J FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE BOARD OF AGfilCULTDRE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, WOR THE YEAR EISTDING- SEPTElVtBER 30, 1876. UBI>ARV NEW YORK BOTANICA) QARDcN BY AUTHORITY. LA NSING : W. 8. GEORGE & CO., STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 1876. |[cmb(*rH of %iixk Ijoard of IrjrjcuHiirf. LIBRARY ^eW VORK ^^AN/CAL GARDEN Hon. HEZEKIAH G. WELLS, of Kalamazoo, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD. Hon. J. WEBSTER CHILDS, of Ypsilanti, VICE PRESIDENT. Hox. GEORGE W. PHILLIPS, of Romeo. Hon. franklin WELLS, of Constauthio. Hon. a. S. DYCKMAN, of South Haven. Hon. MILTON J. GARD, of Cassopolis. JOHN. J. BAGLEY, Governor of the State, T. C. ABBOT, President Agricultural College, Fx Ofjich. ROBERT G. BAIRD, Secretary. EPHRAIM LONGYEAR, of Lansing, Treasurer. ^^^ yoRic GARDEN REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OP THE STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE Agricultueal College, ) Lansing, November 10, 1876. ) To the Legislature of the State of Michigan: I have the honor to submit herewith, to your Honorable Body, as required by statute, the accompanying Report for the year ending September 30, 1876, with supplementary papers. Respectfully yours, ROBERT G. BAIRD, Secretary of Michigan State Board of Agriculture. COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. SECKETAEY'S ACCOUNT For the Tear from December 1st, JS75, to September 30ih, 1S7G. Dr. To balance on hand December 1st. 1875 §331 55 Ree'd from State Trea^. on aoc't of interest $1G.8S0 17 cnrrent expense 7,1 ;^8 CO library 500 00 buildincrs and repairs 2.r)75 00 S. Works, etc 500 00 safe for Secretary's oflice... 3110 00 horticnltural department .. 385 00 stock, experiments, etc 425 00 28.703 17 Farm department receipts 3,64(5 81 Horticnltural department receipts 094 15 Library receipts.. 122 44 Apiary receipts ^3 37 Sale of sr/amp lauds .- 1,773 09 Museum— freij^ht on specimens returned 4 25 Boardino^ hall receipts. outside of students' board S73 94 Farm House— board of employes 1,016 51 From Students — on accoimt of matriculation.. §390 00 room rent 473 12 incidentals 8G3 25 chemicals 532 SG board 7,3J4 69 special examinations 20 CO 9.523 92 Total 146,883 20 Ck. By cash paid E. Longyear ^46.605 G3 balance on hand 277 57 146,883 20 ^ STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. SUMMARY OF TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. 1875. Dr. Dec. 1.— To balance from old account $259 70 3S76. Sept. 30. — Cash of Secretary and State Treasurer at sundry times 46,605 63 Total $46,865 33 187(5. Cr. Sept. 30.— By paid warrants _ $44,335 08 By balance to new accoun t , 2,530 25 $46,865 33 1S7G. Dr. Oat. 1.— To balance from old account _ $2,530 25 E. LOXGYEAE, Treasurer. 1 certify tliat the above is a true copy of the summary of the report of the Treas- urer of the State Board of Agriculture, and that the original report is on file in my -office. ROBERT G. BAIRD, Secretary of State Board of Agriculture. SUMMARY OF WARRANT ACCOUNT. From Dec. J, 1S75, to Sept. 30, 1876. Expenses of State Board $lbl VS President's office 39 61 Secretary's office (books, stationer}-, postage, etc.) $92 67 OPaid E. Marston as assistant 130 00 Boxes, packing, shipping, etc 29 90 252 57 Advances refunded 337 99 Salaries (not including hired men) 17,588 89 Sunday services 105 00 Centennial expenses 135 27 Cuts for Report 40 25 Printing 661 05 Farmers' Institutes (expenses) 137 81 College hall (fuel, etc.) 155 97 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 9 Board of farm foreman and assistant 304 29 Washino^ for employes and miscellaneous 51 92 Students' labor — carrying mail $30 80 other labor (paid bj' warrant) 2 85 33 65 Incidental expenses — Balance on compass $20 00 P. O. drawer rent 4 00 paid detective for service S 52 repairing- telescojie 1 00 33 52 Safe for Secretary's office — special appropriation |300 00 freight, cartage, and placing in office 39 11 339 11 Steam worlvs, boarding hall furniture and repairs 844 09 Vacation account, boarding hall 406 45 Board of Students — Indebtedness of 1875 $1,456 92 Disbursements of 1876. 11,510 91 12,967 83 Farm Department — Indebtedness of 1875 $287 73 Disbursements of 1876 2,119 16 ■ 2,406 89 Horticultural Department — Indebtedness of 1875 $109 60 Special apiiropriation 599 80 Disbursement of Hort. Department, current expense 1,193 09 1,902 49 Farm House — Indebtedness of 1875 $87 29 Disbursements of 1876 1,011 02 1,098 31 Library — Current expense.. $45 21 Special appropriation 680 51 725 72 Museum 266 62 Apiary 122 09 Chemical Department — Special appropriation $313 15 Laboratory current expense, chemicals, fuel, etc 428 68 741 83 Stock, Experiments, and Farm Improvements — Indebtedness of 1875 $60 00 Disbursements of 1876 1,105 19 1,165 19 Buildings and repairs 1,318 99 $44.335 08 3 10 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. DEPARTMENT ACCOUXTS. FARM DEPARTMENT. / Du. To dis'bur.soments on account of current expense — ]jil)or. hired hiinds... $SS2 73' board of furiu huuds 493 43 implements 72 29 repairs of implements - 118 46 cattle .- 141 58 sheep ..- 1() 40 pigs 61 10 teams 122 42 • toll... 6 n6 seeds 1 07 96 hardware 17 8S offlte - - 20 00 lumber 9 16 produce . _ _ 27 15 miscellaneous. 22 03 $2,119 16 Disbursements on account of stock, etc. (special appropi'iation.) purchase of team 300 00 " '• pigs 2ri0 00 Students' labor |>2,sl 32 Bills payable 149 57 |y,63S 05 By cash receipts— Cr. on account of sale of cattle s341 00 milk and butter.. "708 S3 hides and lieef 225 39 u^e of stock 102 50 shee p - 4G0 15 pigs 741 50 ])r()duce _ 390 64 wood 317 84 labor (men and team) 117 05 seeds 97 50 student;,' labor OS 44 timber 21 92 stone 6 00 teaming 4 00 com|)ost 2 S8 ])osts 2 10 lumber 1 87 hardware 100 toll - 20 §3.646 81 * Bills receivable.... 1,717 36 Increase of inventory 1,194 06 Transfer of inventory.. 70 00 Profit to balance..--!; S990 IS $6,028 23 §6,C2S 23 * Of Ihis amnuiit, Sl,2-28 OOiloUars, is ii'-rrcditcl lo iho Farm DeiirirtiiiciU lor ?rn0 vegetable garden. ..- 50 -J2 grounds 7 90 iiursery - 13 47 orchard 2U !JG vine yard 25 00 fertilizei'S 68 59 team 495 (52 office ]2 69 tools and implements 98 G9 labor (hired men) 238 16 herbarium 8 40 lumber. 1 87 board of employes 149 45 miscellaneous 29 GO $1,792 89 stndentsMabor (including cai'e of grounds) 1,235 35 error of published inventory of 1875 415 00 bills payable 31 33 $3,474 57 Cr. By cash receipts on account of — greenlionse vegetable garden labor oi'chard hay sold. .. payment on hoi-se teaming increase of inventory * bills receivable balance !?2S8 24 294 30 27 07 4 34 7 25 42 00 31 95 $G94 15 2,181 42- 275 53 433 45 $3,474 57 $3,174 57 farm house. Dr. To cash disbursements $1,01 1 02 bills payable 2G 83 decrease in inventory 11 93 $1,049 78 Cr. Bv cash receipts on account of board of emplovSs, 29G 2-7 weeks * at$3.43 : §1,016 51 bills receivable 80 85 To balance .- 47 58 $1,097 36 $1,097 36 *Of tlii^ gal. raw oil, @ 80c 120 120 M barrel crude oil, @ 15c 9 00 9 00 24 87 Miscellaneous. nursery stock $150 00 seeds 5 00 1 barrel plaster 1 00 1 " lime 75 }4 '• " 50 glass boxes, 10x14. 95 00 lumber and labels. 25 00 nails, tacks, etc 5 00 6 hitching posts 3 00 1 spool fencing wire 5 00 1 lb. sulphur _.. 16 4 oil cans 2 00 8 tool handles 75 50 lath screens 10 00 bills receivable 198 82 501 98 Greenhouse Appurtenances. lladder $3 50 22 hot-bed sash, some old 55 00 8 thermometers 4 00 16 hot-bed shutters, @ $3.50 56 00 46 00 4 watering pots 5 00 1 syringe 5 00 315 flour pots 30 00 15 hanorins: baskets. 15 00 'a 120 feet garden hose 40 00 » Amount carried forward $2,745 07 50 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUKE. Amount of II. D. Inventory brought forward $2,745 07 12 pot plant trellises.. $2 25 -3 barrels of tobacco _ 1 50 flower seeds 11 00 2 boxes glass 10 00 2 chairs •. - 1 00 2 " 4 00 1 " _ 4 00 1 carpet 10 00 1 bedstead 5 00 1 table - .- 2 00 1 stove and pipe 10 00 4 curtains 8 00 272 25 Greenhouse Plants. 4 Abutilon Mesapotamicum. $2 00 4 " Boule de Niege 2 00 9 " Thompsonii 9 00 .2 " Conipte de Aras 125 .3 '' Striatum 100 4 " Due de Malakhoff' 5 00 10 " Santana x\lba 1100 " Veuosuni 2 00 "2 Acacia Salacina... 1 00 2 " Melanoxylon 100 3 " Arniata _ 1 50 2 '• Arabica 1 00 1 " Macradenia -. 50 2 " Dccurrens 1 00 3 " Lophantha 8 00 12 " Undula3folia ... 9 00 6 " Chordophvlla 3 00 1 '' Sophorae 2 50 12 " Striata 7 00 '6Agapanthus Umbellatus 12 00 8 Alonsoa Inoisifolia. 8 00 2 Aspidistra Lurida Variegata 2 00 1 Authurium Scherzerianum 5 00 G Artanthe Elongata 2 00 1 Alsophila Australis 30 00 1 Aerides OdoraLum Majus 00 ■ 3 Ardisia Crenulata 1 50 1 Aralia Sieboldi 7 00 ■ 3 " Tapyrifera 1 00 6 Artemesia argentea 3 00 3 Albuca Exuviensis 3 50 50 Alternanthera Magnifica 3 00 25 '• Versicolor.. 3 50 1 Arthyrium Goringianum Pictum... 1 00 1 Arctocarpus Ghiesbreghti 1 00 2 Aucuba Japoni ca 2 00 18 Acliyrauthus Gilsonii . 2 50 .23 " Verschaffeltii... 2 00 40 '• Lindenii 4 00 18 Adiantum cuneatum 13 00 4 '• Macrophyllum.. 3 00 12 '• Afiine.. 1 50 '6 Asplenium Mvriophyllum 3 50 12 '• Bulbiferum 13 00 2 " Viviparum. 150 5 Achinia Malvaviscus 00 -3 Aloe Acinicipolia 2 00 1 '• Margaratifera 3 00 1 " Soccotrina 5 00 Amount carried forward §3,017 33 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 31 Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward $3,017 32 2 " Dicpotoiiia ". |1 00 3 " Obbiqua 2 00 2 " Eetusa 4 00 1 " Varieo-ata 2 00 2 '• Elejra'ns 3 00 1 '' Ferox 7 00 12 Aloysia citrodora 1 00 2 Arthropodiuni cirratum 3 50 2 Agave Wenibiesens 50 2 •' Bourcheana 50 7 " Americana 65 00 2 " •' Fol bar S 00 2 " •• Medio Pictis 5 00 12 Amaryllis Jaokmanii. 8 00 G '• Othello 1 00 24 Ageratum Mexicaiiuni '. 2 50 1 Azalea Souvenir de la Exposition 2 00 1 " Due de Nassau 3 50 3 " Louise Margottin 4 00 3 '• Queen of roses 3 00 4 " Model.. -. 2 50 2 " Imperialis... _ 5 00 1 Aechmia Fulgens 1 50 1 Aphelandra Aurantiacum Koezlii 50 2 Auoua Reticulata 1 50 2 " Muricata 2 50 1 Aspidiuni Molle. 50 6 Begonia Glaucopbylla Scandens 4 50 8 *•' Fuchsioides 4 00 24 '• Saundersoni 12 00 5 '■ Nitidaalba 2 50 13 " Fuchsoides alba 6 50 17 '• Insignis 8 50 2 " Cinnabarina 50 6 '• Multatlora 3 00 2 '• Hydrocolylifolia 1 00 G '• Weltoniensis 1 50 12 •• Sulpeltata Nigricans 9 00 6 '• Manicata 3 00 24 " Kobusta _ 23 00 2 '• Pearceii 100 5 " Ascotiance 3 75 12 '• Sanguinea.__ 4 00 24 '• Baron Rothschild 10 00 25 " Leopoldii 5 00 30 '• Rex 6 00 15 '• x\rgentea 4 75 6 '• Metallica... 3 00 10 '• Crassicaulis 4 00 10 " Incarnata 4 50 1 Brachchi ton Popidneum 2 00 1 Billbergia Thyrsoidea 1 50 1 " Bicolor 1 00 1 Banisteria Ferruginea 3 00 1 Bouvardia Jasminoides 50 75 '■ Davidsoni 37 50 39 '' Elegans 19 50 25 '• Leiantha 12 50 1 Beaucarna Glauca 2 00 1 Brugamansia Suaveolens _ 1 50 4 basela Tuberosa 50 2 Broraelia Ananas. . 1 50 39 Balsam... 3 90 Amount carried forward 63,017 32 32 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUEE. Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward $3,017 32: 1 Berrya Ammonilla. - - $1 00 2 Blechuum Braziliensis 2 00 Cordyline Indivisa Vivipare 1 50 1 " Australis- 2 50 2 " Indivisa .- 10 00 12 " '' Azurea 5 00 7 Codiaeum Eubra variegata - ..- 00 2 Croton Mobicanum interruptum - 2 00 2 " Geniinum angustifolia 2 00 2 " Variegata... 2 00 1 " Pictum .- 1 00 1 " Irregulare ._ 150 3 Cissus Argentia 2 00 3 " Discolor 2 00 1 " Lindeui 50 1 " Alba 1 00 1 " Cupressus Funebris 100 1 Cycas Eevoluta 5 00 1 Cibotium Eegale 20 00 25 Cy tisus Eacemosa. 5 25 2 C offe a A r ab i ca 5 00 3 Correa Ferruginea 1 50 2 Chinchona alba. 2 50 1 Cypripedium Grandiflora 3 00 4 " lusigne 2 00 2Colocasia Odorata ..- 10 00 1 Caryota ureus 5 00 40 Crassula Coccinea. 4 00 30 " Odoratissima 4 50 2 " Braetata- 2 00 6 " Perfoliata ...- 3 00 19 Cuptua Platycentra. 2 85 1 Coluiiiiiea Scliudiana 1 00 1 Oestrum Parqui 75 12 Chorozema Varie -. _ 3 25 2 Oomadaris Elegans 3 50 10 Oarnatiou Souvenir de la Malmaison 3 20 50 " Edwardsii 16 00 100 '• Pres de Graw .- 32 00 100 " LaPurite 32 00 25 " Louise LaNoir 8 00 25 " Seedlings 8 80 5 Oentradenia Grandiflora 4 00 4 " Eosea 1 00 2 " F]orabunda.._ 1 00 3 Oallistemon Eugulosis 2 00 24 Oentaurea Gymnocarpa 6 00 GO " Oaudida 9 30 150 Calceolaria Hybrida 15 00 220 Oeneraria Hybrida 90 00 1 Campylobotrys Discolor 1 00 1 Cakeolaris Sp 1 00 3 Cyclamen Persicum 2 25 2 " Hederafoleum 1 50 2 '' Neapolitanum 75 25 Coleus Verschaflettii - 3 00 12 '• Tlie Shah.... 3 00 18 " Negro 2 00 20 " Marmorata - 2 00 10 " GoldenBeauty 100 25 " Chameleon 2 00 G " Stella .- -- 1 00 4 " Beauty of St. John's Wood 100 Amount carried forward $3,017 32 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS". 33 Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward $3,017 32 3 Coleus South Park Gem $1 00 4 Cnrculisro Kecnrvata 1 Clivea Nobilis 1 Crinum Amabile 4 Citrus Liiuonum 3 " Aurantiacum... 4 Clerodendron Balfourii. 2 " Fallax 4 " Fragrans 1 Cassia Senna Occidentalis 3 Corymbatiora Candidissima 1 Corynephrus canescius 1 Chamairops Adansonii 3 Canna Warczewiczii 1 " Tricolor 5 " Kubra Lineata 4 " Keevesii 2 Cereus Grandiflorus 2 " Serpentinus 1 " Lateritius 1 Caladium Belleymeii 20 " Esculentum 2 " Purpurea. 4 Cactus Multangularis 1 " Polyanthus 4 " Triquitor.. 2 " Phyllanthoides 1 '• Hei'tagonis 2 " Tuna 1 " Stellaris 1 Camellia candidissima 1 " Imbricata 3 '• Incarnata 3 " Alba Plena 5 Coronila Glauca 4 Chrysanthemum Variegata 10 '• Countess Granville. 3 " Golden crest 2 " Mrs. Keynes 2 Ceratonia Siliqua.. 2 Cobea variegata 1 Cookia Punctata 7 Cocoloba Platyclada 1 Callistemon Lanceolatus. 1 " Florida 1 Cotyledon Corruscans 5 Dracaena Congesta 1 " Guilfoili 9 " Terminalis 1 " Speciosa 3 '• Oooperii 1 " Ferrea 1 " Xegro Rubra. 2 '• Ensifolia 1 " Braziliensis 3 Doodia Candata 1 Dieksonia Antarctica 3 Dactylis Glomerata bar. 2 DufFenbachia Macrophilla 1 Dianella coerulea 2 " Longifolia 1 Delachamphia Boezliana Rosea. 6 Dentzia Gracilis 7 00 4 00 2 00 7 00 « 00 5 00 1 00 1 50 -> 00 5 00 30 G 00 1 00 1 00 1 no 1 50 12 00 7 00 1 00 1 00 12 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 G 00 1 00 5 00 6 00 5 00 1 00 2 00 4 00 10 00 4 00 1 50 2 50 1 50 1 00 12 00 2 50 G 00 5 00 5 00 1 00 1 00 40 00 4 00 4 75 4 00 1 50 1 50 50 5 00 9 00 1 00 10 00 50 5 00 3 00 5 00 1 00 1 50 Amount carried forward §3,017 32 5 34 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward. 83,017 32 1 Dionaia Muscipula. $0 50 100 Dahlias in variety 40 00 2 Davallia tlissecta 1 00 5 Daphne Indica Odorata 3 50 6 Diplopappus Filifolius 4 50 12 Duranta Baumgarti var 1 00 3 Eugenia Ligustrina... 30 00 1 •• Unifolia.. 100 1 Echi tes Picta 50 1 Eranthemum Andersonii 75 3 Eucalyptus Globulus 2 00 4 '• Obliqua 1 00 G " Eugenioides.. 3 00 2 " Sp 1 00 3 Eucharis Aniazonica 5 00 14 Euphorbia Jacquiniflora. 00 1 " Canariensis 2 00 1 " Splendens. 3 50 1 Ertricteria variegata 1 00 16 Euonjnnus Japonica . S 00 1 Electium Ecelsior 10 00 2 Erythrina ci-ista galli. 3 00 1 Excoecaria 8ebifera , 1 50 4 Echeveria Atro I'urpuriea. 1 00 1 '' Ghiuca 1 50 15 Eupatoriura Arborcuni 7 50 14 '' Conspicuuni 5 00 19 " Elegans 00 1 Epiphylhuu Truncatum 75 2 '" Crenatum 150 1 Echinocactus Texensis. 2 00 1 Farfugium Grande _ 1 50 1 '• Sigulatum var. 100 4 Ficus Elastica - 10 00 1 " Repons.... 50 6 " Lucida 7 00 1 Fabiana Imbricata - - 75 4 Fittonia Argyroneura.. 2 25 3 " Gigantia 3 00 3 " Verschaffeltii 3 00 20 F uchs i a G a r 1 H a 1 1 - 4 60 21 " Beauty of Clapham 4 83 15 " Pearl of England .- 3 45 22 "' Mrs, Bromly - 5 06 15 " Conqueror 3 45 17 ^- AVar Eagle 3 J»l 6 '• Albo coccinea - 138 25 '' Sunset •"> 75 20 " Avalanche .- 4 60 50 '• Elm City 11 50 25 "■ Puritani 5 75 30 " Warrior 6 90 12 '■' Conspicua - 2 76 16 '• Hercules 3 68 6 " Diadem. 138 12 '• William Turner 2 76 25 " Wave of Life 5 75 8 '• Punch -- 1 84 25 " Veritas. 5 75 12 " Black Prince 2 76 26 " Adaline 5 98 7 '' Excellent 161 10 '' Venus de Medici 2 30 Amount carried forward $3,017 82 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward $3 017 32 2 Fuchsia Madam Cornelson §0 46 36 " Aucubafolia 8 28 25 " Speciosa 5 75 30 '• Sir Colin Campbell 6 90 22 " Bianea Marginata 5 86 1 Gynnogramma Laucheaua Magnifica 3 50 2 Guava Sp 1 00 1 Gmelia Elieedii 1 00 4 Gossypiuim Keligiosa.. 3 00 2 GoldVusia Isophylla 5 00 C Galanthus Plicatus 1 50 100 Gloxinia Hybrida 10 00 5 Gesneria Jebriua 2 50 COGuaphalium Lanatura 10 00 12 " Saundersoni 3 00 G " Tomintosa 50 100 Gesneria Sp.. 10 00 30 Genista Fragrans 6 00 3 doz. Gladiolus Brenchleyensis 6 00 1 doz. " French Hybrid 100 Geraniums, Ivy Leaved. 24 L'Elegant. 2 40 1 Innocence.. 10 3 Fairy Bell 30 2 Princess Alexandra 20 Geraniums— Jonale Varieties — 50 Beaton's Perfection 20 00 35 Lord Palmers Ion. 12 00 40 Beaton's Rival 10 00 15 Indian yellow 4 00 20 Wonder. G 00 7 Ossian 3 00 9 General Grant 5 00 22 Donald Beaton. 9 00 35 Christina 10 00 15Kival 7 00 12 Amelia Grissan 5 00 7 Bri desmai d 4 00 12 Emily Vancher G 00 10 Bond's Superb 7 00 25Duchesse 9 00 100 Seedlings 8 00 Geraniums — Hybrid and Scented — 75 Capitatum 4 50 20 " Major 1 20 5 Lady Plymouth. 30 10 Tomentosum 60 10 Quercifolium 1 00 4 Shrubland Pet 40 Geraniums — Double — 22 Asa Gray. 10 00 12 Andrew Henderson 4 00 15 Emily Lcmoine 8 00 10 Aline Tisly 4 50 4 Gloire de Nancy 1 50 Geraniums — Golden Tricolor — 25 Sunset o 00 10 Lady Cullum 2 00 5 Mrs. Polloclc 1 25 2 Italia unita 50 Geraniums— Silver Edged and Tricolor— 15 Mountain of Snow.. 2 25 10 Flower of Day 1 50 Amount carried forward $3,017 32 36 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. Amount of H. D, Inventory brought forward $3,017 32 5 Flower of Spring - - $0 75 5 Bijou - -- 75 10 Beauty of Caulderdale. 1 50 Geraniums— Bronze and Golden. 12 Cloth of Gold 3 60 SGolden circle 2 40 10 Golden Fleece. 3 00 lOGolden Vase 3 00 2 Hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora 1 50 2 Hoya Bella 1 25 G '' Carnosa 20 OO 1 " " Variegata 100 1 " Paxtonii 1 00 2 Hibiscus Cooperii _ 2 00 6 Hebeclinum Fanthinum. 5 00 13 Hcdera Helix 3 00 1 " Canariensis 50 1 " Argentea Arboria 150 20 Heliotropium Little Nigress 12 50 18 " Garibaldi 12 00 8 " Standard 5 00 Hyacinths 5 00 30 Habrothamnus Elegans 15 00 4 " Scabra 5 00 4 Hemionitis Palmata 1 00 5 Imantophyllum Miniatum 7 50 1 Hex Vomitoria 1 00 1 Ichnocarpus Frutescens 50 1 Isolepis Gracilis 25 6 Jasminuni Sambac 3 00 4 " Grandiflorum 5 00 3 " Nudifoliura 1 00 8 Justicia Carnea 3 50 4 " Speciosa 3 00 4 Jambosa Vulgaris 15 00 30 Koeniga Maritiuium 3 00 20 " " Variegata.... 3 30 4 Lonicura Brachypoda 1 00 12 " Keticulata aurea 150 6 Lantana Grand Sultan 50 7 " Delicatissima 100 4 '' Aurantica 50 5 Libouca Florabunda 4 00 21 Linaria cymbalaria 2 00 1 LomariaGibba 10 00 24 Lobelia Erinus 2 00 25 " Paxtoni 3 00 24 " Cinderella. 2 00 1 Lastria Patenes 25 3 Lygodium Palmata 1 00 2 Lysimachia Numularia 50 1 Latania Borbonica 25 00 2 Lopezia Rosea.. 1 00 2 Maranta Amabilis 50 1 " Regalis 1 50 2 '' Portiana 100 6 " Bicolor 4 00 12 Maurandia Barclayana. 1 50 1 Mimosa Pud lea _ 15 2 " Sp. from Andes of Peru 25 6 Mimulus Moschatus 1 00 SMusaCavendishii 25 00 12 Mandevilla Suaveolens 4 00 Amount carried forward $3,017 32 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 37 Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward. $3,017 32 12 Mesembryanthemum cordifoliuni var $2 25 12 Mikania scandens 1 00 25 Myrsiphyllum asparagoides 13 00 4 Myrtus Communis 10 00 2 " Tarantina 1 50 6 Menescium Simplex. 2 50 3 Mahernia Odorata 2 00 1 Monstera Deliciosa... 2 00 1 Medinilla Magnifica.. 1 50 9 Melaleuca Diosmafolia 9 00 4 " Ericafolia 3 00 2 Metrosideros Salicifolia 2 00 1 " Augustifolia 50 1 " Florida 1 00 1 Mamillaria atrata 50 20 Mignonette 5 00 7 Macltaya Bella 9 00 12 Meyenia Erecta G 00 2 Magnolia Graudiflora 2 00 12 Neirembergia Graudiflora 2 00 1 Nerium Alba 3 00 3 " Carneum 5 00 15 Nephrodium Molle 2 50 1 " " Corymbiferum. 50 1 Nepenthes Phyllamphora 6 00 2 " Gracilis Major 4 00 5 Nephrolepsis Exaltata 3 75 15 Oxalis Graudiflora 2 00 C " Rosea 1 00 2 " Versicolar 50 1 Oucidium cavendishii 7 00 6 Ohlorauthus ofhcianalis 5 00 5 Othorma crassifolia 1 00 6 Pelargonium Crimson King 1 50 6 '> Lulu 1 50 15 *' Agnes 3 75 20 " Madam Prescatore 5 00 5 " LouisOdier 5 00 10 " Compte de Paris 2 50 1 " Gibbosum 25 22 " Seedlings 5 50 25 Polyanthus Tuberosa 1 00 1 Phormium Teuax 50 90 Primula Sinensis. 45 00 50 " Alba plena 50 00 8 " Kermesina 4 00 1 " Filicifolia... 50 12 " Auricula GOO 24Pyrethrnm Alba Florabunda 6 00 24 " Parthenifolia aurea 4 00 18 Poinsettia Pulcherrima 20 00 1 Pothos argyrea 50 1 " Macrophylla 100 1 Plumbago Capensis 25 1 " Zeylauica 1 50 1 Polygoneum Brunonis 50 1 Pipir Trifolium 1 CO 2 " Glabrum 50 15 Pilea Arborea 4 00 1 Physianthus Albens 2 00 1 Philodendron Laceron 75 6 Peperomia Maculosa 3 00 1 " Procumbens 50 Amount carried forward $3,017 32 38 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. Amount of H. D. Inventory brought forward. $3,017 32 1 Peperomia Velutina $0 50 6 Passiflora Trifixsciata 2 50 1 " Caerulea.. 50 2 " Quadrangularis 2 00 12 Panicum Plicatum variegata 50 4 " Vittata Argentea 50 6 Pandanus Javanicus Argentius 11 00 13 " Utilis - 24 00 oOOPansies 10 00 50 Petunia Seedlings 5 00 3 Phai s Grandiflora 1 00 3 Peristrophe Angustifolia variegata 1 00 18 Pteris serrulata - 4 50 6 " " Corymbifera 4 00 7 " Argyrea 5 00 12 '• Cretica Alba Lineata 6 00 o 'll Tremula 1 50 1 '• Hastata 25 4 Phletodium Aureum 1 00 18 Phoenix Dactylifera 13 50 5 Platycerium Alcicorne 10 00 SPittosporum Tobira. 10 00 4 ^' " variegata 2 50 4 " Crassifolia 3 75 12 Polygala Brachypoda 3 00 (5 Pimelia Decussata 3 00 1 Prancoftus Repins 50 1 Pancratium Fragrans 50 6 Photinia Japonica 3 00 3 Russellia Juncea 1 00 4 Ruellia Formosa.- 2 00 3 Rynchospermum Jasminoides 1 00 " " variegata 25 Roses — Noisette and Hybrid Noisette. 20 Celine Forestier 5 00 30 LaMarque G 00 50Gloire de Dijon 10 00 20Marechal Xi'el 4 00 25 America 5 00 20 James Sprunt 4 00 25 Washington 5 00 30 Rosamond 6 00 Roses — Remontant — 10 General Jacqueminot 3 00 15 La Reine 4 50 35 Julis Margottin 10 50 25 John Hopper 7 50 lOPaeonia.. 3 00 5 Eugene Sue 5 00 5 Charles Lefevre 1 CO Roses — Tea — 12 Adam 3 60 6 Complesse de la Barthe 1 80 75 Bon silene -- 22 50 12 Cells - 3 GO 100 Isabella Sprunt 30 00 50 Bella 15 00 100 Countess of Bath 30 00 12 Safrano 3 GO 6 Souvenir d' un Ami 1 80 100 President 30 00 lODucde Cazes 3 00 17Paidine La Bonti 5 10 Amount carried forward.. $3,017 32 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 59 Amount of IL D. Inventory brought forward $3,017 32 Roses— Bourbon — 50 Douglas.. $7 50 50Herniosa 7 50 SOLaPhceuix 7 50 20 Sangui nea 3 00 28 Rio de Cremoise 1 20 20Paxton 3 00 50 Agrippina 7 50 50 Appoli ni 7 50 50 Bourbon Queen 7 50 15 George Peabody 2 25 10 Laurenceii 1 50 7 Leveson Gower , 1 05 Roses — Moss and Hybrid China. 25 Madam Plantier 2 50 20Laneii 2 00 15 Princess Adelaide 1 50 12 Selina 1 20 15 Persian yellow 1 50 Roses — Hardy Climbing — 13 Stanwell 1 30 136 Richardia Ethiopica G5 50 " AlbaMaculata 150 2 Rondelitia Speciosa and Anomale 2 50 12 Rubus Rosgotblius 3 00 1 Rochea Falcata 1 00 3 Ragabotria Longifolia 1 00 1 Rethcamphia Lentiscens 1 00 .30 Senecio Scandens.. 1 50 1 " " variegata 125 1 Seaforthia Elegans 5 00 35 Saxifraga Sarmentosa 3 50 12 " Elegans 1 20 1 Si dum Fabarum 1 25 G '• Carnia Variegata 1 00 3 Sempervivum Californicum 1 00 2 " Tectorium 50 1 Sollya Heterophylla 25 2 Solanum Jasminoidas 4 00 1 " " variegata 50 3 Sandesia Nobilis variegata 12 00 4 " " Glaucophylla 4 50 1 Sanseviera Ze j'lanica 5 00 1 Sarracenia Drummondi Alba 3 00 1 Stephanotis Florabunda 1 00 6 Statice spicata 1 CO 2 Strelitzia Augusta 50 00 2 Sueda Dendroides 1 00 50 Stocks Winter Flowering 2 00 12 Spartocytisis Religiosa 3 00 1 Streptocarpus Rexi 1 00 2 Stapelia Hirsuta 50 30 Salvia Officinalis var 2 50 12 " Splendens 1 50 1 " Grandiflora 75 1 " Formosa 75 7 Solanum Com pactum 3 00 2 Sabal Palmetta 4 00 3 " Adansonii 3 00 8 " Dealbata 2 50 7 Stevia Serrata 1 00 4 Stravadium Alba 5 00 12 Selaginella Denticulata 2 00 Amount carried forward |3,017 32 40 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Amount of H. D. Inventor}' brought forward f3,017 82 10 Selaginella Stolonifera ^2 00 12 " Densa 2 50 1 " Laevigata _ 150 2 " Altissima 2 00 1 " Plumosa 50 1 " Paradoxa 100 3 " Delicatissima 1 00 1 " Crispa 20 1 " Caisium 25 3 Sarracinia Purpurea 50 1 Tabernaemontana coronaria 50 2 Tecoma Capensis 12 00 1 Thymus Argentia Variegata 25 1 Thunbergia Fragrans 50 1 Torenia Asiatica. 25 4 Tradescantia Discolor 3 00 1 " " AlbaLineata 15 5 " Repens 50 2 " " Vlttata 15 3 " Zebrina 20 3 Tropjcalum Lobbiaiuim 1 00 6 Tamarindus Indica G 00 2TheaBohea.. 50 3 Trichomanes Radicans 1 00 2 Viburnum Tinus 10 00 1 Vinca Major variegata 25 2 " Rosea 100 1 " Alba 50 3 Veronica Imperialis 2 00 4 '' Andersouii 100 2 " Bhiegems 2 00 1 Vascanilla Sp 50 50 Verbenas, Mrs. Woodruff. 2 50 15 " Sambo. 3 75 50 » Bride 2 50 50 " C.-erulia.... 2 50 75 " Defiance 3 75 •50 '• Advance 2 50 60 " RedRover 3 00 70 '• Eyebright 3 50 25 " VelvetMantle 125 60 " Purple King 2 50 14 " Punctata.. 70 15 " Setting Sun 75 16 '• Seedlings 80 1 Westeria Sinensis 1 00 3 Woodwardia Radicans 1 00 100 Wall-flowers 8 00 1 Yucca augustifolia 12 00 3 " Gloriosa 50 3 " Rosea 50 1 " Quadricolar 1 00 2 •' Aloefolia 1 00 2 « Tricolar 1 00 28 " Whippleyi 5 00 3 " Purpurea 1 50 1 " Raflena 1 00 2 " Rateria 1 00 4Zygopetalum crinitum.. 5 00 1 Zizyphus Mncronaria 2 00 §3,097 45 * 'V Total... $6,114 77 *This total shonlfl be $6,164.77. There was an omission of $50.00 under the heading of "Green howse Appurtenances," which was not discovered until that jwrt of the report was printed. 2 50 66 50 6 00 2 70 2 70 COLLEGE ACCOUXTS. 41 INVENTORY OF BOARDING HALL, SEPTEMBER 30, 1876. Beddinrj, Table Linen, etc. Value. Cost. Sept.30. 34pillows, 12 @ $2.00, 22 @ |1.00 646 00 24 pillowslips 3 00 §6 00 8 " " 1 00 6 sheets 3 00 5 62 12 " 150 5 40 20 " 2 00 24 comforts, 12 @ $2.50, 8 @ |1 ,00, 4 @ 50c. 40 00 10 blankets 2 00 8 colored spreads, 2 @ 31.50, 6 @ 75c 7 50 12 white spreads, 6 @ $2 00, 6 Ut 50c 15 00 19 straw ticks, 16 @ $1.75, 3 @ $1.00 31 00 7 mattrasses, 4 @ §5.00, 3 @ $2.50 27 50 1 lounge mattress 2 00 25 table cloths 25 00 24 napkins 3 00 20 towels 2 00 18 " 144 6 roller towels (18 yards) 75 material on hand for comforts 8 00 8 00 Public Parlor Furniture, etc. 5 Prang's chromos, framed 62 00 60 00 3 Heliotypes, framed 12 50 1 spatter works, framed 5 50 1 whatnot 10 00 3 curtains and fixtures 4 50 4 50 41 yards carpet @ $1.05, and making, §2.00 45 05 45 05 1 parlor suit 92 00 92 00 1 sofa 29 00 29 00 2 camp chairs. 1 @ $3.75, 1 @ $6.25 10 00 10 00 2 cane seat rockers 10 00 10 00 1 stove pipe and zinc 3 00 1 lamp 100 1 door mat 75 Parlor Bedroom Ftirniture, etc. 2 curtains and fixtures.. 3 00 3 00 18 yards carpet @ §1.05, and making, $1.00 19 90 19 90 1 washstand 20 00 20 00 1 set washstand crockery 2 50 Isloppail ". 140 140 1 mirror 9 00 1 bedstead and spring mattress 20 00 1 table 3 00 2 cane seat chairs , 5 00 5 00 Spare Boom Ko. 46 — Furniture, etc. 18 yards carpet.. _. 9 00 1 curtain and fixture 75 1 Bedstead 9 00 9 00 1 table and spread 1 00 3 chairs 2 25 1 mirror 2 00 1 washstand and crockery 7 50 1 slop pail 50 Spare Booms No. 42 and 44 — Furniture, etc. CO yards carpet 18 00 1 wardrobe 15 00 18 00 3 bedsteads, 1 $9.00, 2 $3.00 15 00 6 43 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTURE. Valnc. Cost.. Sept. 30. 3 washstands, 2 @ $4.00, 1 @ |2.50 $10 50 1 washstund crockery 1 25 6 chairs 2 40 3 curtains and fixtures 2 25 3 mirrors, 2 $2.00, 1 $1.00 5 00 1 table and spread.. 3 50 Office Furniture, etc. 1 desk 15 00 1 small bookcase _ 2 50 1 table 3 00 1 chair 2 00 4 chairs 4 00 23 yards carpet 2 30 2 curtains and fixtures 1 50 1 lamp 75 1 brush broom 35 $0 25 1 door mat 50 stationery, etc 1 50 Employes'' Booms Furniture. 7bedsteads 19 25 21 00 5 tables 2 50 3 bureaus 9 00 4 washstands 4 00 14cliairs 7 00 G mirrors 3 00 81amps._ 2 40 1 clock 75 6 washbowls and pitchers 6 00 7 curtains and fixtures 5 25 1 stove and zinc 3 00 Private Booms Furniture. G5 yards carpet 48 75 25 " " 3 76 9^ " oilcloth 7 31 7 31 1 carpet stretcher 100 100 G curtains and fixtures 9 00 9 00 2 " " " 1 50 Icouch 5 00 2 tables,! @ $8.00,1 @ $3.00 11 00 2 rockers, 1 @ $2.00,1 @ $2.50 4 50 12 cane seat chairs 6 00 1 bureau 8 00 1 washstand and crockery 8 50 1 mirror 25 1 single bedstead 3 00 41amps 3 00 1 oil can 25 2 brooms and dustpan 75 3 door mats.. 2 25 1 clock --. 3 00 3 00 1 duster 1 25 1 25 1 slop pail .- • 50 1 wash basin 10 1 rockinghara 30 30 2 hanging basket hooks 30 30 1 stove, pipe and zinc 10 00 1 handle basket (covered) 75 75 Wash Boom Utensils. 4 Av^lSh tubs, 3 @ 50e., 1 @ 75c 2 25 4 00 Gwashers 12 00 15 00 6 washboards 1 00 1 25 2 wringers 7 00 14 50 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 43 Value. Cost. Sept. 30. 1 basket $1 00 $1 50 1 line 75 140 1^ box clothspins 50 1 wash bench 25 1 00 4 mops 40 84 1 table 75 2 soap tubs a 00 5 00 2 washbasi ns 40 5 pails _ _ 75 1 25 1 scrub brush 10 50 Ironing Boom Utensils. 1 stove, pipe and zinc 10 00 10 flat irons, 69 lbs., @ 8c 4 00 5 52 .3 " iron stands 75 1 mangle. G 00 1 skirt board 50 2 bosom boards. 30 30 2 cloths bars 2 00 2tables 8 00 1 wardrobe 7 50 1 basket 150 150 2 water pitchers and starch bowls 1 00 1 a.sh pail and shovel 50 1 handle basket 20 2 brooms and dustpan 55 75 llounge 2 00 2 window curtains 1 50 I 50 3 chairs 75 Store Boom. 1 safe I] 00 1 coffee mill. 2 50 1 counter scales. 5 00 7 OO 1^ doz. barrel covers 100 125 1^ " " '* 50 .3 cake can.s 75 1 whitewash brush 50 1 OO Furniture in Cellars. meat refrigerator GO 00 2 meat blocks 5 00 1 " cleaver 2 00 1 " " 150 1 butcher knife.. 75 1 " " 50 1 " steel... 1 00 2 saws 4 00 1 set block pullevs 4 00 7 1 bs . r o p e ' 100 1 sausage cutter 1 00 8 barrels G 00 4baskets 2 00 2 molasses faucets 1 00 1 ice cream freezer 8 00 2 pair ice tongs _. . 4 00 1 1,200 lbs. scales 25 00 1 meat rack 2 00 150 gallons stone ware 15 00 1 milk safe 8 00 2cupboards 3 00 5 tables 8 00 8 milk pails and strainer 4 25 8 75' ISmilkpans 180 « GO 1 butter bowl and laddie 50 1 " stami)er oO 50 75 00 6 00 2 50 1 V5 1 00 1 00 1 50 5 OO 4 OO 1 75 .3 OO 1 OO 4 00 2 OO 44 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Value. Cost. isept. 30. 1 vegetable cutter ,fO 50 1 bread box 1 00 1 " " tin 2 00 1 apple parer 100 $100 1 dish pan 1 00 1 bread knife 50 75 42 half-gallon fruit cans 8 00 1 butter trier... 75 75 21ardtub* 1 00 ' 1 handle basket 50 50 Furniture in Kitchen. 1 cook stove and furniture : 5 00 1 Van's improved bake oven 50 00 75 00 1 coffee roaster 5 00 10 00 1 coffee boiler 50 1 " " copper bottom 2 00 4 00 1 tea boiler 75 1 dipper 05 *2 meat boilers 1 00 1 94 ^' " 75 1 rice boiler 100 169 1 hot water reservoir 2 00 1 bread trough 100 4 00 trolling pins 75 S bread tins 50 4 square cake tins 2 00 lOjelly " " 100 100 12cakebars 150 3 00 4 doz. pie tins 75 18 pudding pans 90 -35 lbs. meat drippers, @ 20c 4 00 7 00 1 cake-pan.. 75 4 dish-pans 2 00 3 cake cutters 50 1 egg beater 50 75 1 cake knife 25 40 2 graters 20 1 pie shovel 15 1 dustpan 25 2 hanging lamps 1 00 ^ iron kettles 1 50 1 American broiler 150 200 2 meat forks 20 40 1 chopping knife 50 50 :3 iron spoons 40 4 soup ladles 40 60 .3 potatoe jammers 75 1 lard strainer 40 50 1 skimmer 10 •2 tea caddies.. 2 00 2 50 1 tin caddy 75 3 mop pails, 2 @ 15, 1 @ 20 50 1 water pail 25 3 chairs 75 2mops.... 20 42 1 30-gallon kettle 5 00 1 mortar and pestle 1 00 1 clock 4 00 "2 meat knives 50 1 tin can, copper lined 100 3 hand lamps 90 1 cake griddle 1 00 1 iron poker 50 1 stove and range rake BO COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 45 Sept. 30. 1 shovel 1 funnel 1 gallon measure 2 tables, 1 @ $2.00, 1 @ $1.00 1 earthen bake dish 1 colander 2 scrub brushes 2 knives 8 tins and covers 1 chopping bowl.. 1 tin can 2 brooms 3^ doz. kitchen knives 1 can opener Dining Boom Furniture. 3 coffee pots... 2 tea " 4 soup pans 3 '• ladles 7 water pails 2 " dippers 8 dishpans, 5 @ 75c., 3 @ 50c 4 trays 1 dinner bell... 6 tables 6 legs 5 " 8 legs, 3 @ $5.00, 2 @ $3.00 1 extension table 2 small and 1 large dish tables 2 table brushes _ 11 curtains and fixtures 8 pictures 8 hanging lamps 1-12 chairs 18 ' 4 brooms 2 dustpans 4 mops and pails 2 doz. syrup cups.. \% doz. sugar bowls ^% '• " " 2J^ " water pitchers 223' " milk '' 1/i " pickle dishes 9 " soup plates (i% " dinner plates 24 " " " 2 " gravy boats 9 " cups and saucers K u u u u 101^ " sauce plates 5 •• " " 21^ " tea " m " " •' 7 " pie '• 8M " " " 9 large platters 8 '• " \}4. doz. medium platters 1/ t; (( a 1^ " small " '.".'.!."!^^!."'.".'.!'..\'] 11-6" " " 3 vegetable dishes 3.^ doz. bowls Value. Cost. 820 20 15 1^0 20 3 00 13 13 10 25 33 20 4 00 4 00 50 50 40 50 75 75 15 25 •1 00 3 50 50 4 00 G 00 45 60 2 00 3 50 20 5 25 1 50 2 00 2 50 GO 00 21 00 5 GO 2 00 2 00 2 50 S 25 41 00 6 00 71 00 13 00 13 50 80 1 00 40 1 00 4 00 G 00 3 20 10 00 10 00 12 00 13 50 7 00 8 00 1 40 11 25 13 50 3 00 4 75 21 00 24 50 5 00 6 00 11 25 13 50 3 75 5 25 7 35 2 00 2 50 3 00 90 2 10 7 00 8 25 9 00 11 25 2 80 8 00 S 25 3 50 4 50 5 60 3 00 3 00 1 00 46 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Sept. 30. lji£ doz. " small 3 glass sauce dishes 22 doz. glasses % '* goblets 3 " salts 3^ " castor bottles <3 mustard cups ^ doz. mustard spoons 2 " teaspoons. 3 " " '' 121^ " '• '• 3% " tablespoons r) a (> (k iM '^ " •' """"[[""[ 3 " butter knives 2 10-12 doz. salt spoons 1 doz. plated forks 2 " knives and forks 12 '• knives and forks 4 sets carvers 2 '> '• 7 '• • 9 steels, 3 @ TOc'g'® 67c...." ....."/. 6 " 20 castors Tools. 1 pipe vise, 1 '• stock 6 '• dies 5 " taps 1 tap stock 1 pipe cutter 1 i)air 3 in. pipe tongs 1 " IJi^in. '• '• 2 " 1 in. " '• 1 " %in. " " 1 " 3|ln. '' " 1 " % in. " " 1 " i:£ in. '• " 1 "wrench, 14 in 1 " 12 in 1 '• lOin 1 " (Jin 1 pair tin shears 1 " pinchers 1 square 1 hand saw 3 bits 1 brace 1 cold chisel 1 smoothing plane 3 chisels...' 1 putty knife... 1 pair plyers 1 awl 1 shovel 1 hatchet 2 compasses 1 gimlet 1 soldering iron 1 glue pot 1 screw driver V'alue. Coat. f 1 00 $1 20 3 00 3 00 15 40 15 40 1 00 3 GO 1 75 1 75 1 17 1 17 50 50 7 00 8 00 3 00 18 37 22 50 31 50 4 79 12 00 5 70 1 00 4 00 7 00 24 00 7 00 8 00 3 00 3 00 5 25 2 00 5 00 G 12 1 50 30 00 3 00 4 00 24 00 12 00 12 00 10 00 2 00 6 00 S 00 2 00 3 00 1 20 1 00 80 75 1 00 1 00 75 50 1 00 50 1 25 1 00 75 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 25 25 25 75 50 25 75 50 25 50 50 50 50 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 47 Value. Cost. Sept. 30. 3 axes $2 25 1 wood saw 25 1 grindstone 1 50 1 scythe and snath.. 1 50 2 hoes *. 50 1 pair nippers 25 1 wheelbarrow 2 50 $5 00 1 ash pail 50 1 glazier's diamond G 00 6 50 2 oil cans 50 1 oiler 30 40 1 bar wrench 1 00 2 water bibbs 4 50 4 50 Furniture, etc., in Halls. 50 yards matting 2 50 1 hall clock 30 00 1 hat rack 5 00 1 oil tank 3 00 1 " pump 1 00 1 step ladder 2 50 1 oil can, 2 gallons 40 1 " >^ gallon. 15 1 }^ gallon measure 15 1}^ '• " 20 1 r " " 30 1 lantern 1 CO 2 pumps and pipe 8 00 1 iron ashpail 25 1 sprinkling pot 1 00 1 wood box 2 50 1 dust pan 25 2 brooms 40 50 1 hanging lamp 2 50 2 " lamps 2 50 4 '• " 4 00 3 bracket " 150 2 iron kettles 75 2pad locks 1 00 3 tin collars. 1 00 1 cur tai n and fixture 1 50 1 box glass 4 50 1 '• '• 4 00 2rattraps 1 00 3 mouse traps 45 1 handle basket 40 3 chairs 2 25 1 table 4 00 Furniture in Students' Boom. 9 stoves, No. 25 63 00 12 zinc boards.. 12 00 77 lbs. stove pipe 5 39 7 elbows.. - 1 05 15 stoves, pipe, and zinc 60 00 C " " '' " 12 00 3 bedsteads 12 00 18 '^ 58 50 17 " 42 50 10 '• 15 00 5 '• .. . 20 00 9 "" 9 00 Horse, Wagon, Cutter, &c. 1 horse 175 00 150 00 1 wagon and extra pole 130 00 1 50 4 50 4 00 1 20 45 72 00 19 50 7 70 1 75 13 50 63 00 51 00 48 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. Value. Cost. Sept. 30. 1 cutter and extra pole |15 00 1 harness 15 00 1 horse blanket 2 50 $3 25 1 • " 75 1 curry-comb ! 30 1 brush 1 25 1 measure 20 1 halter 50 I surcingle 1 00 I fly blanker 50 I rubber oil cloth 150 1 whip 1 50 Invoice of Provisions on Hand. 700 lbs. flour, @ $2.75 150 lbs. lard, @ IS^^c 12G lbs. butter, @ 22c 25 doz. eggs, @ 123^c 194 lbs. beef, @ 7c 70 bushels potatoes, @ 75c 33^ barrels pickles, @ $5.00 }>4 barrel salt 3o0 lbs. tallow, @ Gc 175 " honey, @ 15c 25 '• cheese, @ lie 3C squash, @ 7c. 40 gallons vinegar, @ IGc , 30 " molasses, @ G5c. 50 " syrup, @ 73c 500 lbs. gra. sugar, @ ll^c 100 " A, •• " lli^c 100 " brown" " SJ-^c 150 " dried apples, @ 8c 30 " oat meal, @ 5c 128 " coflee, @ 28c 5 " tea, @ GOc 14 '■' corn starch, @ 10i;£c 2G '• soda, («) 8c 10 " allspice, @ 22c G " pepper, @ 25c 3 '' mustard, @ 33c 10 " cinnamon,® GOc 4 " hops, @ 35c 7 " ginger, @ 25c 16 " baking powder, @ 28c 8 " cream tartar, @ 35c 1 " cloves 2 " nutmeg,® $1.25c 2 " sage 10 '• tapioca, @ 8c 10 " sago, @ 9c 25 "■ prunes, @ 9c % gallon extract vanilla, @ $1G.50 'X " " lemon, @ $8.00 }^ box raisins, @ $3 50 crab apple picldes ielly chopped tomato pickle }4 barrel table salt 105 lbs. soap, ® Gi^c 3 barrels soft soap. I3 box Pride of the Kitchen soap Light Account. 25 gallons oil, @ 38c 9 50 30 1 25 1 20 1 00 2 25 2 00 $19 25 19 87 27 72 3 13 13 58 52 50 17 50 75 21 00 26 25 2 75 2 10 6 40 19 50 36 50 57 50 11 25 S 50 12 00 1 50 35 84 3 00 1 43 2 08 2 20 1 50 99 6 00 1 40 1 75 4 48 2 80 70 2 50 1 00 80 90 2 25 6 18 6 00 1 75 2 00 3 50 2 50 1 75 6 82 9 00 3 00 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 49 Cost. 3 doz. Xo, 2 chimnej'S, @ 75c 2 25 31-^doz.No.l " @ 60c. 2 10 2 doz. boxes matches 1 08 12 oil barrels - G 00 Washing Account. 170 lbs. soap, @ 71-i^c.. 12 75 21 " S. G, starch, @ 9c 189 3^ doz. bottles blueing, @ 75c _ 37 Wood Account. 18 cords 4 feet wood, @ $2.00 36 00 12 " '' " ''§2.50 30 00 120" " " "$2.25 270 00 99 " 3feet '• "$2.00 198 00 101" " " "$1,75.. 176 75 84 " ISiiich " "$1.25. 105 00 3>^ tons coal, @ §8.50 29 75 Team Account. 5 bushel oats, @ 45c. 2 25 Schedule of Invoice of Boarding Hall. Sept. 30. Bedding, table linen, etc 221 69 furniture in public parlor 285 30 " parlor bedroom 83 80 roomXo.46 32 00 " rooms No. 42 and 44 -with other articles 08 90 office furniture _ 33 20 employes room furniture 62 15 private rooms " 144 10 wash " " 30 15 ironing " " i 46 55 store room furniture 16 25 furniture in cellars... 116 05 kitchen 121 18 " dining room G22 13 tools 121 00 furniture and other articles in the halls 89 95 " in students' rooms 310 44 horse, wagon, cutter, etc 345 00 $2,749 75 Provisions, fuel, etc., on hand $1,357 36 FARM HOUSE INVENTORY, SEPT. 30, 1876. 1 rocking chair, cane $4 00 1 " ' " " small 1 00 2 arm-chairs. 6 00 1 " wood 2 00 G sitting-room chairs. 10 00 12 dining '' " 10 00 8flag-seat " 4 00 6 wood-seat " mens' room 4 50 1 dining table.. 12 00 1 round top table, large 6 00 1 " " " small - 3 00 1 common " 2 00 1 " " withdrawers 5 00 4washstands. " " 2000 1 " " poor, " " 2 50 3 small stands, " " 2 25 5 bedsteads... 20 00 2 " 2 50 7 so STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTURE. 3 mirrors, large _. $4 00 1 " medium 125 3 small mirrors 1 50 60 yds. old carpet- ., 10 00 1 sitting room carpet, 25 yds 25 00 1 couch, old - 10 00 22 window shades 6 00 2 '' " new 180 3 clocks 9 00 6 chambers 5 00 4 wash bowls and pitchers 5 00 1 " '• plain.. _.. 50 1 hall 1 am p ] 25 8 common lamps.. 3 00 1 argand burner, new. 1 00 17 comforters 36 00 5 blankets 5 00 7 red spreads 14 00 28 sheets 14 00 33 pillow sli ps 4 00 5 mattresses (top of straw ticks) 2 50 4 '^ hair 4 00 9 straw ticks 18 00 5 table cloths 7 50 5 large hand towels 2 00 13 small white hand towels 1 95 5 " brown " " _ 100 4 dish towels 50 2 combs and brushes 1 50 1 set table screens ... 85 1 table brush 1 00 3 vegetable dishes 2 50 1 glass sauce dish •. 1 50 2 water pitchers 1 50 2 cream " 50 1 earthen " old.. 50 1 large platter _ 2 00 3 small platters 2 25 1 butter dish.. 75 3 table mats " 38 8 dinner plates. _ 80 13 tea " 150 12 breakfast plates 2 00 12 pie plates 1 25 2 baking plates 15 13 tea cu ps 75 21 saucers 1 25 10 coftee cups and 13 saucers 3 00 12 sauce plates 75 8 butter cups.. 40 6 goblets 75 1 sugar bowl 50 12 salts.. 1 20 9 table spoons.. 3 25 15 tea spoons 4 00 1 butter knife 30 1 carving knife and fork 1 50 1 " " old 10 40 butcher knives 20 15 knives and 19 forks.. 3 00 5 whi te bo wis 60 9 soup plates 1 35 2 sugar buckets.. 75 1 strainer 38 2 milk pails 1 00 1 radish grater 25 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 51 3 drippers $0 75 13 baking tins 1 50 lOpatty " - - 75 3 tea pots - 1 50 1 coffee pot - 75 1 " boiler. 75 10 milk pans 1 50 2 2-qaart pails 50 1 steamer. 50 2 coffee mills 75 1 cake cutter 10 1 cake turner 15 1 chopping knife. .^ 18 1 potato masher 10 1 rolling pin 12 1 iron spoon 15 1 " ladle 25 1 flour board 10 1 '^ bbl 30 1 ti n tunnel 25 1 flour scoop 38 6 spice boxes.. 40 5 wooden boxes 50 1 nutmeg grater.. 25 1 2-gal.jug 25 1 1-gal. '• 15 li^-gal. " 15 2 flour sieves 50 14 lamp chimneys and wicks 1 40 4 colander 50 1 cream tartar can 25 15 1-qt. glass jars 2 19 182-qt. " " : 3 75 3 dust pans.. 45 1 qt. measure. 25 1 wooden bowl 50 1 egg beater 75 1 dinner bell 1 00 2 oil cans, tin 1 25 1 sausage cutter 2 00 2 3^-bushel baskets 75 1 willow basket, old 17 2 fly traps (Hoosier) 1 60 1 mop. 25 C brooms 2 10 1 set clothes bars 50 1 clothes line 25 1 wash board 25 1 clothes wringer 4 00 3 wash tubs 2 50 1 clothes basket 1 00 3 wash dishes, tin 50 6 wood pails 1 00 6 doz. clothes pins 50 25 gals, of crocks (diff. sizes) 3 00 2 soap bbls 1 00 1 pounding bbl 1 00 3 cider and vinegar bbls. • 4 50 1 pounder 50 3 pork bbls 3 75 1 teakettle, new (tin) 1 00 1 ice cream freezer 3 00 2 slop buckets 2 25 1 wood saw 1 25 1 wash bench. 50 12 common bbls (for storage) 1 50 52 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 1 refrigerator $25 0& 1 safe 5 00 1 cook stove and furniture 50 00 2 sheet-iron stoves, zinc, and pipe. 20 00 1 box stove and boiler (cupper) 10 00 3 box stoves, zinc, and pipe 18 CO 1 new wash boiler 3 50 1 ash pail 50 1 fire shovel and tongs.. 50 1 fiat-iron holder 25 6 flat-irons 3 00 2 new irons 1 00- 2 fire polcers 25 1 shovel stand ! 50' 1 fire pan 25 1 spider, not in use 25 1 cake gri ddle 25 3 iron kettles 2 50' 1 small keg and faucet 1 00 167 lbs. sugar, at lljgc 19 83: 27 bush potatoes, @ 50c. 13. 50 51^ bbls. apples, @ 75c 4 13. 46 lbs. soap bars, @ 63^c. 2 99 12 galls, soft soap, @ U^c. 1 50 12 lbs. codfish, @ 8c 96' 141bs.lard, @ 13c 1 82 }i bush, beans, @ $1.00 40 2 doz. eggs, @ lie 22. 44 lbs. honey, @ 20c 8 80 10 lbs. butter, @ 20c 2 00' 3 gal. pickles, @ 15c 45 ^i bush, onions, @ $1.00 75 200 lbs. flour, @ $3.00 6 00 25 lbs. dairy salt, @ 2c. 50> }4 gal. syrup, @ $1,00 50' 4Vts. jelly, @ 25c 1 00' 31^ lbs. tea, @ 62c 2 17 53I >' coflee, @ 28c 154 1 oz. nutmegs _ 25 2 oz. cloves (ground), @ 10c 20' l^ bot. ext. lemon 35 % '• " vanilla 65 1 lb. pepper 25 3^ lb. ginger, @ 25c - 12. 5 lbs. cream tartar, @ 35c 1 75. 1 bbl. cider 2 00' 4 gal. vinegar, @ 30c 1 20' 30 cords wood, @ $1.50 45 00 1 package tomatoes 60 14 qts. canned tomatoes 1 75 29 " " berries and cherries, @ 40c.. .. 1160 3 lbs. halibut, @ 12i,^c. 37 1?^ lbs. hops, @ 35c 53 1 pk. peppers 50 2 lbs. baking powder, @ 2Sc 56: 2 oz. cinnamon — 15 20 lbs. rock salt, @ Hie - 25 4 boxes matches, @ 6c .♦. 24 5 lbs. starch, @ 10c - 50 1 lb. mustard 40 1 lb. tapioca 10' 25 lbs. Graham flour, @ 3c 75' 4 " cracked wheat, @ 5c 20- 20 " corn meal, at 2c 40 7 '* dried apples, @ 10c. - 70 1 lb. prepared cocoanut 40 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 53 6 lbs. brown sugar, @ lie .-- $0 G6 1 gal. washi ng llui d 37 4 lemons, @ 60c 20 1 pk. crab apples, preserved 1 50 Total $709 4G Dr. Inventory Dec. 1, 1875 _ $721 71 Bills Dr -. 1,040 77 Debits. $1,762 48 Cr. Inventory Sept. 30, 1870. .* - §709 46 By receipt _ - 50 306 6-7 weeks' board, @ §3.43 .-. 1,052 52 Credits $1,762 48 INVENTORY OF CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT, 1S76. Furnace.. - $200 00 3 reagent cases 75 00 1 book case 50 00 Table and reagent racks - 90 00 Waste lead and pipes 25 00 Copper still and condenser 30 00 Copper pneumatic cistern .-. 50 00 5 tables 36 00 6 chairs.... 22 50 3 stoves and pipes 40 00 1 clock 3 50 Suite of mineral specimens 125 00 1 Holtz electrical machine 115 CO 1 induction coil, Euhmkorfl's 337 50 Battery for same 40 GO Grove's battery 25 00 Bunsen's " 20 00 Smee's " 5 00 Daniells' " 3 cells 12 00 1 electro phorous 6 00 1 galvanometer 12 00 1 electrical machine, 36 inch plate 178 00 1 " battery 30 00 1. " balance 10 00 1 set cavalry riders 8 00 1 sportsman and jar 8 00 1 plate and dancing images 5 00 2 diamond jars 5 00 3 Leyden jars 6 00 1 dissected jar 3 00 1 insulated prime conductor. 5 00 1 nitrogen flask.. 5 00 1 auroral tube 8 00 1 electrical Q^g 5 00 1 '' light 2 50 lOGeissIer tubes 20 00 I Clark's magneto-electric machine '. 45 00 3 sets apparatus for elect, rotation 36 00 II magnets.. 9 40 1 magnetic needle (mounted) 3 00 1 " " (astatic) 5 00 1 dipping needle 8 00 1 '' Maho me t's coffin " 5 00 1 electro-magnet 3 00 2 magneto-induction apparatus 5 00 54 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTURE. 1 De La Kives ring $5 00 2 electro-niaguetic machines 30 00 5 lbs. insnlated wire... 5 00 lib. " " silk 3 50 1 polariseope 35 00 1 polarizing apparatus 7 50 3 prisms 15 00 1 air i^ump (mounted) 75 00 1 " " table 25 00 3 receivers for air pump 15 00 1 mercury tube for air pump 5 00 1 condensing syringe 5 00 1 force pump 15 00 1 eolepile 5 00 Glazier's diamond 7 00 Chemical balance and weights 115 00 Common balance and weights 7 50 Madgeburg hemispheres 10 00 Glass household pump. 15 00 Graduated bell glass 7 50 Compound blow-pipe and reflector. 10 00 Set meteorological instruments , 175 00 Platinum apparatus 80 00 1 doz. hydrometer jars , 3 50 Hydrometer and sp. gr. bottles 12 50 Nicholson's hydrometer ^. 9 00 5 porcelain tubes 7 00 40 specie jars 7 00 3 aspirators G 00 2 phosphorus globes 3 50 30 re torts 45 00 10 condensers.. 20 00 38 retort stands 57 00 200 flasks 120 00 55 Hessian crucibles 2 40 7 black lead crucibles 3 50 18 precipitating jars. 10 00 IG hydrometer jars 8 50 51 porcelain mortars ^ 51 00 2 iron mortars 2 50 92 alcohol lamps 92 00 1100 reagent bottles. 210 00 74 glass funnels 38 00 90 beakers 9 00 3G salt-mouth bottles 9 00 7_porcelai n ladles 8 75 Iset chemical specimens 150 00 12 chloride of calcium tubes 6 00 4 safety tubes 3 00 1 chloride of calcium jar 1 00 1 mercurial cistern 3 00 3 glass mercury jars G 00 1 copper drying bath 8 50 7 Wouirs bottles 10 00 30 porcelain crucibles and covers 15 00 2 two-necked bottles 2 00 G doz. watch glasses 18 00 1 apparatus for decomposing water 8 00 2 Davy's safety lamp. 8 50 2 Berzelins' lamps • 15 25 1 Liebeg's condenser 5 50 20 receivers.. 50 00 5 rubber gas bags 25 00 40 feet rubber tubing 12 00 2 lbs. rubber corks 12 00 1 Liebig's furnace 7 50 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. oo 10 potash bnlbs -. $6 50 graduated measures - f> 00 5 litre measures and 20 burettes - G5 00 3 alkalimeters 4 00 7bm-ette holders __ -.. - 7 00 1 trains alcoholometer. - 2 00 1 agate mortar --- 'J 00 1 diamond mortar (steel) 3 00 1 pirometer --. 7 00 1 brass ball and ring 2 00 4graduated tubes. 4 00 4 lead crucibles 4 00 Kose's models of crystals 18 00 Coopers receiver 1 0© 4 crucible tongs.. 5 00 3 doz, steel forceps. 00 6 evaporating dishes 5 00 1 Kammelsburg drying oven - 3 00 1 bolt head and cap. 3 00 Aniline colors 7 00 50 test tube racks.. 20 00 51bs.glass rods - 3 00 31bs. " -tubing 2 50 2 gas pistols 5 00 1 vise » 50 1 air pump clock 8 00 2 dessicati ng apparatus 11 50 1 Morse's telegraph model 25 00 1 Marshe's arsenic apparatus 3 50 1 Papin's digester 25 00 2 copper blast lamps 10 00 1 mounted gun lock 5 00 1 Wallastou's cryaphorous - . 3 00 2 water hammers „ 2 00 1 pulse glass 1 00 2 eudiometers 8 00 2 valve globes for air pump. 3 50 2 chemical thermometers 00 1 Leslie's dif. thermometer 8 CO 4 blow pipes and lamijs 12 00 Dobereiner's lamp... 8 00 6 sheets colored glass. _ : 5 00 10 lbs. mercury 10 00 10 lbs. sulphide of ammonia S 00 Mitrscherlisch gas furnace 18 00 25 acid bottles 3 00 7 reagent bottles, glass labels 10. 00 Mounted steelyard. 5 00 5 porcelain sink bowls 15 00 IHoScase and stand 8 00 1 air pump tripod 15 00 2 step ladders G 00 10 pairs shears 8 00 53 wash bottles (small tube) 26 50 20 " '• (large '• ) 8 00 Charcoal points for battery - . 3 50 2 double filter stands 2 50 4 burette holders 8 00 Plattner's mould 2 50 3 bell glasses 2 70 1 funnel tube, stoppered 1 00 Wheat sample bottles 3 00 1^ gross chloroform bottles 11 50 Turned wood boxes 2 00 G cylinders on foot 4 50 1 lb. phosphorus 1 00 56 {STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. 1 assay furnace _ - 1 mufflei' for furnace 1 Hoffman's tube 2 lbs. copper wire, Xo. 19 2 cork knives_. 1 stone for knives 2 graduated tubes, 50 c. c 1 support 2 muffles 1 hydrometer, 30 heavy 1 dbz. cupels 1 • " 1 pair double bellows 1 iron mortar (large).. 1 doz. glass jars (gallon)... 1 balloon, 16 inch.. 1 air pum p 1 fountain in vacuo 1 water hammer. 1 thei'mo-multiplier 1 reflector _ 1 air syringe 1 electrical swing 1 liglitning jar 1 luminous globe 1 " tube 1 Gassiott's Cascade 1 galvanometer 1 electro magnet 1 stratification tube 1 Nichol's prism.. 1 phosphorous tube.. 1 mercury " 1 spectrum " 1 '• " 1 fluoride of silicon 1 achromatic prism 1 phosphorus tube 1 Geissler tube 1 " '• 1 Newton's rings 1 rhomb calc spar. 1 tourmalines.. 1 selenite 1 selenite 1 quartz 1 plate arragonite... 1 rod shellac. 1 doz. quart bottles... 13^ " evaporating dishes... 1 " retort stands 1 set aluminum weights 1 iron twine box 3 nests small funnels 2 doz. varnish sample bottles 1 " porcelain mortars 1 " chemical flasks 2 bell glasses, J^ gal Y^ doz. coin test bottles 3^ " ijreciiD. jars, 2 quart 72 ^ 33^ lbs. Stool feet.. 5 " glass tubing, heavy 10 " solid glass rods 2 gross large test tubes 2 doz. small " " |50 00 1 25 5 00 1 20 30 12 2 00 2 50 1 00 1 00 50 1 00 6 00 1 25 5 50 2 50 200 00 7 00 2 00 30 00 50 00 3 00 5 00 2 50 9 00 4 00 3 50 20 00 12 50 5 00 20 00 2 50 4 50 2 00 2 00 2 00 10 00 6 50 5 00 5 00 12 00 10 00 5 00 2 50 2 50 3 50 4 00 2 00 2 00 5 40 15 00 50 1 00 1 50 4 50 50 3 00 2 50 2 25 4 50 3 00 1 58 3 75 5 00 7 00 40 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 57 Guests beakers, 2 oz. to 1 qt $13 50 24 feet rubber tubing, J^ -.. 1 92 12 " " " ^i -- - --- 4 5G 50 rubber corks. No. 2.. 2 00 50 " " No. 3 125 2gro.H. vials, 2Mr.. 3 00 1J4 doz. spatulas B. H., 6 in.. 1 88 G burette stands, double 12 00 12 pepettes, 30 e. c 3 60 3 '' 50c.c 80 50 lbs. hydrocbloric acid, C. P. 15 50 42 '• nitricacid _. 13 10 28 " '• " G GO 89 " liquor ammonia 14 4G 5 " borax 1 25 10 " bi-carb. soda SO 12 " chlorate of potash 4 SO 5 " Ferrocj'anide potash 2 50 1 lb. indigo, Bengal 2 50 10 lbs. carb. ammonia 3 40 S " acetate of soda 8 00 1 lb. iodide of potassium. 3 GO 1 " bromide '• 1 00 2 lbs. nitrate of strontia 60 5 " '' '' lead 150 2 " '• " cobalt 2 25 30 grammes j^lat. foil 1 20 2 " " wire 100 3 lbs. nitrate of barium 1 35 3 " molybdate ammonium _. 3 30 1 lb. microcosmic salt 1 GO 2 gross 8-oz. tincture bottles 3G 00 1 doz. chem. flasks, }^ pint 2 25 1 lb. chloroform 1 50 14 oz. morphine.. 75 1 lb. cyanide potash -- 1 00 21bs.caustic '• 2 00 6 " " soda 5 00 3 " sulphite soda 100 1 lb. nitrate silver 24 00 10 lbs. sulphide iron -.. 3 00 Maynooth battery 20 00 40 lbs. com. sulphuric acid 2 50 75 " " hydrochloric acid. 3 00 Analytical balance - 86 00 3 empty carboys - 00 27 lbs. sulphuric acid, C. P 8 45 Feather weight .._ 18 00 Total. - - - - $4,997 27 INVENTORY OF COLLEGE LIBRARY, SEPT. 30, 187G. From inventory of 1875: 3.700 volumes, etc - - - - §7,414 34 Additions: By purchase, 181 vols., (cost) $G58 78 donations, 136 " (estimated) 75 00 transfers.ll " " -.- H 00 744 78 herd books (at farm office) 47 vols. 340 00 Text Books and for Sale. 239 chemistries. @ $1.00 --- $239 00 5 social songs, @ 60c. 3 00 2 " " @ 40c 80 242 80 G 58 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. Furniture, etc. 2 newspaper racks .- $20 00 3 newspaper desks - 45 00 1 set drawers and cupboards 30 00 3 1 ar g e t able s - - - 12 00 3suiall " - -- -- '3 00 3 step ladders 7 50 2 cases (movable) 13 00 1 stove and pipe.. 25 00 $155 50 Paintings and Pictures. 8 oil paintings (gifts)... $75 00 13 photographs of persons and buildings 45 00 10 maps, geographical and historical 50 00 1 map of college farm 5 00 175 00 Total $9,052 42 INVENTORY OF GENERAL MUSEUM. Collections $4,300 00 Cases... 400 00 14charts @ $10.00 140 00 23 cases insects @ $10.00 230 GO' 30 insect boxes @ 50c. 15 00 2 breeding cases @ $1.00 2 Off Fumigating box 8 00 Moistening can 50 2 doz. microscopic slides @ $4.80 9 60 Dissecting scissors 1 50 2 prs. dissecting forceps @ $l.rjO 3 00 Inkstand 1 00 2 doz. bottles for specimens @ $3.00 6 00 2 jugs @ 30c CO Total valuation $5,117 20 INVENTORY OF APIARY. Improvement in grounds, spaces for hives, trees, screens, etc.. $100 00 Nineteen colonies bees, @ $10.00 190 00 Comb honey, 100 lbs., @ 20c 20 00 Worker frames with hone3% 100 lbs., @ 50c 50 00 n bee hives, @ $2.00 22 00 3 honey extractors 10 00 Workbench 5 00 3 honey knives 2 00 Scraper 75 8 feeders @ 25c... 2 00 Honey box 2 SO 30 feet lumber, @ 40c 1 20 Paint and oil 1 00 3 bee hats 1 55 Smoker 1 00 Tools. Screw driver, 35c., chisel, 75c., square, $2.25, saw, $2.50, axe, $1.50, jack-plane, $1 .25, bench screw, $1 .00, brace, 1 .00, 3 bits, $1 .40 12 00' Total valuation $427 30 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 59 INVENTORY OF DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND ENGINEERING. Cost. Value. One wye level - - - - $100 OO One levelling rod 10 00 One railroad compass (partially purchased by Class of 1878) §20 00 50 00 One Vernier compass - 30 00' One steel chain..-.- - 7 20 7 20' Two iron chains, each33 feet 4 00 4 01 One iron chain, 50 feet ) ,- nn «> nn. a u t; 40 " \ ^ One set tally pins 25 Two pickets... 75 One spherical block board G 00 12 Oa Friction apparatus. 10 00 Apparatus to show fall of bodies 15 00 Cases in model museum 75 00 Collection of models 5,000 GO' [Remarks— The following inventory of models is made so as to show the case in Avhich the models may be found. The classiflcatiou will be seen to be imperfect, but for various reasons,, chief of which is our present arrangement of cases, it is thought to be as good as possible. Case A is in the southwest corner of the room; Case B one north of case A; Case C north of case B, etc.. The shelves are numbered 1, 2, 3, i, and 5, from the top of each case.] CASE A. Shelf Xo. 1. No. Models of gang- and cultivator plows. 24 Shelf No. 2. Models of ordinary plows.. - 20 Shelf No. 3. Model of ordinary plow.. 1 '• subsoil " 1 Models of steam plows 2 Model of snow plow 1 Models of ditching plows _ 2 Model of dead furrow plow 1 " mole plow — 1 " roller '• 1 Models of corn plows. ' 3- Models of clevis to plow 1 " mould board to plow .- . 1 Shelf No. 4. Models of potato diggers 8 " colter scrapers 2- Model of stone extractor 1 " border plow 1 CASE B. Shelf No. 1. Models of cultivators 14' Shelf No. 2. Models of cultivator. - - - 1 Models of clod crushers 5 " rollers - 3 Shelf No. 3. Models of harrows - --- 7 Shelf No. 4. Models of corn planters - 8 " hoes '^ GO STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUKE. Shelf No. 5. Models of hay forks Model of grai n fork. Models of straw forks Model of spading fork. " horse hay fork _ Models of rakes " shovels Model of hay knives " post auger. -. " poke " horse yoke Models of ox yokes , Model of sheep yoke Beneath Case B. Models of miners' forks Model of pitch fork " weeding hoes " hen coops Models of bolts for grist mills *' grain driers CASE c. Shelf No. 1. Models of corn shellers " '• cider mills Shelr No. 2. Models of corn shellers Shelf No. 3. Models of cutting boxes Model of " box knives Shelf No. 4. Models of cutting boxes " " " box knives Shelf No. 5. Model of cutting boxes. Models of fanning mills Case Beneath, Models of cutting boxes " " bee houses Model of hop kilns " " '' bag " " poles.'.\"V/."."".V.V.V.'.".\V//.'.'.V.V •" " " " holder.. " " " " puller. Models of fruit crates CASK D. Shelf No. 1. Models of cart Model of ash cart •_ Models of wagons Model of buggies " " wheelbarrows Shelf No. 2. Models of sleighs. Model of ice sleighs Models of carriage running gear No. 3 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 4 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 G 2 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 G 2 1 3 1 1 6 1 2 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 61 Shelf No. 3. No. Models of wagon tongues G " " buggy thills 7 Shelf JVo. 4, Models of buggy springs 7 " "scat " 2 Model of buggj'-body. 1 Models of neck yokes 2 Model of " '" fastener.. 1 Models of whiffle trees 4 " " spring draught 2 Shelf No. 5. Models of hubs 5 " " wheels... 3 " " box axles 2 " " thill couplings 2 " " felloe fastenings 3 Model of wagon tii-es... 1 " " " tongues... 1 Models of carriage clip.. 2 " " velocipedes 2 Beneath Case D. Model of stock pens. 1 " " " feeder 1 " " packing box 1 '• " rat and mice proof corn crib 1 CASE E. Shelf No. 1. Model of wheat cleaner'. 1 " bran duster 1 '• flour mill 1 " grinding mill 1 " smut mill 1 " mill spindles 1 Models of mill stones 2 " riddles 2 Shelf No. 2. 3Iodel of hominy mill 1 Models of threshing machines... 2 Model of hopper.... ._ 1 Shelf No. 3. Model of grain shovel 1 " " " dampeuer 1 " " " drier... 