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     Saunders county has 100 districts with 185 teachers employed. Its people are awake to the interests of the public schools and are not slow to adopt ways and means for the betterment of same.

     The last annual report to the state department shows that practically all school districts in the county this year complied with the library law. Each district is supplied with a library record. The teachers of Saunders county are interested and responsive in the matter of attendance at district teachers' meetings, state associations, etc. At a county association held in Wahoo February 26 last, Dr. G. E. Condra of the state university gave a lantern lecture on the "Geography of Nebraska." The densely crowded auditorium on that occasion spoke favorably for the interest of both teachers and patrons. Dr. Condra gave an excellent lecture and no one went away disappointed.

     On Tuesday, June 28, 1910, our first commencement for eighth grade pupils of the rural schools was held in the Wahoo opera house. A class of eighty-four eighth graders listened to an excellent address by, Governor A. C. Shallenberger, after which they received their diplomas.

     It is believed that the eighth-grade commencement will serve as an incentive to better work, and it may prove helpful in inducing more of the large pupils, especially the boys, to remain in school until they complete the first eight years of the course.

     The annual institute of Saunders county, for several years past, has been held in conjunction with chautauqua. As the plan has proved satisfactory it was not changed and on Monday, August 15, the institute convened for half-day sessions, with chautauqua, with C. N. Walton, H. M. Garrett and Miss Minnie Newman as instructors, and an enrollment of 183 teachers. The work of the week was a success in interest, enthusiasm and helpfulness. Next year we expect to add domestic science to the program. One interesting feature of the program during institute week was a lecture on ways and means for the betterment of the public schools by Deputy State Superintendent Frank Perdue. It was delivered in the interest of school boards and patrons as well as of teachers, and many were present to hear.

     Reading circle work for 1910-1911 is being taken up by the teachers of the county with a view toward improvement. Plans are arranged for a local circle in each town, the principal of each town school to be in charge of his particular section. Record will be kept of attendance and work of each teacher, for which proper credit will be received.

     Normal training work has proved satisfactory in this county. Quite a number of the students who have completed the normal course have gone out into the rural schools and are making a success of the teachIng work.

     Consolidation of districts is a question that is being quite freely discussed in this county at present. In a few of our schools where the average attendance is from five to ten pupils, much would be gained

from the standpoint of economy alone. District No. 12 has decided to try the plan of temporary consolidation for one year by having all pupils of said district--thirteen in number--conveyed to the graded schools of Cedar Bluffs

     This will probably lead up to permanent consolidation of the two districts.

     As to the matter of heating and ventilating, some noticeable improvements are being made. In several districts modern heating plants have taken the place of stoves and so far as we have been able to learn are proving satisfactory.

     Industrial work is receiving attention and a very creditable showing of same was on exhibition at our last institute. A generous amount of space will be used for an exhibit of school work, also, at the county fair.

     The rural school grounds of the county look barren enough and for the most part destitute of shade. But when the plan of consolidation of districts prevails this problem will be solved.

     From the present outlook Saunders county will be among the first enterprising counties of Nebraska to give district consolidation a trial.

E. B. WILLIAMS,            
County Superintendent.     

     During the past two years Scotts Bluff county has had three county teachers' associations, the district association taking the place of the county meetings in the spring. About two-thirds of the teachers in the county attend each meeting. Papers presented have been along the line of current school interests, such as "The School Playground," "Sanitary Measures Which Should Be Carried Out in Every Country and Village School," and "The Plan Book." This year a dinner was given at the first meeting, which was followed by toasts along educational lines. An interesting feature of the same meeting was a debate: "Resolved, That Pupils Below the High School Should Not Be Required to Do Home Study."

     In addition to these meetings each town has a reading circle meeting, which is held once a week in some places and twice a week in others. These circles include practically all teachers In the county. Every teacher in the county owns a set of the 1909-10 reading circle books.

     In 1908, 85 per cent of the teachers in the county attended the district association. In 1909 about 20 per cent and 1910, 60 per cent attended, In 1908 two teachers attended the National Educational Association; in 1909 eight attended at Denver. This year one teacher will take in the teachers' European trip.

     Practically every country school has a library. Seven districts have $50 libraries, seven have $25 libraries, the rest have libraries
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