Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 16/3/13
Ralph Kenneth Bliss (1880-1972)
Papers, 1906-1976, undated


Descriptive summary

creator:

Bliss, Ralph Kenneth (1880-1972)

title:

Papers

dates:

1906-1976, undated

extent:

18.27 linear feet (43 document boxes and 1 half-document box)

collection number:

RS 16/3/13

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Ralph Kenneth Bliss Papers, RS 16/3/13, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Ralph Kenneth Bliss received a B.A. (1905) in animal husbandry from Iowa State University. After operating the family farm and serving on the faculty of Iowa State and University of Nebraska, he became Director (1914-1946) of Extension at Iowa State. Bliss served as secretary of the War Emergency Food Committee (1917), treasurer of the American Country Life Association, and chair of the state advisory committee of the Soil Conservation Service. He was on the Iowa Corn-Hog Commission (1933-1935) as part of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration and was a member (1941-1946) of the state U.S. Department of Agriculture War Board. During World War I and World War II, Bliss promoted the sale of bonds and served on the state U.S. Savings Bond Committee. Bliss retired in 1946, but continued as Director Emeritus of Extension.

 

Collection description

The collection (1906-1976, undated) includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, minutes, teaching notes, lectures, biographical information, photographs, publications, reports, addresses, and radio talks (1948-1971). The bulk of the collection consists of Bliss's correspondence and transcripts of his radio addresses. The subject matter relates to Agricultural and Home Economics Extension work in Iowa, food production during World Wars I and II, war emergency work of county agents, Soil Conservation Society of America, and the 50th Anniversary of Extension (1963). The collection also covers the National Council for Community Improvement, Agriculture Advisory Committee for Iowa to U.S. Savings Bond Division, American Country Life Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Agricultural Hall of Fame, Epsilon Sigma Phi, and Iowa State University Class of 1905. The Extension material includes reports and correspondence with Perry G. Holden (1908-1912). There are also annual reports detailing Extension work in crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, nutrition, and clothing (1919-1923). The reports also include photographs documenting extension work across Iowa in that period. The collection also contains a typescript copy of Bliss' The Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work (1952), copy of his thesis (1905), articles by colleagues, campus tours, and reports dealing with the Land Grant Committee on Extension Work.

 

 

Description of series

Series 1

Biographical Materials

1916-1976, undated

extent:

0.63 linear feet (2 boxes)

description:

This series contains newspaper clippings, articles personal writings and faculty bio sheets along with personal writings by Bliss's first wife, Ethel.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1a

1

Biographical Materials

1924-1976, undated

1a

2

Biographical Information

1916-1972

29

7

Photos of Bliss

undated

33

5

Photographs

undated

30

1

Mrs. Ethel Bliss – calendar and journal

1930 circa

30

2

Tributes

undated

30

3

Ephemera

undated

34

1

Family photographs

1960s circa-1970

34

2

"Personal Recollections of Ralph K. Bliss," unpublished typescript, pages 1-39

undated

34

3

"Personal Recollections of Ralph K. Bliss," unpublished typescript, pages 40-87

undated

34

4

"Personal Recollections of Ralph K. Bliss," unpublished typescript, pages 88-141

undated

34

5

"Personal Recollections of Ralph K. Bliss," unpublished typescript, pages 142-187

undated

23

9

Thesis – Breeding, Feeding and Management of the Champion Herd of Poland China Swine at the World's Fair at St. Louis

1904-1905

 

Description of series

Series 2

Incoming Correspondence

1909-1965, undated

extent:

2.94 linear feet (7 boxes)

description:

This series contains inquiries and responses for meetings, speaking engagements, donating, appearances and articles.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

A

undated

1

2

B-Benson

undated

1

3

Benson, O.H.

undated

1

4

Bents-Bo

undated

1

5

Br

undated

1

6

Bu

undated

1

7

C-Cha

undated

1

8

Che-Con

undated

1

9

Coo-Cz

undated

2

1

D

undated

2

2

Dreier, William H.

undated

2

3

E

undated

2

4

F

undated

2

5

Fitzsimmons, John R.

undated

2

6

Glenn, C.C.

undated

2

7

Ga-Go

undated

2

8

Gr-Gz

undated

3

1

Ha-Hass

undated

3

2

Hat-Hill

undated

3

3

Hillg-Hold

undated

3

4

Holden, P.G.