1 " " meal " 1 " " bag-holder... 1 " " flour and bolt feeder.. 1 Shelf No. 4. Models of hay presses 2 Model of hay press 1 Model of sifting macliines. 1 Models of self-holders for grindstones. 3 Shelf No. o. Model of potato separators 1 " " corn protectors 1 Models of wool driers 2 Case Beneath. Model of mechanical cattle feeder 1 Models of lime kilns 2 62 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Xo. Model of preparing rubber 1 Models of horse powers. 2 Model of distillery 1 " " clarifying cane juice.. 1 " " freezing apparatus 1 " " picker collar _ 1 *' " purifying oil 1 '' " preserving beer 1 " " suction box 1 " '• loading coal. _ 1 " " hinge joint 1 " " carburetting air 1 " '' condenser 1 " '' lever power _... 1 *' " suspending turbine water wheel 1 CASE F. Shelf No. 1. Models of fi-uit pickers 5 Model of meat preserving machine 1 " lard cooler 1 " foot wai-mer 1 " rasp 1 "■ relief springs 1 Models of bug catchers 2 Model of starch machine 1 •' fruit tree protector 1 " snap. _ 1 Shelf No. 2. Models of churns 4 Model of milk pail ..: 1 " " " stools 1 " " butter worker 1 " " " cooler 1 " " egg dessicater 1 SheJf No. 3. Models of washing machines 2 Model of corn popper 1 " meat preserver 1 . " fat rendering machine 1 " hydro-carbon lamp 1 *' oil lamp 1 • " stove and lamp 1 Shelf No. 4. Models of stoves - 5 Model of coftee roaster. 1 " " fireplace 1 " '^ heaters 1 " " chi mney cap 1 " "■ coalscuttle 1 " oilfeeder. 1 " " lamps.. .- 1 " " magnesia lamp -. 1 Shelf No. 5. Model of boiler for greenhouse 1 " " oil furnace - - - 1 '• " fire register 1 " " *' extinguislier 1 " " peat machine. .- 1 " " coal sifter 1 " " coal press i 1 " " smokehouse 1 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. Case Beneath. Model of burning fluid apparatus. '' " plan for controlling channels of alluvial rivers. CASE G. Shelf No. 1. Models of fences " " gates Shelf No. 2. Models of ladders " " stanchions Model of paint mill " " quartz crusher Shelf No. 3. Models of motor powers " " crank movement. Model of rotary motion Shelf No. 4. Models of crank motions " '' friction chetches. Model of anti-friction rollers " '' connecting rods " "ratchet treadles... " " transmitting motion " " pulleys , Models of bolt cutters Model of bolsters.. " " double fiilcrums Shelf No. o. Model of button machines " "rope " " " pneumatic elevator " " tripod " " perpetual motion "■ " dog power CASE H. Shelf No. 1. Models of water wheels Model of hydrostatic engine " " plan for filling low lands Shelf No. 2. Models of saws Model of saw setting machine " " sawing machine Shelf No. 3. Models of brick machines. " " scraping machines Model of planing machine Model of pumps . Shelf No. 4. Models of bark crushers Model of turning lathe for iron " " " " " hubs - " axles " " boring machines " " crushing ores Shelf No. 5. Model of looms Models of shuttles 63 No. 6 5 3 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 •> 1 1 2 2 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 64 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Xo. Model of thread throwers. . - ] " " cloth shearer 1 " '• twisting machines 1 " " cleaning fibres 1 Case Beneath. Model of air powers 1 " " burglar alarms 1 " " marine engine regulators 1 " " gold extracting funiace 1 '' "■ horing wells 1 CASE I. Shelf No. 1. Models of R. R. cars 9 Model of cow catcher 1 Shelf No. 2. Models of R. R, car wheels 6 " hand " 3 Model of cattle car 1 Model of elevated rail cars 1 Models of rails 5 Shelf No. 3. Models of rails 6 " switches... 3 " switch locks 2 Model of car ventilator.. 1 Models of car couplings.. C Model of frogs 1 " rail and truck 1 Shelf No. 4. Model of filter 1 " water trap 1 " reclaiming lands. 1 " ventilating machine 1 Models of printing machines 2 Model of car 1 Shelf No. 5. Model of gas machines 1 " " horology... 1 '' " electrical machine 1 " " " indicator _ 1 " " carburetted hydrogen engine 1 Case Beneath. Model of salt works 1 Models of beer coolers 3 Model of apparatus for measuring liquids 1 Models of gas machines 7 Model of spirit testers 1 '' '" sugar strainers 1 Models of sorghum machines 2 Model of stills 1 " " oil distilleries 1 C.A.SE J. Shelf No. 1. Models of barn frames - 1 Shelf No. 2. Models of bridges 6 Shelf No. 3. Models of hridjres 2 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. G5 No. JVIodel of widening rivers 1 u " wrought iron beams _ 1 " " sub-marine tunnels 1 Shelf No. 4. Model of steam blowers ..- 1 " " hydrostatic apparatus. 1 " " hydraulic i)ile 1 '' " pump valve 1 Shelf No. 5. Models of sugar boilers 1 " wlteel key 1 C-VSE K. ShelJ No. 1. Models of evaporators 3 Model of steam cisterns 1 Shelf No. 2. Models of steam generators 3 Model of safety apparatus for boilers 1 " '• hot blast apparatus 1 " •" feed water heater 1 Shelf No. 3. Model of safety valves.. 1 '• " injector for boilers... 1 " " lubricator 1 Model of boiler feeders 5 Model of steam super-heaters. 1 .Models of '• traps 2 Model of governor 1 " " low water indicator 1 " " traction engine 1 Shelf No. 4. Models of road locomotives 2 " " improved safety valves 2 " " steam engines 4 Shelf No. 5. Model of water regulator in boilers _. 1 Models of boiler feeders 2 Model of condenser 1 '' " steam pile driver. 1 IXyENTORY OF FURNITURE OF COLLEGE HALL. Cost. Value. 12old tables _ $12 00 ISOchairs 45 00 5 arm chairs 7 50 3 " " _. 12 00 1 table 10 00 3 stoves and pipe 24 00 2 " " •' 20 00 1 " '• " 5 00 1 " '■' '• 2 00 1 *' " " 6 00 30 black board rubbers _ 6 00 1 wood box - 1 00 1 • " 50 1 " " _.. 5 00 1 " " 2 00 5 armed seats f54 25 55 00 1 chandelier gift. 20 00 2 small chandeliers '' 5 00 66 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUJIE. Cost. Value. 25 yards carpet on rostrum ,.. ^15 00 1 organ '. gift- 50 00 G brooms .__ $1 25 1 25 2 lamps... 2 00 1 dust pan 20 1 ash pail 1 00 1 wood carrier 1 25 1 25 1 sprinkler... 1 00 Total.. $309 07 BOTANICAL MUSEUM. Cost. Value. 7 Vick's chromos $18 00 1 compomid microscope 75 00 4 botanical charts $15 00 15 00 75 slides for microscopes 45 00 45 00 20,000 plants, museum, etc gift. 4,000 00 $4,153 00 IXVEXTOSY OF COLLEGE PROPERTY IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE. Cost. Value. 1 carpet in back office 1 '• '• front " 3 curtains 1 desk 1 case of 12 pigeon holes 1 round table 1 table _ 1 rocking chair. 2 arm chairs, @ $3.00.. 2 " •• @ $1.00. 5 chairs, @ $1.50 1 set drawers with glazed case 1 ash book-case _ 1 pine book-case 1 clock 1 wash stand. 1 slop pail 1 wash bowl 1 mirror 1 pitcher _ 2 tumblers, @ 5c 1 soap dish... 2 wood boxes, @ 15c 2 side lamps, @ 50c 2 brackets for lamps, @ 50c 1 table lamp 4 lamp chimneys, @ 8c 2 chair cusliions, @ 25c 30 pamphlet holders, @ 75c 40 file boxes, @ 40c 1 pen rack 1 pen rack on door 1 ink stand G pen holders, @ 2c 1 ruler 2 paper weights, @ 15c 1 rubber 1 lamp scissors 1 broom 1 stove and pipe $5 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 3 00. 5 00 4 00 5 00 G 00 2 00 7 50 30 00 5 00 10 00 2 00 3 00 50 25 1 00 50 10 10 30 1 00 1 00 1 00 32 50 22 50 IG 00 25 25 25 12 10 30 03 20 15 8 00 COLLEGE ACCOUNTS. 67 Cost. Value. 1 pair tongs $0 75 1 rack for tongs 1 00 1 spittoon --- - -. 10 1 fire pan - . - 25 1 framed picture of Dr. Cooley, collector of the Cooler Herbarium _. 1 00 1 chisel- -.- --- - 25 439 two cent postage stamps - - -.. $8 78 8 78 83one " " " 83 83 ISthree '• " '• 54 54 4 postal cards.. 04 04 269 three-cent stamped envelopes 2 packages of large envelopes 16 16 14 i^ackages of huff envelopes, @ 5c. 70 Q}i lbs. writing paper, @ SSf^c 2 08 52 steel pens 40 J^ pint Avriting fluid 20 89 plain white letter envelopes 25 Also in charge of President 1 mail bag G 50 6 00 Total valuation $173 55 INVENTORY OF SECRETARY'S OFFICE. Value. Isafe.. $350 00 1 black walnut desk with pigeon holes, etc 20 00 1 cherry desk, drawers in front, pigeon holes, etc 25 00 1 case of pigeon holes in back room 10 00 1 book case. 10 00 1 arm chair 3 00 4 cane-seat chairs. _ 8 00 1 rocking chair 5 00 1 carpet 10 00 1 stove and fixtures 10 00 1 clock.. 10 00 1 barometer 2 00 1 i)air of pincers and one tack hammer 1 00 1 ink stand 1 50 2 inkstands @ 50c 1 00 1 sjionge dish 25 1 letter-file and 1 paper-file @ 25c 50 3 curtains 1 50 I letterpress 10 00 II file boxes 5 00 1 pitcher and tumbler 1 00 1 pair of sliears and pen-racks 1 50 3 rulers @ 50c 1 50 1 marking brush. 10 1 ruling-pen 1 00 1 step-ladder 4 00 1 standing desk. 5 00 1 large revolving chair 8 00 Ismail " " 5 00 1 round table 2 50 Postage stamps.. 2 85 3 erasers @ 25c 75 2 reams note heads @ $4.56 9 12 1 letter-book 1 50 1 gross Spencerian pens 1 25 1/{ dozen pencils 40 1 '• penholders 25 6 " rubber bands 125 2 desk-knives @ 25c 50 16 quires letter heads @ 20c. 3 20 Imap of Michigan 1 00 68 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUllE. Value. 2 pictures and frames @ $1.00 $2 00 2 vases @ oOc - - 1 00 1 slop-pail - 1 00 1 lamp - 1 25 $540 6 SUMMARY OF INVENTORY. Fann,G7G acres, (a- $70.00 $47,320 00 JBuildings 148,483 00 Farm Department 19,232 89 Machines, tools, hardware, furniture, etc $3,196 11 Crops _ 3,154 35 Wood, coal, manure, ground feed, etc 1,095 33 Team 900 00 Stock 10,886 50 Farm House 709 46 Furniture, provisions, etc $709 46 Horticultural Department _ 6,164 77 Greenhouse plants $3,097 50 " appurtenances 327 25 Implements, lawn and garden tools, office furniture, team, produce, etc. 1 2,740 02 Chemical Department. 4,997 27 Apparatus, chemicals, etc $4,997 27 General museum _ 5,117 20 Library _ 9,052 42 Books, etc $9,052 42 Botanical Museum 4,153 00 Plants, chronics, charts, etc 4,153 00 Department of Mathematics and Engineering 5,317 20 Apparatus _ 242 20 Collection of models 5,000 00 • Cases in model museum 75 00 Boarding Hall — Horse and wagon, furniture 4,107 11 Utensils, etc.. 2.749 75 Provisions, fuel on hand 1,357 36 College Hall 309 07 Furniture, etc 309 07 President's Office 173 55 Furniture, stationery, etc 173 55 Secretary's Office 540 67 Safe, books, furniture, etc 540 67 Apiary 707 30' DEPARTMENT REPORTS. EEPOKT OF THE PEESIDENT. The reports of the Faculty and of the various oflicers of the institution will give in detail the operations of the college for the partial year, from Dec. 1, 1875, to Sept. 30, 1876, inclusive. Previous reports have been made to cover the year from the first of each December to the 30th of the November preced- ing. In many respects the 30tli of I^ovember makes a more convenient close than the present date, since the school year is not yet ended, the labor accounts are unsettled, and the farm crops not in a condition for exact measurement and valuation. Tlie history of a given field made out for the fiscal year of the State (Sept, 30), is not such a year's history of the field as would generally be sought. A representation of these difficulties was made to the Chairman of the Com- mittees on the College of the last Legislature, with the suggestion that our fiscal year should end Nov. 30. As nothing was done with the matter, we make our reports, as required, up to the close of the State fiscal year. I refer with 2)leasure to the reports of the officers, as showing the spirit of study that has prevailed amongst the students, and tlie jn'ogress they have made in their lessons. The officers in charge of the work give a like testimony in re- gard to the labor of students. They have never worked with more regularity and faithfulness, and this feature of the College, the failure of which has been annually jiredicted, has grown stronger from the first day of the College, It is often said that all labor-schools have failed, or else have abandoned the system. This may be true ; but from the first the attempt has been made here to make the labor as much educational as possible, ^nthout having it lose its character of effective work. Class-room instruction and the labor are planned so as to illustrate each other. The practical and theoretical go hand in hand. Class instruction is given not in the class-room only, but in the barn-yard, the field, the orchard, the greenhouse, apiary, vegetable garden, and other places where work is done. I have, in several instances, met parties of students out upon tlie farm, examining what had been brought to their notice in the class room. At the same time the students are taught to look upon their labor as that which should be effective, and like what they would themselves require of hired men. The result of this system, and of the practical nature of the course of study 70 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. is seen in the fact that an increasing number of our graduates^ after a four years' course, go into agriculture in some of its branches. The general cata- logue issued this year and stitched in with the annual catalogue sliows, out of one hundred and twenty living graduates, that forty-two are farmers, seven are fruit-growers, and eleven are professors and instructors in agricultural colleges. This is as large a proportion, it is believed, as law schools in the west send into the practice of the law. The class historian of the present senior class, that is to be graduated from the College the 22d of November next, says that thirteen out of seventeen of the class have fixed ujion agriculture, in some of its branches, as a life business. 8ome of these came with no such intention, but have been brought to it through the general influence of the College. The combination of work and class-room duties throws upon our professors an amount of labor that cannot be easily appreciated by those who measure the duties of a professorship by those in ordinary colleges. The Faculty of the College has remained unchanged, except that Mr. R. C. Carpenter, the instructor in Mathematics, having received his appointment by the Board, instead of acting under the appointment of tlie President, has be- come a full member of the Faculty. The officers have consisted of the President, five Professors, the Secretary, one Instructor and five Assistants and Foremen. The President is also Professor of Mental Philosophy and Inductive Logic. The Professor of English Literature has, in addition to vvork enough for one man in his own department, French and Po- litical Economy. Tlie attaining of accuracy and clearness in the expression of one's knowledge and opinions is too valuable an accpiisition, both on its own account and for its reflex influence on the habits of observation and thought, to be made subordinate to other studies, and I sincerely hope such additional force may be granted at this time, as shall free the Professor from the larger part of the work outside of his department. Each of the deiiartments should stand apart from the others. There is enough work in each one to employ the best efforts of one oflicer. I am desir- ous that the Botanical department should be possessed of a good working lab- oratory, and that the Professor of Zoology and Entomolgy sliould be relieved of all instruction outside of his department. Tliere is enough work in aj^plied Mathematics for one instructor, and when the institution can afford it he should have no other classes to hear. Towards the last of last year the Professor of Agriculture, Mr. A. B. Gulley, was severely poisoned, and the suffering from this cause lasted i\]} to the autumn of this year, and interfered somewhat with the regularity of his attendance. During the spring term he gave instruction to the senior class in Agriculture. Owing to circumstances just named, the course was a short one. "The Handy- Book of Husbandry," by Geo. E. Waring, Tr., and other works on special sub- jects, were made the guides to free class-room discussions. The class has, from its first year, manifested great earnestness in the study of agriculture. During the second term. Prof. Gulley gave instructions in agriculture to the Freshman Class. Waring' s Drainage for Profit was used as a text-book in that subject, and the Avork of Goodale, the articles by Law and other writers used as guides in the matter of stock-breeding, and other subjects. The assistant in Chemistry was permitted to be absent a part of the first term to help the Professor of Chemistry in Kansas Agricultural College, during a season of sickness. His place was supplied by an undergraduate of the college. Kansas Agricultural College has drawn from our graduates its Professor of DEPAETMEXT EEPORTS. 71 Olieniistry and its Professor of Practical Agriculture. Its success, and that of CTery other Agricultural Colleges, ^vill further our own prosperity. Tiie house occupied by the President stood upon an uneven piece of groiind, rising to the west still higher than the site of the house itself. The land was stiff clay, and the pasturage about it exceedingly poor. The laud had been plowed and the house stood in a field of clay mud. An estimate was put in two years ago for grading and enriching the ground and constructing the drives in accordance with the plans of Mr. Adam Oliver, the College Landscape Gar- dener. As these estimates were stricken out by the Legislative connnittee, it was deemed necessary to commence work upon the grounds at once, by students' labor. The whole field east of the house and of the two new cottages has been underdrained, at great labor, and the work of grading and enriching has been going on throughout the season. The work has been in charge of Professor Gulley, and was of a nature to require his personal attention. This lias thrown greater responsibility upon his foreman, Mr. C. L. Ingersoll, who has shown great competency for his diflScult work. The main entrance to the College has been changed from a place east of Pro- fessor Fairchild's house to a place west of the President's house, and the drive now follows the bank of the Cedar river, by the Apiary and the Chemical Labora- tory to the College Hall. This river bank has great natural beauty, and it is not impossible the place may yet become what Governor Baldwin used to wish for it, the most beautiful in the State. No insurance is kept upon the buildings or other property of the College. An estimate for insurance Avas inserted by the Board into the estimates for 1876 and 1877. These were cut out by the Legislative committees. There was at the time pending in the Legislature a joint resolution that State property should not be insured. This did not pass, but the item for insurance having been omitted from the appropriations, seemed to express the opinion of the law-making power that no money should be expended for that purpose. I think some otlier insti- tutions have effected insurance on their property, although it is in reality State jDroperty. Early in the present year the first series of Farmers' Institutes under the direc- tion of the Board were held. A very exact regard to dates would have deferred an account of them to the present volume. As, however, the report for 1875 was not issued until after their close, a full account of the institutes was given in that volume, pages 72 to 314, inclusive. The volume for the present year may very likely be left incomplete in order to insert the account of the series of six institutes set down for January, 1877. The Keport for 18 75 contained also (pages 377 to 390, inclusive,) some account of the collections made for the Centennial International Exhiliition in Phila- delphia. The present volume will contain additional matter regarding tliem. The present college year, as already intimated, has been a veiy successful one so far as the studies and Avork of students are concerned. The Centennial Ex- hibition has broken in somewhat upon the regularity of attendance, and the continued financial distress of the country is telhng very hardly on our students, most of whom are largely dependent for support upon their own earnings. The employment of inferior teachers and the lessening of teachers' wages the com- ing winter will embarrass them still more, Several excellent students have been compelled already to suspend their studies for these reasons. So far as the government of the students has depended upon myself, I have given more into the hands of the students themselves than ever before. The 73 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. rules of the organization known as the '^Students' Government" for order in the halls have been read or referred to frequently. The students of the differ- ent tables in the dining-room have chosen their own carvers and captains., whose duty it was to maintain order and propriety of conduct. Students have been reasoned with and then, where the case Avould admit of it, left to decide for them- selves as to their conduct, in particular instances. The plan has been partly successful, and partly not. Personally, I took part in four of the Farmers' Institutes, and made for the pamphlet compiled under authority of the Governor in the interests of Emigra- tion, a history and sketch of the College, a brief condensation of which appeared in the pamphlet. I also compiled a fuller history for the Centennial Commis- sion, besides several tabular statements for various statistical works on the country. During the College year I have given instruction to the Seniors, — in tlic first term, in Mental Philosophy ; in the second term, in Moral Philosophy, a study usually in charge of Prcfessor Fairchild, and in the third term, in Induc- tive Logic. I also had the Seniors in the Constitution of the United States one-half of the second term. I have also read with them on Friday evenings the first three books of Milton's Paradise Lost, and we arc now engaged upon the fourth. This reading was at their earnest and reiterated request. I have given two lectures before the whole body of students, one on the study of United States history, and oue on Webster's reply to Hayne. I have taken charge of the morning religious services. These are not made occasions of discipline, unless at long intervals, by Faculty direction ; but are made occasions of frequent short lectures on various topics. I am at present ffivins: a series of such talks on the management of winter district schools. The whole exercise is one quarter of an hour long. The Sabbath services are under my charge, and the desk has been supplied as follows : Feb. 27— President Abbot. Mar. 5 — Secretary Baird. " 12— President Abbot. " 19— " '' " 26— Rev. D. Crosby. April 2 — Rev. E. Cooley, Jr. " 9 — Secretary Baird. '-' 16— President Abbot. " 24 — Rev. Charles Simpson. " 30— Rev. J. Malvern. May 7 — Professor Daniells, of Olivet College. '' 14— Rev. C. R. Wilkins. '' 21— Rev. II. Slade. June 4 — Rev. T. P. Pruddeu." " 11 — Secretary Baird. " 18— President Abbot. " 25— Rev. A. A. Rolfe. July 2 — Rev. E. Cooley, Jr. 9— Rev. T. P. Prudden. '' 16— President Abbot. " 33 — Rev. Charles Simpson. " 30— President Abbot. DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 73 Aug. G — Rev. D. Crosby. " 13 Rev. John Malvern. " 20 Rev. H. Slado. Sept. 3 Rev. T. P. Pruddcii '^ 10— President Abbot. " IT— Rev. C. R. Wilkins. •'■ 24— Rev. Dr. Duffield, of Ann Arbor. The clergymen whose residences are not given, all come from the city of Lansing. The Catholic clergyman docs not think it consistent Avith his duties to officiate at the College ; the Rev. Mr. Clark, rector of the Episcopal Church, was twice invited, but has not found it convenient to come : and the Rev. Mr. Cooley was kej^t from coming one Sabbath by a storm. Eight Sabbaths remain before the close of the term, the last being the time of the baccalaureate sermon. ''The School,'' published at Ypsilanti, and the "Grange Visitor," have been sent to me regularly. The '■ Ballot-Box"" has come part of the year. These, with several papers to which I am a subscriber, have l^een placed regularly in the Library. The students proposed a contriljution for the purchase of pictures for the public parlor and dining-hall. They raised more than $30.00, and some mem- bers of the faculty contributed $34.00, all of which Avere expended by a joint committee of faculty and students. In the report for 18?5, page 3G, credit is given to Mr. P. W. Norris for speci- mens for the general museum. Mr. N^orris afterwards requested the College to give him back his specimens, which was done. The State Pomological Society's Executive Committee held their winter business meeting at the College^, in the house of Prof. Cook, who is a member of the Committee. A few changes were made by the Faculty and approved by the Board in the labor system, the first of the year. The distinction between regular and extra labor Avas abolished so far as com- pensation is concerned, and ten cents an hour fixed upon as the maximum rate to be paid. Three hours' Avork is required daily as heretofore, for five days in the AA'eek. The senior class has been equally divided between the Farm and Horticultural Departments. The first half, as diA'ided alphabetically, Avorked the entire year in the Horticultural Department, the last half upon the Farm. The reason of this permanency of place for the seniors, was that they might be employed as foremen on jobs of Avork, or have charge under the professors of particular de- partments of it. To one Avas assigned the orchard, to another tlie apiary. So Avith the gathering of vegetables, the vineyard, and certain portions of the drainage. The plan has Avorked Avell, and has been of great advantage to the college. The Juniors have been upon the Horticultural Department and the Soph- mores upon the Farm, as heretofore, throughout the year. The Freshmen were divided alphabetically into three divisions. Each diAdsiou worked one term in the Horticultural Department, and tAVo upon the farm. Special students Avere assigned in the same Avay as the Freshmen. The change from tAvo terms to three terms a year, which Avas entered upon the beginning of the year, made a readjustment of the scheme of study and of 10 74 . STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUKE. the payment of bills necessary. The Faculty issued a circular with the new scheme, and other information in the winter. T. C. ABBOT, State Agkicultueal College, \ President. Lansing, MicJt., Sept. 30, 187 G. KEPORT OF FACULTY. To the State Board of AqricuUure : The Faculty of the State Agricultural College respectfully submit their annual report, as follows ; Previous reports of the Faculty and of its several members have been made the 31st of December, after the full close of the College year, and have given an account of a complete year's work. The present date, the close of the fiscal year of the State, up to Avhich by your direction our report is to be made, covers nine months, and finds us in session, the plans for the year, the studies and labors of the students being still incomplete. A catalogue of officers and students was issued by the Faculty under your direction in August. Since its publication two students have been admitted to the Freshman class, viz. : Morse \V. Jones, of Eichland, Kalamazoo county, and Charles E. Sumner, of Lambertville, Monroe county. T''he whole number of students in attendance thus far during the year is, by classes, as follows : Ilesident Graduates 5 Seniors 18 Juniors 16 Sophomores -. 45 Freshmen 72 Specials ' 10 Total.-.. IGO being an increase of ten over last year. The numbers w^ere kept within these limits only by greatly increased strict- ness in examination for admission. Many applicants failed to enter for lack of qualification. As some guide to a knowledge of the necessary preparation to be made in order to enter, some lists of questions used in the beginning of the year have been inserted in the catalogue, pages 43 and 44. The average age of students by classes has been as follows, counting from the birth day last past. Probably one-half year should be added to each number for a more accurate average : Eesident graduates 'ld\ years. Seniors 31 5-9 "' Juniors 20 5-G " vSophomores 19 " Freshmen. 19 1-7 " Specials 20 li DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 75- The counties of the State were represented as follows : Allegan Barry o Bay 1 Berrien 2 Branch 1 Calhonn ;j Cass --- -- lo Clinton 3 Eaton _ i) Genesee _ 1 Grand Traverse - 5 Gratiot 4 Hillsdale 4 Ingliam 23 Ionia 10 Jackson 4 Kalamazoo '. 4 Kent G Lapeer 3 Lenawee Livingston 4 Macomb 1 Monroe 2 Montcalm 2 Muskegon 1 Oakland 14 Ottawa 1 Saginaw 2: Sanilac — 1 Shiawassee 2: St. Joseph 2 Van Buren 7 Wayne 9 Total from this State 156 STUDENTS FEOM OTHEK STATES. California 1 Denmark 1 Indiana 5 Illinois 1 Nebraska. 1 Ohio... 1 Total from other States 10 One of the resident graduates, a student in Analytical Chemistry, two of the Specials, and two of the Freshman class were ladies. Several applications for admission were made by ladies, which were necessarily rejected for want of rooms. VG STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. The scheme of studies for 18TG has been as in tlic table below: FIRST TERM— Beginning February 23, 1S7G. 8 A. M. 9 A. M. 10 A. M. 11 A. M. Seniors Agriculture. Mental Philosophj''. French. Juniors Mechanics. Agricultural Chemistry. French. Sophomores . Botany. Horticulture. Geometry. Elementary Chemistry. Freshmen Algebra. Composition. History. History. Composition. Algebra. SECOXD TERM.— Beginning May 29, 187G. 8 A. M. 9. A. M. 10 A. M. 11 A. M. Seniors Moral Philosophy. French. Political Econo- my. Constitu- tion of U. S. Juniors Mechanics. Entomology. French. Physics. Sophomores . Rhetoric. Organic C Blowpipe, an Anal "hemistry. d Volumetric ysis. Trigonometry. Surveying. Freshmen Botany. Algebra. Algebra. Botany. Agriculture. DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 77 THIRD TERM.— Beginning August 30, 1876. 8 A. M. 9 A. M. 10 A. M. 11 A. M. Seniors Civil Engineering. AstronomJ^ Landscape Gardening. Logic. Juniors . Anatomy. Drawing. Englisli Literature, Meteorology. Sophomores . Ai lalytical Chemistry. Mechanicp. Freshmen Botany. Book-lceepi ng. Botany. French. Geometry. French. Geometry, All the students have had regular exercises in composition and declamations. Since the issue of the last report, the College has lost, by death, a member of the last year's Freshman class, Mr. James C. Iloltom, of Constantino, St. Joseph county. His name does not ajipear in this year's catalogue, but it is known that he intended to take the College course with his class. He was much esteemed as a faithful student, and as a young man of upright life, and much gentleness of sjiirit. Lectures have been delivered before the entire College on Wednesday after- noons. The series, still incomplete, has been up to the present date (Sept. 30), as follows : March 1. — By Geo. P. Sanford, Esq., Editor of the Lansing Journal, on Christian Element in Civilization. March 15. — By Mr. E. C. Carpenter, on the Quadrature of the Circle. March 29.— Bv President Abbot : The Study of United States History. April 12.— By Dr. Kedzie : A Bar of Iron. April 26. — By Professor Fairchild : The Discipline of College Drill. May 10, — By Rev. C. R. Wilkins : Reserved Force. June 21. — By the Rev. Mr. Day of Ann Arbor: Work. July 19. — By Mr. Carjienter: The History of the Locomotive. August 2. — By President Abbot: Webster's Reply to Hayne. Aug. IG. — By Dr. Kedzie: Food, Sept. G. — By Professor Beal: Progress of Horticulture. The junior exhibition was held on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 22d of Au- gust, and was participated in by all the seventeen members of the class. The day was pleasant, the audience, as usual, larger than the hall would receive, and the exercises, we believe, creditable to the institution. The Alumni of the College held their triennial gathering August 23d, the day after the annual Junior exhibition. Just one-half of tlie one hundred and 78 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUEE. twenty living graduates were present, — a grateful evidence of tlie esteem in •which the College is held by them. Professor Prentiss, of the class of 18G1, now Professor of Botany in Cornell University, delivered the public address. It consisted of a review, in the light of several years in its use, of the methods of education pursued in this institution. It was a tlioughtful and candid tes- timony to the value of the educational work of the College. Mr. John J. Kerr, of the class of 1871, gave a history of each graduated class and of its members, and the Eev. Oscar Clute, of the class of 18G3 read a poem. The exercises were interesting and excellent throughout. The Bisho2)'s Opera House Band of Detroit, that had furnished the music for the Junior exhibition the day before, furnished the music for this occasion also. Some afternoon games and a supper in the evening brought to a close this festival of the Alum- ni, which has strengthened the ties that bound the College and its graduates, has brought the graduates of different years together, and renewed the friend- ships of past times. At the time of issuing the Annual Catalogue for this year, now the twentieth, there was also issued a Triennial Catalogue of officers and graduates. This catalogue has been bound in with the annual catalogue. Among the pleasant occurrences of the year was tlie celebration by the students of the fourth of July. Besides a parade and salutes, there Averc the reading of the Declaration of Independence, brief outline of the Constitution, a sketch of the liistory of the country, and appropriate music, by the students, and on their invitation a history of the College by President Abbot and an oration by Pro- fessor Fairchild. A supper with toasts closed the exercises of the day, all of which, at the request of the students, Avere presided over by Dr. Kcdzie as president of the day. Eev. Mr. Prudden, Eev. Mr. Wilkins, Eev. Mr. Malvern, of Lansing, and Eev. Mr. Gault, of Ionia, have favored the Christian Union with addresses. Mr. 0. M. Barnes of Lansing addressed the Delta Tau Delta Society on London, and the Eev. Mr. Lewis of Jackson gave an address before the Union Literary Society on the Ladder of Oratory. The interest of students in their studies, and their faithfulness in manual labor have in no year been greater than in this. The College organization for self-government has been more efficient than last year, and all the College, Scientific, and Literary societies have been more than usually flourisliing. The Natural History Society is participated in by members of the Faculty and the students. Its monthly exercises have been highly interesting and profit- able. They consist of occasional addresses, and frequent papers on subjects under special examination by jirofessors or students, descriptions of observed phenomena, or objects in natural science, and free discussions. There are four standing committees in the society to lay out its work, viz. : on Botany, Chem- istry, Geology, and Zoology, but its jiapers and discussions are not limited to these fields. A few additions have been made to its library and museum. The Christian Union has had occasional addresses, monthly entertainments consisting of music, readings, essays, and recitations upon previously assigned topics. Its Sunday evening prayer meetings have been well attended, the special subject for contemplation being announced beforehand. The Sunday School under its charge lias had five prosperous classes, and their library has been con- siderably increased. The society held a series of religious meetings at one time this season which were Avell attended. There is a society called the Union Literary Society, composed of members of all the classes, excluding none who are willing faithfully to cooperate with DEPAETMENT llErORTS. 79 its members iu literary and forensic culture ; and an Excelsior Lyceum from amon<2: the Freshmen. Both meet weekly. Chapter Iota of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity has a membership exclusive of those who did not complete the course, or who have withdrawn from the Chapter, of twenty-soven graduates and thirty-three present members of the College. The object aimed at is stated in their report to the President to be "to build up a refined social character, and irreproachable honesty in eacli member, as Avell as tliorough discipline in writing and speaking." The Beta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity was organized Nov. 8, 1873, by five members, who, in the language of their report, "felt the need of some society that would strengthen and jierpetuate brotherhood and encourage and foster literary and moral culture." It numbers nine graduates and twenty- eight present members of the College. Students who desired to attend the Centennial International Exhibition at Philadelphia were allowed one week's time additional to the August vacation. Quite a number availed themselves of the privilege. The Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Eailroad, and the Chicago and Lake Huron llailroad, gave free return tickets to our students going to their homes for the two short vacations. The Detroit and Milwaukee did the same to those who entered upon their road at the Owosso station in the August vaca- tion. For such favors hearty thanks are given by the officers of tha College, and by the students, many of whom arc struggling, unassisted, to acquire an education. The Faculty forbear in this general lleport to give any account of the work done in the various class-rooms, or on the farm or in the gardens, inasmuch as each officer will present a full report of his department. We would, however, call attention to the fact that while the labor which officers have to perform at the College has, within a few years, been largely increased, there has been no corresponding increase of force. It is but a fevr years since the Junior and Senior classes were nnited for in- struction in a number of studies. The size of the classes makes this to be no longer practicable. The Freshman class requires to be instructed iu two sec- tions, and each division is then larger than it should be. During the first term, or until our examinations had sifted ont the less compe- tent ones, the sections consisted of more than thirty students each. In some branches we have been compelled to divide the Sophomore class also. Before the growth of the College rendered it inadmissible, the Professor of Agriculture gave instruction in Civil Engineering or Physiology, and the Professor of Hor- ticulture in several l^ranchcs outside of his especial field. The indispensable labor of correcting themes, and of giving practice in speak- ing and surveying, as well as in all work where individual instruction or over- sight is required, has been largely increased by the growth of numbers in attendance. For thorough work in instruction and oversight there is need of an increase in the number of officers. Our numbers have always been beloAV the require- ments of such a scientific course as we invito students to enter upon. We are also shut up to one prescribed course of study, Avhile it might bo well to give a choice of instruction corresponding to the intended pursuits of students. It may be the intention of some to be more occui^ied Avith stock, others with special farm cro2)S, or garden produce, or fruit. It is, again, with our limited force, difficult to give proper attention to the 80 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. graduates of the College ^Yho return to it in order to continue some line of study. It is a gratifying proof of the regard in which the College course of study is held, of the interest which has heen awakened, and of the increased attention paid to studies hitherto unknown in college courses and neglected, that gradu- ates return, for a longer or shorter period of study, to an extent almost unex- ampled, except in the oldest and most prosperous colleges of the land. K. G. Baied, Scc^y. T. C. ABBOT, PremlenL State Agkicultueal College, ) Laminrj, Midi., Sept. 30, 1876. \ REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY. To tho President of the College. It is with pleasure that I report a successful and prosperous year in the De- partment of Chemistry. The attendance has heen larger than in previous years, and the students have been distinguished for their steady attendance and enthu- siastic devotion to their studies and work. SPRING TEEM'. Junior Class. — In the spring term I gave a full course of lectures on Agricul- tural Chemistry, the lectures being illustrated and enforced by appropriate ex- periments. The whole number attending these lectures was eighteen. Sopliomore Class. — To the Sophomore Class I gave a full course of lectures on Inorganic Chemistry, illustrated by copious experiments. According to my usual custom, I met the class one evening in each Aveek of the term for a chem- ical conversation, in which tho topics of previous lectures were discussed in a free conversational manner. This is not a required exercise, but almost every student availed himself of this opportunity, and felt it was to his profit to be irniformly present. Some instruction and practice in chemical manipulation was afforded the class, to make them familiar with the simpler details of pre- paring and j^erforming chemical experiments. It is my earnest desire to extend this course, so as to make all our students skillful in performing all the experi- ments in practical chemistry ; to make them not only theoretical, but practical chemists. The whole number of students attending lectures on Inorganic Chemistry this term was forty-seven. SUMMEE TEEM. Junior Class. — The Junior Class pursued the study of Chemical Physics, com- pleting the study with the exception of Electricity. This Avas a recitation, but the subject was illustrated by experiments. The total number of students in at- tendance was nineteen. Sophomore Class. — To the Sophomore Class I gave a course of lectures on organic chemistry with illustrative experiments. I also gave a short course of lectures on volumetric analysis, followed by a course of analysis by volume, in DEPAKTMENT KEPOKTS. 81 which each student was required to make thirty quantitative determinations in alkahmetry and acidimetry. The assistant in chemistry gave a short course of lectures on blowpipe analy- sis, and under his charge each student was required to make an analysis of twenty different substances in the dry way. The class spent two hours a day either in attending lectures or in practical laboratory work. The total number of students in these classes was forty-six. FALL TERM. Junior Class. — The Junior Class completed the study of cliemical physics, and I am now delivering a course of lectures on meteorology. I have given two evening lectures with illustrations on the subject of electricity. Total number of students in attendance in this class is sixteen. Sojjhomore Class. — The Sophomore Class are engaged in qualitative chemical analysis, spending three hours a day in laboratory work, each one making his own investigation into the composition of unknown substances under the direc- tion of the Professor and his assistants. The whole number of students in analysis this term is thirty-eight. In addition to the regular students in the course, three resident graduates have given their attention to higher chemistry, manipulation, etc. The total num- ber of students that have received instruction in this department during the year is seventy-one. OUTSIDE WORK. It is difficult for a teacher in a public institution to confine himself entirely to class-room work. Tlie public claim (and justly) a certain amount of his time and energy. The amount of this outside work should be considered in estimating a teacher's work for the year. The public often pass lightly over what is really one of the most laborious parts ot a teacher's work. While this is cheerfully performed by the public-spirited teacher, it is none the less worh. Farmers'' Institutes. — I need not speak at length of the Farmers' Institutes of 1876, for the history and results of these meetings are already before you in the Eeport of your Board for 1875. Besides assisting in the organizing of these Institutes, I attended and took part in the Institutes at Allegan, Decatur, Adrian, and Coldwater. I also took part in an extra Institute at Ypsilanti. At the request of this Board I have prepared and had printed a circular in regard to the Institutes of 1877, and have sent copies of this circular to each member of the Board. American Ifedical Association. — Having been appointed Chairman of tlio Section of State Medicine and Public Hygiene in the American Medical Associa- tion, I attended the meeting of that body in June at Philadelphia, and presided at the meetings of the Section named. In preparing the work for that Section much labor in the way of correspondence and circulars was involved, but as the results of such work are for the benefit of the whole mass of the people, I felt justified in devoting a part of my time to this work. As Chairman of the Sec- tion, I gave a public address before the Association on The Two Great Natural Purifiers, viz. : Air and Water. In the Section I read an extended report on The Water Supply of Michigan, State Board of Health. — As member of the State Board of Health, I have attended all its meetings except the one in Januar}-, from which I was absent on account of the Farmers' Institutes, which occurred at the same time. I 11 82 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTURE. have prepared three articles for the annual Report of that Board : 1. Means of Escape from Public Buildings in case of Fire ; 3. Ventilation of Railroad Cars; 3. The Water Supply of Michigan. As the efforts of the State Board of Health are directed to promoting the public health, I think an intelligent public will justify me in devoting a part of my time to this beneficent work. Detroit Medical College. — By invitation of the Faculty of Detroit Medical College, I gave an address to their graduating class at their commencement in February last. Lightning Hods. — During the year I have spent a good deal of time in exper- iments to determine the laws of conduction of electricity in metallic rods to ascertain beyond controversy whether conduction is by surface action or through the mass of the conductor, — whether a solid rod is as good a conductor as a tube of the same metal. It may be said that this is a question of purely scien- tific interest, and of no practical importance to the farmers, but I think it is of pecuniary interest to the farmers to have this question settled correctly, aside from the question of safety to life and property. The cost of an iron tube will be at least double that of a solid rod containing the same amount of metal, and the use of solid rods would thus reduce one-half the cost of a rod as compared with the use of iron tubes of equal conducting cajDacity. It will thus be evident that such investigations are of value to the public, aside from the scientific question involved. It is money in the pocket for people to know the truth. Meteorological Olservations. — A full set of meteorological observations have been taken for the year, and monthly reports of the same forwarded to the Smithsonian Institution. These observations have now been taken continuously for more than 13 years at this College. I believe they are the only set of com- plete observations ever taken in this State, embracing the same number of years. They will be of great value in determining many questions o great importance to the farmers of this State. WAISTS OF THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. We need additional means for class illustration, especially a projection spec- troscope and an electrical lamp. For these and other needed apparatus I ask an appropriation of $500 for eacli of the years 1877 and 1878. We also need some cheaper and more convenient means of heat for use of students in analy- sis. With the present revenue tax on alcohol, it is very expensive as well as in- convenient material for such use. The introduction of a cheap gas machine would afford a convenient and much more economical source of heat. I there- fore ask for an appropriation of $750 (all to be expended in 1877), for a gas machine and fixtures for the Laboratory. ASSISTANT IN CHEMISTRY. On this topic I cannot do better than to substantially repeat what I said in my last report. I cannot in justice pass from the subject of Laboratory work without speaking of the satisfactory way in which my assistant has performed his laborious duties. Besides the janitor work for the laborator}^, such as sweep- ing the rooms, building fires, etc., work done in other departments by a student specially assigned to that duty, he assists in preparing cliomicals and apparatus for class-room illustration. He takes all the meteorological observations. When I am called away from the College by other duties he gives my lectures and car- ries on my classes to their entire satisfaction. He takes almost the entire care of the routine work in chemical analysis. But for having so capable an assist- DEPAKTMENT REPOKTS. 83 ant I sliould be able to do but little beside class-room work, and all opportunity for original investigation and outside work would be impossible. AVhile he has discharged these difficult duties to my entire satisfaction, his salary is less than that of any employe of the College that fills a position of like responsibility. While other employes receive $600, with board, washing, and other personal ex- penses, he only receives 8600, with no cost for personal expenses — which can- not be less than $4 per week. He thus receives a salary of $400 as compared Avitli other employes in positions of corresponding responsibility. I ask that this disparity be removed by making his salary $800 without perquisites. All of which is respectfully submitted. E. C. KEDZIE, Professor of Chemistry, and Curator of Clierti. Laboratory. State Ageicultueal College, \ Sept. 30th, 1876. ^ REPOET OF PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE. To the President of the College : The following is a report of various duties performed in my department since my last report of November 30th, 1875 : The new arrangement of studies entered upon at the beginning of this year has somewhat increased the number of classes naturally falling to my charge, and the work has been fully as confining as ever. A brief summary of class work may be given here : The Senior and Junior classes were united for the study of French, giving me a class of 34 members, — too large to handle to the best advantage. The course consisted of 25 weeks, 13 upon the grammar, with daily Avritten themes, and 12 upon the reader, Avith attendant grammar lessons. Nearly the whole of Otto's grammar was thus studied, and some 80 pages of Bocher's Otto's Eeader was translated. All save one passed successfully the examinations closing the terms. May 23d and August 18th. Some 1,400 themes were corrected. The Senior Class took the usual course of twenty-five lectures in Political Economy. My effort has been to make the presentation of this science as com- plete as possible in so brief a course by careful analysis of related topics and pre- sentation of these relations to the eye by a chart. Especial attention is also given to illustration of principles by familiar facts, and to discussion of such applications as particularly concern agriculture. The class numbered eighteen, all of whom passed a satisfactory examination after having shown much interest during the progress of the study. The wish was often expressed that the course could be extended. The Sophomore Class took the same course in Hepburn's Manual of Ehetoric as that pursued last year, with the usual success. The book is scarcely satis- factory, and I have recommended a return to "Whately's Ehetoric in the new course, which gives place for rhetoric in the Junior year. The class this year 84 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTUEE. was a very large one, numbering forty-seven, in which much energy was needed to keep up the interest. The success was on the whole gratifying as marked by general proficiency and interest in rhetorical exercises. Five members of the class left during the term from sickness or other disability, and four failed upon final examination ; one of these, however, has since passed satisfactorily. The new course of study has introduced into the Freshman year one course of thirteen weeks in English composition instead of several shorter courses in dif- ferent years. The advantage of this seems to be settled by this year's experi- ence, in which it has been found far easier to interest the class and gain a real progress than heretofore. The method adopted was as follows : Hart's Compo- sition and Khetoric was taken as a text book, especially for its numerous examples, and lessons from it embraced, first, prose composition in its various forms ; then, punctuation, diction, and sentences, in order, with a brief explanation of figures of speecli from an analysis of my own. Every week during the course each member of the class was required to prepare a written exercise for my inspec- tion, with especial reference to accuracy and neatness of execution, as well as to arrangement and expression of thoughts. The topics assigned may give an idea of the scope of instruction: 1, a business letter; 2, a letter of frendship, giving a day's experience; 3, the journey to college, by analysis; 4, biography of Socrates or of Washington ; 5, story of growth in some plant ; G, description of some jirominent building, in the order of progress while visiting it ; 7, descrip- tion of the oak or the pine, as a lumberman views it, or a forester, or a botan- ist ; 8, description of some animal ; 9, explanation of some trade, business, or profession ; 10, narrative of causes producing an effect, as a war or a loaf of bread; 11, description of a complex machine, or of a landscape. Sj^ecial instructions preceded the preparation of such exercises, and all were subjected to close criticism ; some were read before the class and noticed there. The whole number of exercises thus handled was about 800. The class of seventy was heard in two divisions for the sake of thorough work, and sixty-two com- pleted the study satisfactorily. Four left College before the close of the term ; four failed in examination ; one of the latter, however, was able to pass after some weeks of private study. I have now in charge a class of 12 Juniors in English Literature. The class provide themselves with Chambers' Cyclopedia of English Literature, for con- stant reference and frequent use in class-room, but the course is given by daily lectures, covering the history of the language, the peculiar influences in the growth of literature in different periods, and biographical sketches of leading authors, from Chaucer down, with especial attention to the development of their genius. While this course may be less defined than an ordinary text-book would make it, the interest awakened is indefinitely greater, so that several of the Seniors have been constant attendants upon the lectures this year, as a voluntary exercise. In this connection may be mentioned a voluntary class in Shakespeare, de- signed for the Juniors. It is held for an hour on each Thursday evening, and has been well attended, the average number being as high as 15, I judge. One play, *'As you like it," has been completed, and another, ''Hamlet," is begun. The Freshman class, numbering 4G, has begun the study of French in Otto's Grammar. The class recites in two divisions, that all may recite daily, and oc- casional Avritten themes are required. The excessive burden of so many written exercises to correct, has led to the devising of other methods for drill, and es- pecial effort has been given so far to interest the class in comparison of French DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 85 and English words and idioms, for the better understanding of onr own tongue. Tiie French has thus been made conducive to the study of English grammar. At the earnest request of 25 or 30 of this class, I have consented to meet them one hour a week for English parsing and analysis. Tlie expectation of teaching during the winter, entertained by many of the students, gives especial zest to this study. No small portion of my year's work is found in oversight of the rhetorical exercises of the Junior and Senior classes. There have been prepared under my direction and delivered in the College chapel 103 orations, 17 of which were pi'esented at the Junior exhibition. The methods of instruction have been es- sentially the same as those given in the report of 1875. These exercises have given me occupation with students at least five hours weekly, and fully twice as many hours in the study. There are now in course of preparation 25 orations to complete the work of the college year. Other duties at College have been the oversight of the Library, — elsewhere reported upon, — a lecture in the regular order of Wednesday exercises, a Bible- class under charge of the College Christian Union, and the usual committee work. A relief in this last particular, however, has been felt by the appoint- ment of a standing committee upon general arrangements for public exercises. My share in three of the Farmers' Institutes of January last has already ap- peared in the published rejiort. Of other work outside of College routine I have done very little, thinking my strength to be needed in everyday duties. The work of Township Superintendent of Schools during the winter, amounting to some five days' time, and a brief oration at the College on Indei^endence-day, comprise it all. My absence from daily duties is all included in seven days taken for a visit to the Centennial Exposition, during which the President kindly under- took to provide for my classes. In conclusion I have only to deprecate the fact that my labor must be so scattered in many directions as not to give the best results in teaching, and to leave no time for studies that I need for my lectures, and that may bring ad- vantage to the College. I feel that I ought not to ignore this need of my de- partment. If any thought arises that some of the drill in composition might be dispensed with, since the College is espocially designed to give instruction in sciences related to agriculture, it must be thought too that "he who knows but cannot clearly show it, is as if he had not learned." The influence that our students and graduates have throughout the State must depend as well upon their ability to express well the facts of their knowledge as upon their having them. If the French could be provided for by additional instruction from some source, my efficiency as professor of English Literature would be increased to the benefit of the College in many ways. Eespectfully submitted. GEO. T. FAIRCHILD. State Agricultueal College, Lansing, Mich., Sej^t. 30, 1876. 