118 library volumes were reported. The total amount paid to teachers was $30,534.37. In 1877 Nevada, Ames, Colo, Iowa Center and Cambridge were reported as graded schools. In 1878 County Superintendent L. B. Baughman reported the increased use of improved seats and the marked. supply of good teachers derived from the Agricultural College, together with a noticeable decrease in salaries. The institute on its improved plan held for three weeks with an attendance of 151, and under the instruction of E. R. Eldridge and Prof. W. P. and Mrs. A. M. Payne.
In 1879 there were 110 districts and 22 independent districts, with 124 ungraded and 16 rooms of graded schools, employing 119 male and 141 female teachers at average monthly salaries of $27.89 and $23.25 respectively. Of the 5,131 enumerated, 4,947 were enrolled, with an average attendance of 2,813. These used 117 frame and 13 brick buildings valued at $88,045, and the teachers were paid $27,963.20. The Normal Institute had a three-week session, with 47 male and 83 female teachers in attendance. The bonded indebtedness of independent districts reached $7,700. The library volumes were reported over 300. In 1880 a better class of school houses, better wages, and a healthy public sentiment were noted. In 1881 there were 127 ungraded and 20 graded schools, employing 93 male and 159 female teachers, using 122 frame and 13 brick buildings, valued at $93,920, and apparatus at $2,135. During these years, too, the length of the school year was steadily increasing, and likewise the attendance on the Normal Institute. In 1882, the first year of the present superintendent, Mr. O. O. Roe, there were 24 independent and 109 sub-districts, with 126 ungraded and 21 graded schools, employing 79 male and 196 female teachers. The enumeration was 6,089, the enrollment 5,318, and the average attendance 2,912, while the 120 frame and 14 brick buildings were estimated at $115,935. The teachers were paid $33,402.01, all of whom held first and second-grade licenses. In 1885 there were 25 independent and 118 sub-districts, with 135 ungraded and 27 graded schools, with 91 male and 195 female teachers at average monthly salaries of $38.54 and $29.23 respectively. Of 6,288 of school age enumerated, 5,553 were enrolled and 3,121 the average attendance. The 130 frame and 15 brick buildings were valued at $126,775 and apparatus at $2,040. The total amount paid teachers was $39,024.78, while in 1886 it reached $40,060.43 to 82 male and 207 female teachers, in 32 rooms of graded and 134 ungraded schools, in 129 frame and 16 brick buildings, valued at $129,990 and apparatus at $2,972. On the grounds were reported 848 trees set out, and the Normal Institute was increased to a four-weeks session, with an attendance of 227. The enumeration was 6,073, of whom 5,370 were enrolled, with an average attendance of 3,004. In 1887 Superintendent Roe reported the Normal Institute as closely following the graded course of the State and with nine graduates. He directed attention to needed improvement in school-house ventilation, etc., reported Arbor Day as successfully observed, showed that special attention was given to reading, language and drawing, and recognized the high influence of the Agricultural College and the high schools of Nevada and Ames upon public education in the county. In 1888 there were 27 independent and 116 sub-districts, with 145 buildings, of which 111 were good, 24 fair and 10 poor. In these were 131 ungraded and 37 rooms of graded school, employing 90 male and 212 female teachers, who received $42,662.83. The buildings were valued at $137,350 and the apparatus at $2,977, while 1,439 trees shaded the grounds, and