painted and the rooms papered, which adds much to their appearance.

BEAVER-Supt. Moore: A local institute was held at Unionville, Jan. 31st, about 300 people present. Among subjects discussed were grammar, reading, spelling, and pronunciation. Several papers were read on school management. Dinner was served by the ladies to all in attendance. There was also an educational meeting in Steele's school in New Sewickley township, February 21. Much interest is always shown by the patrons at meetings held in this township. Sickness among pupils and bad weather have lowered the attendance.

BEDFORD-Supt. Wright: On February 6th and 7th a local institute, of two evening and two day sessions, was held at Pleasantville. During the day teachers and citizens took an active part in discussions upon timely and important topics. The sessions were all well attended. An interesting meeting was held at Saxton on the evening of February 13th. The township high school at Stonerstown is doing good work. Other meetings have been held at Coaldale, Riddlesburg and Hopewell, with a flag raising at Sandy Run, February 21st. There was a large meeting at Salemville in Morrison's Cove. The speakers were Director H. W. Walters, Prof. Kegarise, of Martinsburg, and Prof. Myers, of Huntingdon. In Broad Top township the new four room brick building at Riddlesburg is now occupied; the six room brick building at Defiance is nearing completion, and the three new frame houses recently built are in use. The brick houses are heated by steam, and all are provided with ventilating systems. In equipment, architectural features, and general appointments these are the finest rural school buildings in the county.

BERKS-Supt. Rapp: Local institutes were held at Topton, Womelsdorf, Fritztown and Temple. The lecturers at these meetings were Prof. A. C. Macy, of New York, and Prof. W. W. Deatrick. A township high school has been opened in Perry township. Harry Rothermel, a graduate of Lafayette College, has charge of the school.

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BUCKS-Supt. Martin: Local institutes in Tinicum township, at Fallsington, Newtown and Quakertown, and an educational session of the Farmers' Institute at Sellersville. All these meetings were well attended by the teachers, directors and patrons of the surrounding districts, as well as of the immediate localities. At Quakertown more than seventy teachers were enrolled. ing the month of February local institutes were held at Chalfont, Revere and Joyland. These meetings were full of inspiration. Among the speakers from a distance were Dr. Geo. M. Philips, Prof. A. C. Rothermel, Prof. Franklin Edmonds, Dr. Geo. Hancher, and Prof. James Grim. The Bucks County Principals' Association held a meeting in the Superintendent's office February 14th.

BUTLER-Supt. Painter: Several of our

teachers resigned for a better paid line of work. Unless teachers' wages are raised, our schools must soon take a backward step. We have had very good institutes thus far this year. Some schools were closed for a time on account of sickness. Friday, February 20th, was our second regular visitors' day. The Harmony schools had an "open day" and the Zelienople schools a "book day" lately, each of which proved very successful. More educational meetings are being held this year than ever before, and a deep interest is taken in this part of our work by teachers and parents. Libraries, clocks, bells, etc., have been added to the school equipment in several localities by means of evening entertainments and socials.

CAMERON-Supt. Colling: A interesting local institute was held in Emporium, February 28th. In addition to the local talent, Prof. O. C. Gortner, of Renovo, and Prof. J. J. Lynch, of St. Mary's, gave instructive talks. The school board of Emporium has added another teacher to the primary department.

CAMBRIA-Supt. Jones: Dale borough dedicated a beautiful building January 30th. Appropriate addresses were delivered, and the school had interesting exercises. Successful local institutes were held at NantyGlo, Garman's Mills, and Walnut Grove.

CARBON-Supt. Bevan: The condition of each school visited has been closely inspected and discussed with the teacher in charge. Good methods and successful work were commended, and such as were deemed faulty or objectionable condemned. In almost every instance the teacher has shown a right spirit toward improvement. My aim as superintendent is to arouse the thoughtless, the indolent, and the aimless teacher to a realization of his duty and responsibility, and to awaken a desire for more knowledge and power as a teacher. A meeting was held at Parryville on the evening of January 31st. It was well attended by directors and patrons. Mr. H. P. Snyder, president of the school board, was chairman. There was a flag raising at the Hoelon school on February 9th, under Mr. E. J. Brown, the teacher. The special events of the month were the observance of Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, and the local institute held at Lansford, February 27th and 28th.

CHESTER-Supt. Moore: Two hundred and ninety-eight schools have been visited, 118 directors accompanying the superintendent. Twenty-three educational meetings were attended, five of them being excellent local institutes. Sadsbury township has placed new maps in all its schools. In several districts schools have had to be closed temporarily for lack of coal. Local institutes were held at Russellville, E. Nottingham, Kemblesville, Parkerford, Honeybrook and Unionville.