1909-1950

3

5

Holden, P.G.

1951-1953

3

6

Holden, P.G.

1954-1959

3

7

Holl-Hz

undated

4

1

I-J

undated

4

2

Johnson, Paul A.

undated

4

3

K

undated

4

4

L

undated

4

5

Mc

undated

4

6

McDonald, Murl

undated

5

1

Ma-Mille

undated

5

2

Miller, Cap E.

1946-1953

5

3

Miller, Cap E.

1954-1955

5

4

Miller, Cap E.

1956-1957

5

5

Milli-Mz

undated

5

6

Mosher, M.L.

1912-1965

6

1

N

undated

6

2

O

undated

6

3

P

undated

6

4

Q

undated

6

5

R

undated

6

6

Sa-Sl

undated

6

7

Sm-Sp

undated

7

1

St-Sz

undated

7

2

Stayner, G.E.

1910-1912

7

3

T

undated

7

4

U

undated

7

5

V

undated

7

6

W-Wari

undated

7

7

Warn-Wh

undated

7

8

Wi-Wz

undated

8

1

Y

undated

8

2

Z

undated

8

12

Wilson, M.L. to and from

1941-1946

8

13

Wilson, M.L. to and from

1946-1960

 

Description of series

Series 3

Outgoing Correspondence

1908-1970

extent:

1.68 linear feet (4 boxes)

description:

This series contains inquiries and responses for meetings, speaking engagements, donating, appearances and articles.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

8

3

Outgoing Correspondence

1908-1909

8

4

Outgoing Correspondence

1910

8

5

Outgoing Correspondence

1911

8

6

Outgoing Correspondence

1914

8

7

Outgoing Correspondence

1917-1919

8

8

Outgoing Correspondence

1918-1921

8

9

Outgoing Correspondence

1926-1934

8

10

Outgoing Correspondence

1937-1940

8

11

Outgoing Correspondence

1943

8

14

Outgoing Correspondence

1945

9

1

Outgoing Correspondence

1945

9

2

Outgoing Correspondence

1945

9

3

Outgoing Correspondence

1946

9

4

Outgoing Correspondence

1946

10

1

Outgoing Correspondence

1947

10

2

Outgoing Correspondence

1947

10

3

Outgoing Correspondence

1948

10

4

Outgoing Correspondence

1949

10

5

Outgoing Correspondence

1950

10

6

Outgoing Correspondence

1951

11

1

Outgoing Correspondence

1952

11

2

Outgoing Correspondence

1953

11

3

Outgoing Correspondence

1954

11

4

Outgoing Correspondence

1955

11

5

Outgoing Correspondence

1956

12

1

Outgoing Correspondence

1957

12

2

Outgoing Correspondence

1958

12

3

Outgoing Correspondence

1959

12

4

Outgoing Correspondence

1960-1970

 

Description of series

Series 4

Reports

1906-1946

extent:

1.26 linear feet (3 boxes)

description:

This series contains reports on the Corn-Hog Adjustment Plan, World War II food production, drought relief, and extension committee studies.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

13

1

Report of Land Grant College Committee on Extension Work

1906

13

2

Reports of Extension in Department of Animal Husbandry

1907-1942

13

3

Reports on Agricultural and Home Economics Extension Work in Iowa

1906-1914

13

4

Reports and recommendations to Director P.G. Holden and Dean Curtis for Animal Husbandry

1908-1914

13

5

War food production in Iowa in World War I

1917-1918

13

6

War emergency work of county agents

1917-1918

14

-

Corn-Hog Communications and Mimeographed material. Vol. 1 – 3

1933-1934

14

1

County Drought Director's file on Drought Relief Service

1934

14

2

County Drought Director's file on Drought Relief Service

1935

14

3

Extension Project and Plans

1937

15

-

World War II Food Program Information

1941-1946

15

1

Farming for Victory – published bulletins from Iowa State College Extension

1941-1946

15

2

Iowa USDA War Board Minutes

1941-1946

15

3

War Food Production Work in Iowa

undated

15

4

War Work Radio Scripts

1941

15

5

ISC Extension Memorandum

1942-1943

15

6

"From the Director's Desk" – Extension news bulletin

1942-1945

15

7

Extension Study Committees

1942-1943

15

8

Extension Supervisory Conference Minutes

1944-1946

 

