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     The Secretary's minutes of the last annual business meeting and also of the executive committee meeting held at the State Fair in Sept., 1917, were read by the Secretary. The report follows:

     The annual business meeting was held in room 110, Plant Industry Building, on January 18, 1917.

     The Secretary's report was read and approved.

     The Treasurer's report was then read and accepted.

     There was no election of officers since the constitution provides that elections shall be held every two years--years of even number.

     A friendly discussion pertaining to the advisability of continuing the competitive corn exhibits in their present form ensued. This discussion was participated in by A. J. Martin, R. R. Hogue, J. D. Ream, L. S. Herron, Val Kuska, Erwin Hopt, L. T. Skinner, W. W. Burr, F. D. Keim, T. A. Kiesselbach and several others.

     It was moved and seconded "that the 'pretty ear' contest be dropped from the Corn Show." Every member present voted, and the motion was unanimously carried.

     No further business coming before the association, the business session was declared adjourned.

     The Executive Committee met in business session at the State Fair on Sept. 3, 1917 to prepare recommendations for the coming year. The following business was transacted:

     Mr. J. D. Ream offered the following resolution: That we request the Experiment Station to secure a good variety of corn planters and by careful experiment determine the form of kernel of corn that can be dropped with the most regularity by each planter and the form that will drop with the most regularity in all of the planters and determine as nearly as possible the difference in the regularity of drop where well graded uniform kerenels (sic) are used as compared with results where ungraded and irregular shaped kernels are used.

     The action on Mr. Reams motion was that it be placed on file for future consideration by the executive committee.

     The point of order was raised that the action pertaining to the corn show at the business meeting of the Association on Jan. 18, 1917, was contrary to the constitution of the association. The chairman, Mr. R. Hogue, sustained the point of order.

     It was moved that the Secretary be instructed to call a special meeting of the executive committee on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1917 at 1:30 P. M., at Lincoln, to determine plans and arrangements for the 1918 corn show. The expenses of this committee are to be paid by the Association. Motion carried. (At the meeting held on this date, it was decided to hold the corn show as usual and Will Lonergan and Chas. Grau were appointed as the corn show committee, replacing the former committee).

     It was moved that the minutes as read be accepted with the understanding that the President's action in sustaining the point of order raised at the executive meeting, Sept. 3, be endorsed. The motion was seconded and carried.

     The Treasurer's report was next read, it was moved, seconded and carried that the Treasurer's report be accepted subject to approval by the auditing committee.

      Discussion of a continuation of the corn show in its present form followed. It was moved that we proceed with the corn show this coming year in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution of this Association (Appended in this report on page 147), which reads: "in connection with the, annual meeting shall be held such an exhibit of corn and farm crops as the executive committee shall prescribe."

     Mr. Ream, Mr. Hopt and Mr. Grau were appointed a committee by the chairman to eliminate any apparent conflict between the text of the constitution and its by-laws, as related to defining the duties of the executive committee and of the Association assembled in business meeting. This conflict lies between Article 6 of the constitution and Bylaw No. 4.

     Election of officers was the next business in order. Mr. E. Hopt stated that he had served a long time as treasurer and now wished to discontinue in office. Mr. T. A. Kiesselbach announced that after having been secretary during seven years, he did not wish to be considered for re-election, and nominated Mr. W. W. Burr as secretary.

     It was moved and carried that the President, Secretary, and Treasurer be elected by informal ballot. The result of this election was: E. P. Brown, President; W. W. Burr, Secretary; F. J. Rist, Treasurer.

     It was moved and seconded that all the vice presidents (Mr. Rist excepted, having been elected treasurer) be re-elected. The motion was carried unanimously. A unanimous ballot was cast for Mr. Arnold Martin as Vice President from the First Congressional District, to succeed Mr. F. J. Rist.

     It was moved and seconded "that the Association extend a hearty thanks to the retiring officers: Mr. Hogue, President; Mr. Kiesselbach, Secretary, and Mr. Hopt, Treasurer." Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Mr. R. Hogue, President

      I have the honor herewith to transmit my report as treasurer of the Nebraska Corn Improvers' Association for the year 1917, together with all vouchers necessary for auditing the same.

      I respectfully request that you appoint a committee to examine and audit the same forthwith.

To accompany-- 1 voucher of receipt.
             46 vouchers of disbursement.

     The above mentioned actual balance, $151.93, together with two uncashed cheeks (one to Will Lonergan for $3 and the other to Chas. Grau for $3.60) amounting to ...6.60 (making a seeming hank balance of $158.53), is on deposit in the Central National Bank of this city.

     The expense of publishing the "Eighth Annual Report'' has all been met except a hill of $61.00 for illustrations. When this bill is paid, it will leave a working balance of $90.93 with which the work for the year 1918 may he begun.

     I am also presenting unofficially herewith, but as a separate report, a classified, semi-detail account of how our funds have been expended during the past year.

     I, Erwin Hopt, upon oath declare that I am treasurer of the Nebraska Corn Improvers Association, that as such officer I have made the foregoing report of receipts and disbursements of the funds of said association for the year 1917, that it is correct in so far as said funds have come into my possession or knowledge and that said report is in all things accurate and true as I verily believe.

      The City Auditorum (sic) of Lincoln was again the home of the combined Corn and Apple Show. The big features of the Show were the Educational Exhibits and cooking demonstrations of the Home Economies department of the State University. In these exhibits the need for and methods of conservation in the home were graphically presented. Many a dainty morsel of palatable and wholesome foods impressed by the importance of relative food values, and well planned meals.

     The corn and small grain competetive (sic) exhibits were participated in by about forty individual exhibitors, some of whom showed in several or all of the classes open to them. The general appearance and quality of the corn was good, considering the season.

     The association is indebted to Chas. Grau and Will Lonergan, for their efficient services on the Corn Show Committee.

     The awarding of premiums by the judges, W. W. Burr and F. D. Keim, gave satisfaction to all.

     Corn exhibits of the Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Clubs conducted tinder the auspicies (sic) of the College of Agriculture Sxtension (sic) Service, are no longer assembled or exhibited in connection with the Winter Corn Shows, as formerly. This change has had a marked effect upon the size of the Show.

     The boys' corn work as directed by the Extension Service now devotes little of its attention to non-essential points, and concerns itself chiefly with actual yields.

     For the first time in many years, there have been no special junior classes in the show. Every one exhibiting is now obliged to become a membr (sic) of the Association and men and boys compete for the same premiums. The underlying motive for this change was to eliminate in a large measure the tendency for father, son and daughter to concentrate the best winnings within a single "expert" family.

     While it has been decided after a very wholesome controversy, to continue the holding of competetive (sic) corn shows by the Nebraska Corn Improver's Association, their correct value is generally recognized. It is gratifying to note the progressive spirit of many of our old time members and expert corn exhibitors. The prevailing attitude, is that our competing for prizes with fancy corn does not lead directly to increasing yields by virtue of any special merits of such corn, but rather than the main benefit is derived from the general interest created and the magnetism of the show to draw people together to talk over the other things of really serious importance.

     This rather general willingness on the part of the members and

Grand Champion ten ears the show of 1918, exhibited by C. G. Roggenbach, Wisner

     

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