CLEARFIELD-Supt. Shields: It becomes my sad duty to report the death of one of

our best and most widely known teachers, Prof. Silas Frampton, principal of the Coalport schools. His death occurred January 28th. He had been sick with typhoidpneumonia for about four weeks and seemed on the way to recovery, when he died very suddenly. He was a teacher for more than a quarter of a century. By his kindly disposition, wise counsel, and conscientious discharge of every duty, and his unflinching loyalty to friends and to the cause of education, he had endeared himself to the teachers and school officers of the county. He will be keenly missed and sincerely mourned. The local institutes held at Winburn and Mahaffey during the month were well attended. On January 23d and 24th a Round Table Conference of high school principals and superintendents was held in Clearfield. There was a large attendance and the discussions were practical and helpful to the teachers present. In February local institutes were held at Utahville, Lumber City, Du Bois, Ansonville, and Woodland. The attendance at all points was large; the discussions were spirited and much interest manifested.

CLARION-Supt. Himes: Many schools celebrated Washington's birthday. In Clarion all the patrons and G. A. R. men were invited to be present on February 20th, at which time the pupils gave the history of the occasion interspersed with national songs. Educational meetings were held at Sligo and St. Petersburg. Paid lecturers were engaged for both places.

CLINTON-Supt. McCloskey: Five educational meetings were held on the five Saturdays of January in different parts of the county. These meetings were largely attended by teachers, directors and patrons. All have been benefited, and educational sentiment has been stimulated. Members of the faculty of our State Normal School have kindly assisted the teachers in these meetings. Several local institutes were held in the county in February, but the great educational rally was in Sugar Valley, February 21st. Three school districts and twenty teachers of the three districts joined to make it a great success. Dr. Geo. P. Bible occupied the evening with a lecture on "The Progress of the Nineteenth Century."

CUMBERLAND-Supt. Green: Most of the work done by the teachers is very satisfactory, though in some instances there is room for improvement. But I believe this will be remedied as teachers grow in experience. Two local institutes were held, one in the Newville district, and one in Mt. Holly. Subjects of a practical nature were discussed by the teachers. Both were live meetings. Sickness greatly interfered with the attendance during the month of February. Educational meetings were held at Centreville, Mt. Vernon, Mechanicsburg, and Shippensburg. At Mechanicsburg the high school room proved too small to

accommodate all who came. The directors' mid-winter meeting was held at Mt. Holly Springs, February 26th. Seventy-two directors were present, the largest attendance since its organization. The sessions were interesting, and the discussions practical and instructive. We were pleased to have with us Prof. Cass of the State Department, who added to the interest of the meeting by his excellent remarks. The influence of this meeting will result in much good to our schools.

ERIE Supt. Bayle: The Fairview high school recently purchased a new flag, and on the afternoon of January 30th had a public entertainment, at which the County Superintendent gave a lecture on "Education." The schools of this borough are doing a good work under the leadership of Principal Bruce Proudfit.

FRANKLIN-Supt. Benchoff: We held local institutes in Greencastle, Rouzerville and St. Thomas. At each place there were from 300 to 800 people present. At Greencastle and Rouzerville we had two days and an evening session. The programmes were interesting, and called out much discussion. The institutes held in February were also well attended by teachers and patrons. I have visited all the schools at least once, and a few twice, and found most of the teachers doing good work.

FULTON Supt. Barton: Bethel township has voted to erect a new house, eight schools now. Four districts, Tod, Thompson, Bethel and Union, have put into their schools complete sets of Rand & McNally's maps. These are first-class, but prices are too high. The compulsory law is not properly enforced by some boards, while others are following it closely. A joint meeting of the teachers of Dublin township in Fulton and Dublin township in Huntingdon was held at Burnt Cabins, February 27th and 28th. The weather was unfavorable, but the attendance good and the work a success. Bad weather, bad roads and sickness have made the attendance in our schools very irregular during this month.

GREENE-Supt. Stewart: The schools are doing good work with perhaps three exceptions. Institutes were held in Centre, Wayne, Perry, Dunkard, Monongahela, Greene, Morgan and Jefferson townships. Much interest shown at all these meetings.

HUNTINGDON-Supt. Dell: Several resig. nations have occurred during the month, and we do not find the right persons to fill the vacancies. Good work is done in most schools, but we must employ too many inexperienced teachers. In a few cases there is trouble over poor attendance. We have had eight local institutes. At three of these meetings the crowd was so large that there was scarcely standing room. We even had crowded houses at two of the day sessions. Patrons seem eager to learn more of the workings of the schools, and are enthusiastic in their support of them. We

need more money to meet the demands. Some schools have flourishing literary societies, which are stimulating to the community in which they are found, a means by which pupils are led to appreciate literature. We believe there is great need for work along this line. It presents the practical side of school training. As the result of these societies, many of our pupils are reading more widely and more carefully than ever before. Effort is being made to put good books in the hands of pupils. Mapleton has received one of the state círculating libraries.