Description of series

Series 5

WW II Extension Materials

1942-1946

extent:

1.26 linear feet (3 boxes)

description:

This series contains articles, notices, updates, and advisories to county extension directors.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

16

-

Mimeographed Extension Information of World War II

1942-1943

17

-

Mimeographed Extension Information of World War II

1943-1944

18

-

Mimeographed Extension Information of World War II

1945-1946

 

Description of series

Series 6

Intra-Departmental Communications

1945-1959

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)

description:

This series contains intradepartmental letters regarding meetings, travel, and courses.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

19

1

Agricultural Extension campus communications and reports

1945-1958

19

2

Agricultural Economics

1945-1956

19

3

Agricultural Engineering

1945-1954

19

4

Agronomy

1945-1959

19

5

Animal Husbandry

1945-1956

19

6

Apiary

1946-1948

19

7

Dairy Husbandry and Dairy Industry

1945-1946

19

8

Entomology

1945-1948

19

9

Experiment Station

1953

19

10

Forestry

1945-1958

19

11

Four-H

1945-1958

19

12

Home Economics

1945-1956

20

1

Horticulture

1945-1956

20

2

Information Service

1945-1959

20

3

Landscape Architecture

1952-1959

20

4

Library

1956

20

5

Acknowledgements, "thank-you's," travel planning

1945-1959

20

6

Plant Pathology

1944-1950

20

7

Poultry

1946-1948

20

8

Radio Conference material

1945

20

9

Radio

1945-1958

20

10

Rural Sociology

1945-1946

20

11

Rural Sociology – social responsibility and action

1948-1955

20

12

Visual Instruction

1945-1946

20

13

Vocational Education

1945-1946

 

Description of series

Series 7

Soil Conservation Articles and Correspondence

1943-1969

extent:

5 folders

description:

This series contains soil conservation correspondence and newspaper articles regarding the Fiftieth Anniversary of Extension.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

21

1

Soil Conservation Reports and Minutes

1943-1948

21

2

Soil Conservation Correspondence

1945-1949

21

3

Soil Conservation Correspondence

1950-1953

21

4

Soil Conservation Correspondence

1954-1958

21

5

Soil Conservation Correspondence

1959-1969

 

Description of series

Series 8

Public Service Activities

1907-1969

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)

description:

This series contains Class Reunion (1905) letters, debates and publications.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

22

1

National Council for Community Improvement correspondence

1951-1957

22

2

National Council for Community Improvement correspondence

1948-1952

22

3

Development of Community Improvement

1948-1949

22

4

National and State Community Development

1951-1952

22

5

Community Development study

1951-1952

23

1

Local Council for Community Improvement

1948-1952

23

2

Story County American Cancer Society

1950-1952

23

3

U.S. Savings Bonds

1951-1954

23

4

Iowa State University Class of '05 reunion

1954-1955

23

5

Iowa State University Class of '05 reunion - correspondence

1954-1955

23

6

Iowa Farm Bureau - correspondence

1961-1969

23

7

Agricultural Hall of Fame - correspondence

1961-1968

23

8

Agricultural Hall of Fame – reports

1967-1969

23

11

Publications and articles related to Extension Outreach

1907-1915

23

12

Publications and articles related to Extension Outreach

1916-1956

21

8

Cornpicking Safety Campaign

1946

21

9

Reports of relation of Church/Christianity to rural living and farming

1930-1955

 

Description of series

Series 9

History of Extension Material

1910-1960, undated

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 box)

description:

This series contains notes and reports regarding the History of Extension Material; Epsilon Sigma Phi correspondence, meetings, constitution and by-laws.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

24

1

History of Cooperative Agriculture and Home Economics Extension in Iowa – The First Fifty Years, Bliss, R.K.