86 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUEE. EEPORT OF LIBRARIAN. To the President of the College : Dear Sir : — The following report of the College Library for the ten months passed, since my last annual report, is respectfully submitted : The Library has been open daily during term time, at the usual hours. It has also been opened for au hour after suj^per, each day of the short vacations. During the long winter vacation no provision was made for opening, the mem- bers of the Faculty having access by means of keys in their possession. The care of the room has been, as usual, in charge of a student. Three dif- ferent members of the Freshman class have had tliis duty, and have given good satisfaction. No work outside this regular routine has been undertaken for want of time on my part, for the necessary oversight. The catalogue of sub- jects is still needed, but must wait until more skilled assistance can be had in making it. The pamphlets are as yet but partially arranged and without con- venient catalogue. The Institute pamphlet cases, for which a small sum was appropriated in April, were not to be found in the market, and I have not dis- covered as yet any other that seemed to promise satisfaction. This work I hope to accomplish another year. The record of books drawn, which does not include the large number con- sulted in the library by the daily visitors, shows tlie number of persons who have drawn books to be 161, and the whole number of books drawn to be 1,298. Of these 336 were upon purely scientific subjects, 185 upon agriciilture and horti- culture, and the remainder in history, biography, and miscellaneous literature. To the last class of books the Christian Union Library of about 200 volumes is an excellent supplement. This has been extensively used, but I have no data from which to report. It is deposited permanently with the College Library, and is under the same rules, but has its own officers and a separate record. The library has been considerably increased during the present year, both by purchase and by donations. The number of volumes added by purchase (includ- ing such periodicals as when bound make a most useful part of the library) is 181. The number added by donations, and exchanges through the Secretary, is 147, of which about one-third are pamphlets of a permanent interest. The increase in numbers, 328 volumes, does not, however, indicate the extent of the growth ; for the nature of the addition is its best recommendation. All pur- chases have been at the suggestion of the prof essors in the different departments. Catalogues of books, implements, seeds, etc., for sale, and premium lists of fairs, or advertising pamphlets of any kind, have not been included in the above, though several hundred of these have accumulated. All the above donations have been reported to the Faculty from time to time for record in the general list of donations. The College has taken for the Library, upon subscription, twenty-seven period- icals, as follows : The Country Gentleman. The American Agriculturist. The Agricultural Gazette. The Gardener's Chronicle. DEPARTMENT EEPORTS. 87 The American Chemist. The Chemical News. The Journal of the Chemical Society. The American Journal of Science and Art. The Pojjular Science Review. The Quarterly Journal of Science. Nature. The Naturalist. The Electic Engineering Magazine. Engineering. The American Bee Journal. The Canadian Entomologist. The Atlantic Monthly. Harper's Monthly Magazine. The Nation. The North American Review. The International Review. Blackwood's Magazine. The British Quarterly Review. The London Quarterly Review. The Edinburgh Review. The Westminster Review. The Detroit Daily Tribune. The following periodicals, to the number of fifty-six, have been furnished by the publishers. The Canada Farmer. The New England Farmer. The Prairie Farmer. The Michigan Farmer. The Practical Farmer. The Western Agriculturist. The Western Rural. The American Rural Home. The Scientific Farmer. The Boston Journal of Chemistry. The Bee Keepers' Magazine. Gleanings in Bee-Culture. The Michigan Teacher. The Peninsular Journal of Medicine. The Detroit Review of Medicine. The Church Union. The American Missionary. The Galaxy. The Penn Monthly. The Christian Register, ) rn, , ,, . tt o The Religious Magazine, } ^^^^'^"g^ *^^ ^' ^' ^' Browne's Photographic Monthly. The Essex Institute Bulletin, The Patent OSice Gazette. The Monthly Report of Department of Agriculture, U. S. The Advent Review. 88 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKK. The Health Eeformer. The Communist. The Foot-hill Weekly Tidings. (The last four have been furnished for a part of the year.) MICHIGAJSr NEWSPAPEKS. Allegan Journal, semi-weekly. Ann Arbor Michigan Argus. Battle Creek Journal. Charlotte Kepublican. Clinton County Kepublican. Coldwater Kepublican, semi-weekly. Grand Haven Herald. Grand Kapids Saturday Evening Post. Grand Kapids Times. Grand Traverse Herald. Hastings Kepublican Banner. Hillsdale Standard. Ingham County News. Jackson Citizen, weekly. Lansing Journal. Lansing Kepublican, semi-weekly. Midland Lidependent. Monroe Commercial. Newaj^go Tribune. Pontiac Bill Poster. Komeo Observer. Sanilac Jeffersonian. Sturgis Journal-Times. Traverse Bay Eagle. Wolverine Citizen (Flint). Ypsilanti Commercial. We have had also occasional numbcis of other papers, as of particular interest. Members of the Faculty have added to all this variety by their donations as follows : President Abbot has given The Weekly Scotsman, The Independent, The New York Evening Post, semi-weekly, The School, and the Grange Visitor. Prof. Beal has furnished The Ann Arbor Courier, The New York Tribune, weekly. The Ohio Farmer, and The Indiana Farmor, Mr. Carpenter has given The Detroit Free Press, tri-weekly, and the School Bulletin. Mr. Garfield has given, nearly complete, The Kural New Yorker, and The Western Farm Journal, and the Kentucky Live Stock Journal. The Librarian has added The Advance, The American Citizen, The Literary World, and The Oberlin Keview, Tlie interest in the reading-room is constantly on the increase, the magazines and local newspajiers seeming most attractive. I hope we may be able to keep the supply of current literature as good as it is now. The convenience of the Library has been increased by the addition of a table and two step-ladders, while the general appearance has been improved (aside from the increase in books and better binding), by a couple of photographs DEPARTMENT EEPOETS. 89 of the Iowa Agricultural College, a gift from Prof. C. E. Bessey, class of '69, and by deposits of the National History Society. Increased shelf-room -will be needed another year, according to the general plan already adopted, when the Natural History Society should have a place, if possible, in the General Museum. Expenditures connected with the Library, for which vouchers have been ren- dered to the Secretary are classified as follows : Eor books for the Library (bound) 1379 99 periodicals, etc. (to be bound) 179 97 binding, 68 vols. @^1.12| - 76 50 repairing 2 vols 50 freight and express charges - 18 30 postage and exchange 2 87 furniture - 13 15 stationery -- 66 books sold to professors and students 83 33 Add to these cash items, students' labor 63 30 Eeceipts passing through the hands of the Librarian are from sales of a res- idue of old text books, of the text books in Analytical Chemistry, of which 300 copies have been deposited with the Librarian, and' of books purchased from time to time for convenience of the professors and students, such as the hymn books used in the College chapel, etc. These receipts have been turned over to the Secretary frequently, and are classified as follows : Erom old text books - - S8 10 Chemistries 38 00 other books - 80 24 There remain on liand hymn books worth $3.80, which sum added to the ^80.24 gives $84.04 received for what cost the College ^83.33, and a trifling expense to cover the balance of 71 cents. The account of the Library will be found in summary among the department accounts. The balance of the appropriation of f!l,000, from the State Treasury for the two years ending December 31st next, will be wholly expended, unless some few foreign books should fail to reach us as expected. I omit any estimate of needed expenditures for ensuing years, as I have already placed in your hands such a paper for presentation before the State Board of Agriculture. I cannot but add in closing the hope that some way may be found to give to the Library more of somebody's time and strength in oversight. Such as I have given has been but the recreation after hurrying through the crowded duties of my professorship. The Librarian ought to know the whereabouts and general contents of the books in the Library, as well as to keep up full correspondence with various sources of increase ; but I have had no time and little thought for either. Kespectf ully submitted, GEO. T. EAIRCHILD. State Agricultural College, [ Lansing, Mich., Sept. 30, 1876. \ 13 90 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. EEPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY. To the President of the College: Herewith I present a report, of the instruction given, and the progress made in my department for that portion of the past College year which has expired. Early in the year, my assumed labors more than equaled my strength, so that for more than two months I was nearly disabled from College duties, having lost the use of my voice. During this time I was fortunately able to procure very efficient aid, so that the course of instruction was not broken in upon. I was able most of the time to carry on my other duties, some of the time, however, in an indifferent manner. I also took advantage of my misfortune by taking this time to visit the great Exposition at Philadelphia, and some of the leading museums of the country. Owing to a change in the arrangement of the College terms, my instruction has been such as to make the title of my professorship almost a misnomer, the majority of the subjects taught not coming in my department at all. I feel that in view of the increasing duties of my position as Apiarist, and Curator of the Museum, and the disadvantage I labor under in giving instruction in so many subjects entirely foreign to my general thought and study, — Rhetoricals, Book-keeping, History and Mathematics — that some provision for a change is very desirable. The Junior class had a course of thirteen weeks in Mechanics. The study was pursued by use of text-book — Snell's Olmstead. The class made very com- mendable i^rogress, the members, without exception, evincing an interest which bore fruit in an excellent scholarship, and most satisfactory examination. The class average was unusually high. The same progress was shown in the study of Hydrostatics, Acoustics, and Optics, during the first half of the second term. The class numbered thirteen. I can not close this part of my rej^ort without reference to the excellent man- ner in which the class was conducted by Prof. Carpenter during my sickness. The Junior class also had a course of eight weeks in Entomology, during whicli time a course of lectures was given embracing the following subjects : The Anatomy, and Physiology of Insects, their Classifications ; Scientific and Practical Apiculture, and Economic Entomology. In the pursuit of the last two subjects we were aided very much by the use of my ]\Ianual of Apiculture, and my pamphlet on the Injurious Insects of Michigan. The members of the class collected and bred insects, that they might the better observe their transformations, and also performed more laboratory work than usual. They dissected, to determine accurately the anatomy of insects. They not only examined under the microscope those portions used in classifica- tion, but also dissected out and carefully examined the digestive, circulatory, re- spiratory, nervous, and reproductory organs. The results of their laboratory work were shown by figures carefully drawn on the black-board and explained to the class. During the instruction in Apiculture, the students witnessed all the manipu- lations, such as forming nuclei, dividing colonies, introducing queens, extract- ing, etc., and such as desired — nearly all — actually took part in the operations • DEPARTMENT EEPOETS. 91 Owing to the change of terms our time in Entomology was cut short four weeks, but the excellent attention and diligence of the students went far to make- this up. The class numbered fifteen. I also had the Juniors four weeks in comparative anatomy, in which time the- subject of Osteology was pretty well considered. We received invaluable aid from the skull and skeleton, which have been recently added to our collection.. The class numbered twelve. The Freshman class pursued the subject of Ancient History for the first term. The history of Greece and Eome, as also that of the Middle Ages, was studied from the text-book, use being made of Swinton's Outlines, which seems admira- bly adapted to our purpose. I also gave them lectures, covering the still more ancient history of the most important nations ; as the history of Egypt, Persia,. Assyria, etc. Attendance on these lectures was voluntary, and they were given outside of study hours, yet they were attended by nearly all, and the interest and attention given to the lectures, as well as to class instruction, was most satisfactory. The class was so large that it had to be divided, yet even then^ there were nearly forty in each division, and, notwithstanding the large number^ the deportment was perfect, and the progress made very encouraging. At the present time the Sophomore class is studying mechanics, under my instruction, using the same text book as did the Juniors earlier in the year. The class numbers over forty, yet for interest and attention and real progress I never had a class do better. This study will continue for the remainder of the- College year. During the year I have had charge of the large Sophomore Class, numbering, forty-six members, in rhetoricals. For the first two terms each student was pre- pared once in three weeks with either a declamation or an essay, the one alter- nating with the other. Since the commencement of the last term orations have been substituted for the essays and declamations. The charge of this immense class has been a severe task, yet I have been encouraged by seeing a good degree of progress. So far as the students are concerned there is every reason to be satisfied. For the first two terms of the year, Mr. J. Wheeler Higbee, of the- class of ' 74, gave special study to the subject of zoology and apiculture, under my direction. Mr. Higbee studied the natural objects, and worked with real enthusiasm till failing health obliged him to cease his studies. His study ofi apiculture was supplemented by actual work, as he did a large share of the manual labor of the apiary. Before closing this report I wish to express my great joy at the good deport- ment, great diligence, and gratifying earnestness which have been very noticea- ble in all my classes during the year. So far as my experience goes, it has been a marked year in the history of the College. NEEDS. Before next year we very much need some more microscopic preparations in. physiology. As yet we have no preparations of nerve tissue. I would advise the outlay of at least ten dollars ($10) for such slides. We also need at least three — and five would be better — of Tolls' hand lenses for use in dissec- tion in entomology. These are so very necessary that I feel that we must hava- them. 92 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. OUTSIDE WORK. During the winter besides preparing two lectures for tlie Institutes — one of which was delivered at three different j)laces, — I also gave one lecture before the annual meeting of the State Pomological Society, and wrote out and illustrated a Manual of the Apiary, which if we may judge from the call for it, was oppor- tune in its time of appearance. These are sold at the price of thirty cents, and already there have been over six hundred called for. I have also been called upon, as one of the Executive Board of the State Pomological Society, to work not a little for that Society. During the winter I Avas sent to Detroit for a week to confer with the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society in refer- ence to exhibiting at the Centennial, and the advisability of a Union Eair in the succeeding autumn. I was also made a committee on getting electrotypes for the Keport of the Society for 1875, and have been chairman of the Fi- nance Committee of that Society for the year. The entire arrangement of the fruit display at the State Union Eair at Jackson was under my charge, and with the admirable assistance of two of our graduates, Messrs. C. W. Garfield, and H. G. Keynolds, and the wife of the former, I made a classification of the fruit, which was not only very instructive but absolutely imperative, if anything like justice is to be done by awarding committees when such large exhibitions are made. I sent out over three hundred communications before the Fair, call- ing the attention of fruit men to the exhibition and the desirability of making it a success. During the year I have been secretary of the Alumni Association, and per- formed the correspondence necessary to the triennial meeting held at the Col- lege tlie 23d of August. I also had charge of the triennial catalogue of the officers and graduates of the College, which was published Avith the general catalogue of the College. Early in the season, before my sickness, I had charge of a large Bible-class, was also Junior Counselor in the Christian Union, and Chairman of the com- mittee on Sabbath Evening Lectures. I had designed some experiments in Scientific and Practical Entomology, but owing to my poor health, was obliged to give them up. The fields in this direc- tion are white for the harvest. The only thing required is time and opportunity. Respectfully submitted. A. J. COOK. State Agricultural College, ) Lansing, Mich., Se2)t. SO, 1876. \ DEPAKTMENT KEPOKTS. 93 KEPORT OF THE CUEATOK OF THE GENERAL MUSEUM. To the President of the College: Tlie following is my report as Curator of the General Museum : The collections have been augmented considerably by donations, the princi- pal of which are several Indian relics by students and others, and a large col- lection of insects from myself. The donations have been properly labelled, and recorded in the Museum Eegister. During the year there has been purchased by me, under authority of the State Board, a fine human skeleton with the parts all articulated, or held in place by wires ; also a skull, so arranged that it may be taken apart or disartic- ulated, so that the parts usually concealed, as the internal ear and turbinated bones, may be jilainly seen and easily studied. I Avas so fortunate as to get these not only at a large discount, but also to receive as a gratuity two plaster models, one of the brain so made as to illustrate all the parts ; the other of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, etc. These not only form a considerable attraction in the museum where they are on. exhibition, but also form a much needed aid in giving instruction in anatomy. At the beginning of the year the space at my disposal was insufficient for the specimens. To remedy this I extended one of the cases to the ceiling. I also secured Yale locks for all the cases. I have also had stands made for sucli of the birds and mammals as were not properly mounted. Much more might be profitably done to increase and improve the collections, which the extent of my duties, — teaching several classes outside of my depart- ment, a large correspondence upon entomological subjects, and the entire charge of the apiary, — renders at present impossible. The subject of room is one that should receive early attention. Even for the coming year it will be necessary either to extend the other side cases to the ceil- ing, which is unsatisfactory, as it makes the specimens show at a great disad- vantage on account of distance, or to build new glass cases within the room, at some distance from the sides. The question, too, of room beyond the limits of the present apartment is one that must soon call for attention. The needs of the museum for the coming two years will demand an outlay of at least five hundred dollars for each year : For care, alcohol, stands - SlOO 00 For extension of cases 100 00 For completing suites of specimens, — zoological, paleontological, and anatomical- . - 300 00 Total- - _ $500 00 A suite of Ward's casts would also form a very interesting and instructive addition to the museum, and Avould be of paramount value in giving instruction in geology. These would cost one thousand dollars, and should be procured as soon as practicable. ■94 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. The following is an account of the expense incurred in the care, management, And improvements for the past year : Yale locks - $33 87 ^Extension of cases 20 00 ■Students' labor (care and stands) 14 59 Adjusting locks 6 00 Anatomical specimens 93 00 Express on anatomical specimens — 4 30 Express on locks 65 Chemicals, paint, etc - - - 3 80 Catches for locks 1 00 Total expense $167 21 The above does not include the expense for alcohol, which bill has not been presented. Kespectfully submitted. A. J. COOK. State Ageicultural College, ] Lansinrj, Mich., Sei^t. 30, 1876. \ REPOET OF THE APIAEY. To the President of the College: Of the ten colonies of bees placed in the new cellar November 26th, all but one — the experimental colony, with none but old bees — came through the winter in fine condition. That one lived till spring, and then died. These colonies were all removed from the cellar once in January, and once in March, that they might have a purifying flight. They were not removed to the summer stands permanently till the middle of April. During the previous autumn the bees were kept breeding even into October, and consumed nearly all the pollen. Several colonies hacl none. These had no brood when removed from the cellar. I attempted to supply this lack by feeding meal during the last of April, but found that nearly as soon as the weather would permit the bees to fly they could get pollen, and tlius would not touch the meal. I fed sparingly of syrup till the fruit trees were in bloom, and by that time had six or seven frames of brood in each hive. I also fed a little between the fruit trees bloom and that of Avhite clover, with the most satisfactory results. During the season I have increased from nine to twenty colonies, all large and in excellent condition. I also procured two Italian queens imported from Italy, but lost one in introducing. The other has done well, and from her I have Italianized the whole apiary, though I am in doubt Avhether all tlie queens were purely mated. DEPAKTMENT REPORTS. 95 I did not permit the colonies to swarm, but practiced artificial swarming, or dividing. I lost three colonies, one coming out in the spring, and leaving at once, witliout waiting to alight even ; the other two going oS this fall, before 1 suspected any such thing, choosing Sunday as the .time for their leave-taking. Had I previously cropped the queen's wings, all of these would have been saved. I have now no queens with uncropped wings. I have extracted during the season 507 pounds from the brood chamber. About a third of this was from basswood, the other two-thirds from fall bloom, and none was extracted except from worker-comb, which it was desired to keep free from honev that it might be used for brood. During the season I have worked for conrb-honey, both in boxes and in small frames, and found that I could secure much more in. the frames. I find, too, that the honey in small frames is liked quite as well by consumers. In the spring I surrounded the apiaiy grounds with numerous honey-pro- ducing shrubs and trees, as basswoods, locusts, crab-apple, shad-bush, etc. Most of these have done well, — a few have died. These have been kept mulched, and the ground about them well spaded al). the season. I have also set out more evergreens, some for a wind-break, others for shade for bees ; and have started some Concord grape-vines and Virginia creepers for shade. Some of the latter plants have been, set about the house, that it may climb upon it, and has already made a fine growth. I have also set out several kinds of bee-plants of more or less repute. The following kinds have done well, and all have yielded bloom except the two first, which will not bloom till another season : yellow trefoil clover, yellow Bokhara clover, mignonette, black mustard, Chinese mustard, borage, common and silver-leaf buckwheat, common and Chinese sunflower, and Kocky mountain bee-plant. The following is the account with the apiary : APIARY. ^^^ To tools - $12 00 seeds 2 25 record book. 1 60 45 lbs. sugar. 4 95 lumber for hives IG 87 '^ work-bench 2 00 drawing lumber 1 00 nails, brads, tacks, tins, and hooks (for hives) 7 75 paint and oil (for hives) — 3 98 students' labor (making hives) 18 23 '' (making work-bench) 3 00 Italian queens 19 60 3 bee hats 1 55 2 doz. registering cards 30 1 oz. pep. essence 50 4 lbs. comb foundation 3 50 2^ lbs. beeswax 75 students' labor in care of bees 7 68 24 evergreens 3 00 students' labor in care of experimental plats 15 35 broken rake 50 3 cart loads manure to mulch trees (for garden) @ 40c 1 20 11^ wagon-loads manure for experimental plats (for farm) @ 25c- 2 88 96 STATE BOAKD OF AGKICULTUKE. To garden team (plowing for trees) $ L 00 " " ( " '' experimental plats) 170 students' labor in setting and caring for trees 18 22 2 loads saw dust (improving ground) 2 75 3J hours' team work (drawing manure) 97 Total amount $155 08 RESULTS CLASSIFIED. Improvement of grounds - - $26 17 Experimental plats (Honey Plants) 23 65 Tools, record-book, etc - 20 45 Hives, feed, queens, and care of bees 84 81 Total amount $155 08 API.VKY. Cr. By 11 colonies bees (in liives) @ $10.00 $110 00 59 lbs. extracted honey @ 17*c 10 32 115 " " " @20c 23 00 889i " '' ' @15c - 58 42 64^ " comb " @ 20c - 12 90 84" " " " @ 25c 2100 168 " " " @ 20c, (unsold) 33 60 70 " asparagus @ 08c 5 60 60 frames worker comb @ 10c 6 00 9 bee hives @ $2.00 18 00 improved grounds 26 17 experiments on bee-plants 23 65 tools, record-book, etc 15 45 "work bench 5 00 lumber, paint and oil on hand 2 33 Total receipts $3 71 44 Total exjjenditures 155 08 rv Net profits on 9 colonies $216 36 Net profit per colony 24 04 CONCLUSIONS FEOM YEAR'S WORK. The experimental hive, strong in old bees, but which contained no young bees, as no brood was permitted to hatch after the middle of August, and which died in early spring, indicates that spring dwindling may come from the fact that there are no young bees in the hive when the bees go into winter quarters. This condition may arise either from a poor queen, a poor honey yield, or dearth of honey in autumn, when even the best queen will refuse to do duty ; or, as has been the case here this fall, such a great honey yield as to give the queen no opportunity. NATURAL SWARMING. I have proved, what reason and a knowledge of the natural history of the honey-bee would discover, that natural swarming is always suffered at a great DEPARTMENT llEPORTS. 97 siicrifice. This insures a ((iioeuless colony for nearly or quite two Aveeks_, which is equivalent to the loss of a fair colony of bees, as a good fertile young queen will start a fair colony in this time, especially as this is generally at tlic time of the Lest honey season of all the year. THE EXTRACTOK. The great value of this machine has been again demonstrated, during the wondrous honey yield of August and September. Although the bees had plenty of room in the supers — both boxes and frames — still they would fill up the brood space as fast as the bees came forth, so as utterly to preclude brceduig. By ex- tracting I kept the brood chamber replete with brood, while by omitting the same, breeding stopped entirely. I found, too, that this sent the queen into the supers, Avhere she would hi\- if there was a possible chance; whereas she re- mained below entirely Avhen room was given her in the brood-cliambcr. POLLEN A REQUISITE TO BROOD REARING. Tlie fact that there was no brood reared in colonies destitute of pollen till the bees had gathered and stored some, seems a positive demonstration that pollen is an essential element of the food of the larva3, though it is not required by the mature bees. The rapid increase of brood in the spring Avould also indicate that it is as well, if not best, that tlie bees have no pollen till they can fly out in spring. FEEDING MEAL. The observations the past spring, su>tained also by those of 18 74, show that bees are pretty apt to be able to gather pollen as soon as it is best for them to ily in the spring. — by tlie middle of A})ri]. — and tliat feeding meal is unneces- sary. EVERGREENS FOR SHADE. Evergreens for shading the colonies, especially Norway spruce, not only serve an excellent purpose, but can be trimmed so as to make the apiar}' grounds very attractive from their beauty, and are to be strongly recommended. SAWDUST ABOUT TflE IIIYES. The sawdust about the hives, underlaid with brick, by keeping the grass down, serves an excellent purpose, as it enables one to sec at once any bees that fall upon it, and thus ensures against loss of queen. LATE FALL FEEDING, As all tlie bees wintered so well during the past winter, I could sec no special difference between those fed late the previous fall and those that Avere not. All bred so late a? to vitiate the experiment. HONEY-PLANTS. The experience of the summer shows that the follovt'ing honey-plants not only yield well, but that they bloom from early in July till autumn, covering a period when there is a dearth of native honey bloom : mignonette, borage, and black mustard. Chinese mustard is inferior to black mustard. It blooms earlier, and the bloom fades away much sooner. Sun-flowers are unAvorthy cultivation, while the Kocky Mountain bee-plant blooms too late to be valuable Avlicre there is jilenty of fall bloom native to the region. AVitli no native bloom to furnish autumn honey, it Avould be valuable. All of the above do well on light sandy soil. 13 98 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. GOLDEX-ROD HONEY. Our autumn expavietica proves that golden-rod honey, though rather dark, is of very superior flavor. Several good Judges have pronounced it superior even to linn or white clover. A. J. COOK. State Ageicultur.vl College, ) Lansing, Sept. 30, 1876. ( REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF BOTANY AND HORTICULTURE. Agricultural College, Sept. 30, 1876. To the I'resiiJent of the State Agricultural College : I pre-ent the following report of my department for the year 187G : horticulture. Instruction in this department began on the opening of the first term, the 24th of February. The Sophomores and a few others, 49 in all, devoted eight weeks to the subject of horticulture. Tlie course pursued and the topics considered were much like those of the previous year, with some additions. Most of the instruction was given by lec- tures, though considerable use was made of "The American Fruit Culturist," the excellent work of J. J. Thomas. students' labor. As heretofore, the work has nearly all been done by students. This brings out a large number of hands for only three hours a day, and requires considera- ble planning to use them all to best advantage. The difficulty is much increased by our small amount of team work. The cart-horse, "Old Prof.," now about twenty-five years old, has been nearly "worthless for most of the past year. For lack of team work students have too often been obliged to work at great disad- vantage, using wheel-barrows instead of a cart to remove rubbish and some other materials, to use hand-hoes instead of cultivating Avith a horse. The enlargement of the garden has made it necessary for our single team to keep busy drawing manure from town and muck from the marsh, to mow the lawns, plow and cultivate the gardens and ajiple orchard. We have even been obliged to hire some team work to accomplish this. According to custom for some years, the juniors have all worked in the horti- cultural department for the whole year. Instead of having a third of the sen- iors for four weeks and then change them for another third, and so keep chang- ing them every four weeks, we have had one-half of them for the entire year. By this means we have been able to give each of them some special kind of work to look after during the whole year. As far as possible each senior had his choice in the work of which he had charge. This not only made it easier for the foreman and myself, but the students were much more interested because DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 99 intrusted. I am iiincli pleased with tiiis plan and have no desire to return to the old way. One senior had charge of the grapes, one the other small fruits, one the nursery and forestry, one the drives and paths, one the apple orchard, one the experimental grasses, another the repairs about the buildings. In these separate departments each senior either did all the work from time to time, or more often ho acted as foreman of other students who helped liim in the work. The juniors have all had quite a variety of work. Each has had a chance to work a few weeks in the greenhouse and flower borders. All of them have had an opportunity, with varied success, to oversee a number of other students in different kinds of work. Most of them like to be thus placed in responsible positions, and usually do their best to perform their work well and with con- siderable dispatch. We have had one-third of the freshmen for each of the three terms, instead of changing oftener, as in former years. The new j^lan has proved perfectly satisfactory to all concerned. PROaUAMMES FOR WORK. I insert from the work-book what all the students in the horticultural depart- ment were doing on three days at different times in the year : On April 17th, seven students were straightening up the terraces for grape- vines and sodding the steep portions : one v. as transplanting in the nursery ; one was pruning in the ap])le orchard ; one showed visitors about ; two were fdling uneven places on the lawn ; three worked in the greenhouse ; one worked cleaning up the drives : one cared for the tools ; one tlie hotbeds ; one removed niirsery stock from the new vegetable garden ; one top-grafted in the apple orchard ; five with team and teamster drew dirt to fill the hole on the flats from which muck had been taken ; three dug out and cut up dead trees from the grounds; two spread manure on the vegetable garden. On May IJOth, tliree worked in the vineyard; one sju'cad manure; one went to help about the apiary; one trimmed small fruits; one hoed experimental grasses ; one worked on drives ; one showed visitors about ; three dug out old dead trees in tlie apple orcliard ; one delivered vegetables to the boarding hall and the professors' houses ; one picked up litter about the buildings ; one dug out old trees on the lawn; two raked up dead leaves; one set out late tomatoes, cue had charge of the tools and repairs; two worked in the greeidiouse. On x\ugust31st, tv,-o helped Prof essor Cook look after the apiary; one worked on rustic seats for the lawn ; one tended to the small fruits ; one collected grasses for the centennial ; four raked and trimmed the drives ; one changed the bands for the last time this year on tlie trunks of the apple trees ; two mowed lawn ; two worked in the greenhouse ; one cleaned up the lawn ; one hoed over a piece of quack grass ; four worked on a bog garden and pond for some wild plants ; one delivered vegetables ; one painted rustic work ; one paved a gutter ; one repaired in the college hall ; four sawed and split up old trees dug from lawn ; one trimmed trees in the grove. Two of the Juniors have been keeping a calendar of operations in tbe horti- cultural department beginning with the opening of the college year. For vari- ous reasons it is quite incomplete. LANDSCAPE GARDENING This is in the course for the last six weeks of the year. No record of the class appears at this time, because the report only covers nine months of the year. The time for making our report is three months earlier tlmn usual. 100 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUJtE. BOTANY. On account of a change in tho programme of studies, in future f^ix weeks of this course is to come in the senior year. The members of the present sophomore class were to receive four weeks' instruction in botany this year, buit on account of ill health I was unable to instruct them during the last two weeks. The freshmen, — sixty-seven of them, — devoted one-third of their time each day for the second term and for one-half of the third term, — eighteen weeks, — to botany. They began as other classes have begun for several years past, by studying carefully some common plants in all their parts so far as they could see with the unassisted eye. No books were used for some weeks. After begin- ning as above stated, they each used dissecting microscopes. Our mode of pro- cedure is difficult to describe to one not accustomed to it, but teacher and pupils all agree that it was one of the most interesting and profitable parts of the course. The class was met in two sections an hour each day. After the first lesson, each student was given some specimens of one or two species, or told what to get and where he could find them. These he looked over carefully and studied for his succeeding lesson. They received credit for answers or reports of good accurate observations, as for other recitations of lessons learned from a book. The mode is much the same as the one pursued by the late Professor L. Agassiz witli his special students, and the one adopted, with some modifications, by many of his most successful pupils. For the best results, and thorough work in studying the structure of plants, the classes were much too large. This is not merely my own opinion, but that of Professors Gray, Goodale, and Farlow of Harvard ; Eaton of Yale, and Pren- tiss of Cornell University. I believe our students have learned tliat to find tlie mere name of a plant by running hastily through an artificial key is of very little importance. But little time is spent in such work. AVe made use of Wood's Botanist and Florist. The very meagre and often incorrect portions of the text in structural botany were noted by lectures in v/liich tlie subject was treated more in detail. The portion treating of microscopical parts was presented entirely by lectures. To eacli student were shown about sixty slides or fresh preparations under the compound microscope. Seeing these slides is much better than nothing, though I think it quite su]Derficial. It Avas the best I could do under the circumstances. It is to be compared to a course in analytical chemistry where the professor should perform all the analyses and write out all the results, the formulae for the reactions, etc., and then sliow the test tubes and filters and the figures to the student. To do real satisfactory work, each student should prepare some or many of his slides and study them thoroughly. He shoukl have considerable practice with tlie compound microscope at his table in a well lighted and well equipped laboratory for the purpose. Tlie time has gone by when a person can be con- sidered a good botanist avIio has mere surface botany, — v.'ho has not had consid- erable practice in the work above proposed. We expect the time will soon come Avhen the Agricultural College of Michigan shall afford ample facilities for this important work. Is it too soon now? In the second term seven lessons were given to our native ferns ; six days to greenhouse and other ornamental plants. A written examination followed the close of tlie first term, and another will follow the middle of the second term. A careful record of scholarship is preserved by marks in a scale from to 10. DEPARTMENT EEPORTS. 101 A written examination follows the completion of each study, and those students are recoi'ded j)assed in t]iat study whose examination marks equal 7, while their regular average exceeds 5 ; or those, the sum of whose regular and examination marks equals or exceeds 13. Students present at less than four-fifths of the class exercises in any study are required to pass a special and more extensive examination, Avith a standing at least 7. QUESTIONS IN HORTICULTURE FOR 187G. Time for writing answers one hour and a half. 1. What is a good location for a garden? 2. How would yoii treat very light soil. 3.' Difficulties in keeping manure after you get it. 4. How to manage a compost heap of horse manure Avhere a litter of straw has been used. 5. How to apply line manure ; how to apply coarse manure. G. What is green manuring!-' Wlien used and how? 7. AVhen and how to use the roller. 8. How to mark out straight rows, and the advantages in having them straight. 9. Construction of sash, etc., for hot beds. 10. Management of hot beds when made. 11. How to raise good tomato plants for the early cro]). 13. Name six tender vegetables sensitive to frost. 13. How to make a nice bed of asparagus for family use. 14. What is a good yield of watermelons and the ordinary profits with good culture ? 15. What is the objection to planting an apple orchard with a thick growth of timber to the southwest? IG. How can you best raise early tomatoes. QUESTIONS IN BOTANY. First examination after studvinjy twelve weeks. 1. Explain neutral, staminate, pistillate, monoecious, dioecious, naked. 2. Name the chief deviations from the pattern flower and give an example of each. 3. Explain cohesion, adhesion, and give examples. 4. Explain hypogynous, perigynous, epigynous. 5. AVhat is a papilionaceous flower? Give example. G. What is a coma, a pappus? Give examples. G, How does a stamen answer to a leaf ; also the morphology]^of an anther which may be adnato, innate, versatile, or kidney shaped? 8. What names are used to describe the union of sepals, of petals, of stamens, with examples of each ? 9. What are the leading kinds of aestivation — examples of each? 10. What are the leading kinds of compound pistils? 11. AVhat is an achenium? a kernel of corn? 12. Describe by word or drawing a seed compylotropous and give two exam- ples. 13. Describe by illustration the different kinds of dehiscence. 14. What is the morphology of a blackberry, a strawberry, and the difference between them? 102 STATK iiOAJll) OF AtJHKJUI/rUKE 15. AVliat is the iiiorpliology of a peach? 16. What is tho morphology of a fig, aud how does it compare witli a suti- ilower? 17. llow can you phice the numbers on the scales of a cone and tlicn deter- mine tlie portion expressing its inflorescence? 18. Explain the terms pinnate, palmate, ovoid, ovate. 19. Give the morphology of tendrils, witli examples. 30. Compare a head and a raceme. 31. Name the various transformations of tlie leaf. 33. Describe and name the parts of an anatropous o^ule. 33. What are the requisites for germination? Questions in second term, not for tho final examination, which lias not taken place : 1. What are ferns? 2. Describe the vegetation of the fern you have. 3. Describe the fruit of the fern you have. 4. Define Polypodiaceic and name two genera. 5. Define Adiantum. G. W^liat is parenchyma, and wliat is proscnchyma, and where may each bo found ? 7. Explain cell formation by conjugation? 8. Describe bordered pits of coniferous wood, and state how they appear wlicn viewed f I'om various directions ? 9. Structure of scalariforni vessels and dotted vessels, and where may each bo found ? 10. What is chlorophyll aud where found ? THE MUSEUM of vegetable products ha^ received no additions of much importance during the past year. My time has been closely occupied with other college work, and in preparing materials for the Centennial Exhibition. THE CEIS^TEXXIAL EXHIBITION. The last report contained an account of the forest products of Michigan, sent to Philadelphia. [A full list of the specimens of the forest products of Michi- gan sent to the Centennial Exhibition will be found in another j)art of this re- port.] While writing tliis report, our papers are spreading tho news all over the State that "The State Agricultural College receives a medal for its 'magnificent col- lection' of Michigan forest woods.'" In tiie spring about ninety-five species of native and foreign grasses were sent to the centennial, in the form of small bunches au inch or two in diameter. These were accurately labeled with scientific name and common name, if the plant had any common name. In September about seventy-five more bunches were forwarded. Tliese were also labeled like the first. Some of them were different from those sent in the spring. The last lot sent were all freshly gath- ered this season. The bunches were also larger, generally aljout four or five inches or more in diameter. DEPARTMENT EEPORTS. 103 LIST OF GRASSES SP:NT TO THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. LATIN NAME. Agrostis perennis. scabra.. . spica venti. . stolonifera . . vulgaris, var. Avena flavescens " hirsiUa " saliva Andropogon sorghum "• furcatus.. '• scopariiis.. ArUhoxanthum odorabuni Arrhenatherum hulbosum Alopecurus arislulatus - " pratensis ^gilops cylindracea " ovata Bromus Ka Imii '• sterilis " macrostachys " madriloitis. '• erectus " mascinus " secalinus '• Schraderi " ciliaius Briza viaxima Cinna arundinaceal. . . Chloris radiala. Corynephoris canescens Cakimngrostis Canadensis Danth'tnia spicata.. Dactylis glomerata Eleusine corocana Eiymus Eurupeus " Canadensis " Virginicus _ " striatus Eatonia P ennsylcanica " obtusata Eragrostis poceoides, var. megastachya. Featuca Ila llerii Common Name. Thin grass Hair " Spreading wind grass Creeping bent " Kliode Island bent grass , Jlet-top Yellow oat grass. Fairy oat grass Oats (1 heteraphylla. ovina " nutans " glaucescens, " rubra. " duriusciUa.. .. " divaricala. " viride " cynosur aides. " elatior Festuca h liacea Olycera nervata fluituns aquatica. Canadensis ... GymnosUchum hystrix. Sorghnm Beard grass. Sweet-scented vernal grass. Oat-like grass Wild fox-tail. Meadow fox-tail. Wild chess Barren broom- Broom-grass.. Upright oat-grass Chess (in wheat-fields). Sehrader's bromus Wild chess Quakiiig grass. Wood reed grass. Gray club grass Blue joint. Old fiog — wild oat-grass. Orchard grass Wild rye. Haller's fescne. Sheep's fescue . Purple fescue. Hard Green " Meadow '" Darnel spiked fescue. F.wl meadow grass.. Reed " " .. Rattlesnake grass. Bottle bush '' . Habitat. North America. Europe. North America, Europe. Old world. North America. Europe. Europe. North America. Europe. Europe. a u (( North America. Europe. North America. Europe. North. America. Europe. Japan. Europe. North America. u a li ;; U (. Europe. Europe. North America. Europe. North America. North America 104 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. LIST OF GRASSES — Continued. LATIX NAME. Mordeum maratimum _ " jubatum Ho Icus lanatus Koleria glauca. " valiscia. Leers ia oryzoides Lolium Italicum " perenne Milium mulliflorum Muhlenberr/ia cjlomerata " sylvatica " Mexicana Oryzopsis asperifolia '' Canadensis vitellina trivialis nemoralis alpina pratensis . compressa serotinn Phleum pratense Phalaris arundinacea picta. " coii-ulescens. " arundinacea '• paradoza. Paspalum elegans Panicum capillare " sanguinale Poa I.: I.', '• Germanicum. '' latifolium " tirgatum '• clandestinum . '' crus gain Spartina cynosuroides.. Setaria verticillata " viridis '* glauca.. '" macra cheta. " Italica Secale cereale Sorghum nictans Triticum imbricatum, " violacceum u repens . . . Car ex Medicago lupulina. " sativa... Vicia sativa Common Name. Sea-side barley Europe. Wild barley Meadow soft a;rass. Rice cut-grass Italian rye-grass. Raj', rj''e-grass, darnel. Mountain rice AV'ild rice Rough meadow grass Wood '' " Alpine '• " June grass, Ky. blue-grass. Wire grass Fowl meadow grass Tiniotlij', herd's grass. Ribbon grass. Ribbon grass. Hair grass.. . Finger grass. Millet. -- Broad-leaved panicum. Barn-yard grass Cord grass Green fox-tail Fox-tail Millet. Rye-- Indian sfrass. Kansas grass . Quack grass . . Sedge Black me dick. Lucerne Spring vetch. Habitat. North America. Europe. Xorth America. Europe. North America. 11 Europe. Europe & N. A. North America. North America. North America. Europe. North America, Europe. Colorado. Europe. North America, Europe. North America. Europe. Europe. North Amerioii. North America. Europe. North America. Enrope. Three bunches of pop-corn- -Esselstyn & Co., Lansing. -J. J. Sidway, -Agricultural College, Lansing. DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 105 I'OT.VTOES SENT TO THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. At tlio time of sending the last lot of grasses, about two hundred and fifty varieties of potatoes wore also sent. Tliese were rather small in size on account of the season. They would not have been sent had not plates and space been engaged when tlie prospect seemed good for a nic3 crop. They were all labeled. Twenty of them were new sorts, lately originated at the College. For a list see the following page, 37 of this report. THE STATE FAIK. Partly on account of exhibiting at the centennial and for other reasons, the College made no attempt to make fm exhibition at the State Fair. On my own responsibility I sent a fine banana, in frnit. This attracted a good deal of at- tention, and many stopped to read the label which gave the names and explained the habitat, mode of growth, etc. From the State Fair the i)lant went to the Kalamazoo County Fair. THE GREENHOUSE AND ORNAMENTAL 1MW&. But few changes have been made since my last report. The sjiecies and va- rieties have been somewhat increased by exchanges, by purchase, and by three small boxes from the agricultural department at Washington. The walls for the two propagating ])its are still covered up, waiting for means to cover them with wood and glass. They are mucli needed. The cuttings and small plants obtained last year are mostly doing well, and many of tlicm are beginning to make quite a display. Tlie houses continue to attract many visitors. The llower beds have done better than last year, as the season has been more favorable. On May 23d, after our l)edding plants were put out, a fi'ost injured many of them, and killed others entirely. On June seven a frost killed a few tricolor geraniums and coleus. Late in August another frost did some damage, though most of the plants re- mained in good condition till October sixth, and some of them later. On account of our frosty location and the short summers here, little attempt is made to use some of the bedding plants which are considered of most value farther south, or in places with longer summers. Among these are scarlet sages, dahlias, vinca alba, and vinca rosea. MOST PROMINENT PLANTS. Verbenas with us are very satisfactory for bedding. They arc easily managed and ilower profusely for a long season. We bend them down and keep them next to the ground bv small stakes. In this wav the stems throw out roots. Those raised from home-grown seeds do best, as they are more thrifty and free from mildew. The difficulty in raising them from seeds is this : we do not know what colors we shall get. Some of the best varieties are velvet mantle, sambo (black), cojrulca (bine), bride (best white and sweet scented), defiance, a good old scarlet variety, which is in great demand. Tlie Mrs. Woodruff is crimson. For bedding and ribbon beds we are especially well pleased with variegated sage (Salvia officinalis var.), alternantheras, variegated sweet alyssum, centaurea gymnocarpa, cineraria acanthifolia. Some of our RIBBON BEDS this summer have been made up as follows : Pelargoniums known as General 14 106 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. Grant for a center or the main part of the bed, with a border of Senecio kuiata ( GnapluiJum lanatnni). Tlio border needs a little clipping occasionally. A nice bed can be made with dark verbenas (sambo) bordered, with golden feverfew. Remember to keep the center buds of the feverfew picked off to prevent it run- ning to flower. Another bed had a coral tree for a center (any small dense shrub would an- swer us Avell), then a ring of centaurea gymnocarpa, then a ring of achyranthes Linderii. The latter is of a beautiful red color, but is inclined to grow too tall. It needs frenneut pinching. Outride of the latter is a row of variegated sago {salvia officinalis, var.), then a row of alternuuthcra inagnifica. The above bed was too small, being only about eight feet in diameter, yet it was much admired. Another small bed had a tree for a center, then artemisia acanthifolia. This is too ragged. Then came a ring of centaurea candidissima. Another circular bed, fourteen feet across, had a center of twenty small plants, of Colocasia csculenta (caladium). This burned in hot Aveather and did not do very well. Next came a ring of colons called sambo or rubra. It is a good sort, and did Avell. Then came a ring of cineraria acanthifolia. This was rather too small to match Avith the rest. Xext came achyranthes verschaffeltii, and the next was variegated sAveet alyssum ; then golden feA'erfcAV ; next al tern an- thera versicolor. In the center, instead of colocasia, place coleus verschaffeltii, and the bed Avould bo made up of a good selection. Our flat beds did better than those much elevated. The soil is rather light and some days of our summer very hot. Wc find it a great advantage to mulch Avith old manure about two inches thick. The ])lant-i do much bettor than Avith frequent hoeing Avithout mulch. I'XOWERINO ANNUALS. For flowering annuah, nothing giA"es us greater satisfaction than good strains of petunia. The best way is to save seeds, and keep saving every year after get- ting started Avitli good colors. They thrive in our hot Aveather, and give plenty of flo\A'ers constantly after they begin until frost comes. Of great value also are the several sorts of Phlox Drummondii. No garden can afford to be without them. Tansies do Avell for fall and spring in cool Aveather. Do not alloAV them to flower in hot Aveather, Avhcn the flowers Avill be small and Avorthless, but pinch out the head and then the plants become strong for fall use. Pansies thrive in cool, damp Aveather. In our short summers, zinneas are veiy satisfactory if good sorts arc u^cd ; snap-dragon also, and larkspurs. Balsams do poorly on light soil in our summers. Asters of many sorts do avcII, but are an uncertain floAver on account of blister beetles, Avhicli sometimes appear very suddenly in immense numbers, destroying a bed in a few hours, often before the insects are noticed. Marigolds are shoAvy and easy to manage. Place them toAvards the back of a garden. Mignonette is good for bouquets and easily raised. WALL rLOAA'ERS are not A'ery satisfactory Avith us. This season our stocks have done remarkably well. Sow once for an early crop and then a later soAving for a succession. A FEAUD. By oversight avc received, in a lot of imported seed, some Leucanthemum vul- gare. This is spoken of as rare and new, and excellent for cutting. It is noth- ing but ox-eye daisy, a most pernicious and troublesome weed. It is a rare plant DEPARTMEN'J' KEPORTS. 