superior and extensive and very justly the pride of judges, attorneys and the people generally. But I think the time has come when the scope of the Library should be enlarged, particularly in its historical, literary and scientific departments.

THE WEATHER SERVICE

has for its object the study of the climate of our State in its most essential features. The observations are made by a number of volunteers in different counties under the direction of the central bureau at Iowa City. The results of this service are of interest to a large number of intelligent citizens and the work should be continued. The reports of the Director contain much information of value.

BOARD OF PHARMACY.

The number of registered pharmacists whose certificates were in full force September 15, 1885, was 1,843; September 15, 1887, it was 1,729, a reduction of 114. The Board has the record of about one hundred cases prosecuted for violations of the pharmacy law, seventy five per cent of which resulted in conviction. Fines imposed have amounted to nearly $10,000, of which about $7,000 have been paid into the school fund, but only $925 have been paid into the State treasury on the twenty five per cent enforcement fund according to the law of 1886, being twenty-five per cent of $3,700. The funds at the command of the Board have not been suficient to prosecute all violators of the law, and many cases have been referred to county attor neys for prosecution, but as these officers do not report to the Pharmacy Board, but few of their cases have been heard from. During the two and one-fourth years covered by the report, receipts from licenses granted have amounted to $3,800, which have been applied to contingent expenses, clerk hire, and expenses of Board meetings. Fees from all sources for the period named have amounted to $7,812, which apportioned among the Commissioners has given to each an annual compensation of $1,041.60. The report of the Commissioners gives a full account of their work and the operation of the pharmacy law, with various suggestions and recommendations as to deficiencies and needed amendments. It is not improbable that the people generally have failed to rightly estimate the many difficulties attending the strict enforcement of this law; and they may not likewise have given the Commissioners full credit for their earnest efforts to discharge their whole official duty. Undoubtedly amendments are

needed, particularly in reference to the sale of intoxicating liquors, and I ask for the subject your earnest consideration. The provisions should be made more stringent and the methods of dealing with delinquents more direct and certain.

DENTAL EXAMINERS.

The total number of registered and licensed dentists as shown by the records of the State Board of Dental Examiners is 489, an addition of 26 during the year 1887, 23 of whom are graduates. The Examiners report 70 Iowa students now attending dental lectures, 55 of whom are in the dental department of the State University. The Examiners say that the law is having good results in increasing the knowledge and skill of the dental profession. They recommend an amendment to the law, increasing the fees for licenses granted upon examination from two to ten dollars, and five dollars for licenses to holders of valid diplomas, which would enable the Board to prosecute the work with greater efficiency than at pres

ent.

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

The fourth biennial report of the State Board of Health is less voluminous than those preceding it, but it is better adapted to general usefulness, and contains a large amount of interesting and valuable information. The Board has been active in its efforts to protect and promote the health of the people of the State. It has distributed a large number of original pamphlets and circulars relating to sanitary measures and contagious diseases. Its timely warnings have undoubtedly guarded against much sickness, while its enforcement of the medical practice act has done not a lit le to improve the average character of the profession and to diminish the evil caused by that class of medical colleges which only exist for the purpose of selling degrees and preying upon an unsuspecting public. I commend the work of the Board to your favorable consideration. The small outlay of money required for its operations is nothing as compared to the great benefits that may be derived therefrom.

THE NATIONAL GUARD

is composed of forty-eight companies, the limit permitted by law, but the strength of each company is kept at about the minimum

number of forty enlisted men. The encampment of 1885 was by regiments, that of 1886 by brigades. The Adjutant General reports that the Guard of the State is rapidly coming to a substantial basis, taking more pride in its full army equipment and ability to subsist itself, and in all its training to follow the methods of the United States Army, rather than in taking on the showy, holiday appearance once so prevalent. At present there is no law authorizing the payment of the Guard when called into the service of the State. This should be provided for by an appropriation which could be drawn upon when needed. The Adjutant-General in his report makes a number of recommendations looking to the still further improvement of this important branch of the service, all of which I heartily approve. The State can well afford to encourage its Guard and to aid it more liberally than it has done hitherto. Our appropriations for this purpose have been very light as compared with those of many other States. The Adjutant-General's office should be removed from the Arsenal building to the Capitol.