1960

24

2

Working material

undated

24

3

Shambaugh, Jessie Field – founder of 4H

undated

24

4

Chapter 1 of Extension in Iowa

undated

24

5

Extension in Iowa – correspondence

undated

24

6

The Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work – as Recorded in Significant Extension Papers

1952

24

7

Constitution, by-laws and state membership list

undated

24

8

Publishing of significant Extension papers – reports

undated

24

9

Correspondence – Extension papers

1946-1947

24

10

Correspondence – Extension papers

1942-1950

21

6

50th Anniversary of Extension

1953

21

7

50th Anniversary of Extension – newspaper clippings

1953

23

10

Extension short course teaching material

1910-1911

 

Description of series

Series 10

The Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work

1950-1952, undated

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)

description:

This series contains early drafts of this book.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

25

1

The Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work – as Recorded in Significant Extension Papers

1952

25

2

Correspondence – Extension Papers

1950-1952

25

3

Articles submitted for book – A-H

undated

25

4

Articles submitted for book – I-S

undated

25

5

Articles submitted for book – T-W

undated

26

1

Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work - working copy material

1952 circa

26

2

Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work - working copy material

1952 circa

26

3

Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work - working copy

1952 circa

26

4

Preliminary indexes and meetings about book

undated

26

5

Typescript copy, chapters 1-4

undated

26

6

Typescript copy, chapters 5-8

undated

26

7

Typescript copy, chapters 9-10

undated

 

Description of series

Series 11

Addresses and Radio Talks

1906-1971, undated

extent:

2.94 linear feet (7 boxes)

description:

This series contains newspaper articles, radio talk transcripts, and reference materials.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

27

1

Subject matter index, volume 1-7 - reference

1906-1954

27

2

Subject matter index, volume 1-10 - reference

1906-1963

27

3

Subject matter index - reference

1948-1952

27

4

Subject matter index - reference

1953-1955

27

5

Subject matter index - reference

1955-1958

27

6

Subject matter index - reference

1959-1960

27

7

Subject matter index - reference

1962-1964

28

1

Subject matter index - reference

1964-1965

28

2

Subject matter index - reference

1965-1966

28

3

Subject matter index - reference

1966

28

4

Subject matter index - reference

1967

28

5

Subject matter index - reference

1968

29

1

Subject matter index - reference

1969

29

2

Subject matter index - reference

1970-1971

29

3

Talks, articles, reports

undated

29

4

O.H. Benson

undated

29

5

Speech notes

undated

29

6

Bliss newspaper clippings

undated

29

8

Programs and notes

undated

32a

2

Correspondence about radio talks

1960-1970

32a

3

Correspondence about radio talks

1960-1970

32a

4

Correspondence about radio talks

1960-1970

32a

5

Correspondence about radio talks

1960-1970

32a

6

Iowa Conference on Gerontology

1952-1954

33

1

Newspaper clippings used for reference

undated

33

2

Newspaper clippings used for reference

undated

33

3

Newspaper clippings used for reference

undated

33

4

Notes for talks and speeches

undated

35

1

Radio scripts with annotations

undated

35

2

Radio Talks

1922-1956

35

3

Radio Scripts with annotations

1961

35

4

Radio Scripts with annotations

1962

35

5

Radio Scripts with annotations

1963

35

6

Radio Scripts with annotations

1964

35

7

Radio Scripts with annotations

1965

35

8

Radio Scripts with annotations

1966-1967

35

9

Indexes to Radio Scripts

1961-1965, undated

36

1-4

Extension articles used for talks

1915-1954

36

5-6

Handouts

1921-1953

36

7

Notes for talks

1940s ca., undated

36

8

Reference file

1927-1959, undated

36

9-19

Addresses

1923-1957

36

20-34

Speeches

1919-ca. 1950s, undated

36

35-38

Talks

1930s ca. -1963

36

39

Discussion

1930s ca.