10'? Oil the College grounds, and on most farms of Michigan, and we hope it always may be. Pinks are ea-^ily raised, they are fragrant, good for cutting, but not nice for beds to view at a little distance on accouiit of their straggling habit. This season tea ro-es have done very well with our lieavy mulching. I often coademn tea roses as costing more than they come to, as hardly worth raising in pots or in l)eds in open air, but I take it all back when I see them opening their buds, which are perfection among flowers. A few plants of the common feverfew should have been recommended in the: list of bedding plants. The little white heads of double flowers are always wel- come in summer for bouquets. Of course we cannot help liking, for every body likes the large deep blue flow- ers of Clematis Jackinanii. It is a hardy shrubby vine, with slight protection,, and easily managed. Every garden should contain them. We have raised some new pelargoniums, one of which proves to be a good one^ also a few dwarf fancy pelargoniums. PLANTS THAT SELL BEST. First, verbenas, especially the deep bright colors. Every one who has ever tried a bed of good verbenas always wants anotlier. Heliotropes are in good demand, especially the lighter colored varieties. Pelargoniums (geraniums) especially the brightest colors and the most hardy sorts. Those known as Lady Washington geraniums, have had a great run.. Tlie more delicate tri-colors are not in much demand here. The better double- flowered are increasing in popularity. Koses are in good demand. People are often imposed upon in spring by? buying roses which have been forced into bloom all winter. Of course they will do but little in the succeeding summer when they ought to be resting. Our plants are kept in a cool room, and are in good condition in spring for producing, flowers the next summer. Many people have trouble with roses in pots, tea roses, buy them when and wliere they will. The plants are often chilled by placing in cold air too early in spring, or often by too much exposure to the hot suns or in dry living rooms. Eoses like a cool even temperature. Fuchsias sell well, especially the winter flowering sorts such as speciosa. Large numbers are sold to take the place of those carelessly left in a sunny; window of a warm day. Monthly carnations are salable and very satisfactory for winter use. Somo? of our best are President, Edwardsii, La purite, variegata. Chinese primroses are also sold in considerable quantity. No plants give better satisfaction for the^ money. They flower all winter constantly, and bear hard usage well. Oxalis grandiflora (pink flowered sorrel), is much sold. Bouvardias are nice,. but require considerable heat. They are liable to di-y up in a living room^ Small plants worth about 20 cents each are most souglit after. Plants of Begonia rex in variety arc sold as foliage plants, and give very goods satisfaction. Some flowering species are in good demand, also coleus in springy- Among the best are chameleon and verschaffeltii. The latter is chocolate color and stands the heat well in open air. Sambo is a good dark one, golden bcaut3'\ and beauty of St. Johnswood are favorites. The Shah is new and peculiar but* does not stand sun well. 108 STATE BOAKD OF AGIllCULTUJiK. Ciuevarias tiro great favorite-^ for winter flowers in the greenhonse,. but not very satisfactory for home use. Ivy-leaved geraniums are in good denuxnd. People do not like to trust to names, but want to see plants in flower when they buy. FERIS^S. Some ferns are becoming quite popular for basket plants, among them Pteris serrulata, Adiantum cuneatum, nefrodium molle, asplenium bulbiferum. The above are all good ferns for the living rooms at home. Do you wonder why I have not given the common names ? Because many of the plants have no common names, or if they have, they arc not in general use ; or there may be a different common name for each one of many sections of country. WHO BUY PLANTS. The taste for nice plants grows slowly. It is not confined to the wealthy, but rather the reverse. Many people in limited circumstances buy more plants than the wealthy; they admire them more and take better care of them. The younger people, if educated properly in botany and horticulture, will raise more plants and flowers and learn to like them better. THE LAWN has improved in places where we have manured and mowed frequently, as west of the College Hall and about the Greenhouse, but in many places near the build- ing the grass dries up with a few days of warm weather, because the soil is so light and poor. A little good soil has been added west of the Boarding Hall iind north of it to fill up the inequalities. Several tasty rustic seats have been made and placed about the grounds in .suitable places. A few trees have been set, including one group of elms, north of the boarding hall, not far from the road. Some evergreens have been set quite thickly for a screen southwest of the house and barn on the place occupied by Professor Beal, filso to the southeast to hide the wood piles and out buildings. The young ever- greens set in grouj^s about the grounds have been well cultivated all the year. Tliey have made a nice growth, paying Avell for all the trouble. For want of team work, no gravel has been drawn to extend or to even repair the drives and paths. Two large oaks east of the chemical laboratory have been removed because they were nearly dead. Also one north of the boarding hall and one west of the hall, another northwest of the college hall and another (red maple) east of the house of Professor Beal, These were all large trees, which died probably on account of the severe winters of 1873 and 1875. Quite a number of other small white oaks have died and have been removed. Twice within six years I have ordered and set out in the best manner a good variety of choice, rare trees, some of them evergreens. Twice the cold winters have killed them or nearly killed many of them, notwithstanding they were well screened and mulched. Nothing but iron-clads are safe for much time on these grounds or in this climate. Among the best evergreens hardy here are Norway sjn'uce, Austrian pine, Scotch pine, white pine, cembrian pine, arbor vitse, Siberian arbor vitse, abies alcoquiana, dwarf pine, red cedar, savin, black spruce. DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 109 Hemlock spruces have all been much injured. Not one escaped, althougli Ave had quite a large number in various situations. Two out of six in a bed of rliododcndrons wore killed by a cold snow-storm, followed by a bright sun and thaw in March of this year. They were covered with a lattice screen. Among deciduous trees the chestnuts continue to do well, with the exception to one side of the trunk of some of them. This year the first ripe nuts were raised. Horse-chestnuts do poorly, mountain ash also, and all the willows Avhich liave been budded or grafted in the top. Birches all thrive. Some trees arc very desirable on a place planted in groups, not too near tlie l)uildings, flowers and foliage plants are attractive, Init none of them excel a well kept lawn on ground which lias been well prepared and properly seeded. SMALL FRUITS. Tlie rows of currants have been extended. The crop this year was excellent. We keep the bushes well mulclied with straw and other coarse stuff, a? tomato vines and cornstalks. The strawberry crop has also been good. A new l^ed larger than the old one was set this spring. We have about thirty of the best sorts, including some of recent origin. These are planted in small beds. What few raspberry bushes we had bore well. Blackberries were not a good crop. A good-sized })lat of gooseberries has been set. Our new plat of raspberries of some 1, TOO vines did very poorly, many of the plants dying. I think the plants of many of tliem were injured before wo got them by alternately freezing and thawing during the open winter. XnE YIXEYAIID has been extended further east along the river bank sloping to the south. Five rows now extend twenty rods long. Posts of swam}) oak have been set between every two plants in the rows. Three wires are stretched for support of the vines. They are held to the post Ijy a single eight-penny wrought nail to each wire on each post. The nail is driven below the Avire till it only projects about an inch, then the head is bent over the wire. This is better than a staple, and cheajwr. The wires are about ten rods long, passing through holes in the end posts, whicli are well braced. At one end the wires are fastened to the post, at tlie other end they pass through the post and then through a two by four scantling, Avhicli is pried off from tlie post several inches and kept there by blocks to keep the wares tight and straight in summer. When we trim and lay the vines down the blocks are I'onioved between the scantling and posts, letting tlie wires slack up during the cold weather to prevent them from breaking. There are about 300 vines set, wdth space for new sorts which avc may want to test. Last spring the terraces were well graded and nicely sodded on the south edge. The soil is mostly fine gravel and sand, though some of it to the east end has clay bottom. Most of the vines arc Concords, tliough some are Delawares. We have one or more vines of Ives' seedlhig, Hartford Prolific, Clinton, Kebecca, Taylor's Bul- let, Cottage, Eogers' 19 perfected by Brad Held, Rogers' 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 15, 19, 30, 33, 39, 43, 44, 45, Croton, MaxataAvney, 3Iartha, Othello (dead), CreA"eling, Brant, Eumelan, Norton's Virginia, lona, Adirondac (dead), Concord seedling by Bradfield, DelaAvare seedling by Bradfield, Cynthiana, Allen's, Diana, Lady 110 STATE BO A ED OF AGKICULTURE. (dead), Canada, Black Hawk, Israella, Seneca, Walter, Isabella, Alvey, Arnold's 16, Senasqua, Taiman, Perkins. We have quite a number of our own seedlings, about 50, making about 100 varieties in the department. Several of the older vines have been allowed to bear sparingly this year. I am quite encouraged and agreeably surprised with the quality of our Concords, Clintons, Taylor's Bullet, and several of Rogers' hybrids. The season has been unusually favorable for this locality. The vines have had good care. AVe are so pressed for room in the green-house that the south room has not been used for a grajjery, as first intended. Next season we hope to build a cheap new structure for a cold grapery. FORESTRY AZS'D NURSERY. At present, this only contains a piece of land of about an acre and a fjuarter, but it will be extended next year. In this we are raising samples of all the trees and shrubs we can get in the State or any other places if there is any probability that they will be hardy. We are starting samples of osago orange, honey locust, l)epperidge, etc. . We have thrifty young trees of apple, peach, pear, plum, cherry, and orna- mental plants, such as roses, lilacs, spiraeas, yuccas, j^eonies, etc., etc. There are evergreens in variety, also European larch, beeches, alder, birches, and thirty-five species of shrubs and trees sent this year from the Bussey Insti- tute, Mass. These, as well as everything in the plat, have done well this year. In small quantity we are raising some timber trees. Seeds of black walnut and hickory planted as soon as gathered last fall failed to grow this year. But- ternuts grew six inches to a foot, from seed, in one year. Basswood grew about a foot, but most seeds failed to grow the first year, although they were planted in the fall after gathering. Sugar maples came up thick, but have grown only a foot at best, and most of them not over six inches. Beech grows slowly. Chestnuts grew well the first year: a foot high. The hot weather injured them some. Catalpas made a great growth, but are quite apt to die back some during the winter. Silver- leaved maples set out this spring when they were three feet high have grown well, some of them putting out new limbs four feet nine inches long. Honey maple or box elder (Negundo aceroides) grows sparingly along our streams. In the states west and south of us they are raised for timber, but here they are not promising, as they grow straggling and are often injured by the winters. Some burr oaks have grown two feet in two years. The white ashes have come up first rate on our light soil. They have grown one to two feet this first year. The Avhole of them will average a foot and a half. I think this raising of forest trees is a promising field to demand our attention. When tliese different kinds of trees are well started some people of our State will want to learn how each variety thrives, that tJiey may plant also. Indeed it does not now seem too soon for some farmers to be starting for profit, a plat of hickories, black walnuts, and white ashes, and perhaps chestnuts, European larches, and others. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The crops have generally done w'cll, though the season has been a remarkable one. Till some time in July there were plenty of rains and no very hot weather. Then the rains stopped and the sun shone out bright and warm. The sudden change seemed to check the growth of potatoes, beets, and fome other vege- DEPARTMENT KEPOETS. ill tables. The earliest cabbage started in liot beds were uearly all destroyed by a maggot at the roots. Xo remedy wa^ found effectual in killing them after they were discovered. We dug away the earth of some and applied a little sulphur, on others ashes, or super-])hosphate, or hot water. None were saved. Had we antici])ated such trouble ^ve should have tried some remedies earlier ill the season to keep the fly from the plants. We have not yet found a remedy to keep the maggots out of our earliest crop of radishes. On account of want of team work and skilled labor, Avant of money, extra Centennial work, and my illness in spring, but very few experiments were attempted this year. Of vegetables we raised but a few varieties, only those wo knew to be good kinds for use at the boarding hall and in the families of the Professoi's. AVo raised about 200 bushels of yellow dauvers onions. The growth of the crop was checked in a way mucii like that of jjotatoes, which were very light and small. Lima beans without poles, the tops being pinched off (the bean vines, not the poles), never did better than this year. Sweet potatoes also did better than for Kome years. Weeds in the garden are very scarce. I am more and more jileased every year with thorough culture in the vegetable garden. We prevent any from seeding as far as practicable, and if any stray weed escapes notice it is carried to a rubbish pile. Many kinds of weeds so prominent in most gardens are rarely now seen in the College gardens. I thhik we give no more work to the acre, probably not near so much, as many people do who raise abundant crops of weeds. We cultivate often, usually every three to six days in the most growing parts of the year. This is the easiest way, the least work, followed by the best results. When will all our farmers and gardeners learn it and prac- tice it? KILLING (JUACK GRASS. This vile pest has been well scattered about the lawns where it does little or no harm, as it very rarely matures any seeds, even if left to grow when it heads out. But we mow several times a year, and even if it were inclined to seed, none would mature on the lawns. Last fall, in a low place Avhero the ground was rich and wet, the ground Avas a perfect mat of quack grass. We Avanted to ex- tend the garden tliat Avay. It Avas ploAved in the fall quite late, and I think cul- tivated over a few times and harroAA'cd. As soon as wo could get on the ground this spring, even in the mud, it was cultivated every three to live days. When we Avere ready this year to soav ruta bagas not a stem or root of quack could be found alive. Had the plat been in a dry jilace, no doubt avo could have killed it much easier. Some grape vines near my house had been set out for a screen and allowed to run their own way and do the best they could, fighting a mat of quack about their roots. This spring it Avas plowed and spaded. A student Avatched it and hoed it over, sometimes every two days, occasionally using a horse and cultiva- tor. The last spear Avas seen aliA'c early in August. We attend to it and keep the leaves all out of sight. As soon as a spear gets in sight it is gaining in the strife. While kept down out of sight or cut off it is rapidly losing, especially in dry Aveather. It is nice sport to kill quack grass. WILL POTATOES RUN OUT? Again, as usual Ave have raised many varieties of jiotatoes, this year about two hundred and fifty. Two moderate sized tubers of each kind were used as 112 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE seed for i-ix hills. Tlioy were planted on sod ground wliicli had been seeded for several years. The ground was in good condition and had yielded two crops a 3'ear of orchard grass, clover and lucern. The soil was a sandy loam, plowed in the fall, cultivated and top-dressed with fine manure in the spring. In ordi- nary seasons the crop would have been a good one, but this year it was very light. The weather wa? very favorable till some time in June when it suddenly clianged from cool and cloudy to hot and plenty of sun light. Potatoes almost stopped growing on account of the sudden change. In former years the i^otatoes in small quantity, here noticed, were planted on old garden soil. I mean on soil which had been in cultivation for some years in succession. They have been manured in a variety of ways, not very heavily, but generally with a good dressing of fine manure and ashes. The iwtatoes have never been planted on the same piece of ground in two snccessive seasons, but they have been shifted about on similar soil, on different parts of about fiA^e to eight acres. Two years ago the mimber of varieties was much increased. Previous to that time, for some six years, there had been fifty to eighty varie- ties in the garden. For some years the yield lias been carefully noted, usually by weighing the tubers of each hill, or each set of hills. Of course we should expect a variation in the yield for different hills in the same year of the same sort, even if we treated them in all resjiects as nearly alike as possible. The chief object in planting so many kinds in this manner, is to watch the changes from year to year in yield, health, quality, etc. We all know for family use, that we cannot measure the value of a crop of potatoes by the scales or bushel-basket, still the yield is of great importance. The ideal potato must, at least, be productive of even-sized tubers close together in the hill, with few or no small ones. It must have full eyes and even surface, a light or red color or spotted, must be of good quality for all seasons of the year ; and now that the beetles have Ijecome so troublesome, the model potato should ripen early in the season. This season, thegreatestyieldforsixhills was nineteen pounds and seven ounces ; last year 21 pounds and 1 ounce for three hills. On no two years has the same variety headed the list in productiveness. This year it was Long Pond ; last year, Early White ; the year before it Avas Climax. In comparing tlie yield for the past two seasons, I find all tliose yielding well this year, yielded well last year ; and that those yielding liglitest last year, hold somewhere near the same rank this year. In the re^wrt for 1868, before I came to the College, the comparative yield is given of fifty-five varieties of potatoes. With few exceptions the tubers of these have been used on the garden ever since. They have all decrea.sed in yield, notwithstanding the garden is now much more productive of most crops than it Avas eight years ago. In 18G8, Casco Ava? reported as yielding at the rate of 340 bushels to the acre ; last year three hills produced about half an ounce, although it Avas a remarkably good year for the yield of potatoes in our locality. This year it ran out entirely. We did not get one tuber, not even a small one. In 18G8, Colebrook gave at the rate of 155 bushels to the acre ; Davis Seedling, 27G bushels; Prince Albert, 262 bushels; Coppermine, ITG bushels. Last year they yielded respectively, for three hills of each variety : Colebrook, 2 pounds 9 ounces ; Davis Seedling, 5 pounds, G ounces ■ Prince Albert, 1 pound 11 ounces; Coppermine, 4 pounds *J ounces. This year, Colebrook yields for six hills (twice as many hills as reported last year), not one tuber, large or small ; Davis Seedling, not one tuber ; Prince Albert, one-fourth of an ounce, — a few DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 113 very small tubers ; Coppermine,. Iw ouiico. Other examples could bo added of a similar nature. The question a? to -whether varieties Avear out has long beeti discussed. Mr. Knight, the famous English horticulturist, maintained that they did, and gave what he supposed wci'e good illustrations to jirove it. Others, since his time, as well as his cotemporaries, believed otlierwise. I have seen Indian corn which had been kept for ten or more years on the same farm. Although tlie farm was a good one and the land well managed, the cars of corn grew shorter, the kernels shorter and rounder at the ends. The corn mentioned Avas the white dent, in the latitude of Lansing, Michigan. I should be glad to hear from oth- ers who have kept the seed continuously on the same farm for many years. It is a common notion that sheep do better when changed occasionally from one farm to another, or from one neighborhood to another, even Avhere they were under the care of a good m:i.stor before changing. It Avould be interesting to know whether any of these varieties of potatoes which have been kept here for some years would revive, if tlieir seed were sent to distant portions of our country and well treated. To test this point, last spring, I sent tubers from our garden to Kansas Agricultural College and another set to Ohio Agricultural College, at Columbus. The professors of agriculture in each of those two institutions agreed to treat them the same as we have treated them, and report the re^ult this fall for comparison. It may be said that the potatoes in the cases noticed above, ran out because they were not fairly treated, that they were not properly fertilized or cultivated, yet I do not think this the only cause. Of the newer sort> of potatoes, as lately of Early Ver- mont, Compton's Surprise, Brownell's Beauty, etc., planted on similar ground with similar treatment, we liave raised excellent crops nearly every year. In this connection I may mention a fact, though some will doubtless find other ex- planations than the degenerating of varieties. In many parts of Southern Michigan the wheat crop is ligliter tlian it used to bo. The usual explanation given is that wheat has been too often raised on the same ground. But in many instances which have been noticed by our most observing farmers, a newly cleared piece of timbered land for its first crop does not produce nearly so Avell as in early times, say thirty years ago, wlien the country contained much land cleared every year. Perhaps the change in climate will account for the decrease in yield and quality of wheat on new land. Below I give the name of the potatoes tried and the yield in pounds and ounces for six hills of each : NAME. YIELD. Long Pond _ 19 Kis. 7 oz. Missouri Round IG C Breesee's Prolific 16 1 SnowFIalve 15 13 Xew Kidney 15 9 Early Don 15 4 Ohio 14 5 Early Violet.. 13 9 Early .June 13 9 Whipple's Seedling 13 3 Bradford's Seedling 13 2 Climax ..."... 12 8 Peerless 12 G Early Manly _ 12 G Great Britain 11 9 15 N.\>[E. YIELD. Sutton's 100 Fold Fluke 10Tt)S. 15oz. Earlv Brown 10 14 Ohio^ Russet 10 12 Seedling Mercer 10 12 FromOhio 10 11 Massachusetts White 10 8 Lapstone Kidney 10 8 Wliite Rose .10 G Dover Seedling 10 G Early Mohawk 10 5 Early York. 10 5 Early Snowball ..10 2 Patterson's Regent 10 2 Carter 10 Early Ilendall 10 114 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTUEE. NAME. YIELD. West Wiudsor 10 lbs. .. oz. Harrison. 13 Bulkley's Seedliiifr.. ._ 9 7 Extra E arly WhUe 7 Victor - 7 Strawberry 9 H Duke of Cumberland 1* 4 Early Minnesota. 9 2 Haspberry Leaved..- 9 1 Earlv Prince 8 15 Early llandworth S 14 Acme S 14 Eed Jacket S 12 Kough and Ready. „ S 12 Prafie Flower. 8 11 Cheeney.. 8 10 Dagijcr.- 8 5 Gah^a 8 4 Alaska Blue 8 4 Bine Pinkey 8 2 CarjKinter's Seedlinj^ 8 2 Concord 8 2 Worcester 8 1 Alphn 8 Tyrell Xo. 2... 8 Early Favorite 7 14 WlutcEoek 7 14 Gardener 7 14 Jersey Peacli Blow 7 12 EarlyWhitc 7 11 Britisli Queen 7 11 Earlv Hose Horse 7 10 Early Kidney 7 10 Earlv Henrv.. 7 8 White Merino 7 8 Early Stevens 7 7 Dwight 7 7 Buckeye 7 (J Carter's Earlv Forcing- 7 C White Cow Horn 7 C Fancy 7 "> Mercer.. 7 "> Hillard 7 5 Wheeler's Milkey Wliite 7 4 Granite State 7 2 Qui nby's Seedling... 7 Missouri AVliite.'. 15 Ash-leaved Kidney 12 Early Queen 9 Guernsey 6 9 Andes 6 7 Early Lilac (! State of Elaine (5 (i Patterson's Albert G 5 Western Chief G 5 Penn. Search Warrent G 4 Jackson White G 4 Early Dexter G 3 New Hartford G 3 Whig G 3 Farmer's delight G 2 White Pinkeye G 1 Eaily Peach Blow G 1 NAME. YIELD. Old Flesh Colored Gibs. .. Dover 6 Early Cottage 6 Scotch Blue (> Breesee's King of Earlies... G Ketchum's Seedling 5 Black Ki dney 5 Blue Heron ._ 5 Early Victor 5 Unknown 5 Pigeon 5 Seedling Ilock 5 Red Kidney 5 Strawberry Mercer 5 Early California 5 Vandevere 5 Early Indiana 5 Kansas 5 Coaiptou's Surpi'ise 5 Ham burgh 5 Worcester's Seedling 5 Mercer Seedling 4 Jones' Seedling 4 California Mercer. 4 Snowllake (new and genuine) 4 King of Potatoes 4 Alpha 4 Napoleon 4 Early Samaritan 4 Golden Don _ 4 Rochester Seedling 4 York's Seedling 4 Davis' Seedling.- 4 Early Goodrich 4 Patterson's Blue 4 Dclmahoy 4 Ohio Chenango 4 Ferforshire lied 4 Badger 4 Amazon 4 Cow Horn _ 4 Seedling 4 Early Russet _. 4 Philadelphia. 4 Spotted Shaw -.. 4 Dyckm.ui 3 White Clinton 3 Irish Cups 3 Dr. Bretonnian _ . 3 Royal Ash-leaved Kidney- . . 3 Noyes ' 3 Bulkley's Prince of Wales. . . 3 Week's Seedling 3 Breakfast 3 Fluke 3 Ohio Mercer 3 Ohio Beauty 3 White Sprouts 3 Old Kidney.. 3 Unknown 3 Lincoln Red 3 Philbrick's Early White. . . . 3 WhiteChili 3 oz. 14 14 13 12 12 11 11 11 8 8 7 G 5 5 3 1 15 14 14 12 12 11 11 10 9 9 t G 5 5 4 4 O 2 2 2 1 1 1 14 14 12 12 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 G G G 5 DEFAETMENT EEPORTS. 115 NAMK. YIELD. 3 RiS. 5 OZ. Calico 3 4 Fancy Eed 3 3 Excelsior -- 3 3 Titicaca.. - 3 2 Ash-leaved Fluke _ . 3 2 Adiroudac 3 2 3 1 Davis 2 14 Nova Scotia. -.. 2 13 Mexican 2 13 Black Diamond 2 13 Early Golden 2 12 Early Pearson 2 12 SkerrvBlue 2 11 Oneida 2 10 London White 2 10 Purple Mercer. 2 Union 2 7 Late Peach Blow.. 2 Great "Western 2 G White-eved Peach Blow 2 5 Garnet Chili 2 o BrownelTs Beauty (diseased) 2 4 Alexander 2 3 Late Eed 2 2 No. 2, Chili.... 2 2 Early Purple 1 15 Early Scotch Cottage. 1 15 WhiteChili 1 14 Scotch White.. 1 14 Eed Streak-. 1 13 Mona's Pride 1 11 Patterson's Early AVhite 1 10 Farmer's Delight 1 10 Irish Blue 1 f) California... 1 8 Snap Dragon. 1 8 HoUjdiock 1 S Early Vermont 1 8 Yankee Flat 1 8 Irish American 1 8 Improved Ash-leaved Kidney 1 G Snow Ball 1 G N.VME. YIELD. Eusty Coat Pinkeye 1 ILs. Sutton's Eed Skin Flower Ball 1 Sutton's Xew Hundred Fold Fluke 1 Central City 1 Prince of Wales. 1 Jenny Lind 1 Black Chenango 1 Ash Top Fluke 1 White Mountain 1 Eaily Sovereign 1 Frankfort 1 Ileason 1 DeBliss Minnesota Seedling .. Pole Blush Pinkeye . . Gleason Hampshire Seedling Buell's Seedling . . Kearsarge Forest Eose Early Shaw. No Blov.'. Old Eed Snow Flake No. l,Tyrell No. 2, Bush G rey Eusset Late Pinkeye Scotch Sebec Copper Mine Nansemond... Cherry Blow German Eusset Pr i nee Albert Pacific Davis Seedling ]\[ountain June Pinkeye Bradford Eed Early Pinkeye Multiply. Cold Brook Merino 4 4 4 4 *i 3 o 15 15 15 10 10 9 8 8 7 5 4 4 4 O 3 1 I 6 6 NEW SORTS. Tie Id, Tie Id, three hills. three hills. No.l 3] ts. .. OZ. 13 No.ll 12 4 lbs. 1 ]2oz. 2- 3 1 3 2 4 13 3 11 4 1 8 14 G G 5 2 15 3 5 G... 3 14 16 9 12 7 1 10 17.... . 5 11 8 3 13 10 18 19 3 2 4 9 10 4 -- 20 4 3 IIG STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. EXPEKIMEXTS WITH lOTATOES IN KANSAS, Siuce writing my report of experiments on potatoes, I have received a report from Kansas Agricultural ColIegOj where I had sent samples of our potatoes to- test, for comparison. Professor E. M. Shelton writes: "I enclose a 2)artial list of the results by weight of the yield of the potatoes which you sent me last spring. These pota- toes, one of each variety, were each cut in three pieces and planted in three sep- arate hills on May 12th. This was very late planting for this country, — three or four vreeks late on account of Avet weather. Tlie yield is very light, but under no circumstances will potatoes yield in Kansas as they do in Michigan. A part of tlie potatoes gave absolutely no yield, and a few others returned only three or four potatoes, no larger than marbles. These [he says], I have not re- ported. Tlie polatoes were harvested Sept. 13th." COMPARISON OF RESULTS. Tlie reader must hear in mind tliat we planted and report tlie result of six hills of each variety, just tivice the amoiint jjlanted i)i the experiments in Kansas. It does not seem necessary to report the whole list with weights, as they were sent from Kansas. On looking over that list and comparing with ours, I find among the twenty- five lowest on our list, there are only four which are included in the Kansas list, viz. : Prince Albert, yielding 2 oz. ; Sebec, 1 oz. ; No. 2 Bush, 1 oz. ; Early Shaw, 3 oz. In the list sent from Kansas, I report the 25 varieties yielding least, viz. : *Sebec 1 oz. Early Ileni-y _.. 1 oz. *]Sro. 2 Bush 1 oz. Dwight 1 oz. * Fluke.- 2 oz. * Early Stevens. 2 oz. Improved Ash-leaved Kiduej' 2 oz. * Prince Albert - . 2 oz. White Club -.. 2 oz. Great Western 2 oz. t BrownelPs Beauty 2 oz. * Napoleon 2 oz. * Calico -.- 2 oz. Pui-ple Mercer 2 oz. I give a list of 27 varieties, all those reported from Kansas, as yielding one pound and over for three hills. The seed for all these had only been used one year at our College, except two, Climax and Breesee's King of the Earlies, which had been used here seven or eight years in succession : Early Queen 2 oz. Black Diamond 3 oz. *Snow Ball 3 oz. * Seedlin,^ Rock 3 oz. * Early Minnesota 3 oz. Rusty Coat Pinlveye.. 3 oz^ Nova Scotia 3 oz. ijalico DeBliss 3 oz. Ledding's Seedling 3 oz,. * Early Shaw 3 oz. State of Maine 3 oz. Pale Blush Pinkeye 3 oz, *Prluce of Wales 3 oz.. Unknown 2 lbs., 12 oz. Kansas 2 lbs., 4 oz. Farmers' Delight 2 lbs., 3 oz. Long Pond.. 2 lbs., 1 oz. Great Britain.. lib., 10 oz. Cheenery lib., 15 oz. Carpenter's Seeding lib., 12 oz. Red Jacket 1 lb., 12 oz. Early May lib., 10 oz. Victor lib., 9 oz. Breakfast lib., 14 oz. Ohio Beauty. lib., 9 oz. Breesee's Prolific lib., 6 oz. Hillard's.... lib., 2 oz. Breesee's King of Earlies 1 lb., 2 oz.. Early Snow Ball 1 lb., 1 oz. Ketchum's Seedling 1 lb., 6 oz. From Ohio lib. Duke of Cumberland 1 lb., 1 oz.. Rough and Ready 1 lb., 6 oz. Early York 1 lb., 2 oz. Early Russet 1 lb., 4 oz. Climax 1 lb., 5 oz.. White Rose 1 lb. Dover Seedling 1 lb. Early Samaritan 1 lb. Whipple Seedling lib. *Seed kept at CoUege 7 or 8 years. tSeed diseased. DEPAKTMENT EEPOETS. 117 It will be seen that of the above, twelve are among the twenty-seven giving greatest yield at this place. We expect a continuation of these experiments next year. RAISING NEW YAEIETIES OF POTATOES. Year before last, one of our students sowed seeds of the potato in a rich spot, as soon as the ground could be worked. Several plants produced tubers three or four inches long and of good shape. Last year I saved a nice lot of seeds from the balls of about fifty different varieties of potatoes. These were sowii in boxes, in hot beds, or in the green- house, about the time we sowed seeds for early tomatoes. They were pricked out once and set about two inches apart each way. After all danger from frost was over, they were transplanted into rows in the garden. In the rows they were set only about a foot and a half apart. This in many cases proved too close, as the tubers of different hills were often more or less mixed. About six hundred plants grew and produced tubers. Frost held off well, till October the sixth. In most cases the yield and size of the potatoes were quite surprising to me. Instead of a few little tubers, the size of bullets, they were frequently four or five inches in length, and of good size. In one instance, one plant produced eight pounds of tubers, many of them good size. The yield in many cases was better than for hills where we had planted old tubers for seed. I intend to test them all next year, and will then likely throw most of them away, keeping only those of greatest promise. Enough has been done to show that farmers must have new varieties of potatoes every few years, as the old ones degenerate in size and quality in most cases if not in all. It is so dasy, and so interesting too, to raise a few that, I believe, many intelligent farmers will soon make it a common practice. It is interesting and somewhat amusing to read of the yield and size of the potatoes the first year from the seed in some recent experiments in England, as reported in a late number of The Garden, Oct. 28. I make a few extracts : In April, the seeds were sown in pots or pans, under glass, in a cool house or frame. " Seedlings Avere raised in large pots under glass, producing tubers varying in size from that of a pea to a filbert. During the past summer these have undergone a second season's growth in the old Woodstock rectory garden. * * * That some of the large cropping qualities of the late rose were secured, was evident from the fact that three minute sets of one kind produced over seven pounds of fine tubers." Any one who has raised new sorts can fully understand what is said of "the tending and harvesting of the berries, the sowing of the seed in the following spring, and patient waiting through the summer for the tardy development, the lifting of the produce, and marking of the chief features of each plant, and its produce, the winter-storing, the replanting the next year for the most important trial, the eventual Aveeding out in the autumn, and the final saving of those for further trial that appear to come nearest to the desired form. Any good collection of potatoes exhibits wondrous variety in color, form and general character, a fact which sufiices to show that seedling roots may now and then produce varieties which shall more than repay the raiser for his industry." In the above extracts I have purposely omitted any mention of cross-breeding or hybridizing potatoes, as a future article, a lecture in this volume on Horti- cultural Experiments, will treat this most interesting topic somewhat in detail. 118 STATE BOARD OF AGKTCULTUEE. NEW VAlilETIES OF OTHER PLANTS. Yv^o have quite a lot of new grapes one year old from seeds of the Concord and the Delaware. Most of them are now better plants, as far as appearance is concerned, than many Ave bought last spring which had been raised from cuttings or layers. There are also some new lilacs one year old, quite a stock from seeds of two or three species of gooseberries, and some currants from seeds of six varieties, and a few strawberries. Seeds are saved from several kinds of fruits for further experiment. At the greenhouse are quite a lot of new geraniums, some fuchsias and verbena^. THE COMPOST HEAP is managed this year much the same as last. For want of team work, we are nearly one year behind in accumulating manure. We get most of it in a fresh state, unrottcd in town. It is drawn in summer and winter and all used the next sjjri ng. Some muck has been taken from number twelve to mix in alternate layers with the manure as it was composted. \Yo have begun to draw from the swamp and dump near by on dry land to allow it to freeze this winter. The flats back of the bee house where muck was dug out last year, have been nicely filled up again and evenly graded. THE NEW ORCHARD. We are located in a place subject to great extremes of heat and cold, the thermometer reaching 32 degs. and 33 degs. below zero. In spring we have late frosts, iu Autumn early frosts, in summer severe droughts. Fruit trees of some sorts, as Sweet Boiighs and Baldwins, have been struck dead or have lingered a useless, hopeless life for a few years after the severe winters. Pear trees and clierry trees v.-ere killed. Beautiful, valuable trees are sadly missed. It has taken a little time for us to regain courage and decide what it is best to do — give up entirely or try again. Within twenty years, much has been learned iu regard to hardy sorts and the best sites for orchards. Last spring, after a mild winter, I ordered trees a year old, of pears, plums and cherries. Some of them were two years old, but all sound and thrifty. They were selected in about the following proportions : Of pears, 5 Belle Lucrative, 5 Seckel, 5 Beurre d'Anjou, 5 Beurre Kose, 5 Bartlett, 5 Sheldon, 5 Howell, 5 Bufium, 5 Louise Bonne de Jersey, 5 Flemish Beauty, 5 Clapp's Favorite. Of plums, 7 Wild Goose, 7 Smith's Or- leans, 7 Jetlersou, 7 Washington, 7 Lombard. Of cherries, 10 English Morello, 10 May Uuke, 15 Eeine Hortense, 2 Yellow Spanish, 10 Belle de Ohoisv, 10 Governor Wood, 3 Black Eagle, 10 Elton, 17 Early Richmond. These vrerc not for the purpose of raising fruit for market. The young trees were well set in nursery rows. iNearly all have made a good growth this season. The small trees were cheapest, most likely to live, transported with loss risk, and contained more roots in proportion to the rest of the tree. We had an old pasture, a part of which was a strong clay plateau twenty to thirty feet above the surrounding laud, with no screens of any kind. A year ago this fall it was broken up. This sea-on it has been worked over, while it is now in excellent condition, very mellow, and rich enough. It was sub^oiled. This fall it has DEPAETMEXT REPOETS. 119 been scrapad and smoothed down ia all sudden irregularities. It Avas staked off according to the mode described by Thomas, the pears and cherries twenty by twenty feet, the plums twelve by twenty. A few at a time of the 3'oung trees were carefully dug and set on the hill. Last spring they were small and had a fair lot of good roots ; this fall they lose no roots in moving, and we find many in addition. The holes are dug and surface soil thrown in about the roots of the trees. The soil is moist enough. O The roots are well placed and the soil well tread in about them. The trees are all set with the graft or bud-scar to the northeast and the trees all lean to the Bouthwest. They will all be banked up a little. In a book a plat has been made registering the name and joosition of each tree. So far, I feel that we have done our part well, setting the trees on the most suitable spot on the farm. If they die next year it will not be our fault. I intend they shall be mulched three feet each way from the tree and cultivated with little or no manure, per- haps raising some beans or potatoes for a few years. I want them to grow rather slowly and may let the grass Avork in a little after a few years. This will depend on the growth and appearance of the trees. THE APPLE ORCHARD. In the spring of 1873, I began some experiments in cultivating about trees, in leaving them in grass and in fertilizing them with ashes and barnyard manure. Previous reports have contained some account of these experiments. The trees selected for this purpose wei'c in ground as nearly of even quality as could be selected in the orchard. Most of the trees were of the same variety — Northern Spy. When the experiments were undertaken the trees had all been in grass for several years. The grass had been mown and taken off the ground once or twice a year. All but part of three rows running north and south across the middle of the orchard have been cultivated each year since 1873. I may except part of two other rows which have been mulched for tv.'o seasons, or manured with fresh manure containing much straw. In some seasons the weeds were allowed to grow after cultivation had ceased, which was about the middle of Augusts Last year oats were sown in August ; this year, buckwheat. The tilled portions were plowed shallow in the spring and harrowed or cultivated every two or thrc*o weeks. In the following table I give the numbar of the tree and the number ot the row, the average growth made yearly by some of the best branches for sev- eral years previous to the experiment up to the present time ; also the circum-- ference of the trees in the spring of 1873, and again in autumn of 187G. We cannot measure the health of apple trees by the tape line or yard stick. much more than we can measure the health of an animal by the line or by the- scales. In 18G8 the average grovv'th of the twigs was generally about 15 inches; iuj 1869, 10 inches; in 1870, 9 inches; in 1871, 8 inches; in 1873, inches; in, 1873, 5 inches. In 1875 none of the trees bore any fruit to amount to an;^- thing. 120 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTURE. .9 o o *^ o o o 11 1 11 4 12 1 12 2 12 3 12 4 12 D 12 7 ]2 8 13 1 13 2 13 3 13 4 13 5 13 6 14 1 14 2 14 3 14 4 14 5 14 6 14 7* 15 1 15 2 15 3 15 4 15 5 15 6 15 7 .s ■P> _ . ;^ ^ ooo Sp o o o S 00 i-H i-l StM Ceo '~4-* ■*-* '•^ ij a ■S S° S=t; c-^ • ^^ ^ +^ tc » !- ^^ u !'. -4-3 -1-3 ■ O In. 111. o In. O In. In. :5 ■^ Snv 3 3 kb 10 9 9 1 2} Spy.- 7 6 6 23 27} 3 3 bb 4 5 4 22 25 9 25 mi 26} ¥ 3} Spy -- 9 9 10 5 5 3 19 251 22} ... Baldwin.... Spy 5 5 3 25 29 i hb 4 4 3 24 28 ... ... G G 5 4 5 25 >. 27 29 31 5 5 Strawberry 6 5 G 1 4 2 25 1 28 31 1 4 I 4 Fall Pippin Spy -. 4 3 2 23 27 } i K 7 G 6 25} 30 li 4 (t 5 5 4 25^- 29 1^ 3 «i 6 7 G 26.} 30 2} 6 .i G G 4 25 28} 5 G ii. 9 8 8 2Gi 31 2} 7} Spy 15 12 12 --- 26} 1 1 (( 9 9 G 25} 1 G a 8 8 G 26 31} 41 6 S 8 , 8 S G 7 26 25} 31 30} 5 2 4 31 ■i} 5 5 31 REMARKS. Cultivated regularly. Cultivated regularly. In o'rass. Xo manure. In grass. In grass. In grass. In o-i-ass. side. Died 1875, healthy in 1873. Fruit fine color. Injured by winter on west In Dying, Avorthless in 1876. Dyin g, ■worthless in 1876. No Xo fruit. In grass, fruit. In grass. In grass. Injured on west side. Sheds leaves early. In grass. Injured on west side. Sheds leaves early. In grass. Trunk split, sap runs in Oct., Trunli split, sap runs in Oct. 1876. In grass. 1876. In grass. Tree injured, about worthies. In grass. Healthy, leaves fall earl5% fruit small, light color. Leaves hold on very well, fruit all good size, high color. Poor ones all wormy. In grass. Tree much injured, leaves drop early, fruit medium size, color high. In grass. Trunk split, sap runs, leaves holding onwell,fr-uit like tree above. Healthy. For treatment see page Fruit good color. Healthy. For treatment see page Fruit uncolored, small. Eegularly cultivated, as were all trees in this row. Healthy, in a slight hol- low. Fruit very wormy, uncolored. Trunk split, sap runs, fruit verj' small, not very worraJ^ Trunk split, sap runs, fruit good sized, not colored well. Trunk split, sap runs, fruit good size, rather wormy. Trunk split, sap runs, fruit small, un- colored. Fruit small, uncolored. Fruit rather better than above. Row 14— Total for 7 trees, 15 }i bushels good fruit and 29i^ poor fruit. Total 44i^. Eowl5— " '' " 21 '• '• '• '• 30% " '• Total 513i. *1M bushels good fruit, 2}4 bushels poor fruit. Yery large, uniform high color. DEPAETMEXT REPORTS. 121 In row 13, which was in grass without culture, sLx trees at the north end of the row yielded about 15 bushels of good, well colored apples, and 15 bushels of poor apples. This is the row to be compared with the 15th row, which has been cultivated, and with the 14th row in grass, except a little culture about the trees, as follows: In row 14, tree number one ha? been kept in unmown grass without manure, except a space extending three feet each way from the tree, dumber two has had the same treatment as number one, only the culti- vated space has been eight feet each way from the tree. Number three was cultivated from the tree as far out as the limbs extended. Number four had a cultivated space three feet eacli way. Number five stood in the center of a square of grass 12x12 feet, and cultivated beyond. Number six stood in a square of grass 14x14 feet, with cultivation beyond. In row 12, tree number one in the spring of 1873 had a dressing of one-third of a load of good manure placed around the tree, not more than three feet away. In the spring of 1875 half a load of good manure was placed in the same po- sition. Tree number two had two dressings of manure of same quality and quantity at the same time, spread evenly four feet from the tree. The fourth tree had a similar manuring, only it was spread under the tree as far out as the tips of the limbs extended. Numbers three and five were similarly dressed, except that the manure ex- tended to the center line between these trees and the trees in the rows next to them. Numijer seven had the manure applied in a ring two feet wide, seven to nine feet from the tree. Number eight had a two-foot ring of manure under the ends of the longest branches. COlSrCLUSIONS DKAAVK FROM THESE EXPERIMENTS. It is too soon to decide for certain from these few imperfect data, the best way to treat apple trees, as so much depends upon the soil, the variety of tree, the different seasons. Hardly any two trees of the same variety, treated in every respect alike, as nearly as can be, will produce an equal amount of fruit of equal quality. Each tree seems to l>ave some individual characteristics peculiar to itself. So far, on an average, the trees in grass, have grown slower, shed their leaves earlier, and have borne a less quantity of more highly colored fruit. We are experimenting to see which of the above fruits will keep the best under the same conditions. Digging little circles about trees, and keeping the ground mellow and nice has little or no effect. I think we see a little difference in fruit and thrift of tree Avhere the culture extends from tlie tree as far as the ends of the spreading branches. The two trees especially experimented upon with a patch of grass about the tree, and a clean culture beyond, behaved, so far as could be seen, precisely like those with perfectly clean culture from t-lie tree in every direction. In some cases (we had many in different portions of the orchard), I think trees of Talman Sweet, and those of Rhode Island Greening, left in patches of grass extending as far as the limbs, were improved by digging up the grass, so the cul- ture was complete, i. e. no grass grew anywhere near the trees. It has taken about three summers for manure to show any results when spread on grass under trees. The grass showed the effect at once. This year, for the first, the trees in grass showed a little better color in the leaf. In the case vnth. manure piled within tlirce feet of the trunk, the tree showed 1(3 122 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. the effect of the manure this year. On digging down below the manure, which had kept the grass down, the soil was full of ucav roots of the tree. Some roots of trees are running here and there all over the soil. If they meet with plenty of food, they enlarge and send out more branches. In this case, it ha-i taken a little time for the tree to increase the number of roots to take in the good food near the trunk. Other trees with manure spread all over the grass have shown some benefit sooner than the one last mentioned. We have had two severe winters since beginning the experiments, in which the thermometer sank to '62° in 1873, and 33° in 1875. The trees well culti- vated stood the winters better than those left in grass. Perhaps I should repeat here Avhat was stated in a previous rejwrt, that the trees now in grass were cultivated till they had been set about fourteen years. OTHEE EXPERIMENTS have been going on for two years, as treating certain rows of trees to a bushel or more of unleached ashes to each tree spread evenly over the ground. In autumn of 1875 a thorough mulch of old clover hay was put evenly under eleven trees, extending as far as the lines between this row and the rows on each side of it. These trees are on the east end of the sixth row from the south side, running east and west. This spring (187G) another heavy mulch of straw was added all over the same ground, so scarcely any thing could grow in the line of weeds and grass. Seven trees, at the east end of the eighth row from the south, were this spring treated to a large load each of coarse manure, evenly spread, a rod from the tree each way. These mulched and manured trees had been cultivated for two years before. The maiiure on these trees showed itself in the greener color of the leaves this summer and autumn. J. J. Thomas, the well known pomologist and so long one of the able editors of the Country Gentleman, visited the College apple orchard in the summer of 1873. He expressed great interest in these experiments, and has since made frequent quotations of our reports in the Country Gentleman, and last year (1875) made the following mention of them in his essay on ^'Culture of Orchards,'^ read at the meeting of the American Pomological Society, held in Chicago. "Prof. Bcal, of the Michigan Agricultural College, showed me last year an orchard on the College grounds, which had been fourteen years planted, the trees being about twelve or fourteen feet high. The roots were found on exam- ination to be thickly matted beneath the whole surface, or had extended so as to meet and cross each other, and were traced within six feet of the next rows, which were thirty-three feet apart. In other words, these trees, not over fourteen feet high, had thrown out roots to a distance of twenty-seven feet. The soil was a medium loam, and there is no reason to believe that this extent of roots was an exceptional case. There is no question that the roots of apple trees gen- erally extend to a distance greater than the height. A part of the orchard just referred to had been plowed over the whole surface, after it had remained many years in grass. The result Avas a great increase in tlie vigor of the trees. An- other portion was plowed, with the exception of grass circles ten feet in diameter, left at the base of the trunks. There was no apparent difference in the vigor of the trees where the whole surface was plowed, and Avhere the ten feet circles were left in grass. This result is ea-ily explained. The roots extending twenty- seven feet on each side formed a circle of fibres for each tree fifty-four feet in diameter, and tbis circle had an area more tlian twenty-four times as great as DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 123 that of the ten feet circle of gra?s. The reason ii therefore obvious why no apparent. differejice was observed in the thrif tines.s of the trees "where all the surface was cultivated, and where the circles of grass remained around thcin. Another portion of tliis orchard was left entirely in grass ; and still another had ten feet circles cultivated around the base of the trunks. There was no percep- tible difference in the appearance of the trees, the foliage in both cases being- alike yellowish and unthrifty in appearance, and the shoots of feeble growth. The cultivated circles, ten feet in diameter, constituted but a twenty-fifth part of the area covered by the whole roots, as already explained. From the experi- ments it is obvious that but little advantage can result from tlie common practice of spading circles about fruit trees which stand in grass — unless the circles are very large, and for the first year or two after transplanting, while the roots are comparatively sliort. * * * Tliese, as well as many other experiments which might be cited, prove the error of the common practice of applying manure to the roots in a circumscribed circle. Broadcast culture and broadcast manuring should bo given to the whole surface of an orchard, unless to save labor small portions of grass are left at the foot of the trunk in liorse cultivation." THE CODLING JIOTH OR APPLE AVORM has not been very troublesome this year. Bands about the trees have never caught so few in any season when there was much of a crop. DEAD BALDWINS. We have dug out a good many of these which were injured by previous cold winters. We treated tliem well, and waited for them to revive, but most of them grew worse instead of better. A few of the Baldwins have borne a small crop this year. This tree is too tender for our locality. We cannot recommend it for cold countries. TO INCREASE VARITIES. For experiment, we top-grafted numerous trees this spring, and set out some small trees to fill vacancies. THINNING APPLES. When the young fruit was about an inch in diameter, I placed several students in the orchard to thin out the poorest. We feared in some cases they were tliinncd too much, but the young fruit grew larger, and in all cases there was a plenty left, — often too many. On account of the abundance of fruit ■everywhere, my only regret in this matter is that I did not thin them more closely. Some trees were left without any thinning. The fruit v/as abundant in quan- tity, but poorer in quality, especially of the unthinned northern spys, wliich bore many small, poor apples. I feel sure that nothing Avill pay better than a judicious thinning of apples. Especially will this prove true in years when fruit is likely to be abundant and the price low for inferior quality. Some trees were left without any thinning. The fruit was abundant in quan- tity, but poorer in quality, especially of the unthinned Northern Spys, wliich bore many small, poor apples. I feel sure that nothing will pay better than a judicious thinning of apples. Especially will this prove true in years when fruit is likely to be abundant and the price low for inferior quality. 124 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. OUTSIDE AVOEK. The hardest work done outside of my reguhir college duties was the collecting and preparing the collection of the forest products of Michigan for the Centen- nial Exposition. The work proved of greater magnitude than I anticipated, on account of so many failures of people to fulfill promises in collecting specimens. The task was rendered more arduous, as most of it was done while I was in poor health. A disease which lasted a good part of the year was contracted while making the collection. It cost more time and personal effort to prepare for the Centennial the list of native and foreign grasses than any one would suppose who has not undertaken a similar task. As in the case of the forest products, much of the work could not be trusted to any one else. The list of 350 varieties of potatoes sent to Philadelphia was a small task compared with the two collections of grasses forwarded. Ill health prevented me from taking an active part in the first farmers' insti- •tutes last winter. An essay on grasses was prepared and was printed in the last report. I gave a sliort lecture at the December meeting ■ of the State Pomological Society on the Forests of Michigan. A lecture was given at a farmer's fruit fes- tival at Allen's, Hillsdale county, on the progress of Horticulture. The same Avas given to the students and faculty of the Agricultural College. During a few days of the vacation in August I attended the American Asso- ciation for the advancement of science, held in Buffalo, N. Y., and read four papers on the following subjects : Phyllotoxis of Cones ; Can Unios See? The Fertilization of Apple Blossoms ; Sensitive Stigmas as an aid to Cross-Fertiliza- tions. Quite a number of short articles have been contributed to the American Naturalist, various agricultural journals of the country, besides answers to many inquiries as to names of plants and other subjects. CLOSIXG EEMARKS. There are many experiments which I should like to try at the Agricultural College, but I am not certain that farmers are ready for them. If well carried out the best of them would require mucii thought and care in observing and recording all the points necessary. But few good experiments can be reasona- bly expected of the Horticultural Department while my time is more than filled with the duties of teaching and plans and oversight of every day work of the students. The writer is willing, and even desirous of trying some good experi- ments as soon as wayS can be devised to carry them through. Again, as last jeav and the year before, I am gratified to testify to the con- tinued faithfulness of my assistants, — to Mr. Oscar Terrell, the teamster; to Mr. James Cassady, the gardener; to Mr. Charles W. Garfield, my foreman. I must also mention the unusual interest and faithfulness of many of my stud- ents Avhile at work, especially some of the members of tlie Senior and Junior ■classes. To the students I would say, the eyes of all the ofHcers are upon you, eagerly watching for success while you are students here and after you leave the College. Meritorious work any Avhere, in the class room, in the field, or in the garden stamps a favorable impression on the minds of all your instructors, Avho know jou better tlian you can imagine or understand. Eespectfully submitted. W. J. BEAL, Prof, of Botany and Horticulture. DEPARTMENT EEPORTS. 