INDIANA-Supt. Stewart: In general, the schools are doing well this year. It is necessary that teachers hold their positions, for if vacancies occur, it will be difficult to secure the right kind of persons to fill them. Two schools in West Wheatfield township are closed on account of small-pox.

JEFFERSON-Supt. Teitrick: The county institute was held the week of December 29th. The attendance was very large, the interest intense. The day instructors were Hon. Henry Houck, Hon. O. T. Corson, Drs. M. G. Brumbaugh, S. D. Fess, Samuel Weir, and T. L. Gibson, instructor in music. The evening sessions were filled by Capt. R. P. Hobson, the Mendelssohn Quartette, Dr. S. D. Fess, and Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh. Drs. Fess and Brumbaugh were most desirable substitutes for Newell Dwight, Hillis and Hon. J. P. Dolliver, who failed to keep their engagements. We have a large percentage of young teachers this year, and they returned from institute filled with inspiration, new ideas, and deeper interest. The drifted condition of the roads, smallpox, and other contagious diseases, have materially interfered with the success of the schools in some localities. Generally speaking, their progress is very satisfactory.

JUNIATA-Supt. Klinger: Interesting local institutes have been held at Port Royal, Johnstown, Richfield, East Salem, McAllisterville, McCoysville, Waterloo and Thompsontown. Prof. Lybarger, of Mifflinburg, gave his lecture, "How to Be Happy," at the first and last of the institutes named. Much interest is manifested in these meetings by patrons and teachers. At the East Salem meeting about one-fourth of the teachers of the county were present.

LACKAWANNA-Supt. Taylor: In December I visited 48 schools, and attended two local institutes in Moosic and Old Forge districts. One week was spent in collecting and presenting to the Coal Strike Commission facts concerning the schools. This testimony showed that over 2000 children of school age (from 8 to 16) were then employed in mines, mills and factories. Many of these children cannot "read and write English intelligently." In the 56 schools visited in January the attendance was fair, and the instruction and discipline good in all but two, both taught by old teachers. Experience does not always insure good teaching.

Two of the best schools I have seen this year were taught by young teachers, one teaching her second term, the other graduated from the normal school last year. If a teacher has no enthusiasm or pride in her work, the longer she teaches the poorer her teaching becomes. Local institutes were held at Newton, Fleetville, Daleville and Clark's Green. At the first three places the chief topic was the consolidation and grading of country schoois. Some districts in mining regions still have many boys and girls employed in coal breakers and silk mills who should be in school. In February I visited 41 schools. Many children of school age are working. Notices are sent to parents, but there are no prosecutions. One local institute was held at Peckville; on account of very stormy weather the attendance was small.

Lawrence-Supt. Allen: A one-room house has been completed, furnished, and opened for use in Plain Grove township, with 35 pupils in attendance. This school was needed for the children of miners at Shaft No. 1, of the Sharon Coal Company. I was much pleased to find all the pupils of school age in attendance, interested in their work, and quite willing to learn. Some interesting teachers' meetings were held in January, chiefly those at East Brook, New Bedford, Mt. Jackson, and at the McKee school in Shenango. In one instance teachers were present from nine different townships. Such meetings have a special value for young teachers, but all seemed equally interested, and the time was generally well spent. In February meetings were held in many places. They were all well attended, and were instructive to both teacher and patron. The teaching of civil government and its use to the people was much discussed. Many schools have given entertainments to raise money for books for their libraries. Hillsville has added about thirty volumes to its growing library. A sentiment for more and better reference books and apparatus is growing.

LYCOMING-Supt. Becht: The instructors at our county institute were Prof. Wm. G. Ward of Boston, Dr. J. H. Bair of New York, Prof. E. L. Kemp of E. Stroudsburg, and Miss Ida M. Strawn of Chicago. All of the work was of a high order, and teachers received much help from the instruction. The attendance of teachers was the largest in the history of the institute. A very interesting district meeting was held at Loyalrock. Dr. Lincoln Hulley delivered the evening lecture. Good meetings were also held in Pine, Cogan House, Jackson, Brown, and Limestone. The monthly meeting of the Teachers' Exchange carried out the following programme: Individual Variations, Prof. G. B. Milnor; Correlation of History and Geography, Mr. David Updegraff; Nature Study for February, Stella Tomlinson; Poem for Class Study, "Gray's Elegy," Mr. D. H. Robbins,

MCKEAN-Supt. Myers: Our teachers' association passed off successfully. Sixty teachers enrolled at the Eldred meeting, and seventy at Mt. Jewett. A number of interesting topics were discussed with profit. MERCER-Supt. Fruit: In Hickory township the school houses, eighteen in all, have been re-papered. I found them in excellent condition. An interesting institute was held in W. Middlesex. The educational session of the Farmers' Institute at Hadley was also an interesting meeting. schools are doing well.