36

40-41

Remarks

1921-1926

36

42

Transcript of Congressional Hearing Testimony

1935

36

43

Abstract of remarks at National Council on Community Improvement meeting

1953

43

1

Addresses: annual conference

1925-1945

43

2

Addresses: Iowa Farm Bureau Federation

1924-1931,  undated

43

3

Address: National Council for Community Improvement

1952

43

4

Radio Talks

1921-1929

43

5

Radio Talks

1932-1938

43

6

Radio Talks

1945-1947

43

7-10

Radio Talks

1949-1957

44

1

Radio Talks

1957

44

2

Radio Talks

1959-1967

44

3

Radio Talks - examples and classifications

1959-1968

44

4

Radio Talks

1960-1963

 

Description of series

Series 12

Campus Tours

1956-1959, undated

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)

description:

This series contains information on campus tours for various buildings and departments.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

30

4

Nutty, L.T. - associate professor that arranged tours

undated

30

5

Adult classes of Vocational Agriculture departments

undated

30

6

Alumni classes

undated

30

7

Ames summer recreation groups

undated

30

8

Conservation groups

undated

30

9

Farm Bureau groups

undated

30

10

Farm and home developments

undated

30

11

Foreign visitors and/or delegates

undated

30

12

Foreign visiting delegates

undated

31

1

Foreign student extension exchange

undated

31

2

4-H Club

undated

31

3

Future Farmers of America

undated

31

4

G.I. (veterans)

undated

31

5

Miscellaneous tours

undated

31

6

Miscellaneous tours

1956

31

7

Miscellaneous tours

undated

31

8

Miscellaneous tours (Iowa school groups)

undated

31

9

Swine producers

1957

31

10

Foreign visitors and/or delegates – Argentina

1959

31

11

Visiting delegate tours – Sandhills Cattle Association

1956

31

12

Vocational Agriculture class

1956-1957

 

Description of series

Series 13

Articles by Others

undated

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 box)

description:

This series contains extension related articles collected by Bliss.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

32

1

Bailey, Liberty Hyde

undated

32

2

Baldwin, R.J.

undated

32

3

Ballard, Frank Llewellyn

undated

32

4

Brehm, C.E.

undated

32

5

Buchanan, Fannie

undated

32

6

Burch, J.W.

undated

32

7

Butterfield, Kenyon L.

undated

32

8

Coleman, T.A.

undated

32

9

Craig, J.

undated

32

10

Creel, Cecil W.

undated

32

11

Davis, P.O.

undated

32

12

Gallup, Gladys

undated

32

13

Graham, A.B.

undated

32

14

Hogan, Mena

undated

32

15

Holden, Perry G.

undated

32

16

Knapp, Seaman A.

undated

32

17

Knaus, Karl

undated

32

18

Lloyd, W.A.

undated

32

19

Martin, O.B.

undated

32

20

Miller, Paul E.

undated

32

21

Price, Minnie

undated

32

22

Ramsower, H.C.

undated

32

23

Reese, Madge, J

undated

32

24

Roberts, Isaac Phillips

undated

32

25

Rokahr, Mary

undated

32

26

Smith, C.B.

undated

32

27

Soule, A.M.

undated

32

28

Symons, T.B.

undated

32

29

True, A.C.

undated

32

30

Vivien, Dean

undated

32

31

Wilson, M.L.

undated

 

Description of series

Series 14

Extension – Dean's Office, Specialists Annual Reports

1919-1923

extent:

2.31 linear feet (6 boxes)

description:

This series contains 9 volumes containing reports, tables, charts, and other related information for the following subject areas.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

37

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 1-2. Farm crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, veterinary, dairy production, dairy manufacturer, state leader, nutrition, milk utilization, clothing, home furnishing.

1919-1920

38

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 1. Farm crops and soils, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, animal husbandry, veterinary, dairy production, dairy manufacture, agricultural engineering, farm management, visual instruction, agricultural economists.

1920-1921

39

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 1. Soils, farm crops, horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry.

1922-1923

40

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 2-3. Entomology, barberry eradication, plant pathology, animal husbandry, veterinary, dairy production, dairy manufacture, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, rural organization.

1922-1923

41

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 5-6. Nutrition, milk utilization.

1922-1923

42

-

Specialist's Annual Reports, Vol. 7. Clothing.

1922-1923