125 REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS. To the President of the Michigan Stale Agricultural College: Dear Sir : — I have the pleasure of submittiug the f ollowiug report of the character and amount of work accomplished in the department of Engineering- and Mathematics, for the jeai' ending Sept. 30th, 1876 : CIVIL EXGINEERING. At the date of va'iting this rejDort, somewhat less than one-half of this course has been finished, which fact may, perhaps, account for any incompleteness. Our course requires that tlie instruction in this study shall be given during twelve weeks of the Senior year. My present class contains 19 members, of whom two are in special courses. Wood's revision of Mahan's Civil Engineering, though poorly adapted to our course, was retained as a text-book ; partly because no book better suited for our use could be found, and partly, also, from the lack of completeness in my lectures. My lectures cover subjects embracing the principles of framing ; the strength of material ; the analysis of roof and bridge trusses ; criticism of existing roof frames, and bridges in the vicinity ; principles of road making, and of farm machinery. The instruction from the text-book is designed to cover the subjects of limes, mortars, cements, principles of masonry and carpentery, and description of noted bridges. Practical problems in the designing of roof and bridge trusses will be given the students, and they will be required to bring in original designs of the requi- site strength to suit the conditions given. Under this head, instruction regard- ing the principles, construction, and use of farm machinery, will be given as fully as the limited time at our command will permit. The collection of mechanical models in the model museum, afford many valuable practical examples of mechanical principles. The crowded condition of the enclosing cases detract much from the interest of the collection. Prop- erly, to arrange and classify the models will require three times as much space as is now used. Through the courtesy of the principal bridge building companies in this coun- try, I am enal)led, by plans, to present clearly to the class the leading charac- teristics of the work of each. ASTRONOMY. Instruction in Astronomy Avas given six weeks to the senior class. Using AVhite's Astronomy as a text book, the topics thoroughly discussed were as fol- lows : Definition of terms used in Astronomy : General phenomena of the heavens ; astronomical instruments ; parallax ; methods of measuring, size, density, and velocity of rotation of the earth ; methods of finding latitude and longitude ; character of the earth's orbit; constitution of the sun ; sidereal and solar time ; the calendar, lunar*, and solar eclipses, the planets and fixed stars. Opportunity was afforded the class for observing Jupiter, Saturn, and the 126 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUKE. moon, with the telescope, now on deposit at the College ; also, several evenings ■were spent in the stufly of the contiguration of tlie principal constellations. The use of a celestial globe, the private property of President Abbot, added much to the value of this course. DEAWIXG. Drawing is to bo taught the last six weeks of the College year to the junior class. The course consists of the ]orinciple3 of projection a> used in simple mechan- ical and architectural pursuits'. Each student will be required to produce a set of ten drawings in India ink, and to have both execution and design above a certain standard. MECHANICS AND PHYSICS. The junior class in mechanics was in my charge for a fevr weeks near the close of the first term, which time was principally occupied in reviewing the work of the previous portion of the term. The second term the same class in Physics, using Snell's Olmstead Philoso- phy as a text book, thoroughly passed over, and were examined on the subjects of hydrostatics, hydraulics, reflection and refraction of light, construction of lenses^ the telescope, microscope and the steam engine. SURVEYING AND LEYELLING. Surveying and levelling were taught six weeks during the second term to the sophomore class. On account of the large size of the class and the limited number of field in- struments in our possession, it was tauglit throughout the term, alternating with Trigonometry. In this way the class were afforded opportunity for ample field practice. Eay's Surveying, used a? a text book, was supplemented by a few lectures and numerous illustrations. The subjects discussed in our course of instruction embraced the theory, ad- justment, and use of instruments ; principles of rectangular surveying as prac- ticed in government surveys ; dividing land, finding section corners, retracing old lines, topographical surveying, railroad surveying, section and cross-section levelling, computation of earth work, and setting slope stakes. The field Avork consisted of instrumental practice with the compass, chain, level and rod, of which each student was required to take part in four actual surveys. Each student was also required to furnisli himself with a few first-class draw- ing instruments and to construct an India ink map of one of his surveys, with an ornamented title. These maps were marked as to both design and exe- cution, and counted a certain portion of the whole class work. Opportunity was given the class, through the courtesy of Mr. J. D. Stannard, of the sen- ior class, to assist in running a preliminary railroad line, and of laying out a railroad course. Our facilities for field practice are limited to compass surveying and levelling, while an extensive variety of more accurate surveying is entirely without our limits. The opportunities for field practice this year would have been very meager, had not the donation of the class allowed us to purchase a second compass, at DEPARTMENT KEPORTS. 127 small expense to the College, of somewhat more varied capacity than the one heretofore in our pos;ession. TRIGOXOilETIiY. Trigonometry was taught the Sophomore class, that portion of the second term not devoted to surveying. Olney's Trigonometry was used as a text book, the class passing thoroughly over plane and riglifc angled spherical trigonometry. GEOMETRY. Geometry was taught tlic entire portion of the first term, to the Sophomore class, using as a text book Olnev's Geometrv. The class with few exceptions did well, and thoroughly passed over plane and spherical geometry. The Freshman class has already been studying geometry four weeks, under my tuition. Judging from wlnit ha- already been accomplislied. thev vrill do an uiuisuallv ""ood term's work. ALGEBRA. Algebra was taught the entire first and second term? to the Freshman class. From the fact that a great number of the students on entering College pos- sessed a knowledge of the elements of algebra it was deemed advisable not only to divide the cla's, but to provide each section with a different text book. - The advanced section used Olney's University Algebra, and passed over an extensive course, including, differentiating, the binomial theorem, solution of cubic equations and probabilities. The other section used Olney's Complete School Algebra as a text book, and "with some unimportant omissions tlioroughly completed the book. RHETORICALS. The rhetorical exercises of the Freshman class have been in my charge the entire year. The first term the class had exercises in composition with the pro- fessor of English Literature, and the rhetoricals consisted of exercises in read- ing. The remainder of the year the usual exercises of essays and declamations were required. The class met at 7 A. M. Saturdav, so soon after breakfast in the board- ing hall as to cause necessarily more or less tardiness, otherwise the rhetoricals have been unusually free from distracting causes. The exercises have been of an unusually good quality, the declamations well learned and delivered, the essays quite free from mistakes, and some of the orig- inal speeches really excellent. BIBLE CLASS. During the greater portion of the year I have had charge of a class of students in the Christian Union Sabbath Scliool on Sunday afternoons. AVORK OUTSIDE THE CLASS ROOM. Connected as I am with the Engineering Department of the College, a large amount of outside work is of necessity required of me. In some instances after- noons and Saturdays for from one to three weeks consecutively have been required in performing these outside duties. They have consisted principally of surveying, levelling, mapping, or drawing. Under my direction the maps of the College farm and grounds, for the library and farm office, were finished and the topo- graphy put on them. All the drains constructed this year have been surveyed and recorded, together with the depth and rise or fall for each one hundred feet. 128 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUKE. The west line of the farm has been resurveyecl and the corners established as near as onr im])erfect instruments will permit, A careful and systematic survey of the farm is really needed to establish our exterior lines, and the divid- ing lines of the fields, since old land marks rapidly decay. Unless this v.'ork is done in a short time it will be a matter of great trouble and expense. If the farm is ever devoted to experiments to any great extent an accurate survey is absolutely necessary. With the assistance of a student, I constructed a much needed spherical black board at a cost to the College of 43 hours' work at ten cents per hour, a few nails, a few pounds of cement, and four rejected castors, altogether not exceed- ing six dollars. Under my directions the bridge over Eed Cedar river has been covered with a coat of crude petroleum for a i^reservative purpose. I took part in the exercises of two of the Farmers' Institutes last January, and delivered an additional lecture at Jonesville. I have lectured twice before the faculty and students of the College, as is shown in the faculty report. Many of our instruments have been incidentally mentioned in the body of the report, and it is only necessary to call attention especially to those needed. First of all, we need an instrument that can be used in accurate surveying ; in other words, a first class engineering transit. Such an instrument will cost $220 00. "We also need a steel tape for accurate measurement, and several additional chains for class use, costing not to exceed $50 00. For class use a good sextant is urgently needed ; a small one can be purchased for e-oO 00. In the model museum are nearly 7000 working models of inventions, a l^resent from the Patent Oliice at Washington, crowded into twenty-two small cases. This grouping or rather "piling" is such as to destroy iii a great measure the value of the collection, and additional cases are urgently needed. The cost of the ca-cs needed will be 1125 00. The two middle piers of the Cedar Eiver bridge should each be guarded by an ice breaker on the up-stream side. The appropriation of the last Legislature of $800 00 for the building of this bridge was barely sufficient for its con- struction. One contractor only would bid for the work, most of them regarded the amount as altogether too small for the building of 125 feet of bridge, and the structure erected was the best possible under the circumstances. The two ice breakers can be constructed for $100 00 each. It appears to me desirable for the College to possess a set of wood engraver's tools. Much engraving that is now, either not done, or done at considerable expense for the report, could be done with much less cost at the College. A set of tools would cost 175 00. Very respectfully submitted. E. C. CAEPENTEE. State Ageicultueal College, ) Lansing, Mich., Sejjt. 30, 1876. j DEPARTMEXT REPORTS. 129 REPORT OF THE FARM DEPARTMEXT. To the President of the Michigan State Agricultural College: The Farm Department would respectfully submit the following report for ten months, viz. : from Dec, 1, 1875, to Sept. 30, 1876, inclusive. The matter con- tained in this report must of necessity be very incomplete, as it is impossible to close the year at this date and make reliable and close estimates, with many of the crops nnharvested, as roots, corn and potatoes still growing in the field or standing in the stock, and with oats and wheat nnthreshed in the barn or stack. With this preface and your consideration of these things, I proceed : The year in many respects has been a peculiar one in this locality. The spring opened with the fall of quite a heavy body of snow, which melted rapidly, and perfectly saturated the soil with water. Added to this were frequent and heavy rains during the most of April and the first part of May. It was very difficult to getnpon the fields with teams, and plowing most of the time was out of the question. This, with other causes, delayed the putting in of oats and corn. The increased acreage in corn from the use of field No. 11 aided in this result, there being 48 acres of corn to prej^are ground for, instead of 23 acres, the nsual amount. From May loth to June 15th was a time of comparative drouth. Then there were frequent rains until July Gth. These were followed by a severe and protracted drouth, which has injured the corn, roots, and pota- toes very much. For a closer inspection of the peculiarities of the season, I refer yon to the meteorological report of Professor E. C. Kedzie. The various fields were planted to crops this year according to the jilan submitted in the Farm Eeport for Dec. 1, 1875, — field No. 9 being then already sown to Avheat. Before commencing the history of the fields, I wish to call attention to the statement of farm receipts and disbursement?, as rejiorted by the Secretary. In this statement the farm is cliarged with student labor, an aggregate of 28,947 hours, costing $2,819.33. This has been disposed of as follows : Labor performed outside the department : College account, 9,445|- hours, @ .0973 + 8018 48 Cash received and bills receivable, 841 j hours, @ 10 cts. per hour.. 84 13 Labor performed in the department : Field and other accounts, 18, 660^ hours, @ .09735 + 1,816 71 Total, 28,947 hours— costing $2,819 32 The labor on the farm department was disposed of as follows : Field No. 1 |6 74 No. 2 3 89 No. 3.--- 82 70 No. 4..-. - - 12 27 No. 5 43 84 No. 6 - 144 15 No. 7 - 284 41 No. 8 37 16 No. 9 - 47 70 17 130 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Field No. 10 $170 03 No. 11. (Formerly with No?. 13 and 15) 184 13 Xos. 12 aud 14 (combined) 1 17 Xos. 13 and 15 (combined) 17 71 No. 16. (Timber, south side of farm) 16089 Stock account 280 91 Cattle barn account 60 26 Sheep barn account - 11 33 Horse barn account 4 43 Piororerv account 100 70 Shoj) account 84 32 Compost account 39 8!t Farm department account - 19 32 Granary account - - - 11 61 Office account 7 16 Total disbursements for student labor 11,816 71 The men and team labor of the department has cost as follows : Labor bills for men..- --- .-- $961 73 Board of men . . _ 493 43 Cost of keeping team (see Horse Barn acct. ) 592 84 Total - 12,048 00 The labor has been charged to the field or place where used at the rate of 30 cts. per hour, for man aud team, or $3.00 per day of 10 hours. The distribution of this labor was as follows : LABOR OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT, College Account. - - - $376 23 Cash receipts for labor performed for individuals 86 86 Totals $463 09 LAEOR IX THE DEPARTMENT. Cattle barn account • $ 313 20 Stock account 555 97 Horse barn account 32 25 Sheep " '•' 9 00 Shop and implements — 24 52 Piggery account - . 53 85 Farm department account 70 69 Granary 60 Field No. 1 6 00 No. 2...- 5 52 No. 3 - - 168 00 No. 4... 13 35 No. 5. 40 70 No. 6 14108 No. 7 176 25 No. 8 - 38 77 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 131 Field No. 9 $51 52 No. 10 157 77 No. 11 138 22 No. 12 - - 15 Total of meu and team labor charged to farm. $1, 997 41 Grand total of men and team labor as charged at 30 cts. per hour. $2,460 50 Less actual cost 2, 048 00 Balance ^ 412 50 Showing the actual cost of men and team labor for this year to be twenty- five cents per hour nearly, or about §2.50 per day. The fields will be taken up in their regular order. Field No. 1. East end. This field, 2| acres, was in meadow, and only one crop of grass was cut. It was mixture of clover and timothy. The grass was cut on June 2Gth, and drawn on June 29th. The yield was' 9,680 lbs. of hay of very fine quality. Field No. 1, west end, 5^ acres, was used for pasture for calves, and lambs when taken from the ewes. The fence on east side of east end, bordering on the "Marble farm," was relaid, staked and wired at a cost of $3.06. The field account is Dk. Cr. To labor in haying |9 68 By hay, 4 84-100 tons @ $8.00 $38 72 To balance 29 04 $58 72 $38 72 The $3.06 for repairs of fence was charged to permanent improvement. Field No. 2. This field remains as it was left last year; the press of labor in other places seeming to have required it. Twenty-four loads of compost were drawn and spread on the sandy slope on the west side, and this with twenty-five hours mowing weeds was all the out-lay. The sheep were pastured here a few days in the early part of the season, but no receipts are credited. The ac- count is — DR. CH. To labor... $9 41 " compost 6 00 By improvement of soil to balance $15 41 $15 41 $15 41 Field No. 3 was sown with oats. We began plowing east and west on April 21st, with the soil very wet. There was at that time over an acre on the north side of the field submerged. This water settled away quite rapidl}-, yet not so but that when it was plowed, the water settled in the furrows at each round of the plow. We finished plowing on April 27th, and then harrowed east and west, then planed or smoothed north and south. Then 1,600 lbs. White Schoonen were drilled in on the east side, and 977 lbs. Excelsior oats on the west side of the field, using the Beckwith roller drill. After this the field was thoroughly rolled north 132 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. and south. The sowing was begun on April 28th, and finished on May 2d. I find this note, "On May 11th, oats just coming up,'"' thirteen da^'S after sowing the first. The weather had been wet and cold, and on nearly two acres of the lowest ground, the seed probably rotted, as it nearly all failed to grow. Nearly one acre was entirely submerged again for nearly two Aveeks after sowing. Com- menced cutting on July 22d, reaping on the 2-4th, and finishing on the 29th. On August 3d, finished drawing, having been compelled to mow some parts of the crop, Avhere the oats were badly laid by storms, and rake them with a horse rake. As the crop at this date is but partly threshed, the yield is unknown, (estimated as per inventory, at COO busliels un threshed), besides 177 bushels threshed and stored, or fed out. Part of the east fence has been laid over, staked, and wired. The account for the oat crop is this : Dr. Ck. To preparation for crop — - ^08 24 sowing - 12 60 seed 24 06 harvesting 60 29 threshing 17 20 By 760 bush, oats @ 30 cts $228 00 25 tons straw @ $4.00 100 00 To balance - 145 61 $328 00 $338 00 There is charged to this field on permanent improvement, for repair of fence and picking stone, $5.42. Of this amount, 44 cents is charged to picking stone, and the balance, 14.98, to repairs of fence. Field No. 3. AVheat crop. The field was immediately put in process of prep- aration for wheat. Commenced plowing on August 11th, and finished on the 18th. The field was plowed east and west, followed by harrow in the same direction, then planed north and south, then cultivated with Chamj^ion culti- vator with drag attachment the same way. At this time we were excava- ting for, and laying some much needed tile drains, to drain the low places mentioned as having been submerged for some time in April and May. Har- rowed again east and west and on Sept. 9 began sowing wheat in the afternoon. It rained before evening, during the night, and nearly all of the next day. Commenced sowing again on the afternoon of the 12th, and on the 13th the work was again stopped on account of rain. On the 16th I found it necessary to cultivate the remainder of the field before sowing, finishing the sowing on Sept. 18th. We used for seed 27 bushels and 57^ lbs. of Clawson wheat and 274^ lbs. of timothy seed, sown at the same time, using a Superior drill, manu- factured in Springfield, Ohio, and loaned for the purpose by Messrs. Agard & Harris, of Lansing. The cost of the wheat crop is tliis : Dr. Or. To preparing ground and sowing $82 41 seed wheat 31 26 timothy seed - - 13 77 labor in seeding timothy .- 20 By cost of crop and seeding, charged to account of 1877 - $127 64 $127 64 $127 64 DEPAKTMENT EEPOKTS. 133 The permanent improvement of the field inchides taking out the last stump and picking up some stone at a cost of $4.34. The cost of wheat on the ground and the seeding to timothy is cliarged forward to the field for the next year. Field No. 4. Of this, one acre was already sovai to winter rye for hinding corn stalks in husking. The remainder was plowed and planted to corn for soiling purposes in drills 30 inches apart. The field was divided into four plats, planted about 10 days apart. The green fodder was cut and fed during the drouth in August and September, and charged in the stock account at cost of production, — $44.94. No other expenditures were made upon this field. Small fenced plats were used as pasture for hogs and sheep. Field No. 5. This field was in meadow. Plaster (donated by the Ohio Plaster Company, of Grand Rapids, Mich), at the rate of 50 pounds per acre, was sown, and the field rolled April 25th, as some clover plants were heaved by the frost. We began cutting grass on June 29th, and finished on July 10th. The yield was 43| tons, or 2 37-G8 tons per acre. All was secured in good order, except 25,895 lbs., credited at |(3.00 per ton, and one load of 2,070 lbs., credited at $2.00 per ton, which amounts were injured by the heavy rains occurring between the 1st and the Gth of July. The field is now in pasture. The main drain for Field No. 3 runs through this field, and the outlet is near the southeast corner. Laying tile was begun on August 8th. The account is as follows : Dr. Cb. To labor on field in spring $6 80 plaster (freight) 93 labor in hay 77 54 By 58,535 lbs hay @ 18 00 per ton. $234 14 25,895 lbs. hay @$6 00 per ton 77 G9 2,070 lbs. hay @ $2 00 2 07 To balance 228 63 $313 90 $313 90 TlK3re was 20 cts. repairs of fence, which Avas charged to permanent improve- ment. Field No. G. — This field, according to the regular rotation, was planted to corn. The clover and timothy sward was turned over and seven loads of com- post were spread on a gravel ridge near the center of the field sloping west. We began plowing on April 24 and finished on May 15. Rain hindered much in the preparation of this field. It was harrowed east and west thoroughly with iron harrows, lapped half. Five or six acres on the south side, on account of early plowing and frequent rains, had become so hard and grassy between furrows that it was cultivated east and west. The field Avas then harrowed southeast and northwest, and again northeast and soutliAvest. The field was then marked for the corn, the rows north and south being 3^ feet apart, and the rows east and west 4 feet apart. The field was planted to the variety of corn known as Yellow Blaze, or ''Smut Nose," commencing on May 2C. The seed, except that of the last two acres, Avas soaked in pure Avater for 48 hours previous to plant- ing. That on the last two acres Avas soaked only 8 hours. Finished planting on May 29. It Avas proposed to try an experiment Avith two kinds of superphosphate on a portion of this field. The College had previously been donated tAvo tons of 134 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUKE. Homestead su]>erphosphate, manufactured by Jarves & Hooper, Detroit, Mich., and also with two l^bls. of superphosphate manufactured by Casper Shulte, De- troit, Midi. Tlic south side of tlie field was selected, and the first 16 rows were planted after having distributed 200 lbs. Homestead superphosphate per acre, as evenly as possible in the hills, and a slight covering of earth put over it with the foot before dropping the corn. The next sixteen rows were planted with no dressing. The third plat of IG rows was dressed as follows : Eight rows on the south side with 200 lbs. Homestead superphosphate. The eight rows on the north side were dressed with 200 lbs. of Shulte's superphosphate. The fourth plat of IG rows received no dressing. As the corn stands in the stock, no result can be known and stated until the completion of the report for Sept. 30, 1877. The field was cultivated east and west, commencing June 5 and immediately crossed, going twice in each row. This was immediately followed by thinning and hand hoeing. In July the corn Avas cultivated again both ways, reversing the order, cultivating first north and south and then east and west. The experimental corn being somewhat grassy was hoed again. Commenced cutting corn Sept. 5 and husking tlic poorer portion of the field to feed fattening hogs. Finished cutting Sept. 11, putting 64 hills of experi- mental corn and 49 hills of the other corn in a stock. So far as husked the yield is a very light one. The part unhusked was estimated at 800 bushels. The account of the field is as follows : Dk. Ce. To 7 loads compost @ 25 cts $1 75 preparing for crop - 06 65 planting 21 27 cultivation of crop 110 04 seed 7 17 labor in harvesting to date 52 18 Bv 3211 bushels @ 30 cts *96 45 ' 800 bushels (estimated) @ 20 cts 160 00 45 tons stalks (estimated) @ 81 50 - . . 67 50 11 tons fed out @ 12 00. 22 00 To balance 56 89 $345 95 1345 95 Stone picked and stump roots taken out |5 09 charged to permanent improvement. No charge was made for the superphosphate used in the experiment. Field No. 7. This field is being cleared, and in the spring the work was nearly completed. It has been used as woodland pasture. The account is as follows : De. Ck. To wood on hand Dec. 1, 1875, (see inventory of that date).. o522 23 labor on wood (chopping and brushing largely for perma- nent improvement, but all charged together, as it could not be separated) 460 66 By 72 cords of 4-f t. wood, sold @ $2. 50 per cord 1180 00 165 cords 18 inch wood, sold @ $1.50 per cord 247 50 122f cords of 4 ft. wood, inventoried, @ $2.20 per cord 270 05 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 135 By 70 cords 18-inch ^rood, inventoried, @ $1.20 per cord $84 00 800 split rails @ 13.50 per hundred 20 00 64|- cords 3-ft. wood, sold® 12.25.. 145 12 basswood kindlings for hall 2 00 balance on account of permanent improvement 34 22 $982 89 $982 89 Field No. 8. — This field was in meadow this year, for the second year. In 1875 it received 6 quarts of timothy seed per acre after mowing, which was well harrowed in. On April 24th it received a dressing of 1,200 lbs. of Grand Rapids j)laster or about 50 lbs. per acre. On the 21st and 22d days of April it was rolled to help the clover, which was badly heaved in some places by the frost. Siibsequent facts showed that the clover was nearly all killed. It was proposed to try an experiment with Homestead supeiphosphate in grass : so on May 13, the east side of this field was selected an the place, and was separated into two equal plats 16 by 20 rods, of 2 acres each, in the form of a rectangle. The south plat received a dressing of 400 lbs. of Homestead superphosphate (a donation to the College), evenly sown. The north plat received none. Both had previ- ously been dressed with plaster. The grass was cut on July 10 and 11, raked on the same day the cutting was done, well cured in the cock, and drawn by two teams working at the same time on each j^lat. The hay was carefully weighed and the result recorded. The south plat yielded 8,110 lbs., while the north one yielded but 6,900 ; a difference of 1,210 lbs. on 2 acres, or a difference of 605 lbs. per acre in favor of the plat dressed witli the superphosphate and plaster, over plaster alone. The south plat yielded at the rate of 2 tons 55 lbs., and the north one at the rate of 1 ton and 1,450 lbs. per acre. The whole field Avas finished July 22, giving a total yield of 87,270 lbs., or 43 tons and 1,270 lbs. on 23f acres. This shows a yield of 1 17-20 tons per acre, average on the whole field. The account with the field is : Dk. Ck. To Labor in haying $75 93 freight on plaster and phosphate 149 By 43 G3-100 tons hay @ $8 00 $356 22 To balance 278 80 $356 22 $356 22 Pield No. 9 was alreadv sown to wheat when the year commenced, and Beaded to timothy (as per last Eeport) at a cost of $159 64 for sowing, and $20 75 for seeding to timothy. The field was sown on April 21, with G lbs. of cloYer seed ]3er acre. The west f of the field was harrowed north and south with iron tooth harrow once in a place, except two low, wet places Avhich were partly filled with standing water. This was on April 24, 25 and 26. The field was then rolled on April 26, 27 and 28, east and west. On May 2 the field received a dressing of 800 lbs. Grand Eapids plaster, or about 33f lbs. per acre. On May 13, a plat 8x20 rods in the northwest corner of the field (Clawson wheat) received a dressing of 200 lbs. of Homestead superphosphate. This wheat looked better than the other after it, and I am confident yielded somewhat more ; but on 136 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUKK. account of the variable conditions of the treatment of various parts of the field, as well as the unequal stand of the grain, no definite result or comparison could be reached. The wheat suffered severely from the frequent freezing and thawing of the •open winter, as in this locality the ground was free from frost three times during the winter. The Asiatic and Diehl varieties suffered most. AVe commenced cutting wheat on July 11th, on the 12tli began reaping, and cut the Week's wheat and Asiatic, on the 13tli cut the Gold Medal variety, and finished the same week. Began drawing on the 17th, and finished on July 21st. The Asiatic, Gold Medal, and Clawson varieties have been threshed, and yielded respectively 7^, 15, and 174- bushels per acre. The Asiatic was badly shrunken, and the Clawson somewhat so. The Gold Medal was very plump and nice. One inference can fairly be drawn from the treatment of the field, and that is, that the wheat seemed to withstand the severity of the winter the best where the ground was not rolled in the fall. One trial, however, does not make a general rule. The wheat threshed weighs as follows : Gold Medal, G0|- lbs. ; Clawson, 58f lbs., and the Asiatic wheat, 54|- lbs. per bushel by measure. Seed of each of these three varieties has been sown on the farm the present year for the crop of 1877. This field is now being pastured with yearlings on account of the large growth the timothy attained. The summary is this : Dr. Cr. To labor in threshing out crop, '75 $38 39 " on this year's wheat crop 60 83 cost of sown crop 159 64 " seeding to timothy 20 75 clover-seed (cost of seed) 18 67 dressing of plaster, etc 1 66 By account of last year's crop $38 39 350 bushels Avheat (estimated @ 11 00) 350 00 24 tons straw @ $3 00 73 00 To balance -.. 160 45 $460 39 $460 39 Field No. 10. Potatoes. This field was divided, and five acres from the north side were planted to jiotatoes, while the remainder of the field, 17 acres, was sown to roots. Began to jilow for potatoes on May 15, 112 loads of com- post having been drawn and spread on the ground before plowing. Harrowed the ground east and west, aud marked the rows three feet apart, running a light shovel plow to make a furrow, in which the potatoes were dropped and covered by hand. The seed was mostly of medium size, and usually a potato was cut in three or four pieces, two pieces being used in a hill. The rows only run one way, and hills Avere from 2 to 2| feet apart in the rows. Eains hindered the work greatly, so that on May 30th Ave Avere only through planting. As soon as the potatoes Averc up the ground Avas harrowed east and Avest, to keep back the Aveeds. On June 28th cultivated them twice in a row, and on June 29th finished hoeing for the first time. They Avere cultivated again on July DEPAET3IENT KEPORTS. 137 14th, once in a row, ;xnd hoed again. Four pounds of Paris green in two diff- erent applications, about three weelis apart, used with water and a sprinkler, kept the field almost entirely clear of the Colorado Potato Beetle. On August 10th tlie first potatoes were dug, and the quality was found to be poor, the potatoes small. The division of the five acres was about as follows : One acre Early Rose ; about one and three-quarter acres Extra Early Vermont ; one- quarter acre of small plats of Brownell's Beauty, Compton's Surprise, and Snowflake ; two acres, or the remainder, to Peachblows. The Extra Early Ver- mont did the best of the early varieties, and the Brownell's Beauty, ajDparently, of the later ones. A blight struck the tops al)out August 1st, and this with the drouth (which, was very severe), threatened to destroy the crop entirely. August 10th the Peachblows had just began to set, and it is due to the lateness of frost and pre- valence of warm weather, tliat we have any late potatoes at all. Tlie jwece has yielded about 50 bushels per acre as far as harvested. The Peachblows growing are estimated at $G2 50 per acre. Account for the five acres as follows : Du. Ck. To preparing for crop ^78 21 compost, 112 loads @ 25c _. 28 00 planting 2 43 seed.. 12 97 cultivation 24 65 Paris green 2 00 harvesting 18 14 Bv potatoes as per inventory. $175 00 " sold 48 46 To balance 57 03 S223 46 $223 46 Field No. 10, Roots. — We began plowing east and west for roots on June 3d, followed by harrow in the same direction. This field was then cultivated east .and west by wlieel cultivators and immediately crossed north and south. On July 17th commenced planing north and south, and after completing the field in this direction crossed it east and west to smooth down the surface. On ivfternoon of July ISth begun sowing the turnip seed (yellow ruta-baga) in drills 30 inches apart. The seed was purchased of the Detroit Seed Co., Detroit, Mich., and 25 lbs. were used on the 17 acres. Finished sowing on July 20th. Most of the seed camo w]) very quick, and on August 7th began cultivating them once in a row. The same day distributed Homestead superphosphate on the south side of the field. Besfan hoeing and thinning the roots to ten inches in tlie rows on August 8th and finished on August 17th. The stand of jilants on the field was very even and fine. On August 24th began cultivating the second time, twice in a row, and on August 28th finished. September 2d began hoeing the second time and finished ■on September 30th. There is no perceptible difference at this date in the roots which were dressed with superphosphate and those Avhich were not dressed, either as to appearance or size. The account of the root crop is this : 18 138 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. Db. Ok. To preparing ground - $9S 94 27 loads comi^ost, @ 25c - 6 75 sowing - - 4 29 seed 7 37 cultivation of crop 90 10 By 17 acres turnips, @ $30 . - $510 00 To balance 302 55 $510 00 $510 00 Stone were picked from the field during the preparation for this crop, at a cost of §10 12, which exj^ense is charged to permanent improvements. Adding the gain on potatoes (5 acres) to the gain on roots (17 acres) gives us a total of 1359 58. Field No. 11. Fields No. 11, 13, and 15, in 1875 comprised one large field used as woodland pasture, and all was known as No. 11. This year No. 11 proper was fenced off (23f acres) and Nos. 13 and 15 left as before, in one field. Much labor in stumping and logging was done in 1875 to prepare the field for a crop ; but considerable work remained to be done. The surface on the east part of the field was very rough and stumpy. Be- gan plowing with the oxen on May 15th and finished the field on the 28th. On the 2Gtli of May commenced harrowing east and west with drag lapped half. Harrowed a second time northeast and southwest, and then marked the field ; the rows east and west 3tV feet apart ; the rows north and south 4 feet apart. Planted the field on June 2d and 3d ; the north half of the field to yellow blaze, and the south half to yellow dent. The field contains about four acres of swamp tliat was cleared, and partly drained in the latter part of the season. The field in corn was nearly twenty acres. On June 29tli finished cultivating twice in a row east and west, and imme- diately crossed it cultivating twice in a row. Then followed hand hoeing. July 14tli besran cultivating the field east and west once in a row, and then cultivated north and south twice in a row. There being some grass on the west side of the field where the headland was left in plowing, the thirty rows on this side of the field were hoed a second time. On September 11th began cutting corn, putting forty-nine hills or equivalents of space in a stook. Finished cutting on the 13th. The crop was estimated. The crop was injured very much by the wet at first, and then by the severe drouth after July G, that came Just at the time when the corn Avas setting for ears. The account with the crop is as follows : Dil- Ok. To preparing for crop -- $84 65 planting 18 01 seed 3 66 cultivation 75 74 harvesting - 18 22 By 40 tons stalks (estimated) @ 1.50 160 Oa 600 bushels corn (estimated) @ 20 cts 120 00 loss to balance - - - - 20 88 $200 88 $200 88 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 139 The accouut for permanent improvement of this field stands thus : Dk. Ce. To building fence - - - $43 39 chopping and clearing 39 9G ditching. 42 78 By 5 cords wood @ 2.20 §11 00 balance, permanent improvement of field 114 13 *125 13 ^125 13 Field No. 12. This field has been in pasture and includes No. 14, not fenced off. No improvement has been made in this field this year. The old bridge across the "Ditch" has been repaired at a cost of SI. 32. Field No. 13. — This field includes field No. 15, not fenced. It has been used as pasture. Some ditching and chopping have been done. The account is this : Dr. Ck. To clearing and cutting wood $13 53 ditching 4 18 By 3| cords wood @ |i2.20 §8 25 permanent improvement to balance - 9 46 $17 71 nH 71 The Chicago and Northeastern railroad company have this year surveyed and graded their lino across the farm, entering on the east side nearly on what will be the division line between Fields No. 13 and 15, crossing the lane from No. 15 to No. 14 and leaving the farm on the west at near the middle of No. 14. They cross the farm without a curve at an angle of south 87° 21' west, cut- ting through three small swamps, one of which they drain by a ditch. The portion of the farm occupied by this company is 7 30-100 acres. Field No. IG includes all south of Nos. 14 and 15, and is all timber. The lane was cleared through to the line of the D., L. & L. M. railroad. Tiie ac- count is this : DR. cr. To labor in clearing §160 89 By35posts@6c $2 10 62 cords wood @ 12.20 136 40 permanent improvement to balance 22 39 $160 89 $160 89 This closes the field accounts for the year. Of the amounts for labor charged to the farm, the sum $218.22 has been expended for permanent improvement on the farm. The granary has been charged with the care of the grain, after being de- posited there. The account is this : Dr. Cb. To student labor, cleaning grain $11 61 men's " ' '•' " 60 By balance charged in labor account. $12 21 $12 21 $12 21 140 STATE J30A11D OK AGKICULTUKE. The horse bani has been charged with all the hay aud grain cousanied by teams ; also with all cash disbursements of team account. These include shoe- ing of horses, repairs of harness, and wagon, and axle grease. The account stands thus : Dr. Cr. To 20 tons hay @ 88. 00 $1G0 00 180^ bushels corn @ 30 cts 54 10 711 bushels 28 lb. oats @ 30 cts 213 58 bedding 40 student labor 4 43 men and labor 32 25 cash disbursements 128 08 By amount charged to men and team labor 8592 84 1592 84 8592 84 The shop account has been kept for the regular care of tools and repairing. The account is as follows : Dr. Cr. To care of tools : 856 32 shop work in repairs 52 52 repairs of implements in town for which cash is paid 118 46 By balance, apjiearing in labor and cash accounts 8227 30 8227 30 8227 30 Of the repairing done by the students I may mention the rejilacing of old wood of iron frame roller with new, and repairing the iron work. They also repaired two plows by putting in two beams and one handle. Framed a set of treads for horse power ; put new bottom in wagon box and repaired the irons ; moved the interior of the blacksmith shop over to the base- ment of the brick shop, etc., etc. The blacksmith shop is not in running order .as we are minus an anvil on account of the centennial joatriotism, and the bel- lows need repairs. The office account consists of labor in care of office, copying, etc. : Dr. Cr. To cost of labor in copying and care of office 86 48 moving coal G8 cash disbursements on account of office, consisting of stamps, stationery, ink, and postal cards 20 00 By balance, appearing in cash and labor accounts 827 16 827 16 827 16 Compost. — This account is for labor in forking and shoveling over. The labor was all performed by students at a cost of 839.89, which has increased the value of the remaining 1,000 cubic yards to nearly 30 cents per cubic yard. The farm department, or miscellaneous account, includes labor in a varict}- of places that is not directly chargeable to other accounts, as repairs of barn and bull yard fence ; repairs at bridge ; repairs of fence and gate of triangular field, which was used as pasture for the cows of several of the Professors; teaming to town for the department, and in marketing wheat, etc. DEPARTMENT REPOETS. 141 Tlie summary is this : Dr. Cr. To men and team labor - . . $70 69 student' labor - 19 32 By cash receipts of labor. $3 70 expenditures, labor account - - - - 87 31 $90 01 $90 01 The Sheep Barn has been charged with all the labor in care and feed to sheep. The account is as follows : Dr. Cr. To inventory of sheep, Dec. 1, 1875 $782 50 '' " ATOoh 834ilbs. @40c 329 70 expenditure, student labor 11 33 " men and team labor 9 00 produce consumed - - 281 50 By inventory of sheep, Sept. 30, 1876 $744 00 receijits of wool sold, crop 1875, as per inventorv, (net returns) ...".. 232 32 receipts of wool crop of 1876, 871 lbs. 9 ozs., (net returns) 198 10 sheejj sold -- 15 00 . use of rams ..- - _ 4 00 pelts sold 10 00 mutton sold 6 73 100 loads manure @ 50c - - - 50 00 loss to balance. - - . 153 88 $1,414 03 $1,414 03 The loss in the sheep account is only a very slight one, as the falling off in the price of sheep and wool shows a loss on the inventoried wool of crop of 1875, and also a loss on inventory when the flock was really larger in numbers. The loss on wool was $97 38 " '' inventory was 38 50 < ( Total $135 88 Loss to balance in account above, $153 88, showing a real loss of $18 00 for the year. The flock was sheared earlier than usual this year, so that the year's wool clip only represents 11-| months' growth. The shearing was done on May 16th to 18th, and the various divisions of the flock sheared as follows : Pure Merinos, — 5 rams average - - - - 13 lbs., 2 2-5 oz. 13 ewes average 7 " 5 12-13" average of pure Merinos 9 '^ 2-9 " Black-faced Highland sheep, — 2 pair average 4 ^' 7^ '* 142 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTURE. Cotswold, pure, — 1 ram - — 9 lbs. 4 oz. South Down, pure, — 2 rams average 6 "13 *' 23 ewes average - 5 " 8 15-23" Average of all South Downs 5 "10 7-25 " Tlie grade sheep sheared as follows : 11 South Down grades average 5 "15 9-11 " 23 Cotswold grades average. - - 8 "12 12-23 " 33 Merino grades average 8 " 3 61-66" Total 115 sheep average 7 " 9 6-23" The cattle barn account is charged with tlie hay, cornstalks, straw, and turn- ips fed during the year, also with the grain fed to the stock. The account is this : Ds. Ck. To produce consumed $1,229 41 labor performed iu drawing and preparing feed 373 46 By amount charged to stock :.. $1,602 87 81,602 87 $1,602 87 The turnips were buried in Field No. 3, and the cornstalks stacked in the same field. The labor of drawing them from this field to the cattle barn was charged to the cattle barn account, and then charged forward to the stock account. The piggery account for the year stands thus : Dk. Cr. To stock as per inventory Dec. 1, 1875 $495 00 labor in care - 154 55 feed consumed 325 43 50 pigs purchased, @ $5.00 250 00 1 boar 20 00 By stock on hand Sept. 30, 1876, (inventory) $612 50 cash receipts of breeding hogs sold 129 50 fat hogs sold, (48 @ $5.75 per cwt.) net 613 00 Balance 110 02 $1,355 00 $1,355 00 There remains to be i^aid a bill of $80.00 from the Boarding Hall for swill, which has not yet been presented. If presented it would liave reduced the pro- fit to $30.02. There was an exijeriment iu feeding pigs as follows. Fifty pure Essex pigs were purchased Dec. 1st, 1875, and kept in good thrifty growing condition till September 5th, 1876, when they were started to fatten by giving all the soft corn they could eat, together with cooked potatoes and mill-feed mixed. On September 26th, forty-eight were sold as per account, netting $613,00. The account of the keeping of these pigs and the result by sale is as follows : DEPAKTAIENT KEPORTS. 143 Dk. Ob. To 50 pigs (weight average 42 lbs.) @ 15.00 $250 00 freight from Fishers -. 10 00 mill-feed - - - 58 88 corn from crib, crop ' 75, 308.3 bush. @ 30 cts 92 4<) men and team labor 26 93 student labor in care 50 35 potatoes @ 15c, crop of ' 75 (@ 25c crop of ' 76) 22 46 straw for bedding. 3 00 wood for cooking - 2 25 corn 303.5 bush, crop ' 76 @ 30 91 05 By 48 hogs, average 230 lbs. @ $5.75 (netted) less freight and expenses - -. $613 00 2 retained, average 230 lbs., @ 5.75 26 45 balance . - 31 94 $639 45 $639 45 The quality of the corn of the crop of '75 was poor; but no charge for swill consumed is made, as there is no means of knowing how much they consumed. If we let the swill consumed offset against the poor quality of the corn, the account will stand as above. The mill feed was purchased at a mean price of about $15 per ton for bran and $25 per ton for middlings. Tbe stock (cattle) account is as follows : Dk. Ck. To stock inventory Dec. 1, 1875 $8, 740 00 labor in care, etc - - 836 88 disbursements, cash on account of 442 88 amount from cattle barn acc't — 1,602 87 cost of soiling crop in field No. 4 44 94 By stock inventory Sept. 30, 1876 $9, 530 00 breeding cattle sold - 341 00 beef cattle and hides sold - - - . - 225 39 use of bulls -- 102 50 feed to other stock (cash credit) 25 00 400 loads manure @ 50 cts 200 00 milk and butter sold - . . 738 40 balance, apparent loss -. 505 28 $11,667 57 $11,667 57 The inventory of Sept. 30th lowered the stated value of the stock $500 below that of Dec. 1, 1875. These animals, if inventoried as high as on Dec. 1, 1875, would bring the balance down to $5.28. The loss in the above account is apparent only, as the stock has been charged with nearly all the dry feed for a year, while on the other hand we have only 10 months of milk receipts to balance. This, taking September's receipts as a basis for calculation, would give us $260.00 more from milk, at the least, dur- ing the months of October and November, with a very small outlay, and would 144 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. give us for the year a profit of $200.00 at least, if tlie accouut were to contiaue open for the full year, or to Dec. 1 st. The College account includes all labor performed for the College in improve- ment of grounds, draining, etc., etc., not included in regular farm labor, and hence not included in the Farm Department regular account. The amount appears as Bills Receivable in the Secretary's Report of farm receipts and dis- bursements. In the early part of the year a system of drains Avas suryed on the lawns near the new houses. These drains were G,2S1 feet in continous length using as an outlet, an old four inch drain that was laid in the old pear orchard, and Avhich reached the river through the low ground and a small ravine south of the new houses. The cost Avas as follows : Tile - ---- -- $74 59 Labor - - - - - - 425 01 Crock for Silt basin 1 00 Brick and cement - 75 Lumber for box - -- - 30 8501 65 The grading was carried on near the new houses and the President's house at a cost of labor for the year of S450.97. For compost drawn, GO loads costing $15.00, the labor of drawing and spreading being charged in with tlie above labor. Total expense, 8465.97. There Avas expended in 1875 $210.91 for the same object, making a total of $676.88 expended on the grade to Sept. 30, 1876. The portion north of the barns Avas sown to Avheat, the seed being charged to the College account, and the College account credited with the area soAvn at $10 per acre. The front drain (350 ft.) is laid from the base of the hill in the road, and is for the purpose of carrying off the surplus Avater of that slope Avithout having an open gutter. The Avater is to run into a silt-basin or trap Avith an opening east, into a Avell that is filled Avith loose s-tones, for the purpose of catching any loose dirt that may wash doAvn and thus prcA^eut the stoi:)ping up of the drain. The cost is this : 350 feet 5 inch tile, @ 3f cents $13 13 Crock - -- — 1 68 Lumber - - 30 Brick and cement 1 00 Labor (includes stone outlet) 18 60 $34 71 The cost of the drains in fields No. 3 and 5 belongs to the College account. These drains are not completed, but when completed Avill measure of continu- ous length, 4,185 feet, of Avhich 965 feet consists of a six inch main drain, Avhich can be used for more drainage in both fields by simply continuing the laterals from joints already laid in. The cost to date is this : DEPARTMENT REPOETS. 145 Labor $179 14 Tile 99 14 Crock for basin -- 1 68 Brick and cement.. -- 75 Cement for outlet 50 Lumber 30 Total • 1381 51 Tliere remains now 1,065 feet to be laid in, and 400 feet more of tile to pur- chase at a cost of 84.50. The labor will cost about §30.00, thus making a cost of 1316.01 when completed. It is expected to complete the drain by Oct. 20, at furthest. Tlie walk at the new houses is being built and will probably be completed by Oct. 15. Cost to date is as follows : Labor - - - 14 09 Lumber 77 40 Nails 4 00 Total 185 49 Some labor in grading was done before the walk was laid, and charged to the grade. A new fence, 160 rods in length, was built along the road, commencing at the west boundary of the farm and extending to near the north entrance. Tiie grading, where the fence was put through the point of the hill, was charged to the grade. Tlie excavation for the fence was charged to the fence. The cost of construction is as follows : Lumber $98 88 330 posts, @ 1 7c 56 10 Nails 10 13 Labor 127 94 Total $293 05 The sewer at the President's house became clogged and was taken up and put down again at a cost of — Labor $5 38 Lumber 28 Cement - 30 Total - - $5 96 The large drain under the lawn which was laid in 1873, gave out in two pla- ces during the high water in the spring. Seven of the 18 inch "■ B" sewer pipe were broken and had to be replaced at a cost of — 7 pipes, @ 1.68 - $11 76 Labor 11 05 Total -.. $22 81 19 146 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUKE. The old hall basement was ordered to be cleared, preparatory to general examination and repairs of foundation, etc. The work is still going on. The cost to date is $4.67. The remaining parts of the College account consist of small amounts of labor performed at the Chemical Laboratory, on the lawns, and drives, of repairs of brick shop and various gates, etc., etc. The hay received from the lawns has been credited and the amount received applied to the cost of keeping them and the drives in order. The work on the department has been very satisfactory during the present year. It is believed that better and more work has been performed than ever before, and that the standard of labor has been gradually elevated. The plan of having members of the Senior class act as sub-foremen, and have the responsibility of some job which they could complete, has worked very well. It has been instructive to them in teaching them how to handle and control, not only their own movements, in labor, but those of others. On the whole the working of the plan has exceeded my expectations. The general plan of farm operations for the remainder of this year and next will be nearly as follows : Field No. 1. — To remain in jjasture the remainder of this year, to be plowed for soiling crop in 1877. Field No. 2. — To remain as at present till 1877, then to be replowed and some hoed crop put in ; perhaps potatoes and corn. Field No. 3. — Is already sown to wheat and seeded to timothy. To seed with clover in spring of 1877, and harvest the wheat. Field No. 4, — To be sown with winter rye, and seeded. The rye to be used for early soiling feed. This refers to the part plowed up at present. The re- mainder to be pastured this year, and plowed up in 1877, and used for two years following for various soiling crops. Field No. 5. — To be in pasture the remainder of this year and next. Field No. 6. — To have the corn crop of 1876 first secured, and then to be sown with roots in 1877. Field No. 7. — Woodland pasture the same as now for this year and next. To proceed with the clearing in 1877. Field No. 8. — To be pastured the remainder of this year, and sward broken and corn put in for next year. Field No. 9. Idle the remainder of this year to let the new seeding get good root. Meadow next year. Field No. 10. The root crop, and the remainder of the potatoe crop is first to be harvested, and in 1877 the field is to be sown to oats, followed by wheat. Field No. 11. To have the corn crop of '76 first secured, and in 1877 to be planted again to corn in order the better to subdue the eastern portion of the field. Fields No. 12 and 14 combined. Pasture in 1876-7; perhaps the two fields will be separated by fence.- Fields No. 13 and 15 combined. To be used as pasture in 1876-7, and considerable cleaning and logging done to imj)rove the field. Also, further ditching of the swamps. Field No. 16. To be fenced on the east side next spring as far as the D., L. & L. M. K. R., if possible. River Field, east of No. 7. To proceed with clearing as soon as No. 7 is finished. The rotation of crops practiced upon the College farm is as follows, com- DEPAKTMENT REPOKTS. 147 mencing with pasture plowed up : 1st year, corn ; 2d year, roots ; 3d year, oats, harvested, and the ground sown to winter wheat, the land seeded with timothy ; 4th year, the land seeded with clover, in addition, and the wheat harvested ; 5th year, meadow ; 6th year, pasture. The fields now in this rotation are : No. 6, corn ; No. 10, roots ; No. 3, oats, followed by wheat ; No. 9, wheat harvested ; No. 5, meadow ; No. 8, pasture. The rotation was varied slightly in the case of No. 8, as it was mown as per experiment in the history of the field, and then pastured afterward. Fields No. 1, 3, 4 and 11 of the plowed fields have not been placed in the rotation as yet. The remaining fields will be brought under cultivation as soon as practicable, and into the rotation as soon after as will be feasible from the amount of clearing that must be done. In regard to the stock, I recommend the purchase of another Cotswold ram, and also of an Ayershire and a Devon bull, of new strains of blood for breeding jjurposes. The year after, means must be taken to secure another Short Horn bull. The farm department has received presents, beside those hereto- fore acknowledged, of a fine Merino ram from the flock of Mr. G. W. Phillips, a member of the State Board of Agriculture ; a Gale Plow, complete, from the Gale Manufacturing Co. ; a "Wolverine" plow, from the Ann Arbor Agricultural Works ; one-half price of Challenge Feed Mill, from the Challenge Mill Co., Batavia, 111. ; a triangular hoe, from a firm in Otsego ; a set of cultivator teeth for Champion Cultivator, and one-half price of the Cultivator, of Latta & Shupe, Battle Creek, Mich. The farm departments are also under obligation to Prof. Carpenter for valua- ble assistance in the laying out and platting of drains, beside the compilation of valuable records pertaining to the farm and drains in a single volume to be kept for future reference, and additional records from time to time as shall be necessary. For the result of the general working of the department as regards profits, etc., I refer you to the Secretary's report of farm receipts and expenditures, showing a balance in favor of the farm of $990 18, which, with the difficulties of tbe season and large amount of outside work, is a very satisfactory record. The above report I beg leave to submit as the farm department report for the ten months beginning December 1, 1875, and ending September 30, 1876. Before closing this report I desire to express my high appreciation of the serv- ices rendered by the foreman of the farm, Mr. C. L. Ingersoll, in the compil- ing of this report, and in the discharge of his many and responsible duties. He has exhibited much knowledge, skill and energy, and I shall gladly welcome him to a position of still greater responsibility in the growing department of agriculture in the College. A. B. GULLEY, State Agricultueal College, \ Prof . of Practical Agriculture. Lansing, Mich., Sept. 30, 1876. DONATIONS TO THE COLLEGE DURING THE YEAR EXDIXG SEPTEMBER 30, 1876. DONATIONS TO THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Box of plants from "Washington, D. C, supposed to be from U. S. Department of Agriculture, which contained: 1 acacia lophantha. 1 acacia sp. 2 acacia melanoxylon. 2 Acacia armata. 1 acacia arabica. 1 acacia decurrens. 2 Anona reticulata. 1 Brachychiton populareum. 1 Croton variegata. 1 Codiaeum mobicanum interruptum. 