Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-07-30
OTTO RAMBERC
WRITES BEST ESSAY
Will Represent Winneshiek County
at the State Fair.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
PUBLISHES school. NEWS.
Items of General Interest and Infor-
nation Concerning School
Matters i'm This County.
Revision of Tuition Law.

hCsISloH OI luitlOn Law.
Any person applying for admission
to any high school shall present the
officials of said high school the affi-
davit of his or her father, mother or
guardian that such applicant is of
school age and resident of the
school district of this state, specify
ing the district. He shall also pre-
sent a certificate signed by the
County Superintendent showing pro-
ficiency in the common school BRAN
ches, reading, orthography, physioI-
ogy, grammar, civics of Iowa, geo.
graphy, United States History, pen
manship and music.
The school corporation in which
such student resides shall pay to the
secretary OF the corporation in which
such student shall be permitted to-
enter, tuition fee not to exceed the
sum of three and one-half dollars
per month
AS seen under the provisions OF
this act, all pupils who are planning
to attend high school must have a
certificate from the county superin-
tendent showing proficiency in the
eighth year subjects.
Eighth Grade Examination.
A special eighth grade examina-
tion is appointed for Friday and
Saturday, August 18th and 18th,
1913, to be held in the County SUI
perintendent's examinations room.
Decorah, Ia. Those who have taken
either February or May examinations
can combine either one with the
special given in August.
Boys Encampment at State Fair.
In the essay contest, Farming in
Iowa as an occupation; its possibili-
ties as compared with other voca-
tons, eight boys filled out the ap-
plication blanks, five boys sent in
essays. The committee consisting Of
the Co. superintendent, the Secre-
tary of the Farmers Institute, and
the Secretary of the County Fair
acted as judges. Their decision gave
first place to Otto Ramberg, and sec
ond to Chas. Crawford. This enti-
ties Otto lRamberg to represent Win
neshiek County, which will be free
trip to the Iowa State Fair The
winner of the second prize will be
designated as alternate, and will be
entitled to free trip in case the
one selected as delegate is unable to
so.
Following Is the Essay of Otto
Ramberg, given first place by the
judges:
Farming in Iowa compares very
favorably with other vocations, as
Iowa is blessed by nature with al
most all the requirements for the
successful tilling of the soil.
Iowa has deep fertile soil, a
temperate climate, abundant rain
fall, good drainage and generally
level surface so that it is we'll adapt
eo to the use of modern machinery.
All this put together tends to big
crops and big profits when properly
done.
The farmer has now quit raising
so much wheat, flax and other crops
as he can no longer raise as great
quantities of these crops as when he
first started.
He sees that he must raise some
thing that will give him profit and
at the same time help keep up the
fertility of the soil. lie therefore
raises live stock and feeds his grain
to them. He thereby gets their ma
nure as fertilizer for his land. He
can also keep up the fertility of his
sell by raising legumes, and by ro-
tating his crops. Some of the most
important legumes are, the different
varieties of clover, cowpeas, field
peas, the vetches, etc.
When the farmer learns how to
keep up the fertility of his soil by
using the legumes and raising live
stock, he is sure to prosper and
make money.
The farmer need never be out OF
work, as the great numbers of peo-
pie in the cities have to be fed. He
must also furnish the raw materials
for the nations clothes and foot
wear.
He now has a chance to get the
CONTINUED on last page.).