THE STATE VETERINARY SURGEON

represents that the appropriation for the expenses of his office was not sufficient to enable him, personally or by deputy, to answer all the calls made for his services. I have occasion to know that these calls have been very numerous. I recommend that the appropriation be increased, and also that an appropriation be made that can be used in an emergency, providing

PLEURO PNEUMONIA

should break out in this State. If no provision of this kind is made, and this disease should get a foothold in the State, a special session of the legislature might have to be called, causing delay and additional expense. We are now comparatively helpless, or would be, were it not for the co-operation of the national government.

This dread disease would probably already have invaded our State had it not been for the prompt action of the Veterinary Surgeon and the Board of Health. In February last, prominent farmers and stockgrowers of the State, realizing the extreme danger then existing on account of the prevalence of pleuro-pneumonia in Illinois, particularly in and near Chicago, requested that additional restrictions be placed upon the importation of cattle from that State. I thereupon issued a quarantine proclamation forbidding such importation except in special

cases to be approved by the Veterinary Surgeon of this State. In company with that officer I visited Chicago and arrangements were made, with the hearty concurrence of the railroad companies, by which the spread of the disease into Iowa was happily prevented. That proclamation was in force until November 21, 1887. It is reported that the loss to the State of Illinois from this outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia was not less than $2,000,000. The lesson ought not to be lost upon our own State. Ceaseless vigilance and the most prompt and energetic measures to stamp out the disease, should it appear, will only save Iowa from a similar calamity. The Veterinary Surgeon recommends several amendments to the law, to which I ask your attention.

HOG CHOLERA

is one of the most common among the diseases of animals with which our farmers have to contend. The annual losses from this disease are variously estimated from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. With a small per cent of the loss for a single year expended under the direction of the Veterinary Surgeon, I think the disease could be exterminated in the State. The magnitude and importance of this interest demand that nothing which can be reasonably done for its protection should be left untried. It is penny wise and pound foolish not to make provision for this.

AGRICULTURE

is our chief interest. If it languishes all other interests suffer. It deserves the care and attention of both the State and National legislature. The diseases which affect our live stock are general and can be dealt with effectually and finally only by National authority. I recommend that Congress be memorialized by you to make ample appropriations which can be used in emergencies to crush out pleuropneumonia, hog cholera and similar contagious diseases. By prompt and energetic action many millions might be saved.

The Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, Fine Stock Associations and other organizations have been doing good work. These, with farmers' institutes, and other methods of awakening the public mind and securing the intelligent application of the best means to produce the highest prosperity upon the farms of Iowa, and the greatest happiness in the homes which beautify the prairies of our State, should be liberally encouraged by the representatives of the

people in their legislative action. A large number of the members of the present General Assembly are practical farmers, and they should especially charge themselves with the duty of seeing that the great interests with which they are so closely identified are not overlooked, and that they receive the full measure of attention which they deserve at the hands of the law-making power.

DAIRY INTERESTS.

The report of the Dairy Commissioner shows an encouraging condition of that important branch of our agricultural industry. State and National laws regarding the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine have annihilated that business in this State, and there has been a marked increase in the manufacture and sale of genuine butter. It is estimated that Iowa produced 40,000,000 pounds of butter during the six months ending June 30, 1887; an increase of 10,000,000 pounds over the product of the corresponding period of the year before. Within the last year thirty new creameries have been put in operation and a number that had been previously closed re-opened. The dairy law of the last General Assembly has vindicated the wisdom of its passage, and the Dairy Commissioner has done excellent work and at small expense to the State.

MANUFACTURES

should also meet with every reasonable encouragement. encouragement. Diversified industry is absolutely essential to the growth of a strong, independent and wealthy State. Many of our manufacturers have been unable to thrive as they should, because of the discriminations against them and in favor of others located outside of our borders, on the part of railroad corporations. Large cities and great industries have been built up east, west, north and south of Iowa, and very largely at the expense of our people, by reason of these discriminations. We have been unable to avail ourselves of the advantages of our central position and of the magnificent water-ways which form our eastern and western boundaries. These matters deserve your profound attention.

OIL INSPECTION.

The report of the State Oil Inspector covers a period of fifteen months. The number of barrels of oil inspected and approved was 170,691; rejected, 1,716. Number of barrels of gasoline consumed,