1 Codiaeum o-eminum an2:ustifolium. 1 Eucalyptus globulus. 1 Eucalyptus sp. 3 Jasminium sambac. 2 Mackaya bella. 11 Phoenix dactylifera. 10 Pandanus utilis. 3 Thea Bohea. 3 Taraarindus Indica. 1 Rivina Humilis. By E. MosHER, Holly, Mich. : Mosher's Hand Seed Drill. By SuTTOx & Soxs, Reading, England : Packages of the following seeds: — Yellow lupine; Rope or cole. Sutton's Perennial Rye Grass, ChinC'^e Sugar Cane, Annual Rye Grass, Yellow Tre- foil, Creeping Bent Gra^s, Perennial Rye Grass, Svittou's Improved Ital- ian Rye Grass, Dutch Blue Lupine, Y'^ellow Oat Grass, Milled Sanfoin, Sutton's Hybrid Giant Cow Clover, Lucerne ; Potato seed, — Perennial Red clover, Bird's Foot Trefoil, French Furze, Y^'ellow Suckling Clover, Al- sike Clover, Quarantain Maize, Yellow Maize, African White Maize, Red Maize, Large Red Maize, New Mottled African Maize, Blue Maize, Af- rican Yellow Maize, Dark Salt Lake Maize, Blue and White Mottled Maize, Negro Maize, Salt Lake pop Maize, Striped Syreman Maize. DONATION'S. 149 By T. H. Burgess, Highland, N. Y. : 4 doz. Matilda Strawberry. 1 ** Col. Cheney Strawberry. 3 *' Monarch of the West Strawberry. 3 " Duncan Strawberry 1 " Brandy wine Kaspberiy. ^ a Turner Raspberry. 1 " Naomi Raspberry. By Charles E. Robixson, Battle Creek, Mich. : 100 Plants of Philadelphia Raspberry. 25 Plants of Clark Raspberry. By H. A. Atkins, Locke, Michigan : 2 Plants of Jeffersonia diphylla. Seeds of Bean of Dolichos Lablab. By T. T. Lyox, South Haven, Michigan : 12 Plants of each of six new Strawberries. By Mills, Peck & Co, Otsego, Mich. : 2 Champion hoes. By Wm. Sanders, London, Canada : 1 Hybrid Raspberry, No. 71^. 1 Hybrid Raspberry, No. 57. By Frank R. Hollowat, Muscatine, Iowa : Bulbs of Wild Anemone. By BussEY Institute, Jamaica Plain, Mass. : Small plants of Larix leptolepsis, Pinus Banksiana, Pinus resinosa, Pinus toeda, Abies Douglasii, Pinus inops, Abies Engelmanii, Cupressus thyoides, Abies alba, Rhododendron Catawbiensis, Berberis aquifolium, Carya sulcata, Fraxinus pubescens, Eleagnus parivifolia, Celtis occidentalis, vitis cordifo- lia, Prinus verticillati, Zanthoxylum Americanum, Tecomaradicans, Cratae- gus oxycantha var. Siberica, Clethra acuminata, Castauea pumilla, Quercus cercis, Quercus Catesbeii, Genista tinctoria, Fraxinus anomala, Hypericum proliferum, Amorpha frutescens, Rhamuus lanceolatus, Nyssa multiflora, Carpinus Duinensis, Morus Nigra, Aguilegia Chrysantha, Acer platanoides, Fraxinus arnus, Lonicera sp., Pruuus Chicasa, Cornus pubescens, Cratae- gus tomentosa, Andromeda masciana. By Department of agriculture : 1 sack peas — Champion of England ; 1 sack peas — Curtis' Extra Early Pre- mium Gem; 1 sack peas — McLane"s Little Gem; 1 sack beans — Dwarf Black Wax ; 1 sack beans — Early Mohawk ; 1 sack beans — Horticultural Pole; 1 sack corn — Twelve Rowed; 1 sack corn — Stowel's Evergreen; 1 paper cauliflower — early Paris ; 1 paper Leek — Extra Large Carentan ; 1 paper eg^g plant — New York Improved ; 1 paper endive — White Curled ; 1 paper kale — Dwarf German ; 1 paper pepper — Large Bell ; 1 paper spin- age — Broad Flanders ; 1 paper salsify : 1 paper parsley — Double Curled ; 1 paper celery — Boston Market ; 1 paper celery — Large White Solid ; 1 paper onion — Pale Red French Strausburg ; 1 paper onion — White Extra Early Nocora ; 1 paper squash — Improved Marrow ; 1 paper squash — Early Bush ; 1 paper rhubarb — Prince Albert; 1 paper rhubarb — Mammoth; 1 paper lettuce — White Cabbage ; 1 paper lettuce — Grand Admiral ; 1 paper toma- to — Arlington ; 1 paper tomato — Improved Trophy ; 1 paper parsnip — Fine Sugar — 1 paper parsnip — Guernsey ; 1 paper cucumber — Long Green ; 150 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 1 paper cucumber — Early White Spine ; 1 paper turnip — Large White Globe; 1 paper asparagus — Conover's Colossal; 1 paper asparagus — Dutch Purple ; 1 paper asparagus — Cayenne. DONATIONS TO THE FARM DEPARTME^S'T. By DepartmexN't of Agriculture: Eight sacks Spring Wheat — Arwautka ; 8 sacks Oats — Waterloo White ; 4 sacks Barley — Probstein ; 4 sacks Corn — Maryland Yellow ; 4 sacks Sugar Beet — White Silesiau Red Top; 4 sacks Mangel-Wurzel — Long Red; 1 paper Pumpkin — Large Cheese ; 1 paper Beet — Egyptian Turnip ; 1 paper Beet, Carter's Perfection; 1 paper Melon, or Cassaba; 1 paper Melon — Skill- man's Netted; 1 paper Watermelon — Ice Cream; 1 paper Turnii? — Yellow Ruta-baga. doinations to the library. By Department of Interior, U. S. : U. S. Geological Survey, vol. 11, 1875; Revisier of Indian Treaties, 1873; U. S. Geological Survey, Heydeu, 1869, 1870, 1871 ; Bulletin of U. S. Geo- logical Survey, No. 5, 3d series; Bulletin of National Museum, Nos. and 2. By Bureau of Education, U. S. : Report of Commissioner of Education, 1874; Circulars of Information, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, 1875. By Treasury Department, XJ. S. : Quarterly Report of Bureau of Statistics ; Monthly re^iorts of Commerce and Navigation, Index. By Superintendent of U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. : Meteorological Observations, 1873. By Secretary of State, Michigan : Public Acts, 1875; Local Acts, 1875; State Census, 1874; Joint Documents, 1875, 1, 3. By State Librarian, Michigan : United States Statutes, 1874, 1875; Michigan Court Reports, vol. 29. By Hon. T. W. Ferry: Report of Department of Agriculture, 1873, 1874. By Superintendent of Public Instruction, Michigan : Report, 1874; School Laws, 1873. By Commissioner of Railroads, Mich. : Third Annual Report, 1874. By Superintendent of Reform School, Mich. : Nineteenth Annual Report, 1875. By Bussey Institution, Massachusetts : Bulletin. Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1874, 1875. By Thos. Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture, Georgia : Pamphlet on Sheep Husbandry. Annual Report, 1875. By Arkansas Industrial University : Third Annual Report, 1875. By American Missionary Society : Twenty-ninth Annual Report, 1875. By Messrs Sheehan & Co., Publishers : American College Songster. DONATIOlSrS. 151 By John Thomas — Thomas, Michigan : Sinclair's Code of Agriculture. By S. P. Tkacy, Student : The Mother and her Offsjiring. By Dr. S. Tracy. By Board of Geological Survey, Pennsylvania : Second Geological survey of the state of Pennsylvania. Vols. B, D, H, J, and M. By Pres. T. C. Abbot : The Nation. Vols VII., VIII., IX., X., and XI. complete, and various Num- bers to complete later volumes. Report of 111. Industrial university, 1868, 1869, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874. By N. Y. State Agricultural Society : Transactions, 1871. By Prof. A. J. Cook : The Nation, Vols. XII., XIII., XIV., XV., XVI., XVII., XVIIL, XIX., XX., nearly complete ; Injurious Insects of Michigan. By Prof. W. J. Beal : Winchell's Religious Nature of Savages ; Religious Ideas of Barbarous Tribes ; Thoughts on Causality ; Syllabus of Lectures on Geology ; Agency of Icebergs in Champagne Epoch ; Unity of the Physical World ; Michigan Geography, Geology, etc. ; Diagonal System in Physical Features of Mich- igan ; The Climate of Michigan ; Isotherrnals of the Lake Region ; Report of Trustees of Syracuse University, 1874; One Hundred Catalogues of Seeds, Plants, Implements, etc., etc. ; The Gardener's Monthly, 1875. By The Following Colleges — Catalogues: Maine State Agricultural College; Tuft's College, Mass. ; Mt. Holyoke Sem- inary, Mass. ; Berea College, Ky. ; Hampton Institute, Va. ; Amherst Agricultural College, Mass. ; Delaware College, Delaware. By Publishers and Dealers : Sundry Catalogues and Advertising Pamphlets. By N. J. Board of Agriculture : Report of 1875. By Prof. W. J. Beal : Introductory Lecture of Prof. Rachel L. Bodley, A. M., of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. By Hon. Geo. H. Durand, M. C. : Report of Department of Agriculture, 1873 ; Report of Board of Commis- sioners on Irrigation in California. By Prof. A. J. Cook : Swinton's Outlines of General History. By Prof. Geo. T. Fairchild : Hart's Composition and Rhetoric. By Bussey Institution of Harvard College : Bulletin, Vol. 1, Part V., 1875. By Prof. R. C. Kedzie : Report of Michigan State Board of Health. By Treasury Department, U. S. : Report of Chief of Bureau of Statistics for Quarters Ending Dec. 31st, 1875, and March 31st, 1876. ]5y Pennsylvania Commissioner of Second Geological Survey : Report, Vol. A, 1874, 3d. 152 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. By Pkof. a. J. Cook : Manual of Bee-keeping — Pamplilct. By Iowa Board of Immigration : Iowa, the Home of Immigrants. Pamphlet. By Secretary of State, Mich. : Joint Documents, 1874. Vols, 1 and 2. House Journal, 1875. Vols 1 and 2. Senate Journal, 1875. donations to the museum. From F. E. Skeels: 3 specimens of pottery, one chirt hatchet, 1 chirt chip, 1 Indian hatchet, 1 Indian arrow head, one stone ax. From Chas. B. Coryell : 1 copper spear head (Indian). From Geo. Breck : 15 Indian Arrow heads; 1 stone ax; one fossil coral. From Stephen Hascall : 1 Gossander. From J. H. Lowell: 1 Specimen Lepiodendron. From C. L. Kerr: 2 Rattle Snake Rattles. From Hon. S. 0. Knapp: 1 Specimen Calomite. From Ralph D. Sessions: 1 Chirt Arrow Head. From C. C. Potts: A Curious Turkey's Egg. From R. B. McCulloch : Specimen of Bealestema Grandis. From H. V. Clark : 12 Arrow Heads; 1 Stone Hatchet; 1 Stone Lurkcr; 1 Fossil Coral. From C. F. Davis : 3 Specimens Fossil Crenoids ; 14 Specimens Fossil Coral ; 4 Specimens Brachiopeds. From Wm. N. Adsit : 1 Specimen of Copper Ore. donations to department of mathematics and civil engineering. From The Class of 1878 : Twenty-one dollars, applied at the request of the donors, on the purchase of a Compass for the College. SALARIES OF FACULTY AND OTHER OFFI- CERS OF THE COLLEGE. Tlieophilus C. Abbot, LL. D,, President, Professor of Mental Philosophy and Logic, §^3,000. Kobert C. Kedzie, A. M., M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Curator of the Laboratory, §3,000. George T. Fairchild, A. M., Professor of English Literature and Librarian, S2,000. Albert J. Cook, M. S., Professor of Zoology and Entomology, and Curator of the General Museum, $2,000. William J. Beal, A. M., M. S., Professor of Botany and Horticulture, and Curator of the Botanical Musenm, 12,000. Robert G. Baird, Secretary, 81,250. Alfred B. Gulley, Professor of Practical Agriculture, $2,000. Robert F. Kedzie, M. S., Assistant in Chemistry, $600. Rolla C. Carpenter, B. S., C. E., Instructor in Mathematics, and Civil En- gineering, 11,000. Charles W. Garfield, M. S., Foreman of the Gardens, 1600. Charles L. Ingersoll, B. S., Foreman of the Farm, $600. George W. White, Assistant Foreman of the Farm, $500. James Cassidy, Gardener, $600. James M. Short, Steward, $700. 20 FARMERS' INSTITUTES At a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture held November 20, 1876, the committee ou Institutes made the following report, which was accepted and adopted : Your committee recommend the holding of Farmers' Institutes during the coming winter as follows : Clrecnville, January 16th and 17th. Traverse City, January 18th and 19th. Ypsilanti, January 33d and 24th. Hillsdale, January 25th and 26th. Owosso, January 29th and 30th. Lansing, January 31st and February 1st. Professors and other members of the College Faculty will take part in the above Institutes as follows : Greenville, Professors Fairchild, Garfield, and Cook. Traverse City, Secretary Baird, Professors Kedzie and Carpenter. Ypsilanti, Professor Gulley, President Abbot, and Professor Beal. Hillsdale, Professor Beal, President Abbot, and Professor lugersoll. Owosso, Professors Cook, Gulley, and Fairchild. Lansing, Professors Kedzie, President Abbot, and Professor Ingcrsoll. The report recommended also that the Secretary be requested to attend all the Institutes. With regard to time, the Institutes were all held as above with the excej^tiou of the cue at Traverse City, which, for local reasons, was held one day earlier. As far as practicable, the delegations from the College attended these Insti- tutes in accordance with the recommendation of the Board. Professors Gulley and Carpenter did not attend the Institutes. Secretary Baird and Professor Ingersoll took part with the other members of the delegation at Ypsilanti, and Prof. Beal took the place assigned to Prof. Carpeuter at Traverse City. On account of sickness in his family, Prof. Fairchild was unable to attend the Institute at Greenville. He took part, however, in the Institute at Owosso, and Secretary Baird supplied his place at Greenville. The Institutes were, generally speaking, well attended and a good degree of interest manifested, and the universal expression of those in attendance was that the exercises were exceedingly profitable. At Greenville, Ypsilanti, Hills- dale, and Owosso, there was a very large attendance, the halls in which the meetings were held being filled to tlieir utmost capacity. Some of the papers read at the Institutes, though not destitute of merit, we have not thought best to publish in this report, while some that are published, FARMEKS' INSTITUTES. 155 though not the best that might be found on the subjects treated, yet as setting forth the experience and results attained by farmers in our own State, they con- tribute to make the report more distinctively what it should be, — a report of the agriculture of Michigan. We would respectfully suggest, for the gu'idance of those who may have the management of Institutes hereafter, that it is possible to have too many papers read at an Institute. If not more than two subjects were treated by essays and discussion at each session, the treatment would be more thorough and of greater benefit to all who participated. Let tlie local committees attend to the early piiblication of the programmes, so that they shall be placed in the hands of as many as possible of those who are likely to attend the Institute for some time previous to its being held, that all can be prepared with their best thought on the subjects to be discussed, and there will undoubtedly be a marked improve- ment in the character of the discussions. By reducing the number of essays it will bs an easier matter to find persons competent to write those that are read. GREENVILLE INSTITUTE. The Institute at Greenville was held, commencing January 16th. The com- modious hall was well filled during all the exercises. An invitation had been given to all who might attend to bring samples of fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. The jiroducts of the farm, orchard, and garden which were brought in response to this invitation made an exceedingly interesting display. The exercises were begun with singing and prayer, after which the President, Hon. W. Divine, of Eureka, made the following opening address: Ladies and Gentlemex : — We are pleased to see so many of you here to- night, to take part in the first Farmers' Institute held in Montcalm county. The object of this Institute is to educate ourselves in our calling. Let us, then, strive together to elevate ourselves, for much of our success as farmers will depend more or less how we spend our winters. Winter is the time to think and plan ; the time to close up the work of the old year, and get ready for the new. The great work of life is to discipline and educate ourselves. The end of each year finds us better or worse. No matter how prosperous the year may have been, if we are less patient, more selfish, proud and conceited, our time has been ill-spent; but if we are growing men and women, — growing in love, joy, peace, temperance and goodness, we are prospering, we have not lived in vain, we are better men and women. A farmer's best field is himself. This field can be plowed and cultivated as well in the winter as in the summer. The commencement of a new year is a good time to break up and com- mence a rotation. And, brother farmers, be careful to sow good seed, and 2)lenty of it. Energy, industry, forethought, patience, and temperance are always profitable crops ; and the best farmer is generally tlie most intelligent man, and a community of knowledge is one of the strongest ties that can bind and bless society. Every farmer should aim to be instructed, not only in his special calling, but 156 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. to know something of general science, of political economy, of taste and general reading. The farmer should be educated in those studies which aim to make him a thoughtful and intelligent citizen. Being the vast majority in numbers, and sustaining the wheels of finance, of trade, manufactures and commerce, the farmer has too much at stake to be behind any in education and influence. Our fatliers endured many hardshijDS and privations, but the young farmer of to-day possesses a wealth of advantages for general culture enjoyed by no other peojile. And, in Michigan, as well as in many other States, these advantages are being improved, and the yield of cultivated mind is wonderful. But this culture of the mind in science, taste, and general reading should be based on a higher consideration than that of mere moneyed jirofit. It should be sought for its own sake and the pleasures which it brings to his home- The farmer should have taste to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful in nature and in art; taste to adorn his home, and his lawns with shrubbery, flowers, and works of art; taste to admire the ripening fruits, and the living groups of animals which he has reared. R. G. Baird, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, was next called upon, who gave an address entitled "The Farmer's Home," followed by the reading of a paper by Prof. Beal on "The Apple Orchard." Both of these are given in the essays and addresses following this record of the Institutes. The following address was given by Mr. J. E. Taylor, of Eureka: THE AGRICULTUKAL FUTURE OF OUR YOUKG MEX. My subject may at first seem to be prophetic rather than philosophical, yet a careful survey of its many fields of investigation, I believe, is ample to convince one that the agricultural advancement of the next century may be predicted to Avithin an approximate, if not an absolute certainty. The future we judge by the past, and by a careful comparison of statistics of past and present generations do we judge of the liabilities of those who are yet to rule both animate and inanimate nature. As we meditate over the gigantic strides of the agricultural art and science during past centuries, we are forcibly impressed by the fact that man is au industrious being ; incapable of remaining in any particular plane of life, he must advance or recede. While a few have receded, many have advanced. China, whose people it is said knew as much of agriculture two thousand years ago as they do to-day, strikingly represents the indigent few, while the groat mass of the German, English, French, and American people represent the industrious, progressive horde who are slowly reducing agriculture to a regular system based upon em- pyrical theories and scientific principles of known value. To one having a few hours' leisure time, no more interesting subject can be found than antique agriculture.' The customs, habits, and systems of the ancient husbandman are interesting because of their intrinsic peculiarities, as well as for the light they throw upon modern principles. Behold the primeval man, first with a sharpened stick stirring the earth pre- paratory to sowing the seed, then carefully gleaning the ears, then rubbing the kernels out between his brawny j)alms. Two wooden trays and the four winds of earth are his fanning-mill. His brightest dreams are of forked sticks, used as plows, drawn by a horse, an ox, a cow, or an ass, — no difference which, — and that hitched by the tail. I am not surprised if some of you think this only a dream, but in the Irish Laws of Parliament of 1G34 may be found "An act FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 157 against plowing by the Foyle," as follows : "In many places of this kingdome there hath been a long time used a barbarous custome of plowing, drawing, and working with horses, mares, garrans, geldings, and colts by the taile, which (besides cruelty used to beasts) the breed of horses is much impaired in this kingdome.'* Again, Arthur Young in his ^' Tour of Ireland," so late as 177G, remarks that it was no unusual thing to see horses plowing hitched by the tail. But to go back to our subject of later antiquity. At the time of which I speak no greater or higher duty ^Yas ascribed to a Koman than that of the husband- man. Each man tilled his little garden, for a farm then but scarcely equaled our gardens. Two acres once constituted a Koman farmer's domains (the amount fixed by law). In Greece a similar state of affairs existed. The Grecian orator Curious once had it said of him that he was not a good citizen, but rather a dan- gerous man to the Stat3 because he would not content himself with seven acres. To these poor benighted people science had not the power of a vision, and when the old alchemists were vainly laboring to produce gold from the baser metals, no one suspected they were sowing the seeds of such a structure as is our agricultural chemistry. They could not produce the precious metal, but unwittingly they gave rise to a science which deals witli the production of that which is more precious than gold, — the sustaining element of the animal crea- tion. People then saw in the universe only a succession of events. A miracle explained them all. The seed was placed in the soil ; there it germinated, grew, fruited and died ; none knew why or how. Nature was as yet waiting to be questioned. Our ancestor's miracle becomes to us a natural law. By means of the microscoj)e we see in the little grain or seed the miniature plant, which is yet to develop and increase, — not in number of parts as might be supposed, but in the size of each part. The manner of growth, we are taught, is by cell mul- tiplication. Chemistry teaches us that the means of growth is by tlie absorption of soluble mineral substances from the soil and by the inhalation of gaseous substances from the atmosphere. Such are a few of the advantages of the young farmer of 187? over those of his ancestors of a f cav centuries ago. To one nature was a vast network of chaotic mystery ruled by chance ; to the other (if he studies her) she is an embodiment of systematic wisdom, yielding fruits thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold. It seems fitting to my subject that some slight attention should be given to the implements used by our ancestors as compared with our own. The plow has been in use over five thousand years. I have already spoken of the primeval plow, and of the grades and styles between this and the Oliver chilled, tne Wolverine, or the Gale. Volumes might be written, and lessons may lie learned that shall be of value to us who are in the ascendancy of our agricultural experience. The philosophy embodied in the working of a plow is well worthy of the study of every person who is to use one. A slight variation in the proportion or form of some of its parts may greatly diminish its draught, increase its utility, adapt it to a particular soil, or, on the liand, render it worth- less. Superior as is our knowledge over that of our forefathers of this imple- ment, few of us know aught of its principle, and none of us know their perfec- tion. Young men of present and coming generations, to you do we look for the perfection of this first of agricultural implements. The harrow is an instrument of later origin, and though indispensable, is sec- ond in importance to the plow. As might be supposed, the first harrow was a 158 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. tree-top, and in the fertile valley of the Nile this rude implement was not known. There the seed was sown upon the moist soil and then tlie farmer drove his cat- tle over it until the seed was tolerably well trodden in. By either of these meth- ods the results must have been incomplete and unsatisfactory. Now we not only have very much improved implements for depositmg the seed, but these implements are so arranijed as to give any required depth of planting, the required depth being ascertained by experiment. In an examination of the systems of agriculture we find less of progress than we do in the implements. We find the system of fallowing was known in very ancient times. Moses ordained that the soil should lie fallowed every seventh year. It is not surprising that people are at last learning their great mistake in fol- lowing so long this wasteful system. The system of rotation of crops was known to the early Komans, but it is not until within modern times that it has dawned upon the better part of our agricultural masses that a rotation of crops is economy of time and productive of better results than is the system of fallow- ing. It is found that the deep feeding plants bring to the surface those ele- ments of plant food which lie beneath the reach of the cereals. It is found that a root crop converts as much inert material into an available form as does the barren fallow. Yet our knowledge of these things is very incomplete, and to the unprejudiced radical young men must we look for their advancement. Examine for a moment the social position of the farmer from one time to another. The early Komans, with tlieir small farms, were of necessity close together; each enjoyed the full benefits of his neighbor s experience. Much time was spent in consulting upon what produced best effects, and much was learned which is of value in the present day. Then consider what has been the history of American agriculture. Until within a few years the exclusive aim of the American farmer has been to till his hundreds of acres. The farming community has been a group of independent, disinterested workers, character- ized by a total want of mutuality, but once again progress dawns upon us. The Grange, the Farmers' Club, and later still, the Farmers' Institutes, are affording us that so much needed opportunity of unreserved intercourse upon farm topics. I need only to point to these as other fields in which our young men must make themselves useful. Then, again, of all that has been done in agriculture much has been written, but little has been well written. Our agricultural literature is of modern origin. The first English work upon general agriculture was written by Fitzherbert in 1534. I give you a sample of his writings, as follows: '^A housbande cannot thrive by his cattell without corne, nor by his corne without cattell. Sheep, in mine opinion, is the most profitablest cattell that any man can have." The earliest of writers upon agricultural chemistry was Jethro TuU, 1731, who main- tained that none of the food of plants came from the atmosphere. We need agricultural editors and authors who shall be trustworthy authority, who shall possess a practical knowledge of the principles with which they deal, but how shall we have them if our young men do not fit themselves for the respon- sibility. This I believe to be one of the fields in which every young agricultur- ist may find opportunity to be of great use to the world ; and further, I believe that at no distant day every farmer will be a writer in his art as well as a prac- titioner. Then, in retrospect the ancients in agriculture asked for mere facts, and FARMEKS' INSI'ITUTES. 159 learned many of great value. AYe ask why, and nature has given many reasons of practical worth. To the rising agriculturist belongs tlie duty of producing causes which shall give required effects. There is perhaps no greater duty devolving upon the rising agriculturist than that of perfecting our systems of agriculture. I think I should not be far out cf the way should I assert tliat in our own town our farmers lose each year from mismanagement alone more than enough to pay their taxes twice over. How many farmers have a carefully constructed plat of their farm? How' many ever make a practical estimate of the amount of stock required by their' ■farm? How many believe the generally accepted truth that it pays better to' raise a good animal, even at an increased expense, than it does to raise a pool'" one? Few practice it, at least. How many of our farmers are one-half as attentive to their business as are our professional men? How many farmers can give an accurate account of their profits on any particular crop, or even on then- entire business? Faults, faults, errors, and wanton ignorance I Young man, why stand ye idle, why flee ye into the city, that repository of ill-health, vice, and blasted hopes? Is it because you are ashamed to be a farmer? Cicero said that agricultural pursuits are those in which a wise man's life should be spent. Fathers, why do your sons leave the farm? Is it because you suffer ignorance to be synonimous with agriculturist? I believe there is no greater reason. Educate your sons in the cause you would have them sustain ; then shall they be proud of their alliance with industrial pursuits. Should I never labor a sin- gle day upon a farm, I should ever look upon the honest, intelligent farmer as the noblest work of God. How often is the country youth asked by his city cousin if he intends to be a farmer? See him swell lip to twice his original size and respond, "Xotif I know myself ;" or he blushingly replies, "Yes, I am such an ignoramus that I suppose I'll have to be a mossback." Better that the moss lie on his back a foot thick than to have a stain of the rust of a street loafer or shop drone. I would not be disrespectful, but there are respectable young men to-day in this city leaning over their counters idling away precious time, contracting indolence and ill-health, courting vice and bantering poverty, who at the age of forty will be eking out a miserable servile life, while their country cousin who is to-day working upon the farm at §10 to §15 per month, and carefully storing his mind Avith useful information, shall then retire from hard labor and survey his well- tilled acres with a satisfaction that yields true happiness. The educational future of our farmers next attracts my attention. It hag long been the opinion of most people that a common school education is all that is necessary for a farmer, and any farmer who has sought more than this has been looked upon as though he were an object of pity rather than a being worthy of commendation. Cultivated talents, good bargains, profitable speculations, and paying offices have been conceded to be the lawful spoils of our professional ranks. The results are that hosts of young men are yearly drifting into the professions, and for every one who qualifies himself well for the position he is to occupy, there are ten others who are neither more nor less than detestable parasites upon societ}-, gaining a miserable livelihood by a scheming, dishonest, reproachful filching from the stores of their poor, ignorant clients. These shad- ows of wise men fill our cities, our legislative halls, and make our laws, and, allowing me to be the judge, they often legislate quite unwisely. A man can no longer make an honest will except some distant or dissipated relative becomes the contemptible client of a twice contemptible lawyer, and with a sixfold con- 160 STATE BOAE*D OF AGRICULTUEE. temptible law the dying request of a man is so diverted from its purpose that the honest heirs are cheated out of their dues, while tlie lawyer takes two-thirds of the spoils and his client takes the other third and pays expenses. Young men of our farming community, will you look upon such things as these and still suffer yourselves to remain uneducated, or will you educate yourselves to cope with the world as you find it ; to be a faithful servant in society, an intel- ligent benefactor to man? Such are your duties in the hereafter; then be not slow to do your duty. Book farming and book farmers have been looked upon with suspicion, yet who is so stupid as not to observe that they are gaining ground. All new dis- coveries, systems or inventions are apt to meet with an unfavorable first opin- ion, and it often takes society years to correct an erroneous idea. When the fanning-mill was first brought into use it was called Satan's machine, it being supposed that Satan was prince of the powers of the air, and for a person to use a fanning-mill was deemed contrary to the text, ''The wind bloweth where it listeth," and was a sufficient crime to expel him from the church. Yet in the present day no farmer considers himself the less a Christian for using one of these satanical machines, and we laugh to scorn the ignorant superstition with which our forefathers opposed its use. So a few years hence will people laugh at the errors we now are making, and foremost among those errors will stand the idea that the farmer needs no education beyond that obtained in our com- mon schools. In fact most of us now believe education to be as much for the farmer as for any one else, yet many concur in the old belief. In conclusion, I believe the advantages attendant upon the agricultural classes in the United States were never so propitious as at the present time, and that the needs of a thoroughly educated class of farmers were never more manifest ; that the agricultural future of our young men will be in a great measure what their individual efforts make it. That, surrounded by advantages such as the Grange, the Farmers' Institutes, our Agricultural College, and the agricultural press, the efforts of our young men in agriculture must hereafter be characterized by intelligence and success ; that tlaough educated young men have as a rule sought some professional calling, in the coming century as intelligent and well educated young men will be found in the agricultural ranks as elsewhere ; that the rising agriculturist will do much to perfect present systems and to introduce new and needed systems of agricul- ture. Then, to you, young men, I would say, be up and doing ; there is work around us all. Prof. Beal read a short paper on ''The Farmer's G-arden," as follows : THE farmer's garden should be one of the most interesting and profitable parts of the farm. In fact it too often consists of a quarter of an acre or more — a little patch near the house, surrounded on all sides by a picket fence, which is often whitewashed. Here may be found a few currant bushes, struggling with grass, weeds, and briars ; a few grape vines, running wild over a tumble down trellis, along the fence, on to the top of the nearest cherry trees, Avhich they injure or very likely succeed in killing. There are often no plants of rhubarb, asparagus, strawber- ries, raspberries, or gooseberries. If these or other perennial plants find a place, they are too often scattered here and there in isolated jiatches over the gar- den. Early every spring, once a year atr least with every farmer, at the approach of FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 161 dry, bare ground, the annual fever returns to prepare and plant a garden. One year in three a light dressing of coarse manure is applied, and an attempt made to plow it under. Instead of this, there should usually be added yearly a good wagon-load of fine manure. The annual spring plowing is often rendered quite impracticable on account of the scattered patches of perennials above noticed. To spade the ground over is laborious, expensive, and generally unnecessary, if the right plan is pursued. The small quantity of beets, onions, lettuce, peas, radishes, etc., thought necessary to raise, are often sown in close, short rows, running across beds which are elevated six: inches or a foot above the path which surrounds each bed. Once sown, they are left for two or three or four Aveeks, iintil the weeds make a good showing. Tiie proprietor waits for the seeds to come up. With much labor and perplexity, the weeds are taken out, and many of the garden plants with them. In two to four weeks the beds perhaps are hoed again, requiring a great deal of patience and perseverence for so small a patch of ground. The shrubs and trees are left to ran about their own way. For a great portion of the year it is a dreary and desolate spot, neglected and unfre- quented, shut off from view by itself. When thus managed, tbe results are most unsatisfactory, giving but a poor return of poor vegetables and fruits for the labor bestowed upon them. The above picture is not overdrawn, and many a one will think the writer has been looking over into the garden of the reader or that of some of his neighbors. Much of this poor management comes partly from, ignorance and partly from a, feeling that time spent in the garden does not jDay good returns. Many have never been accustomed from childhood to have anything to do with planning and tending a good garden. At table they never learned to miss many of our best vegetables and berries in their season. They have looked upon everything in this line as expensive luxuries, except potatoes, onions, beets, a few cabbages, tomatoes, and currants. They have not realized the advantage of a liberal sup- ply of gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, asparagus, rhubarb, celery, salsif}^, parsnips, squashes, and Lima beans. I shall never feel satisfied until there is a society in our State, and others in different countries, to offer liberal premiums for the best farmer's garden. I see no way by which more good can be done than by awakening an interest in this subject. There should be committees to visit such gardens, and report like an orchard committee, which has been such an excellent feature of our State Pomological Society. I will now suggest a few things by way of improvement on the f amide's gar- den, as described above. In the first place, remove the fence on two sides, at least, and leave a strip of grass on two sides or ends, wide enough for a horse to pass onto and turn around without tramping down the cultivated plants. If not naturally well drained, put in tile, or select another place for the garden. Put on manure as above mentioned, thickest where certain crops are to grow Avhich require the most manure. Plant the currant bushes, jiie plant, asparagus, raspberries, and all other perennials at one side of the garden by themselves, thus leaving the space for the annuals all in one piece, which may be easily plowed. Waste no time in making raised beds, which is labor worse than thrown away. Make a i^lan of the garden, at first designating just how much space shall be devoted to each variety. Do not plant every thing at once, but leave .space for planting more for a succession. Draw a long stout line (the size of a pipe-stem) across the garden or lengthwise of it, making the rows as long as the shape of the land will admit. Plant by the line, or by the marker which runs 1G3 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. by the line, taking pains to make the rows straight. Cultivate the land just before sowing the seeds. Never wait for the weeds ; if you do., they are sure to get the start, hut rake or run a hand cultivator between the rows as often as every four to seven days. Many crops may be sown far enough apart to admit of culture by horse. But little time will he required just before or after the day's work in the corn-field or other work. Do not think it lost time. Plants well cared for will thrive. The garden will look well, yield abundantly, be a source of profit and delight to the whole family. Xo part of the farm will pay so well in good living, in dollars and cents, as a well tilled garden. Keep ahead of the Aveeds, — cultivate with the horse, the hand rake, or hand weeder. More thought and care by parents in reference to this subject will aid in mak- ing home more attractive, and it will he a strong tie to keep the sons and daugh- ters at rural pursuits. FORENOOX SESSION. Prof. A. J. Cook, of the Agricultural College, was called upon, who read the- following paper on BOT-FLIES IX THE HORSE, COW, AXD SHEEP. Bot-Flies. The insects which form the subject of this lecture belong to the great sub- order Diptera, or two-winged flies, which are but too familiar to you all in our mosquitoes, house-flies, blow-flies, horse-flies, cheese-flies ; and the still more dreaded Hessian fly, wheat midge, and cabbage, onion, and radish flies. Characters of Diptera. As the name indicates, these insects usually possess two wings, undergo com- plete transformations, that is, the three forms, larva or maggot, ])upa, and imago or mature fly, are so different that no one not versed in insect life could ever dream that they sustained the relationship of child to parent. The mouth parts, too, are peculiar in that the upper and lower lips, called labrum and labium, resj)ectively, and first and second j^airs of jaws, tecimically known as mandibles and maxilla?, are all more or less awl-sliaped, and when united form a sharp sucking tube. For additional testimony on this poiiit I would refer you to gnats, mosquitoes, horse-flies, etc. In many flies tlie lower lip ends in a fleshy hemispherical pad, which, under the microscope, is really a thing of great beauty- The house-fly and blow-fly furnish illustrations. No Structural Features among Organisms Necessarily Persistent. I have said that the Diptera possesses two wings, and though usually true, yet,, as in all other sub-orders, so here we find apterous or wingless forms. Fleas, sheep, bird, and bat ticks, and bee lice are examples. Though Avingless, other structural features pronounce them unmistakable Diptera. Sometimes, as in the very forms with which we are to-day especially inter- ested, — the bot-flies, — the mouth parts are partially or wholly aborted. Yet the two wings, with other characters, show that they are Dipterous insects. FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 163: Again, in some the transformations are fav more complete or marked tlian in others. Thus we reco2;nize one of the stronojest arauments in favor of the now generally accepted theory of evolution. It is as if all Dipterouf^ insects had started from some one primal form, and through differences in development, there had resulted the wondrously varied forms that to-day so interest the stu- dent of entomology. Kemarlcahle for Variety of Habits. A very marked peculiarity of this sub-order is the unparalleled variety of their habits. The mosquito family while larvae feed upon tlie noisome particles- in our stagnant pools, and tlius by consuming the germs of malaria become important sanitary agents. The mosquitoes may hardly be so regarded, since our medical men now look with ill favor upon the practice of phlebotomy or bleeding. Some of the Ilea family, together with many flies, feed as larva? upon decay- ing organic matter, the ordure of our stables and outhouses and other tilth, while as mature flies they attack our domestic and otlier animals, and eveni claim tribute from man himself. One species of the flea family, the jigger of Central America, burrows under the toe-nails of the natives, or of their pale- faced visitors, and thus produce distressing sores, which may become very seri- ous. The Dipterous ticks and bee-lice live by sucking blood from the animals- which they infest. Some of the Bipfera are gall-flies. They lay their egg& upon various plants, — the willow is a favorite, — and the larva? which hatch fronii these, by feeding upon the ])lant, excite excessive growth. Thus the galls arise, which form both house and food for the larvns till they issue as fully developed flies. Some of the Diptera are predaceous, that is, they kill and eat other insects; others, which are closely related to the house-fly, are parasitic. These- lay their eggs on other insects, which are fed upon and destroyed by the larva? which hatch from the eggs. BoWi the predaceous and parasitic Diptera are very valuable to the farmer, as they destroy hosts of his insect enemies which otherwise would bring all his efforts to naught. Others still attack our grains and vegetables and do irreparable damage. h\ fact there are no vwrse insects than the wheat midge and Hessian fly, for these insects usually destroy to the tune of millions. Lastly, some of the Diptera, — the whole family (Edridoi, or bot-flies, — exist while larvae within other animals, either in the natural cavities of the body or else in cavities which by their irritation they form, and it is to- these that I ask your special attention. (Estriclae Family. The bot-flies are stout, hairy insects, and in a general way much resemble- species of our wild bees, though their bodies posteriorly are more pointed, while the females possess a spy-glass like ovipositor. The mouth is very small, while- the mouth organs are nearly abortive. The antenna? are very small and are inserted in small rounded pits. The flies take no food ; in fact, their mouths are too weak and rudimentary to permit of it, their only purpose seeming to be to arrange for the continuance of the species. The eggs are usually deposited upon some particular part of the animal infested. These eggs soon hatch ; in same cases, indeed, it is said that they hatch even before deposition, such flies being ovoviviporous. The maggots are- whitish, thick, fleshy, footless, and iiave on their bodies rows of spines, by aid of which they move about. The mouth is small, and sometimes surmounted. 1G4 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUEE. hy hooks, but iu other cases only by fleshy tubercles. The stigmata or breath- ing pores are placed iu one or two scale-like plates near the usually enlarged posterior extremity of the maggots. The maggots moult twice. Their food is usually, if not always, the puss or matter which arises from the irritation which they cause. They go into the earth to pupate. The pupa is what is termed coarctate ; that is, it is in form of a seed, the insect being surrounded by its last larval skin, ■which forms a smooth covering and entirely hides the wings, legs, etc., of the prospective fly. There are uumerous species of these bot-flies, each of which deposits on some particular mammal, and usually in some definite place. In tropical America there are species that infest man, Avorking in tumors under the skin, very much after the style of our cattle bot-fly, soon to be described. There are really two well marked divisions of these flies, founded on the posi- tion of the larvre in the animal infested. Some work just under the skin as in the cattle and squirrel bot-flies, while others work in the natural cavities of the -l)ody, and unlike most of the others, may inflict serious harm to their hosts. A matter of interest, and one really worthy to excite our wonder, may well be mentioned right here. It is the extreme nervous action, often indicating dire alarm, with which animals receive the flies as they come to deposit their eggs. You have all of you observed this in the horse and sheep. The veriest hack of a horse, one that has seen hard service for a score of years, will jerk its head as if pierced by a needle. This show of dread is no less marked with cattle and other quadrupeds, on which these flics practice nidification. The reason for this alarm is fpiite obscure. It would be supposed, and is probably very geuer- 4illy thought, that the flies, like bees, have the power to make their presence felt. But this is not true, as anatomy well proves, for the mouth and oviposi- tor are so weak and yielding that neither could possibly injure, even the most sensitive membrane ; then certainly the tough skin of the ox and the horse could feel no hurt. It has also been supposed that a wise instinct, prompted by j^rospective danger, makes the sharp clear tone of the bot-fly's hum a note of alarm, and hence the uncontrollable fear of those mammals which are liable to .attack. The objection to this reasoning is, that with the deer and our cattle, the evil is not one of danger or even of great inconvenience, as will appear, and in such cases the wise instinct greatly blunders. A third explanation, and as I think, the most tenable one, is that this unreasoning dread is of nervous origin. These animals learn to associate the hum of insects with pain. They are ever and anon feeling the stab of the keen, stinging lancets of the various deer and horse flies, and as the bot-flies dart toward them, their presence made all the more obvious by their loud note, the poor jiersecuted animals, impelled by iier- Tous impulse, become frantic ere there is chance to learn that mere noise is not to be dreaded. Yet even here impulse may be of great service, for in fleeing from apparent evil, a real danger may be held at bay. Horse Bot-FJij, — Gastrophilus equi, Fair. The horse bot-fly is certainly the most commonly observed, if not the most to be dreaded, of all our species. Tliere are, too, more than one species attacking the horse, but as the one named above is by far the most common, and as the habits of all are much the same, I shall rest content witli detailing the life, his- tory, etc., of this one. FAEMERS' INSTITUTES. 165 Fig. 1. Gasirojjhilus equL- Horse bot-flv. natural Hisfory. The flies (Fig. 1*), which may be soon from early summer even till autumn, are thickly set with brownish hairs, while the wings are plainly specked with darker spots. The eyes are black and wide apart, while the face in front of them is whitish. The thorax has a central spot of black, and the abdomen, between tlie segments, is darker than tlie general color, and it is also flecked with darker spots. The abdomen of the female is tapering, and terminates in an extensible ovipositor, which bends down imderneath the abdomen. The male has 9, _ more oval abdomen, and is also of a deeper brown than is the female. The female deposits her eggs beneath the lower jaw, along the mane, upon the shoulder, and even more abundantly along the forward legs, within and below the knees. Does the female remember when she herself was young, and what were then her needs? Else what teaches her to so place her eggs that the young hot, now soon to issue therefrom, will most readily be taken into the mouth and carried to the stomach, upon which event their very lives depend. The light yellow ovoid eggs are glued one at a time to the hairs, much to the annoyance of the horse, as denoted by the quick jerking movements of the head and stamping of the feet. The young are already nearly developed in the eggs, from which they soon issue, though the empty shells may remain away into the winter. As the horse licks itself or its companions, some- times impelled, perhaps, by a tickling sensation induced by the movement of the wee bots, these latter are lapped up and conveyed to the throat or stomach. The bots (Fig. 2 ) are stout, lieshy larvae, nearly egg-shaped, the mouth being- at the tapering end. They are whitish, becoming darker with age. When full grown they are about one incli long. About tlie mouth are hooks by which they maintain their hold, while the spines are in double transverse rows, extending around the anterior border of each These spines are reddish, with dark tips, and point backwards. There are no spines on the two posterior segments. The last segment is truncate, and has fleshy lobes which conceal the spiricle plates. These bots attach for the most part to the mucous membrane of the left side of the stomach, though they are often found in the throat, on the right side of the stomach, in the small intestine, and when full grown in and about the anus. When found their head is buried in small depressions (Fig 3). I recently examined the throat of a horse which was supposed to have been killed by bots, and found it quite full of these pits, each with its bot. f In spring and early summer these maggots pass from the alimentary canal of the alfected horse, enter the ground and within their own skin assume the pupa state. They remain as pupre between one and two months, when the mature fly again appears. Effect Upon the Horse. In the throat, when numerous, the bots may cause much inconvenience ; Flu. 2. Horse-bot. rmg Fig. 3. Horse-bots at work. *The figures iu this article are all from the valuable work of Prof. James Law, of Ithica, New York, — " The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser," who generously gave us the use of the engravings from which to procure electrotypes. *Professor Law writes me that there are well authenticated cases of horses having died from such attacks. 