t clear that "the federation does not seek to supplant the
other forces. It rather seeks to be a clearing-house of the ideas of all
the federated organizations; to be a mount of vision from which each may
look and get a complete vision of life; to be a fraternal bond which
shall link all together in common ties of sympathy, fellowship, and
co-operation."

The results thus far obtained are perhaps best described by quoting the
words of Mr. G. W. Conn, Jr., superintendent of schools of McHenry
County:

There is one noticeable omission in the constitution--a provision
for the proper financing of the federation. This is partially
explained by the fact that the federation has largely centered
about the county Teachers' Association and the county Farmers'
Institute, organizations that are supported in a financial way by
the county and the state appropriations. These appropriations, in
addition to some voluntary gifts, have been sufficient to meet the
necessary expenses of the meetings.

I think that I am safe in saying that the interest and also the
attendance has probably increased 100 per cent. at each session.
Each year has also seen a much larger percentage of our local men
and women helping out on the programme. It is a little early in its
history to expect much evidence of material results, but I believe
that results are already putting in an appearance, especially from
the esthetic standpoint. Without doubt more trees have been planted
about the country homes and along the country roadsides of this
county than in any two preceding years. In a great many places
roads have been cleaned. Refuse and weeds have been removed and
burned. Landscape gardening on a simple scale is putting in an
appearance in places where it was little expected. The naming of
farms is another feature that is rapidly growing. Boys' country
clubs are being formed and this year, for the first time, three of
these clubs met with the federation, had a banquet, and formed a
county organization.

Of course not all of these movements are rightfully to be
attributed to the direct influence of the county federation. The
public schools of the county have been largely instrumental in
stirring the public conscience to a livelier appreciation of the
beautiful. The regular observance of Arbor and Bird Days in our