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MIFFLIN Supt. Hanawalt: Two educational meetings were held during January. Most of our teachers take an active part in these meetings. It is also gratifying to notice the increasing interest on the part of directors and patrons. A new school house of eight rooms will be built in Lewistown. The contract price is $13.525. This building wili relieve the crowded condition of the schools. Sickness caused much irregularity in attendance during February. An increased interest in improving the appearance of the buildings is very evident. The educational meetings of the month were well attended. The part taken by the pupils deserves commendation. Directors j. A. Webb, W. W. Trout and Jas. Taylor attended the meeting of the State Directors' Association. Prof. H. E. Swope, principal of the Mapleton schools, has been elected assistant principal of the Brown township high school.

MONTGOMERY-Supt. Hoffecker: During the month I held a preliminary examination for pupils in graduating classes. Six pupils were examined in the various common branches. A local institute was held at Harleysville January 30th-31st. It was very largely attended. On Saturday afternoon and evening the attendance was much larger than that of the county institute twenty-five years ago. The exercises consisted of discussions, class-drills, and instruction. The topics treated were Reading, Historical Backgrounds, Parents' Part in Education, and the Township High School. There is certainly no loss of interest in local institutes. In February seven examinations were held for pupils in graduating classes, seventy-seven pupils being examined. I also held three local institutes.

MONTOUR-Supt. Derr: A large institute was held at Washingtonville. The questions discussed were the compulsory law, oral spelling, teaching, history, sanitary conditions, the pupil, the teacher, and the parent, and the school from a director's standpoint.

NORTHAMPTON--Supt. Bender: We held local institutes at Bath, Nazareth, Pen Argyl and East Bangor during January. These meetings were well attended by teachers, directors and patrons. There were 272 teachers present in all, making an average attendance for each meeting of 68 teachers. I also attended the educational session

of the three Farmers' Institutes held during the month, making an address at each on centralization and township high schools. The people appear to be much interested in this matter, and admit that it is the only solution to the problem, “How shall we give our children better opportunities for acquiring a good education?"

PIKE-Supt. Westbrook: Delaware district has furnished the schools with Webster's International Dictionary. I hope we may soon have it in every school in the county. A local institute was held at Matamoras, February 28. The teachers deserve commendation for the interest shown and for their efforts to make it a success. cellent papers were read by teachers. The speakers were Alfred Marvin, Esq., Wm. Speidel, and the Superintendent. It has been voted to erect a modern high school building of blue stone at Milford for $15,000.

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SNYDER-Supt. Walborn: Four local institutes were held during January as follows: Richfield, Port Trevorton, Freeburg and Fremont, all of which were well attended by teachers and patrons. At Freeburg and Freemont we were ably assisted by Rev. Dr. Boyer, of the Kutztown Normal. With the exception of a few districts, the compulsory attendance law is being enforced. The attendance in all the schools visited during the month was very good.

SOMERSET-Šupt. Seibert: The schools of Windber and Paint borough are overcrowded. The Rockwood school board will probably erect an eight-room brick building during the coming summer. Garrett also needs a new building.

TIOGA-Supt. Longstreet: Teachers, with few exceptions, are doing painstaking, thorough work, and the attendance has been above the average of several years past. Two local institutes were held in January at Marshlands and Westfield. Both were well attended. At Marshland there was a contest among the schools in the evening, which always brings a crowded house. At Westfield Dr. Hulley lectured in the evening, proceeds for the library fund. Teachers are subscribing readily for books adopted by the Reading Circle Committee. In February institutes were held at Wellsboro, East Charleston, Little Marsh, Millerton, Liberty and Ogdensburg. Centralization of rural schools was discussed at Millerton, Little Marsh and East Charleston. After the discussion at the last-named place, a vote was taken, and a large majority of the audience voted in favor of centralization. The attendance and interest were good at all these gatherings, East Charleston leading in attendance. The question of school libraries is still receiving attention. Several schools have raised money for this purpose. The Gloeckler school in Liberty township, Alma Zinck teacher, raised over $30, and now has a library of over 100 selected books. This is the best showing made by any rural school this year.