1G6 • STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. iufiammatiou will result from tiie irritation, and we have all the symptoms aris- ing from a severe throat affection. The throat already referred to was from one of five hoi^ees which died in Clinton county the past season. There seemed to be -serious throat trouble, although the bots were not confined to the throat, but as I learned from Mr. Fletcher, of DeWitt, they were found in the oesopha- gus, tlirough which he said they had eaten several holes. Wlien very numerous in the stomach, especially if attached to the right side, or in the intestines, they may by their irritating presence seriously impair digestion and probably cause death. It is not true, as frequently affirmed, that the bots eat through the membranes of the alimentary canal. Tlie finding of cavities in post-mor- tem examinations has doubtless led to such conclusions. Such cavities may result from digestion, as the gastric juice frequently acts on the stomach after death. I have -seen such cavities and from this cause in the human stomach on post mortem occasions, llupture, too, may occur in the oesophagus or stomach because of the disintegration caused by the irritating presence of the bots. I think this is not very infrequent. I think all hots live mostly upon the pus which their own irritation causes, though in the horse they may gain nutrition from the same source as that from which the horse receives it. The injury which the horse receives is due largely if not Avholly to indigestion caused by the unhealthy condition of the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, which is induced by the bots. While we have reason to think that the bots may cause serious trouble and even death, we cannot but think that, as with worms in children, they are often accused of that for which they are in nowise responsible. As the maggots pass from the intestines they often hook on to the «kin about the anal orifice, and tlius cause extreme discomfort. The poor horse switches its tail and moves with much reluctance. Fortunately, the removal of the bots when in this position is not difficult. Symjytoms. Prof. Law, in his valuable work, "The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser," states diat it is hard to distinguish irritation from bots from other forms of indiges- tion and colic. If occurring when the horse has an empty stomach, and the mag- gots are presumably hungry, or if in spring and early summer, if the bots are found passing with the feces, if the horse turns up his lips as if nauseated, and if the margins of the tongue are red and fiery, and w^e may add, if the throat is :sore and the horse keeps extending its head, then we may surely suspect bots. Treatment. Of course, if the eggs are removed before hatching, by cutting off the hairs which sustain them, or if they be daily washed off by use of soap suds, we shall prevent all farther trouble. Prof. Law says, " We know of nothing that will destroy the bots in the stom- ach." He says that vermifuges, like oil of turpentine, ether, and benzine, though not reliable, will prove most effective in autumn and early winter, as the bots are then young, and most susceptible. Colics are to be treated by anti- spasmodics (tobacco, stramonium, laudanum, etc.) and mild laxatives, and the atiimal mvst ie fed well, to support him under the drain, and to keep the bots gorged; lazy, and non-irritating. A good dose of physic will hasten the exit ■of the larvse, as they commence their leave-taking in summer. Other Species. The Gastrophihis nasalis is a smaller species with a red thorax, some Avhite FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 167 ou the abdomen, and Avith unclouded -svings. The GasfropJiilus pecorum is more yello-\v, while the Gasfrophilus Juenioi'rhoidalis is easily distinguished by the bright reddish tip of its abdomen. The larvre and pupfe of these species are much the same iu habits and appearance as those already described. Sheep Bot-FJy. — CEstris oris, C'larlc. This insect, while on mischief bent, is usually referred to by sheep raisers as ''grub iu the head." It would be more proper to say maggot iu the head, as the word grub is more usually applied to the larva? of beetles. Xatural History. The sheep gad-fly (Fig. 4), like that of the horse, appears from June till Sep- tember. It is about the same form, too, as the Gasirophilus equi, and when at rest or on the wing, is quite like our smaller horse-flies in appearance. The color is light ash, dotted and lined with black. The eyes are dark, and above and between these are three simple eyes. The fe- sheep gari or ^^''^^G' after mating sccks to deposit her young — for these are ovovivipo- bot-fly. rous, the eggs hatching within the mother-fly — about the nose of the sheep, the only labor that is given them to do. They cannot take food even, as the poor things are entirely mouthless. I say poor things, for as they have some hundreds of young to provide with positions, it would be safe to conclude that a lunch at least would not come amiss. The sheep receive these attentions with no less worry and distress than that manifested by the horse on similar occa- sions. They show their fear and annoya::cc by their bowed head, by shaking the same and stamping their feet, and often by flight. The bots (Fig. 5), by means of their hooks and spines, pass up the nose, caus- ing by their irritation an increased flow of mucus, on which they feed. They may even reach the sinuses of the frontal and maxillary bones, and in some cases the brain. When full grown j^j^ ^^ the maggots are an inch iu length. On the dorsal surface of sheep-bot. each ring are two brown dashes, on the sides are raised spots of the same color, while the general color is whitish. The rows of spines are very minute, point back, and are only on the ventral surface of the rings. There are two hooks at the mouth, above which are the same number of tubercles. The breathing- l^ores are in the last segment. They are in small plates, and the entire seg- ment can be retracted. When full grown they leave the nostrils, fall to the earth, in which they at once assuyie the pupa state. The pupa condition lasts about two months, when the case becomes uncapped and the fly issues. Effect Upion the Sheep. Even such good authorities as Youatt and Clark deny that these bots do any special harm. But there can be no question but that onr leading sheep men are correct in the opinion that they do serious injury to the animal, and when very numerous, especially if they pass to the brain, may, and frequently do, cause death. The severe inflammation of the nasal membrane, reaching even to the sinuses, together with the abundant discharge of purulent matter, gives quick indication of a condition which no shepherd would desire. Sym2)toms. The sheep lose their appetite, shake their heads, seem inclined to butt, and finally stupor and great weakness result. The mouth and nasal membranes show great inflammation, while there is an unhealthy discharge from the nose. 168 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Treatment. As before, preveutioii is worthy a first notice. The sheep-breeders have found that by tarring the noses of their sheep they render them exempt from attack. To do this with slight trouble, two-inch holes are bored into logs, into which salt is placed, and the edges then smeared with tar. As the sheep reach for the salt they receive the needed application of tar. It is the practice, too, with some, to plow a furrow that the sheep may gain protection by pushing their noses into the earth. This -'"r/y be partially effective. Early, while the mag- gots are in the nasal cavities, it would be desirable to brush these cavities with a feather moistened or wet in oil of turpentine. It is also suggested that we induce sneezing by administering snuff or lime, and that we kill the hots by introducing vinegar, solutions of salt, tobacco, or a weak solution of turpentine, after first shutting the sheep into a warm place, that the maggots may leave the sinuses. If the larva? pass to the brain, or if they are very numerous in the sinuses of the bones, cure is well nigh impossible. Tlic Cattle Bot-Fhj — Hypoderma hovis, Latr. Few farmers' boys have failed to note the lumps on the back of some favorite steer or heifer, and with real sorrow traced the true cause to the large ugly hot, which they with great joy found could be forced from its snug burrow, and their pets freed from the loathsome plague. With what added interest have some few — naturalists by nature — watched the sleek old culprit, carefully traced tlie future development, until at last they were delighted with the rich possession — self -won — of a full knowledge of its entire Natural HiMo7-y. The imago or fly (Fig. G) so much resembles adwarf bumble-bee, that quite likely it has often been mistaken for one. Like rhe bumble-bee, it is densely hairy, except that the thorax is black from nudity, rather than from hairs of that color, as in our bumble-bees. The head, two broad bands on the thorax, and the base of the abdomen are yellowish white, tlie middle of the latter black. Fig. 6. while the tip is reddish orange. The mouth is very rudimentary, Cattle bot-fly. the cycs ocelli or simple e3^es; halters, or rudimentary second wings, and the ovipositor in the female are plainly visible. These appear as before in summer and early autumn, and after pairing, the females at once com- mence their only mission of egg-laying. The eggs are placed on the backs of cattle, a preference, if there is any, being shown for the sleekest kino of the lierd. Some have supposed that this was a painful operation, as the cattle are made fairly frantic by the operation. I think, however, that this is a mistake. The ovipositor seems too slender and weak to work the slightest injury. The explanation already given seems to me the more rational. The larva? (Fig. 7), so soon as hatched, pierces the skin, and by its irritation causes quite a tumor, which increases with the growth of the maggot. The bot feeds on the jius and is never without air, as the tumor is always kept open. The color of this maggot is white at first, but becomes brown with maturity. They have fig. the spines in rows, as also seen in tlie horse-bot, but the mouth, cattie-bot. like all cutaneous bots, contains fleshy tubercles instead of the hooks. Tlie sphericle plates at the posterior of the body are always at the window. We should FARMERS' IXSTITUTES. 169 suppose they would desire fresh air, shut up in such abodes. The larva matures about May or June, when it is f ally an inch in length, backs out of its filthy chamber and falls to the earth. The abscess soon heals. The insect, like all of this family, pupates in the ground, the pupa differing only in size from those already described. Effects on Cattle. These seem to cause little inconvenience. In fact it is not uncommon to see the sleekest cow or ox thickly covered with these tumors. While they seem to do no serious damage, I am still of the opinion that the cattle would be quite as well off were they rid of these parasites. The worry caused by the torment- ing presence of the flies is certainly an evil. Hemedy. I am unable to suggest any method to remove this enemy. Of course the evil may bo abated by pressing the maggots out of the tumors, but as this will never be so generally practiced as to eradicate the pest, it is plainly impractica- ble. We can only rejoice that the disadvantage is so slight. There are many other species that form tumors on different animals, very mucli as described above, only one of which I will mention : the Cuterehra emascula- tor, Fitch, which infests tlie squirrel. The eggs are laid on the scrotum of the animal, and the bots not infrequently produce effects Avhich suggested the spe- cific name. There is no question but what many of these animals have died in our State because of this enemy. Following Prof. Cook's paper several Questions were asked and answered as follows : Mr. Henry Greene. — "Is there any season when the horse is free from the bots?" Prof. Cook. — "The probability is tiiey may be found in the horse at any sea- son ; still the horse may be without them early in the year, just before the season of the perfect insect." Mr. S. Satterlee. — "Does not the fly in laying the eggs, even if she does not probe the horse, irritate by pulling the hair?" Prof. Cook. — "It is my impression that the irritation of the animal is from nervousness rather than any thing the fly may do, except buzz. When a boy I would jump if I stepped on a round stick, because of my excessive dread of snakes, and I apprehend that this is the best way to account for the dread the horse has of bot-flies." Mr. James Taylor. — "Are not the bots licked into the mouth while eggs and hatched within the animal?" Prof. Cook. — "This is quite probable, but I think the most usual way they get in is by first hatching on the outside and by stirring around cause irrita- tion, which the horse tries to relieve with the mouth, and in this manner cap- tures them." Mr. Bradish. — " You recommend clipping the hair of horses having bots' eggs upon them. Will not their eggs hatch that are thus cut off?" Prof. Cook. — "With suitable conditions of warmth and moisture, yes; but there is no danger from these, as there is no chance of their getting where they can have any thing to eat before they die. I would like to ask a question of the audience: " What is your impression about the cattle bots, — do you find them most frequently on the backs of fat or lean cattle?" 22 170 STATE EOAKD OF AGKICULTUKE. A vote was taken, resulting in five for the fat cattle and fifteen for the lean stock. Prof. Cook then said this was his own impression, as a boy, that the scrawn- iest cattle were more likely to be attacked by the fly, but shice taking careful notes of the cases he had changed liis opinion. Next in order was an essay by James Satterlee, of Eureka, SHA.LL WE FIGHT OUK INSECT ENEMIES? Among the sciences that man has been turning to his own practical use within the last fifty years, is tliat of entomology. By this we mean the science that treats of the various forms of insect life. But what is there interesting or val- uable in the study of such uncouth forms, such " horrid bugs" as are included in this the greatest division of the animal kingdom? I do not mean the greatest in the size of its members, but in the number of its species, for in that it excels all others. Is there nothing of interest in the cliange that transforms the loath- some tomato-worm, with its reputed deadly horn, into the graceful sphynx that gatliers sweetness from your petunias and evening primroses in the twilight of an August day? Is there nothing wonderful in tlie transformation that changes the ragged willow caterpillar into the beautiful Vanessa butterfly that remains with us during our long winters and gladdens our eyes the first warm days of spring? Is there nothing worth studying in the natural history of the bee, or even of the ant, to whom the wise man has referred us? But the scope of my paper will not permit me to speak further of tlie more interesting part of this subject. I will take for granted that you concede tliere is something of interest in the general history of insect life, and proceed at once to the practical part of the topic assigned me, that is : shall we fight our insect enemies? Why do we speak of our insect enemies? Are there insects that prey upon the crops of our fields, orchards, and gardens to any appreciable extent? To answer this question, I have only to allude to the well known fact that our wheat is preyed upon by two S2:)ecies almost too small to be seen by the naked eye, yet seriously afiiecting the crop many seasons. Our corn is cut off as it makes its appearance, and the roots eaten and destroyed in many cases. The leaves of all our garden vines are eaten to skeletons and the last drop of sap sucked from the roots by insatiable pests that are always vigilant. Our potato tops are a certain prey to tlie untold millions of hungry mouths tliat are on the march toward the sea. Our apples are bored through and through, the trees denuded of their leaves, their young twigs sapped, and bodies girdled and per- forated, all by different members of the insect world. Our plums are a total failure on account of the little Turk that leaves his crescent mark upon the fruit, and we find the same mark inflicting more or less injury to the cherry, peach, and other fruit. It is said that every plant that grows has its enemies. Our forest trees are a constant prey to them. Even the sturdy oak is not free from their attacks ; and I miglit cite further evidence that we have many insect enemies, but I trust this is sufficient. An enumeration of some of the species that work this injury may be of inter- est. I will only speak of a few of the most important. Among these is the Hessian fly, which lays its eggs upon the wheat in September. The egg hatches in three or four days, when the larva passes down the leaf and takes possession of the base of the stem, from which it sucks the juice, thereby Aveakening the plant. It remains in the same position to become a pupa, and in the spring hatches into the perfect fly, which again lays its eggs upon the wheat, becomes FAKMERS' INSTITUTES. 171 a larva and a pupa as before, hatches from the stubble in midsummer, and is ready to repeat the process again upon the early sown wheat of autumn. The midge also works a great deal of damage in some seasons by laying its eggs upon the heads of wheat just before it is ripe. This soon hatches into the little orange colored maggot whicli destroys every kernel with which it is in contact. Our corn is frequently seriously injured by the cut-worm, and when planted upon low land by the wire-worm. These cut-worms, of which there are several spe- cies, do great injury in our garden vegetables. The enemies that are so persist- ent in the destruction of cucumber, melon, and squa^li vines, are the striped bug and the squash bug. The principal enemy of the potato is the Colorado potato beetle. This is undoubtedly the most noted of all our insect enemies, coming as it did so sud- denly upon us and taking such complete possession of our potato fields. The damage it does amounts annually to millions of dollars. The principal enemy of the apple crop is the codling moth, whose larvae bore through and through the fruit, rendering it unfit for market or for use. The trees are attacked by the aphis, which sucks the juice from the growing twigs, while the canker "worm and the tent-caterpillar strip the tree of every leaf, and two species of borers attack the body. The curculio is the little Turk that takes such especial delight in the destruc- tion of plums and cherries. The beautiful Clytus destroys maples, while borers and grubs attack the oaks. By this we see that our insect enemies are both numerous and active. They are constantly at work. Their numbers and their activity warn us that we must fight them. Fu'st, we need an accurate knowledge of their habits. A knowlede of the habits of the Hessian fly, for instance, enables us to destroy large numbers of the pupas by burning over the stubble soon after harvest. The habits of the potato beetle are easily understood. They are few and simple. The principle one is that it eats, it eats constantly in all stages of its growth. It is through this habit that we are enabled to introduce Paris green into its stomach. It would be well for us if we could manage all our insect enemies as easily as we can this one. But there are few that we can destroy with j^oison. The currant worm, that we may exjoect here the coming season, is destroyed by sprinkling powdered hellebore upon the leaves. The striped bug is driven away by sprinkling plaster and ashes^ mixed with a little sulphur, upon our vines. There are many insects, however, that will eat nothing that we can give them, such as the borers, codling moth, curculio, and others. These we have to man- age in some other Avay. The borers we cut from the bark with a knife, or kill them in their holes with a sharpened wire ; or, better still, we kill the eggs before any damage is done by washing the trees with a strong solution of soap, in June or July. The codling moth is destroyed by fastening, with a string or tack about the trees, bands of coarse woolen cloth or papei', under which the larvae secrete themselves to undergo their transformation. These bands are examined once in ten days after the first of July, and the larvte that have secreted themselves are killed and the bands replaced. The orchard requires clean culture, and the rough bark must be scraped from the trees in order to compel the larvae to go under the bands for a hiding place. Hogs in the orchard are also of much 173 STATE BOAKD OF AGKICULTUKE. benefit in eating np the fallen fruit before the larvae have taken their de- parture. The curculio is most successfully destroyed by the jarring process. This has been so often described that it seems almost superfluous to repeat the descrip- tion. At the risk of being tedious, however, I will give the outlines : As soon as the blossoms begin to drop from the trees, a sheet is prepared of strong cloth with an opening in one end reaching to the center. A small strip of wood is then sewed to the whole end, and also to each jiart of the open end, for facility in handling. Two persons will carry this from one tree to another, and, by a sudden jar, all the curculios upon the tree are shaken upon the sheet, from which they may be emptied into a pail, or caught and killed. This process must be repeated two or three times a day while the curculio lasts. It is not expensive, and never fails Avhen faithfully carried out. The curculio is also- destroyed by placing chips under the trees about the time they begin to blossom. They secrete themselves under these chips and are easily caught and killed. Squash bugs are also caught in the same manner. Cut-worms are killed by digging them from their hiding places ; also by plow- ing the land in the fall, thus exposing them to the action of the frost, and tO' the attacks of birds. Wire-worms are rendered less destructive by draining the land infested by them and applying a good coating of lime. Mr. J. Strange, of Grand Ledge, told me that a part of his corn-field, planted with a hand planter last spring, was much less injured by the wire-worm than that planted with a common hoe. All the knowledge we can get of the habits of these various insects, however, is not sufficient to enable us always to cope with them. Some, indeed, seem beyond the reach of any remedy. But nature has provided aid in every case. There is a beautiful liarmony in her work when not interfered with. No one animal is allowed to become very predominant at the expense of all the others. If it is true that every plant has its enemy somewhere in the insect world, it is- also true that every one of these has some parasite wliose duty it is to hold it in check, or jirevent its undue increase. The greater the capacity of any species for its multiplication, the greater the number of parasites there are that prey upon it. It is said that the potato beetle has more than twenty species of parasites that are bent upon its destruction. Before man had begun to clear off the forests and break up the soil, nature's laws in regard to animal life were not interfered with. Each species held its own. The amount of food for each remained practically the same year after year. But man introduces new conditions. The growth of a particular kind of plant food gives increased facilities for the multiplication of those species that feed upon that plant. And as these multiply, tlie parasite whose duty it is to hold them in check finds equal facilities for increase, so that in a few years these balance each other. If there is any falling off in the production of the given plant, there is a falling off in the number of its enemies, and the para- site for the time being has the advantage. The enemy may indeed become nearly or quite extinct, and with it also the given parasite in that locality. Should a frost, for instance, destroy every plum and cherry blossom in Mich- igan, in any one year, the curculio would become nearly extinct for the time being. AVe cannot conceive of its becoming Avholly so, however, for nature has^ provided against such a contingency, and probably for the parasite also in the FAEMEES' INSTITUTES. 173 same proportion. If it sliould become extinct in any locality it would be easily introduced from adjoining territory, for our whole land is becoming almost a continuous orchard from one extremity to the other. We see how this principle of amount of food has worked in the case of the potato beetle. When man had planted the potato near enough to its original home in the Rocky Mountains, it found the food thus introduced exactly suited to its taste, and immediately showed us its wonderful power of increase under favorable circumstances ; and it has traveled the bridge of potato tops that it found extending eastward from the great plains of the west, till it is waiting a chance to take passage to fresher fields on the other side of the Atlantic. For- tunately, its enemies are numerous, and Paris green is a sure remedy when faithfully applied. Another instance of the amount of suitable food influencing increase is that of the grape-vine phylloxera. A native of this country, it unfortunately found its way to France, where it has increased with wonderful rapidity, and been the occasion of untold ruin to the vineyards of that land. As its food increases in our own land it is becoming quite destructive ; but its natural enemies will probably have little difficulty in holding it in check. I have spoken sufficiently of the aids which nature has provided in the way of parasites. Another important aid to man for the suppression of his insect enemies is many species of birds. Robbins, blue-birds, black-birds, and crows for the cut-worm and white- grub, and the wood-pecker for the borers. I have in my possession specimens of the wood-pecker's work in extracting borers from the oak. They never fail to strike the right place. If mankind were not such liereditary enemies to the birds, I think these same wood-peckers might be taught sufficient confidence in their friends to learn to peck the borers from our fruit trees every year. There are, however, two sides to this bird question. We need to observe closely the habits of all in order to decide which are our helpers in the war against the destructive insects. It will not do to jump at conclusions. A few years ago I vowed vengeance upon a flock of crows that were busily engaged every day in my corn field. I supposed they were pulling up all the corn. Upon investigation, however, I found they were digging out the cut-worms, and in no case that I could find had they disturbed a single kernel of corn. I have seen them at work in the same manner in a field of oats just up. In the same way we may find that many species of birds that we think are unmitigated nui- sances are really of great benefit to us. In closing this essay, I will say that with all the aid nature gives us by means of the parasites and the birds, we can only be successful in the war against our insect enemies by united, harmonious action. One man in a community will have little effect ; but if we all work with a will for the accomplishment of a given purpose, and that purpose the extermination of our insect enemies, success is certain. Following Mr. Satterlee's paper ensued a short discussion, as follows : Prof. Cook. — I most heartily concur with Mr. Satterlee in the use of white helebore for currant Avorms, and believe that no man can afford to allow the worms to denude his bushes at the present price of the remedy. I prefer to apply it with water, as Paris green is often applied. I wish to make one slight criticism wpon a single thing in the paper. Mr. Satterlee spoke as though the curculio could be exterminated if all the fruit upon which it preys could be removed one year. Perhaps this may be so, and yet Mr. Ransom, of St. Joseph, 174 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. Michigan, exhibited to me one of the little Turks that he had kept three years in a bottle with no food, and the cnrculio still lived. Perhaps the smell of the bottle may have been sufficient stimulus to retain life. They say it has this effect upon some men." Mr. J. M. Fuller. — Is the currant ^yornl mentioned in the paper what we know as the web worm?"' Prof. Cook. — ''No; the web worm is what is commonly termed a measuring worm, and has not been known to do much injury in this State as yet." Mr. A. C. Satterlee. — " When shall we plow to kill cut-worms." Mr. J. Satterlee. — The more prevalent opinion now among accurate observers is that plowing in the fall is not for the purpose of turning the worms up to freeze to death, but to allow the birds a good chance at them ; and with this idea, of course early fall plowing, before the birds leave, is the most advisable method." Prof. Cook. — "I would plow early and harrow well, so as to give the black birds a chance for a good round meal before they leave us. As regards the effect of frost upon the cut-worms I cannot do better than quote my own exijeri- nients. I have subjected them to 30 degrees below freezing point and from this ordeal they came out lively. My impression is that the freezing-out remedy exists no farther than a hypothesis." Mr. Bradish. — "I am satisfied from my own experience that fall plowing late is the best, no matter what the theory may be." The following question was voted upon : How many present believe in fall plowing to kill cut-worms? Nearly all answered in the atBrmative. The ques- tion of how many had, the past season, showed their faith by their work, was put and less than half had plowed for this purpose. Mr. Garfield. — " What is the prevailing impression as to the soil best adapted to the work of tlie wire worm?" Several answered that their devastation generally was more marked upon low, black soils or heavy clays. Mr. Watkins, of Kent county, was decidedly of the opinion that fall plowing was deatli to the worms only as it brought them into the clutches of the birds. AFTERNOON SESSIOJ^". Mr. C. L. Garfield, of the Agricultural College, gave the following address on ''landscape gaedening for farmers." It is such an easy thing to talk of beauty and beautiful things, in a sort of general way, without giving any genuine instruction, that I hesitate at the very outset for the sake of making a resolution that my aim in this short address shall not be to say pretty words about pretty possibilities, but rather to suggest and point out a popular want among tlie farmers of Michigan, and state some practical methods of answering it. The popular opinion, too, often would sneer at placing in so intimate a rela- tionship the two extremes of my title, for the term landscape gardening brings FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 175 up a picture of some grand old place upon which the income of a fortune has been expended, or a beautiful park like those in our large cities, supported by a general tax whicli private means can ill afford to expend, while on the other hand farmers are men of muscle, who follow the plovv and handle the spade from early morn till dark to raise the grain and vegetables for the word to live upon ; whose ideal of beauty is supposed to culminate in a clover blossom or a straiofht row of corn. I trust that these ideals mav bo modified in time so that the close relationship of the two will not only be considered compatible, but will be a fact of existence. The landscape gardening that I wish to talk about is not a grand or expen- sive affair involving the necessity of a professional man to conduct or a large bank account to support it. Far from this, it is a matter of very little outlay, it is a miserably cheap affair. But water is cheap and so is su)ishine. What among the most costly things you have would you exchange for these? Hence the landscape gardening of which we shall talk has to do with such yearly, monthly, yes, daily modifications of our country premises as shall trans- form them into beautiful and attractive homes, render them more valuable as property, and while we do this we shall hint at the general princiiDles of land- scape art upon which these details are founded. Wiij Shall we Beautify? The first question that arises, the answer to which is our incentive to the adornment of our homes, is. Why shall we beautify? and I answer, first, for the beauty itself ; and, secondly, for the influence that beauty has in completing a rounded manhood and womanhood. Accompanying the development of a tasty house, beautiful grounds, attractive shrubbery, or delicate flower borders, is another growth on the inside of the person devising these embellishments that is more lastinsr and valuable than the outside modifications that seem so beauti- fully transformed. This is the growth of refinement; something that we can- not measure by dollars and cents, any more than we can measure faith or love. But it has far more to do with the progress of civilization than the opening of the richest silver lead or tlie discovery of the largest diamond field. These go up and down with the supply, but the more refinement we have the greater premium there is upon its accpiirement. We all see the necessity for more of it among our farming people ; from their isolation there comes a tendency to neglect the schooling of the heart in the channels of refinement, and there is nothing that can so perfectly take the place of society and knowledge of its best molds, as close companionship with nature's beautiful life forms and the pro- fuse employment of them in the adornment of a home. There may be just as good a heart in the man who in answer to a favor says :: "That's a good 'un, old fellow; if you want a lift call around," as in the^ breast of another who answers, "Thank you kindly. I trust I can return the- favor sometime." But Avliile wo admire the generous impulse of the one, we are doubly pleased with the impulse and its delicate expression in the other. We cannot come in contact with refined people without unconsciously f ollowing^ in their wake and smoothing down the rousrli corners of our own habits. So it, is in the development of beautiful grounds and attractive surroundings, every new creation has its effect for good upon the one that devised and moulded it. This in itself is a great reason for the adornment of our homes. Need I give others? I will suggest them. Thirdly, then, I shall name satisfaction, of pos- session. This I admit is of much less consequence than the other. Still wo 176 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. are so constituted that the satisfaction of having things is a stimulus to get them. Of course the value of the acquisition has much to do witli the weight of this incentive. For instance, the man who has a beautiful wife, aside from all the pleasures she may bring to his home, takes a great deal of comfort in the thought that she is his own. (This instance is for my bachelor auditors.) The woman who grows a beautiful house plant and by her skill succeeds in making it a model of symmetry and floral wealth has no little pleasure in the fact of possession. The value of this pleasure does not usually depend upon what the acquisition will bring in the market, but rather upon our interest and effort in the getting of it. Again, the greatest good comes to ns through the development of all our fac- ulties, and if the germs are given us, why not give them opportunity to grow and thus fit us for a wider field of work and appreciation of what is created? In the work of landscaping the farmer brings into use a new set of faculties, and he is given the opportunity to make himself a broader man. A few years ago while land prospecting with a friend in Kent county, after passing across the fields for some distance we came into a tangled woodland undergrowth. We pushed our way through this for some distance, and to make a bad matter worse we were obliged to cross a long stretch of mire and sphagnum which tested our powers of endurance to the utmost. Just before we emerged from our difficulties we ascended in more open woodland, quite an elevation, and at its summit we came upon the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen. In the distance hill overtopped hill until the wavy outline of blue alone indicated the character of the country. Near to us in a quiet valley lay the Grand river, pursuing a winding course and reflecting to us the sun's rays in such a manner as to convey the impression of a river of silver. Here and there in the valley and on the hillside were farm houses scattered at irregular intervals, and the alternations of woodland and cleared fields gave a beautiful variety to the distant view. But best of all, at the foot of the hill upon which we stood, snuggled in a quiet retreat, almost surrounded by natural groves of oaks, silver maples and aspens, lay a calm little sheet of water. It was the embodiment of quiet, modest beauty. I had but just taken in the outline of these beautiful views when the rough salutation of a Teuton brought me to a realization of the ground upon which I was standing. I was unconsciously treading out a few heads of clover in ray endeavor to grasp the grandeur of the scene before me. He unceremoniously acquainted me with the fact, and to mollify him I spoke of the favored position he occupied in commanding such a view. " Yaas, it was purty nice, but I can show you sometings dat is petter as all dat, right py my house." Glad that he was turned from the clover-seed matter, I followed, to find, first, that his house, which was very snugly built and indicated a thrifty farmer, was so placed as to have the barn between it and all this loveliness I had admired, and imagine my disgust when I found "his ting vat vas so nice" was nothing more than a pen full of fat pigs, — evidently the pride of the farm and joy of the household. The front porch, where my new friend sat and smoked, looked out upon this yard of swine, and his ultimatum of the beautiful lay in their fat sides. What this man lacked I would have every farmer culti- vate, and it is for the development of the faculty of appreciatnig the finer beau- ties of the world that I submit this answer to the question, "Why shall we beautify?" Simply as a matter of benevolence we should beautify our premises. I would FAKMERS' INSTITUTES. 177 not have you think that I mean by this that we should make our places tasty and attractive for tlie sake of showing off to other people our ability in this direction, but for the same reason we would assist our neighbor in taking off his wagon-box. He is not able to do it alone, and we can help him. There are hundreds of those who pass your doors annually that cannot fix up a home and yard because they have none, but who can keenly appreciate the neatness and attractiveness of yours. Only a few days ago a man said to me : " I passed your mother's yard a great many times last summer, and never once without stopping to admire a magnifi- cent bunch of magenta phlox, and I have seen dozens of people doing the same thing." This is a simple instance of how much pleasure we can grant others by the adornment of our own premises. The people did not know that the beauty of this phlox was largely due to a principle in landscape art that was there exhibited, viz. : contrast of color, for a dark evergreen stood near and heightened the effect. Lastly, there is a money value in the making of a beautiful home that will pay a large interest upon tiie outlay, if the labor be reckoned at its highest value. You may not want to sell, but if you are a thrifty farmer and a business farmer you wish to know at the end of each year what are the profits of your business, and if you find there is not a very large bank account as the result of the year's work, there is a great satisfaction in knowing that your place has been improved in selling value a considerable percentage through the exhibition of tact and taste in making the premises attractive. The merchant, in his invoice, takes account of his samples and the contents of his show-window : likewise the farmer should count in the embellishments of his home as a part of his capital stock. Then if the worst comes and it is found necessary or desirable to change loca- tions, the enhanced value of the property through the exhibition of taste in adornment pays in the cash receipts. Beautiful situations are always more mar- ketable at advanced rates than poorly kept farms at a discount. It pays them liberally to make a home beautiful. In the outset of fixing up a place one thing must be borne in mind, eonspicu- ously : that utility and beauty are not antagonistic elements. The path that leads to places of work would not be beautiful if it were not direct, while the one that leads to the fiower beds or the grove may be filled with delicate curves, •and we follow admiringly, appreciating the nicety of the turns, because when Tfe go there we are walking for pleasure, not business, and a little matter of added distance takes nothing from the charm of the promenade. Anything loses or acquires beauty through association, and Ave should care for this scrupulously. The weeping branches of the elm in the hollow make it & beautiful object in the landscape, and when we observe the tips of the weep- ing limbs, almost or quite sweeping the surface of the brook beneath, we enjoy the delusion that it droops to bathe its branches iu the cool water. But were that elm placed midway between our house and barn, where upon every occasion of passing we must make a detour to avoid the limbs, or by passing under have our hats knocked off, and hair pulled every time, the beauty of the weeping branches would be all lost, and we would dub it a nuisance. Another point to consider is that the price of beauty is care, unceasing care and attention. If by ■the cultivation of taste this becomes a delight, the care is ouly an added enchant- ment to the pleasure of development. In the arrangement of grounds there must be unity of action on the part of 178 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTUEE. the whole family in order to accomplish what is most desirable, viz. : congruity of parts. To illustrate, a place I now have in mind, and no imaginary one either, has a delightful frontage ; the lawn is smooth and green, the evergreens tastefully grouped, climbers are delicately turned about the verandah posts, and flower beds just at one side, neatly kept, give an air of loveliness to the whole yard. But every day as I pass the place, when just beyond the yard fence, I cannot help but catch a view of the lane which leads to the barns. It is filled with an aggregation of indescribable odds and ends, such as could accumulate nowhere but on a farm, with a generation for time. At best it is a muddy, filthy, slovenly, ill-kept alley. We lose all the effect of the beautiful yard in that lane, and the loathsomeness, rather than the preceding beauty, haunts us. The story is told when Ave say that the mother and children have charge of the first part of the home surroundings, while the head of the family believes in having everything handy on the farm. But unity of action must move in the right direction, for I know another farm where the man and wife, and for that matter the whole family, are actuated by the desire to have everything handy, and everything upon tlie place bears the impress of a total lack of taste or order. They spend enough money in trees, plants, trellises, and ornaments, but some- how each new one adds another to a most unfortunate combination. I will particularize a little in my hints, and first touch liglitly upon The House. ■ - I am not a house builder, and do not purpose to give instructions in any of the details, but just mention a few points that come within my province. Although the house is the main thing upon the farm to which every thing else should be tributary, still it should not be so grand or elaborate as to be out of character with the surroundings. If one has only money enougli to build a large house, and its connections must await a season of greater prosperity, it is far better to build smaller and start everything at once. ]S"othing looks more out of place than a great, glaring house with no appropriate accompaniments. I have seen an old, weather-brown house so relieved by climbers and plants as to be really beautiful, and because one lives in such a house is no e?vcuse for not exercising taste in landscape gardening. The first thing to consider in building a house is to have it so arranged that the living-room will be the most beautifully located of all. Our finest views should be from the windows where we do the most of our looking, and we should avoid the plan of having a large house and then living entirely in the back kitchen, the view from which commands simply the wood-pile, the drain, and the clothes yard. The house that is most in keeping with the farmer's business is a quiet, unostentatious, home-like building, devoid of all appearance of showiness and fancy paint or moulding. The farm-house is close to nature and should accord somewdiat with the trees, the turf, the rolling ground, and the flowers. There is true refinement in modesty, and a wonderful lack of it in glaring gaudiness. The farmer can choose a far better way to exhibit to the world his prosperity, — if he so desires, — than in flaunting it abroad through a great house covered with "gingerbread and flumadiddles." Quite an important element in the building of your houses is such an arrange- ment of the exterior tliat it may be an index to the interior ; this to guide the stranger at his approach that he may enter properly. Only the other day I was reminded of the propriety of this ; for, upon entering a yard, I brought my best judgment to bear upon the matter of going into a man's house, and the FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 179 result of my decision Avas that I was shown through the wood-shed, then the kitchen and the dining-room to the sitting-room, where I was to stoji. This is unpleasant and embarrassing, and can be easily avoided in the planning of fronts and arrangement of walks. Tlte Lawn. There is nothing connected with the farm-house in its embellishment that gives it so much character as a beautiful lawn. Fill your front yards witli roses, snow-drops, clematis, beds of annuals, shrubbery, and evergreens, and still noth- ing is so neat and attractive as a smooth piece of velvet lawn. There is a nicety about it, if well kept, that pertains to nothing else. Yet how few rural places can boast of a fine piece of smooth green. Tiie truth is, very few people understand how to make a lawn, and seem wonderfully slow in acquiring the necessary information. A lawn, to be perfect, should be green all summer; this, in our arid climate, can only be approximated without the accompaniment of a good head of water to give it a drink occasionally. I say approximated, because we have a means of partial control Avithin our power; this is in the preparation of the soil at the beginning. It is quite customary to stir up the soil a few inches, and, through the agency of a gi'eat deal of hard work, cover the surface with sod brought from some old pasture or roadside. With all due deference to the '•professionals" who follow this method, I say this is a very poor method. In the first place a very dry summer will destroy the whole of it ; and, in the second place, ten chances to one, under the most favorable cir- cumstances, there will be many bare, unsightly places. The ground, of what- ever consistency it may be, should be stirred, — not four or six inches only, — but, if possible, two feet in depth. It is a big thing to do at the outset, Init it is once for all. Then, if the soil be light, give it clay muck, and manure ; and if heavy, give it sand, muck, and manure, — not a thin scattering, but a gener- ous, open-handed covering. The muck and manure, as you see, are common quantities in both equations. Too much attention cannot be given to the smoothing of this ; and, in all this outlay, quiet your conscience with the thought that it is to be done but once. With this deep foundation and smooth surface, a sprinkling of seed, and a cheap lawn-mower, we are in a condition ta produce a premium lawn in one season. I am inclined to denominate all the advertised mixtures of lawn seeds as humbugs, and recommend in their place an equal mixture of Kentucky blue-grass (June grass) and red-top; and sow it thick, — five bushels per acre is none too much. All this do in the fall if possi- ble, except the sowing of the gra^ seed, which should, in our climate, be done- early in spring. Do not sow oats, or rye, or buckwheat with it for a shade ; this is all nonsense ; it requires no shade, and there is scarcely a chance of fail- ure. As soon as the grass is suiiftciently started the mower should be used at- least once a week in the growing season. A surface dressing of fine hen ma- nure or composted night-soil should be given at least every other year to keep the soil in good heart. Upon this plan any one can have a beautiful lawn who has a patch of ground a rod square. It should not be forgotten that a lawn, to be kept nicely, requires as much attention as the same area of flower beds. Walks and Drives. Do not have any Avalks nor any drives unless they can be cared for properly. Men often become disgusted with trying to keep a walk in repair, and allow it- to grow up gradually to weeds and grass, thus producing a most unsightly ap- 180 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUEE. pearance. People make mistakes by not starting right, and make themselves a great deal of unnecessary trouble. I know a man who thought he would have something nice in the way of a walk. He sifted out some nice gravel, cut a place for his walk two inches deep by three feet wide, and filled it with the gravel. The first season he became disgusted with the whole arrangement, for the weeds and grass were well nigh overpowering. To keep these down he put on a generous supply of leached ashes. The first good shower rendered these go sticky that the grass was far preferable to walk upon, and the utility of his model path was entirely wanting. The next season he was going to profit by this experience, so he took out the gravel and ashes and laid a brick walk. This looked very nice for a time, but the infamous grass got started between the brick, and from here found it almost impossible to eradicate it. The final method adopted was a little good earth upon the brick, in which the grass caught readily, and now his path is a rounded piece of turf extending across the yard from door to gate. The right method is to put the most of this work into the beginning. Dig out the space for the walk or drive to the depth of nine inches ; and, if stone are cheap, fill in a layer of stone at the bottom ; then cover with gravel, rather coarse, to within an inch of the top, and finish with finer gravel. If there is not clay enough in the gravel to pack it, a little must be added. This, once completed, will last forever and require very little care. In the arrangement of walks and drives keep in view the positions for con- venience, but remember that a curved line is a line of beauty, and where it will not conflict with business allow gentle curves to enter, but never make a curve without some apparent or real reason for it. If a slight curve is required for beauty, and no tree is in tlie way to suggest the deviation from a straight line, put one there, or a group of them. It is quite noticeable that the paths made by animals across the pastures down to the spring or into the yard are nearly always lines of beauty. The first time a farmer drives into his yard by his house to the barn, he makes, while he avoids obstructions, a very direct course, and still it is in curved lines ; and when a would-be practical man objects to my plan of curves, I can only tell him in answer that when he follows a course without thought he takes a cui-ve him- self, without the aid of liquor, too. Then let your business walks be direct, but where you are to loiter for pleas- xire, among flowers and shrubs, or down to the stream, or into the grove, let there be curves of beauty hidden from each other by the plantings, and giving ^constant variety and entertainment to those who loiter. Trees and Shruhs. Do not think your landscape will be beautiful according to the sum of money ■expended in foreign trees and rare exotics. To be sure there is a certain kind of gratification in new and rare things, but to me and all you who delight in our native woodlands, containing as they do a greater variety of beautiful things than does any other country or clime, the trees and shrubs brought to our grounds from the woods, the lowland, the highland, the swamp, and the river- bottom, have greater cliarms than all others. Here it is, too, that we can bring study of the best order into our work. The planning of little nests of shrubbery that shall contain a good proportion of our native sorts, in such a manner that all will thrive ; and to know them so well that each variety can be pointed out, is a beautiful study that relieves the tedious process of transplantation. Then FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 181 how delightful it is to coavey to our own premises the unparalleled beauties of our Michigan autumn foliage. There is opportunity for the exhibition of delicate taste in the arrangement of a bouquet of flowers so that each form and each varying tint and shade will augment the beauty of the group, but it takes more skill and there is a greater charm in arranging our groups of trees in such a manner that the different types of form will not, by juxtaposition, injure each other, and so that each hue of summer and autumn will be in its position of best effect. It is a skill not to be learned in books, not to be taught in a lecture, but to be acquired by a careful acquaintance with the chapters of the book of nature, that are so replete with the knowledge we need. In adjusting trees with rich autumn tints it is desira- ble that somewhere close at hand, — either in front or behind, — there be the rich color of the evergreens for contrast. A low spot can be beautifully and appropriately planted to the drooping trees; the willows, the elms, the water maples, and larches, — all may be made to contribute to a beautiful effect. Single trees, placed as specimens on the lawn and kept neatly pruned so as not to injure their habit, can be so selected and placed as to give individuality to the place; and this is what we are to seek after. Each family stamps its individuality upon the place it occupies, .and if this accords with principles of taste, the fact of its originality gives beauty and satisfaction to the premises. Our native trees are not well appreciated. A tree agent will come around and exhibit his plates of trees with foreign and high sounding names, for which we pay great prices, when in our native forests we can find far more beautiful ones that we know we can transplant and warrant to be hardy. It would be far bet- ter if the tree agents would exhibit plates of our best native trees, well grown, putting to them their scientific names. They would make just as much money, and the people would not lose so much by it, even if they could get the same specimens in their own wood lots. No climber with a foreign title can ever equal our common Virginia creeper, growing so abundantly in our own woods, and no plants can equal our maples, elms, lindens, ashes, and oaks, among trees ; our azaleas, kalmias, spice-bush, leather-wood, witch-hazel, alders, and red-ozier, among shrubs ; and our pines, hemlocks, spruces, and cedars, among the evergreens. What shall I say of flowers? Some of us are drawn to them as by a magnet, and still are easily satisfied. It is not the costly or rare ones we crave, but our common lilacs, mock orange, Japan quince, phlox, pinks, verbenas, asters, stocks, candy-tuft, sweet william, roses, and columbine. And where shall we put our flowers? Not in beds dotting the lawn here and there. No, don't for anything spoil the beauty of that velvet carpet. Have the flowers on one side. Make them into borders or beds as you choose, but certainly have plenty, apart from even these, that you can, during their season, cut from them to embellish your mantel, your windows, your dining-room, and your kitchen. I say kitchen, i)ecause, for the farmer's wife, a large part of the time is spent here, and the flowers are for use and enjoyment Vv'here they will do the most good. Many of the dwarf evergreens are beautiful to employ as centers for flower beds, and make a permanent position about which to arrange colors. Do not think because you have a climbing rose, a clematis, a honey-suckle, or a frost grape, that you must make an elaborate lattice-work or trellis. Let one climb up the corner of the house, another the veranda column, another over the door to the side entrance, and put one by the gate-post, by an old oak 182 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. that you hate to part with but which looks rather scraggy. Make everything appear as natural as possible ; it is in good taste and a matter of economy. It isn't to be supposed that everything about even the best of farm-houses is open to the inspection of everybody. There is tlie wood yard, the clothes yard, and outbuildings that it is desirable to screen from view. Evergreens are just the thing to employ. The spruces and tlie pines grow rapidly and can be so placed as to make a most natural group and answer the other purpose as well. One word more about planting. Give as much variety to your grounds as is possible, and avoid right lines. These are stiff and monotonous. If you have a stilted tree like the Lombardy poplar, hide by planting at its base, the lower part of it ; and if you have a low grower that you wish to give a place of prom- inence put on a rise of ground. Tlie Expense. And now how is the farmer to meet the labor and expense of all this? I know the farmer's hands are always full; he works early and late and has little time for recreation, but I beg leave to offer three suggestions : First, The farmer should be more of a business man, in order to gain time. The merchant has his business hours, and sticks to them religiously. The mechanic has no time during his work hours for visiting or entertaining friends. The farmer, too often, is ready to stop his work and lean over the fence by the hour, talking politics or telling stories. His city friends come, and he gives the day to them ; an auction calls him away to spend time and money. When the farmer makes his business a system, and looks npon his time as so much money, then he will have more time. His recreation will be guided by a plan, and his landscaping can be his recreation. It is better than going berrying, or fishing, or hunting. But mind you I do not take exception to even these, if the time can be spared. Again, might not some of the little vices of using tobacco and beer be sup- planted by interest and money put into the home grounds, and that, too, with a good deal better effect and more lasting enjoyment? Once more, I offer this as a suggestion : that the adornment of the home grounds be a family work in which every member is to take a decided part and interest. The children of a well ordered family might perform nearly all the labor connected with the lawn and the flower-garden. The pruning and the cultivating can be done by them, and be called amusement ; and how rich will be their reward ! In the growtli of each species they learn its habits and its value. In the adornment of home they are adorning their own characters with graces that will develop with the years and grant to them influence for good; and farther on, when they leave the old home and are taken from the pleasant associations that surround it, they will have that laid up in memory which will come back to them, softening their hearts and declining years of life with the beautiful home of childhood. The beauty of home that is of the children's making is not wasted in one generation, but children and children's children are tempered by it, and no man can compute its value. How grand and beau- tiful, and yet how simple in its conception and consummation. Mr. A. C. Satterlee, of Greenville, read the following essay on WHEAT CULTUKE. Wheat has never been found growing wild, but it is said to be perfected by constant cultivation from a kind of grass. It has always been used as an article FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 183 of food, and is everywhere regarded as a production of great importance. It can be successfully cultivated in countries that present a great diversity of soil and climate, which is not so much to be wondered at, as there are at least 150 varieties, some of which are much more hardy tlian others. Our own State seems admirably adapted to its production, as the flour manu- factured from Michigan wheat has won a high reputation not only in our own eastern cities, but it is also favorably kuowu in the European markets, and we have come to feel a just pride in the (juality of Michigan wheat. Our State Lagislature of 1875 must have recognized this when it passed an act to regulate the sale of wheat and to prevent the sale or offering for sale of wheat not grown in Michigan as Micliigau wheat, and to prevent the mixing of foreign wheat with the Michigan product, fixing the penalty for the violation of the act at not more than SI, 000, and not less than $200, or by imprisonment in the county jail for six motiths or by both fine and imprisonment. There are few topics of greater importance to the Michigan farmer than that of wheat raising, and iialf the ideas it suggests cannot be presented in one brief essay. It is my design to give only a few practical hints on the subject, leaving a chance for a theoretical essay to those who can produce a fine display of wheat on paper by some plausible theory, but can raise only half a crop on the best of soil. Althougli it is invaluable to understand the constituent elements that enter into the growth of the plant, yet as all do not and cannot analyze the soil it seems more necessary to speak of the duties and neglects common to putting in a field of wheat. Wheat requires a rather dry soil, as it must receive all the heavy fall rains and remain in the ground during the frost and snow of winter, the thaws and freezings, and the rains and melting snow of spring. Heavy clay lands are usually expected to bring good wheat, yet our light sandy soils also produce an excellent yield. Kew land generally gives better returns of wheat than old land, yet if many of our old exhausted fields received the enriching they ought, the average yield per acre in this State would be doubled. There has been much experimenting on the best kind of fertilizers for wheat. Much valuable material is wasted on many farms every year that should be carefully thrown on the fields, and there is much more that might be procured at a trifling expense. I have used ashes mixed with plaster as a fertilizer, and know they are much more valuable than the sparing way in wliich they are used seems to indicate. They are, however, gaining favor with those who have made liberal use of them upon their wheat fields, yet often when the properties of a fertilizer are understood it is improperly applied. Sometimes too great a quantity of a certain pi'operty is supplied the plant, thereby stimulating too large a growth of stem and leaves. The materials for both stalk and grain should alike be taken into consideration. Farmers, do not sell your straw and cheat your fields of the necessary mate- rial for the growth of the straw of your next crop of grain. It is worth more to you on the farm manufactured into manure. There are some farmers who cut all the straw they use for the bedding of stock in the same manner as for cut feed, claiming it absorbs the liquid of the stables to greater advantage and is a valuable ingredient in the compost drawn from the barnyard. It would be commendable in every tiller of the soil to experiment with the various means at his command for enriching liis land. Ashes, plaster, bone dust, salt, lime, and grain, as well as the barnyard contents, should be resorted to even by those possessing farms of the best of land, for heavy crops are the only ones that are 184 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. really profitable, and they cannot be produced if enriching the soil is neglected, though much may be accomplished, in my judgment, by judicious fallowing of the ground. And this brings me to sj^eak of plowing and preparing the field for the reception of the seed, although I can scarcely say enough on the subject of supplying the soil with the materials we are constantly demanding from it. Deep plowing is of the first and greatest importance. Many farmers think it necessary to plow the land twice to procure a good crop, but unless the land is very stumpy I should not think it necessary, and if the field is free from stumps, as every field should be as soon as possible, I should recommend one deep plowing, and then a thorough use of a wheel cultivator. But if it must be twice plowed, it would be well to begin on the outside and plow around the field toward the center, then begin the second plowing in the center, working toward the outside, thereby leaving the field as level as possible for the use of machinery. It may not be amiss to say that many failures may be attributed to hasty and careless plowing. The furrows should be straight and of uniform Avidth and depth, using the jointer when plowing sod. But the second plowing would not supersede the use of the cultivator, as there is the greatest benefit to be derived from its unstinted use, thus exposing fresh surfaces to the action of the atmosphere and keeping the grass and weeds in check by the constant stir- ring of the soil. If the soil is inclined to be lumpy, it will be necessary to use a roller before commencing to sow tlie wheat. It should be brought into use again in the spring. My plan is to sow grass seed on the wheat (in the spring), then harrow the field and afterwards roll it. It is said that the harrowing and rolling in many cases kills the fly, which in some localities is so destructive to the wheat crop. I read, not long since, a caution from an eminent agricul- turist against too much working of the land, as it might render it too light for raising a good crop of wheat. I have never known of such an instance. On the contrar}', there is a tendency to work land too little. I have seen two crops raised on the same field with but one plowing. I refer especially to the practice of sowing wheat on corn ground, only making slight use of the cultivator after the corn is drawn off. And, indeed, there were fields sown last fall with the corn still in the shock ; I will venture to say the yield from the fields will not be nearly as large as their soil is capable of producing. I know from experience that a heavy return of wheat may be realized from summer-fallowing corn ground. But I have never tried the other method, and hope I shall never be obliged to. I remember seeing a field of wheat sown on the corn stubble without plowing, and the owner confidently expected a good yield, but the result was what might be anticipated, about five bushels per acre, and that on land capable of producing at least twenty-five bushels per acre, with only decent treatment. I once asked a farmer his object in sowing on corn stubble. He replied that in so doing he could get a crop each year, when if he should wait and summer- fallow he would only receive two crops in three years. His reasoning was quite correct, of course, if the land was strong enough to raise two crops with but once plowing. But I have yet to see the land that will endure that kind of treatment long, with as little enriching as farmers usually give it. It seems to me that one trial of sowing on corn stubble would be sufficient to convince any farmer that it would be a better plan to raise twenty-five or thirty bushels per acre with fallowing rather than five or ten bushels sown on corn stubble. Many farmers do not consider that it recpiires just as much seed where the return is but five bushels per acre as where it is twenty-five, while the cost of harvesting FAKMEKS' IXSTITUTES. 