Ottumwa, which is a credit to the city. The building is heated by steam, as are all the school buildings in Ottumwa, and the ventilation is good.

GROUNDS.

In some of the rural districts the school grounds and outhouses are neglected. I know that I should bear a share of the responsibility in this matter, as I have been, until within the last two years, negligent about calling the attention of school boards to the necessity of keeping up fences, protecting the trees, and especially to keeping the outhouses in proper condition. For the past two years, during my visit at the school, I have been calling the attention of school boards to these matters, when I could see them. When not convenient to see them, I have written them in care of the teacher. In nearly every instance they have attended to the matter at

once.

Our country schools have from six to eight months school a year. The length of terms has not increased, but teachers' salaries have been raised in all the townships in the county except two in the past four years.

The new law in reference to teaching the effects of alcohol, stimulants, etc., is being complied with by teachers with but little or no opposition by pupils or parents.

I think much has been done throughout the State, in the past four years, in elevating the condition of the rural schools. Too much credit can not be given our worthy State Superintendent, Hon. J. W. Akers, for his earnest and successful efforts in this direction. He has endeavored to unify and systematize the work of the normal institutes and country schools, and has measurably succeeded. A work that had before been overlooked, or at least had not been accomplished.

We have had but little school legislation in the past four years, and considering some of the bills that have been presented, I think it is very fortunate that such is the case. But in the interests of our schools there should be some changes and additions to our school laws.

Our schools should be supplied with free text-books. A way should be provided for changing the boundaries of independent districts. County superintendents should be elected for four years.

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

BY BELL KILGORE.

The general condition of education in Washington county is encouaging. Emigration from some parts of the county has caused a decline in the number enrolled in the schools, but the average attendance is better, with a fair degree of interest. More of the districts are making an effort to retain the teachers for a longer term.

The normal institute has been of great value to our teachers, as many young persons attend one or two terms before beginning to teach. We use the graded course of study, giving attention to the matter to be taught as well as methods of teaching.

More care is taken in the construction of school-houses, yet far too little attention is paid to heating and ventilation.

Many of the school-grounds are without fences. Some are well shaded, and more trees were planted this year.

The average length of term is seven months; average salary, $34.00 per month.

I think every district has tried to comply with the law requiring instruction in "hygiene" to be given to all pupils.

WINNESHIEK COUNTY.

BY DAN SHEA.

NORMAL INSTITUTES.

In 1885 the Winneshiek County Normal Institute was organized in accordance with the plan set forth in the outline course of study prepared by the State Superintendent, Hon. J. W. Akers.