185 the latter, in many cases, is no more than for the former. And most of us, •'poor humanity that we are," have sufficient pride aside from the matter of doUars and cents to prefer reaping a hirge crop rather than a small one. There are two methods of sowing wheat in common use, but drilling it in is far prefera- ble to sowing it broadcast. The use of the drill decreases the tendency to winter- killing, because the wheat is all well covered and has a greater uniform depth, and in using the drill it requires less seed per acre than when sown broadcast. There is no subject, however, on which there is more difference of opinion among farmers than that of the amount of seed per acre for a successful c^'op of wheat. In some cases a fine yield has resulted from sowing only one bushel per acre. Again, two bushels have not been found more than sufficient, and by way of experiment three, four, and five bushels have been used per acre, with various results. It is safer to have too much seed in the ground rather than too little, as there is then more prospect of a fair yield if the season should chance to be a most unfavorable one for the wheat crop. It is but reasonable to exoect that he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly. The quality of the wheat sown is of the greatest importance. Farmers cannot be too careful in sowing none but the very purest and cleanest seed, nor too particular in sow- ing that which has not been attacked by any of the diseases to which wheat is liable, such as mildew, smut, rust, etc. Wheat that has sprouted should never be sown, as grown wheat will not produce a good yield of the best quality. But few of our farms, probablj", have ever yielded as much grain per acre as they are capable of producing, and for this reason it is seldom that the extra efforts are put forth which are necessary to secure a heavy return. The land should be abundantly supplied with phosphoric acid, potash, and all the mate- rials that enter into the grain and straw of wheat. A proper rotation of crops sliould be observed, as this materially contributes to the success of every kind of grain. Wheat extracts quite different materials from the soil than do green crops. And every farmer knows that it is not good policy to continue soAviug wheat year after year in the same field, as the soil is soon deprived of the particular ingredients which that plant absorbs. By a wise rotation of crops, the soil is enabled to gather to itself certain properties while being deprived of others. It is not of the first importance to sow wheat bearing the most popular name. One kind takes the lead in one locality, while an entirely different variety is more popular in another Tbe standard varieties in this locality are the Claw- son, the Gold Medal, and the Delhi, while in another county the White, Flint, and Canada Club were extensively sown last fall. All are excellent varieties, and the failure of a bountiful harvest must be attributed to some other cause rather than to the kind of wheat sown. Many farmers complain year after year of partial failures of their vrheat crop, attributing their misfortunes to a drouth, or to too much rain, or to the insects, or to tlie wheat being winter-killed — to any cause, to everything or anything, rather than to want of care in performing their work. But it is well to remem- ber that those very things to wliich poor success is attributed would not have affected their fields in most cases if proper attention had been given to every detail of their Avork, for disease, and insects and drouth more readily affect poor, thin, unhealthy fields of wheat ; and we may say that slack farming often invites the very evils we deplore. Enough might bo said, to form matter for another essay, of the diseases of 31 186 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. "vvheat and the insects liable to injure this grain; but, as already hinted, these may to a great extent be avoided by proper management. In conclusion, let every farmer who desires an abundant return from his wheat field see that there is a judicious rotation of crops; that his ground is suitably enriched, thoroughly worked, kept free from weeds and well pulver- ized up to the time of sowing. Let a liberal quantity of the very best seed he can procure be well drilled in, and I think he will seldom fail of a plentiful har- vest under the favoring skies of the State of Michigan. While we think with pride of the vast resources of our State, of its wonderful mines of rich minerals and of its millions of acres of rich pine, still it is upon its fertile soil that we farmers turn our eyes with the greatest satisfaction. Let us, while we still keep up the reputation we have won for the quality of Michi- gan wheat, see to it that by high cultivation we double the quantity of this val- uable grain for every acre that we sow. An essay was next read by Mr, A. G. Stockholm, of Eureka, as follows, entitled, ''hints to bee keepers." Honey, the product of flowers and leaves, esteemed and prized by mankind as a luxury, is collected by the bee from the garden, field, forest and wayside, and is stored by it as food for itself and as a delicious confection for man. Working for nothing and boarding themselves, yet comparatively few profit by the labor of bees. To one traveling over the country who gives thought to the matter, it is really surprising to note how few bees are kept. That keeping bees with proper management is profitable there can be no doubt. Probably there is no business pursued by man, where labor and capital are employed, that pays so large a per cent, on the capital invested and labor bestowed. That all persons can handle bees successfully is somewhat doubtful. It seems that there are persons so constituted that it is almost impossible for them to establish friendly relations with the bee. But the number of such is small. Lack of success on the part of those who have experimented in bee-keeping may be stated as the reason why this business is not more generally followed. Why are there so many failures in bee-keeping? The experienced farmer, in preparing the soil for a wheat crop, understands that, in order to succeed, he must have it in the best possible condition ; that it will not do merely to plow the ground in the spring, letting it lie until fall for the weeds to riot in, and then sow the grain among the rubbish with the expectation of reaping a crop the coming harvest. Nor does the experienced apiarist place his bees in some corner or nook of the yard, remote from the dwelling where they will not be noticed for weeks. Yet this is the system pursued by those that fail, and then they wonder why it is so. Neglect or mismanagement, and ignorance in regard to what is required, may be assigned as the great cause of failure witli the inex- perienced. Neglect in the spring time is a cause of failure. Bees become much reduced during the winter under the most favorable circumstances, and many stocks will scarce make a live of it unless assisted by their keeper. Then, as soon as the weather becomes warm enough in the spring, give tlie hives a thorough overhauling. Clean out all the dead bees and everything that may be offensive, cutting out all mouldy comb. In order to do this readily one FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 187 should have a rack hive, which need not necessarily be expensive, but should be convenient. A simple box-hive, made in a manner that racks for the comb may be placed and removed easily, is all that is required. If it is desired to receive the surplus honey in boxes, the hive sliould be made two-story, the upper story large enough to receive the boxes. Tlien little attention need be given the bees until the time for swarming arrives, except to feed them sparingly on sugar or syrup if the season be back- ward, sufficient only for the present wants of the bees, especially if tlie extractor is intended to be used during the season. For if the comb is filled with syrup made from sugar, you are sure to get some of it back when you extract, which, if it is designed for the market, would hardly be the fair thing, and bring your apiary into disrepute and injure future prospects in the market. As soon as the bees commence to collect honey in quantity, or as soon as the flowers that produce honey appear, place boxes in position. Some prefer to wait until after the first swarm ; but this is a mistaken idea, because often much honey is made before swarming, and gathering honey does not detain swarming. Some time in the month of June, in this latitude, swarming will take place, unless the apiarist lias previously made an artificial division of colonies. It is better for the inexperienced bee-keeper to swarm in the natural way. During the swarming period the apiary must be regarded with watchful care, especially if bees have been clustering at the entrance of the hive. After leaving the hive and flying about in the air for a time, they generally cluster on a bush or a limb of a tree in the vicinity. Now is an exciting time if the bee-keeper is a novice in the business. It might be well for him to protect his face with a veil or a piece of mosquito netting. As soon as the bees have become settled, take the hive prepared for the occasion, place it on a platform made of planed boards, place all on the ground directly beneath the bees ; or, if they are high enough from the ground, place the hive ou a couple of saw benches ; raise the front of the hive a little, draw the cluster of bees as near the entrance as possible, give it a sharp, quick shake, and the bees are at the entrance ; with a little green bush gently crowd them toward the hive, and soon, if properly managed, the bees will all be in the hive ; then remove the hive to the place you wish it to occupy. Should the new colony manifest a desire to leave, place a frame of worker comb in the center of the hive, and it will be a rare thing if the swarm leaves it. Now the old colony requires attention. It will be queenless several days unless a new one is given them, as is practiced by skillful and experienced apiar- ists. But an amateur bee-keeper will cut out all the queen cells but one, the object of which is to prevent after-swarming, which is not desirable or profitable. After the lapse of twelve or fourteen days, again inspect your old colony, for it sometimes happens that the young queen while abroad meets with an accident and fails to return. In this case another queen must be supplied by inserting another queen cell with an embryo queen, making room for it near the center of the hive. But if there are no extra queen ceils, then in brief a worker must be pro- moted to the dignity of a queen. It is thought an embryo worker may be developed into a queen by a change of position of the cell of the -worker. Now, in order to provide a queenless colony with a queen under diffieulties heretofore described, all we have to do is to take a piece of worker comb, with fresh laid eggs in, from a hive that has a fertilized queen, attach one of these 188 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. cells to the comb of the queenless colony as near the center of the hive as pos- sible in a vertical position, and the ■work is done, the bees being only too glad to do the rest. It will soon be a queen cell and produce a queen as good in every respect as one raised in the natural Avay. The experiment has often been tried and proved successful. If, however, you find that the queen is on duty, and become satisfied that she has been abi'oad, then all is well, and but little further attention need be given the old colony except to give it an occasional glance to see that it is all right, and to remove and replace boxes as fast as they are filled. But little remains for the apiarist to do from this time until the honey season is over. "When the flowers are killed by tlie frost and the natural resources of the bee cut off, having removed all honey boxes, feed heavily. Place syrup made with sugar and water everywhere about the ])remises, keeping the bees to work as long as the weather will permit, overcoming in this manner the dispo- sition to rob one another, and induce the queen to keep breeding besides supply- ing any deficiency that may be required to carry them through the winter. The probability is that the bee seldom if ever freezes to death ; but that frost is indirectly the cause of the destruction of many colonies of bees, there can be no doubt. The great trouble in wintering in the open air is water collecting on the comb by the respiration of the bee condensing and becoming frozen and remaining so for a protracted period, thus preventing the bee from feeding. The cells containing the honey being as hermetically sealed as if placed in a glass jar with the top screwed on, ultimately causing the death of the bees by starving. To guard against this as far as possible, give plenty of A-entilation, especially at the top of the hive, leaving the entrance to the upper chamber of the hive open for that purpose, an opening made into that by boring an inch hole and cover- ing with wire cloth, thus giving a chance for the damp air to escape before it becomes frozen to the comb. I have practiced this method for the last ten or twelve years with good success. In regard to wintering in cellars, if one has a good dry cellar that can be devoted entirely to that purpose, Avhere the temperature would not vary materi- ally from about three degrees above the freezing point, none need fear to place bees there, for the best results may be expected, and almost surely follow. But before placing them in the cellar where the winter supply of vegetables and pro- visions of the family are stored, hesitate a little. The burnt child dreads the fire, and perhaps I cannot say anything more to the purpose than to give my own experience. Some eighteen years ago I thought I would like to try the experiment of keep- ing bees. One of my neighbors having a hive of bees that he wished to dispose of, I purchased it and commenced operations. It gave me two very respectable swarms during the season, besides about thirty pounds of surplus honey in boxes that I placed on the top of the hives. They were not rack hives. I felt some- what elated over my success. I had read in some book on the bee that to secure the best results one must winter bees in the cellar, so Avhen the cold days came on, I consigned them to their quarters in the cellar under my house, and thought all was Avell. About the first of February I visited them, tapped on the hives, and got a faint response. I thought things were progressing finely, and said, " Sleep on, little birdies, it is storming without and cold. When the warm days come and the blossoms apjaear, we will take you out in the air. When recuperated by your long rest, you can go to work with a will." About the last of March, the weather being warm, and noticino; some bees flving around, I thought I FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 189 %vould take my bees out. I went where they were. All was still. I tapped on the hive ; no answer. I thought they must be slumbering. Yes, they were sleeping the sleep that knows no waking ; and they are sleeping still. There were cabbages, turnips, potatoes, pork, squasli, and pumpkins in the cellar; and, if I should consign my bees to such a place to winter again, you no doubt would call me the biggest pumpkin of them all. Now, in order to become a successful apiarist, one must couple theory with practice. Get all the information you can from books and the experience of others. Apply to yourself what meets your needs, discarding the rest. And there is no reason why all, or nearly all, should not succeed in the undertaking. To the beginner it is very essential to have some good work on the bee that goes into details, giving a full description of the work to be done. Quinby, Lang- stroth, Harbison, and others, are all good ; but there is a little pamplilet enti- tled Manual of the Apiary, written by Prof. A. J. Cook of the Agricultural Col- lege, which no bee-keeper wlio wishes to succeed can afford to be without. Next an address by Prof. A. J. Cook, as follows : ''IMPORTANT MISTAKES MADE BY BEE-KEEPEES." The profits of rational bee-keeping are little understood, and if stated, would be still less believed. Since keeping bees, — if I except disaster in wintering, which has only occurred twice, — I have never failed to secure 300 per cent, net profits, and have often realized over 300 per cent. I fully believe the losses need not be repeated. But granting that these are occasionally imperative, with the combs and honey still left at my disposal, I could purchase again in the spring, and still secure 100 per cent on my outlay. This is no guess-work, but a fact, built on the secure foundation of past experience, and can only be denied on the ground that there is to be a revolution in the aif airs of bee-keeping. The world is coming more and more to disbelieve in revolutions. But, say you, such results are not common. The apiarists of our country are not the millionaires, nor indeed have their bank credits been such as to occa- sion wonder or even remark. But, mind you, I said rational bee-keeping. Is it not true that most bee-keepers make this an avocation, a mere supplementary pursuit, which, though they often admit it brings the best returns, still receives only the fag-end of their time, thought, and energies? Again, a large per cent, of the bee-keepers let the apiary run itself. They give it no thought, no study, and very little attention. They cannot afford to take a bee journal, and as for reading bee books they have no time and less inclination. What wonder their song is burdened with loss? and what wonder that apiculture, which has to carry such weights, loses prestige among employments? Just as with farming, or any art or profession, where the representatives are ignorant or unthinking, she loses caste. To be sure, we have very many laborers in this field, and I am glad to know that the number is increasing, who, like Adam Grimm, love this vocation, and make it a continual subject of thought and study, I am glad to know that such men are also following in the wake of the one already mentioned towards the haven of competency. The merchant, even with the closest attention to business, the utmost caution and the best study of tlic markets, treads an uncertain road ; the lawyer and the physician find the walls of competition so high that success seems problem- atical, even with the severest thought and closest study ; wliile the apiarist, if he will only study to know his course, thinks that he may never miss his bear- 190 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. ing, — and this very thought and study will yield a double blessing, in that it brings rich entertainment, — he will be almost sure to win success, and that too with but little labor. There are many breakers that stand in the way of the ignorant and unthought- ful apiarist, two of which it is my purpose to present on this occasion. And first I will speak of Queeriless Colotiies. It is well known that a good queen will lay upwards of 2,000 eggs daily; and as 20,000 to 30,000 bees make a strong colony, it at once appears that the loss of a queen in a full, strong colony for ten or fifteen days is equivalent to the loss of a good stock of bees. That there is this loss in bees is not always true, for with loss of queen the work sometimes ceases in part, and the mortality with the old bees is less ; but this lack is of course met by the diminished stores of honey. I have no hesitation in affirming that the loss of a queen in a good colony for fifteen days in the gathering season means the loss of a good colony of bees. But is this common, — this loss of a queen, — Avith our apiarists? I reply that with most of them it is not only common but universal. Let us suppose that colonies are allowed to take their natural course ni swarm- ing. The bees almost invariably leave the hive before the queen cells are capped. Suppose in one day these are capped. In seven days the queen comes forth. For five days she remains a virgin, while unfavorable weather or other misfor- tune may prolong this for two or three days. From two to five more days must elapse before she commences her life's work, and thus we have at least fifteen days with our colony destitute of a queen. Hence I affirm that bees are left to take their natural course, in increasing, at a necessary sacrifice of one good stock of bees. Suppose the apiarist commences the season Avith twenty colonies, follows natural swarming in its entirety, and values his stocks at $8 each. His total loss will be S160. The remedy for this is known, of course, to every intelligent, well-informed apiarist. We have only to raise, early in the season, a good supply of extra queens, which will be kept in nuclei, and used as occasion requires. Then, when a colouy swarms, — which is almost sure to be when gathering is most active, and when loss of a queen will be most felt^ — a new quetjn will be given at once to the old colony, and there will be no cessation in its prosperity. Or, still better, new colonies will bo formed artificially, and given a queen at once, in which case we can secure agiunst too great depletion of bees, which is quite sure to result, unless much caution is exercised, if natural swarming is per- mitted. By thus keeping a good supply of young, fertile, and prolific queens ever in readiness, we may not only prevent expensive delay in time of swarming or of increasing, but may supply the place of any queens which may be lost or killed in handling our bees ; or we may supersede any queen which from age or other reason seems to lack in fecundity. The rule, then, which I would state and enforce, but which is now so gen- erally disregarded, either from ignorance or still more culpable indolence, and which no apiarist can afford to neglect, is : Never permit a colony to he without a prolific cjuee)i. The second error to which I would call attention is enforced idleness of the bees, consequent upon ill-management on the part of the apiarist. This may FAKMEES' INSTITUTES. 191 characterize either the queen or the workers or both, and may arise from a plu- rality of causes. First we will consider the Idle7iess of the Queen. The queen may be forced to idleness, either from idleness of the workers, when her instincts impel her to partial or complete indolence, or she may cease from laying simply because there are no empty cells in which she can deposit. During the past three years, and especially during the past season, I have been observing Avith particular reference to these two points, and can assure all of their truth. In fact, they can be so easily verified by all that I will not Avait to detail the proofs. The remedy for the first cause, — idleness of the workers, — will appear in the sequel. The remedy for the second, — no empty cells in which to deposit, — is most easily secured in that invaluable auxiliary of the apiary, — the honey extractor. 1 have proved this autumn, during the wonderful yields of honey from the golden-rods and other autumn flowers, that the queen may be entirely cheated out of room in which to deposit, even though tliere be abundance of room in the supers. In such cases the use of the extractor should never be dis- pensed with, and would be a wise proceeding even though we had to give away our extracted honey. The second rule then which I would urge upon all apiarists is : Never permit the hive to he without emptij cells in the hrood combs. We next come to consider the idleness of the usually busy workers, the causes which lead to it, and the remedies which may be applied. The fact that bees are not always busy at their legitimate business is known to all apiarists. Who has not noticed the idle cluster, when bloom is every- where, and when nectar bathes every floral envelope ? Who has not been vexed in his apiary labors, during a dearth of bloom, by swarms of his little workers ever on the alert to add to their stores? And what novice has not been sorely alarmed by the robbing which he has induced by his ignorance or carelessness at such times? That this idleness is enforced is shown by all literature, and by the many current proverbs which are adorned by reference to our pets of the apiary : " How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour." jjet us now inquire into the causes which thus compel the active workers to a course which is so contrary to their tastes. Causes of Idletiess. 1. We notice the most apparent cause, — absence of bloom, or the failure of flowers to secrete honey. In all localities there are periods, longer or shorter, when honey bloom is not. In some localities these periods are so frequent or so protracted that successful apiculture is quite impossible. I have found, too, that during wet weather, when rains were of daily or very frequent occurrence, even the best honey plants failed to secrete. Last summer our white clover season (during the entire month of June) was a complete failure on this very account. 2. If the bees have too little room, or so fill their hives as to preclude further storing, they must of course drink the bitter draught of idleness, whose evil work is shown by their dejected look, as they hang, all forlorn, in front or beneath the hive. 192 STATE BOAED OF AGEICULTUEE. 3. It is not infrequent that bees, especially if unshaded during the intense heat of our summers, find their hives a veritable furnace, ^vhich, despite all their efforts at ventilation, become unmhabitable. There is a profusion of bloom and the precious nectar fills every corolla tube. The bees long to convey this to their homes, but their hives being a very oven, as it were, they must per- force forego the precious opportunity, -when they show their utter dejection by their abject stupor as they cluster outside their hives. 4. Bees that become hopelessly queenless, — that is, lose their queen when there are no eggs or brood to enable them to restore the loss, — often become .totally demoralized. In fact, so great is their discouragement that their very nature and instincts become reversed, and instead of being the "busy bees," they are characterized by indifference and idleness. 5. and last. Our bees may become discouraged and idle as the result of deple- tion. They become weak, either from overswarming or other cause, become a prey to robbers, or the bee-moth ; and finally, losing all heart, fold their arms (or wings) and in hopeless idleness await their certain doom. Remedies. Let us now consider the brighter phase of our subject, — the remedies for ihese evils, which, as I shall show, are in easy reach of the apiarist, and with- out which he might well feel that the silver lining to the clouds that hung above his business was all too dim to keep hope alive. Of course a wise location of the apiary will do much to remedy the fiist evil. If the region abounds in fruit trees, if white clover is abundant, and where it is not, if there are yet standing the grand old forests, — God's first temples, — with their graceful maples, broad-spreading linn, and beautiful tulip trees; if :added to this there are, hard by, ample marsh laud abounding in solidagos (golden-rods), asters, eupatoriums (boneset), coreopsis, (tick seed), bidens (beg- gar-ticks), etc., etc. ; tlien the apiarist can hardly escape an annual experience, which shall make him to rejoice in peace and plenty. If the apiarist is not thus fortunate he may yet hope to do much to insure success. He can hardly •escape fruit blossoms and white clover, while alsike clover, rape, and black mus- tard, may be made to take the place of linn, and may all be raised, as also mignonnette with profit for other purposes, and in lieu of natural fall bloom, buckwheat and various mints may be grown ; while tlie Kocky Mountain bee- plant would serve a valuable auxiliary, and may prove profitable to raise on account of its seeds. The evil of damp, v;et weather is one with which it is hard to cope. Yet such seasons are full of hope, as they promise rich future bloom, when the days shall be bright again. It is possible, too, that farther investigation may reveal plants which shall yield richly of honey, and yet be independent of even the most copious rains. In the spring and during the interims of honey secretion, all through the season, the bees may be kept busy, and the queen thus active by feeding. This can be done at slight expense, as one-half pound per day to a hive is quite suffi- cient, and I have proved repeatedly that it pays richly for the expense and trouble. The second evil is so easily remedied that we should hardly suppose it ever need occur ; and yet I feel safe in averring that could I accurately state the amount of loss from this cause each year, I should present an array of figures that would startle you. It is not only necessary that the bees have room, but FARMERS' IXSTITIJTES. 193 room they will utilize. Boxes, tier upon tier, may be placed above the hive ; and yet, if the bees for any cause fail to enter them, they are as effectually balked in their industry, providing there is no other space, as though there were no boxes. This is one of the most common causes of that outside cluster- ing, which is so repellant to the instincts of the bees and so vexatious to the apiarist. The remedy, then, is to always provide in time of honey secretion abundant room for storing; and if boxes are used place them very near the brood combs, and if necessary introduce a little comb with uncapped brood in it, so that the bees may enter them. If they will not enter them, some other arrangement must be adopted, such as making use of long hives, or half or full upper stories, in which frames may be placed. The third evil, — too great heat in the hive, — may be easily overcome. We have only to arrange so that our hives may be shaded during the heat of the day. This should never be neglected. I have often set a full cluster of bees vigorously at work simply by placing a board a foot or more above the hive, thus tempering the intense heat of the interior. Let no apiarist longer persist in the habit of leaving his bees unprotected. Let mercy as well as profit urge liim, either by use of friendly tree, evergreen, grape-vine, or boards, to see that his liives are shaded from nine to four o'clock, especially as the heated days of May and June send aslant their scorching rays. The remedy for the fourth trouble, — cjuccnless colonies, — has already been answered while speaking of queens. The last point to be urged is to always keep our colonies gushing full of bees. It is with bees in a colony like children in a home. You can't have too many. Then robbing is unknown, the bee-moth impotent to do harm, while the gather- ing of stores is so rapid as to make the apiarist rejoice with exceeding joy. To secure populous colonies, we have only to follow the advice already given, and supplement this course by preventing swarming, or at least cutting it short after .our second swarms. The greatest argument in favor of artificial colonies (and is a powerful one) is, that we may thus keep all our colonies strong. Were I asked to give the golden rule for bee-keepers, I would answer, keej) the colonies strong. EVENING SESSION. This session commenced with an address by Mr. C. W. Garfield, on TRANSPLAXTIKG FOR THE FARM, GARDEN, AND ORCHARD, of which the following is an abstract : The practical man may through his experience learn how to handle certain trees in transplanting, but unless he gets at some general knowledge of plant structure and growth he has no general principles that will serve him anywhere and everywhere in this very important operation. The seedling tree of one year when taken up is found to have a root system .similar||to the top, — a main trunk with very few laterals. Still, if it be washed 25 194 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. out with care, the Avhole surface of this trunk root is seen to be covered with rootlets and root hairs, Avhich serve as feeders. If the plant be pulled up ruth- lessly, the system of feeders is entirely destro3'ed. This may not generally be disastrous with a seedling because the proportion destroyed is not very large. But when the tree gets older, the roots that act in supplying food are all some distance from the body of the tree ; and really, as trees are ordinarily taken up, the major portion of the root system is left in the ground. This is true whether the tree is of the chestnut type, — having a leading tap root, — or of the maple type, — having fibrous roots extending in every direction. The tree which by elision has been deprived of so many of its roots that it has only power left to granulate the scars, without throwing out any feeders, starves to death, Avhile the tree that is transplanted in full leaf continues the process of evaporation rapidly, and as tlie mouths are cut off, il dies of thirst. In advising as to time of planting, the speaker said for this climate he should purchase trees in the fall, heal them in securely where the wounds would granu- late, then set them in place in the spring. He would by all means plant young trees with good fibrous roots and never invest in what are advertised by nurserymen as "extra sized trees." In the removal of large trees the process of root pruning one year in advance was highly recommended as a matter of safety, and if judiciously practiced tliere need be little danger in transplanting quite large specimens. Transplanting is often considered a losing process, to be avoided as far as pos- sible ; but this is not true. The nurserymen and market gardeners adopt it as a method of economy in time and space. The transplantation of garden plants was considered, and the speaker quoted from his own experience to show that in putting out garden plants it is not nec- essary to wait for a rainy day, but by use of water and shade the middle of a hot June day need not militate against success. Evergreens are more often lost than any other class of transplanted stock, because their roots are so easily injured by sunlight. Success in removing ever- greens is quite certain if the proper day be chosen. There is more in the day than in the month. A moist dark day is the only real suitable one in which to take up an evergreen successfully. Mr. Garfield dwelt at some length on the preparation of soil in which to place transplanted stock of any kind. . The size of the hole, he said, made very little difference if the ground was thoroughly fitted for its business. One cannot be successful in the business of transplanting without studying the habits of plants. The same set rule will by no means work with all plants. The question was asked, " Where would you buy orchard trees?" Answer, — I would buy of Avell established nurserymen in your own State, for two reasons : First, to save all the transportation possible, and to secure trees grown under as nearly the same climatic conditions as possible. What would you recommend about the removal of evergreens from the for- est? Answer. — I would prefer to get trees grown in the nursery, as they will be very much more apt to survive transplantation, and they are now to be procured for very little outlay, if small ones are purchased. But if forest evergreens are to be removed, choose small ones and shade them well the first summer and Avinter. The following is the principal part of a paper read by Mr. L, C. Lincoln on FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. 195 FAKil GARDEXING. In commencing a gardeu, choose a small piece of ground near the house. It will be of but little use to describe the best kind of soil, for we have to put up with what we have handy. The soil best suited for some plants Avould not be the best for others. But if selection can be made, for general purposes choose a rather dark colored loam, neither sandy or clayey, as deep as can be found. Then manure aud plow it, it will not do to plow it too deep at first, but work deeper gradually. It is said to be very injurious to plow it while wet in the spring. It is better to wait until the ground gets a little warm before commenc- ing to make garden, for seed is quite liable to rot if sown while the ground is- wet and damp. The ground also wants to be thoroughly dragged. The berry bushes, pie-plant, asparagus, etc., should be in one side of the gar- den, as they live year after year; it being necessary to have them where they will not be in the way in plowing. You can have them in rows and work through them with a cultivator. Next to these you may have a bed for onions, lettuce,, radishes, aud cress. This bed needs to be raked thoroughly with a garden rake until it is fine. I think four and one-half feet is about the right width for the the bed, which is level with the ground. I mark across the bed about eight or ten inches apart for the seed, which is sown rather shallow and the earth pressed upon them. I use a line in marking off my garden, and take a great deal of pride in having the rows straight and everything in order. It not only looks nicer, but saves room, and it is better about cultivating than if the rows were- crooked. The rest of the garden will not need raking. The beds for beets, parsnips, etc., may be marked in rows eighteen inches- apart, if you wish to be saving of room, and don't intend to cultivate with a horse. If you wish to cultivate with a horse (which is probably the best way for farmers), the rows should be two and one-half or three feet apart, and as long as possible. It is a great damage to sow poor seed, so if you have not got seed that you know is good, you can procure it by sending to some reliable seedsman ; but you must tend to that long before you want to sow the seed. If you make your gar- den early, it will not do to sow all kinds of seed at the same time. Seeds that may be sown the earliest are beet, carrot, cress, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, parsley, parsnip, onions, peas, radish, turnip, and spinach. Seeds that must not be sown until danger of frost is over, or from the middle of May until the middle of June, are beans, sweet corn, melons, squash, cucumber and tomato.. In sowing seed, fine seed does not want covering as deep as coarse seed. Sow- pretty thick ; then thin the plants to the right distance. If you wish to have some early lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, etc., youi can procure a few plants of a gardener, who raises them in the hot-bed or cold- frame. Some people think that it pays better to set out poor late tomato plants than it does to pay ten cents for good early ones. The late plants hardly get to bearing when the frost comes aud kills them. The best head lettuce is raised from plants from the cold-frame. You not only want good seed and good plants, but you want the best varieties.. One cannot afford to spend his time with poor kinds. I would not advise far- mers to buy every new variety of seed that is advertised as the best. Wait till, it proves itself worthy of cultivation. I will name a few good varieties : Bush Beans — Early Valentine aud Black Wax ; Beets — Egyptian Turnip and Early Blood Turnip ; Cabbage — Early Jer- 196 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUEE. sey, \Yakefield, and Early AYinuengstad ; Corn — Early Minnesota and Stowell's Evergreen; Lettuce — Malta Drumhead and All the Year Eound ; Onions — Yellow Danvers ; Peas — Ferry's Extra Early, McLean's Little Gem, and York- shire Hero; Salsify or Oyster Plant; Eadish — Long Scarlet Short Top; Toma- to — Trophy, Hathaway' s Excelsior, and Canada Victor. There are other good varieties so well known that it is unnecessary to name them. Tliose who have no asparagus bed should set one out. By procuring j^lauts two years old you (Can begin to nse it in a year or two after it is set out. Cauliflowers are seldom raised by farmers. They are far superior to cabbage. Their culture is similar. Celery is becoming quite popular, and more of it ought to be raised. There ought to be more beets, carrots, and turnips raised to feed stock ; but they can he raised in the field. I think most of us plant winter cabbage too early. They get their growth and burst open quite often. The best way to keep weeds down is not to let them get a start. Stir the ground while they are small. Worms and insects are enough to discourage the •gardener. There are some remedies, but hand picking is the sure way. Of ^course you all have a strawberry bed, and a few currant, gooseberry, and rasp- .beriy bushes. I think most of you will find a good home market for fruits and vegetables. The following address on THE DUTIES OF THE FARMER AS A CITIZEN was given by Mr. James Brassington : I am well aware in this, as all great reforms, there are many difficulties to be contended against ; mountains of prejudice to be levelled ; dead seas of igno- rance to be filled. Yet from beneath the heaps of smouldering rubbish of the dark ages ; with the march of intelligence, with the large acquisition of physi- cal knowledge that characterizes our age, — the printing, the electric telegraph, indeed, the whole inventive genius that speeds us boldly onward, there comes a voice boldly claiming to place man, the cultivator of the soil, in his political sphere. The stale and heinous vaults of conservatism are to be unlocked by the keys of duty, while the blinded eye of the husbandman that has long veiled from him the sj^endor and beauty of being a freeman must be cured by the patri- otic love for his country's good. Though the farmer's position in society is advancec] above that of his fore- fathers, yet it is apparent that many have not realized the imjjending duty of a good citizen. There are too many drones that live upon society, receiving the profits and freedom of liberty, that give nothing in return. The sentiment of England's bravest naval hero, '^England expects every man to do his duty," won for him a battle and a name ; but the sentiment has a wider significance in every free land. Transferred to our shores and our times it reads, "America expects every citizen to do his duty." To be a free and independent people, each constituent has to shoulder great responsibilities. Nor can he be able to further the blessing of liberty until he has learned to govern himself, for it is obvious that this must constitute the very basis upon which rests the foot-stool of freedom. The good citizen is not one who shirks his part, but one who manfully works for the interests of his country. It takes energetic effort to travel against the stream ; dead fish can float with it. Are the masses of us, our business men and farmers, fulfilling their part ia this grand work? Let us see. far:siers' institutes. 107 Well directed effort has its origin only iu arduous study, and our success as a nation depends solely upon general education. Is it not commendable in every good citizen to promote his nation's glory by forwarding the cause that will elevate both the moral and educational condition of his fellow citizens, and by devising feasible means for the improvement and purification of the demoralized state of our national politics and debased civil service? It must be the duty of every honest citizen to fully prepare himself to aid in preventing the election of barroom demagogues, and township wire-pullers, whose shout of ''reform" is, in their minds, the very reverse. It is but a few years since we passed through the terrors and trials of an inter- nal conflict, whicli at one time bid fair to sever the ties of our imion forever. To-day the bitterness of an ill-digested election pains the heart of every sincere citizen. Business is stagnated and the wolf is raging at the poor man's door. Hundreds are being tlirown out of employment, and their families are famish- ing. The vices and dishonesty of our politicians are widespread. Yes, indeed, they have ramified to every hamlet in the land. Every community, though sit- uated in the fastnesses of the Sierra Nevadas, or on the far off shores of Puget sound, is rent and torzi by the feuds of political factions. The desire of all sen- sible citizens must be to replace these wily politicians by men of integrity ; men who have in their hearts the more noble cause, the welfare and happiness of their country ; who are willing to sacrifice their own individual interests to those of their fellow, by promoting (as our patriot forefathers did) the blessing of liberty to each and all. But do they work for it? Do tliey make the long prep- aration and put forth the energetic action which the times demand? Though the ultimate intentions of the farmer be never so good, yet if his intellectual acquirements do not enable him to study the experiences of the world, he can- not judge correctly of the best course to be taken. It must be no easy task to decide in such a vital question as "inflation," which, wherever tried, has resulted in extreme danger to the nation, and brought such hardship and misery upon the working classes. Nor can it be denied that the study of the relation of capital and labor gives a problem in its practical workings so complex as to demand the highest intelligence. To-day's calm is disquieted by riots, turmoils, and the debasing influences of strikes. To-morrow, as a natural and logical result, there is no bread to fill the mouths of the perishing children. Is it an exaggeration to assume that the tiller of the soil owes to his country at this critical moment his untiring efforts, to be faithfully and wisely rendered? Aye, the long and bloody strife of our forefathers to rid tiie clanking chains of British rule ever from our land, conjures us to work, and to act wisely this rela- tion which we sustain. The tears that were shed, the prayers that were offered for the poor bleeding soldiers by our maternal ancestors, penetrate tlie bosom of us all. But alas ! A country so broad, so dear, and so high in the estimation of other nations, to be defiled by the influences of partisan calumny or the dishonesty of our government olScials ! Men who have been able to manipulate the persuasive to secure their nomination for a certain office, not because they are the most popular or the real choice of the people, but because through their base shrewdness they have been able to make promises of fat contracts, fat offices, thereby satisfying the political factions in the district. To the husbandry falls a major part of tlie great and mucb needed work of 198 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. purifying our national politics ; also to wield a powerful iuflueuce, too, in the nation's councils. To that end the farmer sliould invigorate his mind and con- science by studying his own wants, his country's history, and the world about him. As the scope of his occupation isolates him in part from tlie advantages afforded by the large circulating libraries of the cities, or from acquiring a knowl- edge of the present issues, from being in contact with thinking and energetic men, he must, as the progress of the republic demands it of him, educate himself by careful, energetic effort. Is it of minor importance for the farmer to be quali- fied to exercise the right and duty of a good citizen, otherwise to shirk the work necessary to maintain the Grod-given rigiit of independence? Ignorance is the only slave God ever made ; intelligence the only king. Labor of the brain, heart, and hand are all alike. They are God's triple alliance throughout all his universe, — the old trinity of eternal truth. As a citizen enjoying the rights and fostered institutions, it becomes apparent to every thoughtful man and sincere lover of his country why the farmer should be thoroughly educated in this general knowledge to qualify him to be an hon- orable politician and to wield a helping hand in the politics of the nation. It has long been a common freak among farmers themselves to choose a law- yer to represent them in national or State Legislature on account of his supposed superior knowledge as a legislator, or greater ability to shape the policy of the nation. Why should those men of other occupations leave to them a field of study no more connected with their calling than any other? It would be an easy matter to name a hundred lawyers that wield more power in the affairs of the nation than does the entire agricultural population. Indeed, only two members were registered in the Directory of the 44th Congress as farmers. Shame that the lead- ing industry of the nation, employing more than half of the legal voters of the land sliould not be represented, while the commercial, manufacturing, indeed all the other industries, have lavished upon them everything they ask. Many a law has been passed ; many an act has been enacted to the detriment of the best interests of the agriculturist. The result of this indifference among farmers and educated men engaged in other pursuits is that our governmental machinery is wrought by office-seek- ers, — men inside politics. Men of education and intelligence have seldom the time to spend for such a precarious means of promoting the general welfare and happiness of their country. They are too busy about personal gains to aid in hewing the planks of party platforms and to examine the men who are to stand upon them, while farmers themselves have not felt qualified to take the responsibility of shaping the policy of the nation. Though the blackening influence of partisan calumny, or the vices of corrupt men marks the entrance upon a political career to be looked upon as abandon- ment of the paths of highest rectitude, though men of integrity and morality have not been able to escape the vile and infamous influence of the unprmcipled politician, paint the picture as black as you will, yet all the more it becomes the duty of every earnest citizen to enter into the field with zeal and determination to make them better. Farmers, we have a great work of reformation to perform, a revolution to wage, a sublime duty to fulfill, a polluted civil service to purge, and a noble rela- tioii to sustain. " Then let us be up and doing," put our shoulders to the wheel, ever doing our duty and fully maintaining our relation as worthy citizens to the FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 199 governnieut. Who shall be the risino; Cincinnatus to lead more than half of the most stable population of the country as conqueror over ignorance and care- lessness among themselves and recklessness in high places, and encourage them to think that they can guide the helm of the ship of state equally as well as the plow ? In addition to those jniblished the following pai)eis were read at the Green- Yille Institute: "The Culture of Indian Corn," by Mr. S. M. Gibbs ; "The Farmer's Home," by Mrs, Henry Lessiter ; " Past and Present Condition and Future Needs of the Farmer," by H. S. Sharp. At the close of the meeting the following resolution was adopted : Besolved, That the heartj^ thanks of this association be tendered to the professors of the A