government of the College, and in furtherance of its usefulness, and the students have shown a constant confidence in the Faculty and in its President. The Students' Government has been sustained and been of essential advantage to the students, while among the students I have the pleasure of seeing several whose fathers were in earlier years themselves students of the College, and more than a dozen brothers of students and graduates of previous years.

Surely, I can but carry out of the presidency, grateful memories of members of the board and of previous boards, of the officers of the College, its long succession of students, and of the citizens of the State whose encouragement and friendship I have so constantly enjoyed. Surely I can but wish for the College under some new president, enlarged prosperity and success. T. C. ABBOT, President.

REPORT OF PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FARM.

To the President of the College:

DEAR SIR: I herewith submit the report of the Farm Department for the year ending September 30, 1884.

INSTRUCTION.

There have been no changes in the course of class-room instruction from that designated in my last report, except the taking up of the subject of "Feeding Animals" the last term of the Sophomore year, instead of the last term of the Senior year as formerly. The Freshmen during the spring term had lectures on drainage, and the characteristics and adaptation of the different breeds of domestic animals.

The class-room instruction was supplemented by a thorough examination of specimens of the different breeds owned by the College, and each member of the class was required to mark the animals according to the approved scale of points adopted by the leading breeders.

The value of these practical, living illustrations of the different breeds, to the students pursuing this course, are apparent and I think fully justify the outlay required to furnish them.

Changes have recently been made by which the studies of the Senior year are mainly elective. Five full term studies are set down for each term of the Senior year, and from these the student elects three. It was gratifying to me that so large a number elected to take agriculture. The class of nineteen members had daily lectures on the Principles of Stock Breeding, Rotation of Crops, Farm Buildings, Best Methods of Saving and Applying Manures, Farm Economy, the Law and the Literature of the Farm.

The lectures to the Sophomores on alternate days, during the summer and fall terms, have been continued. I referred to this change in my last report and only reiterate what I then said as to the advantages of the new plan. One hundred and twenty-two (122) students have received instruction in Practical Agriculture during the year.

I attended the Farmers' Institutes. to which I was assigned by the Board of Agriculture, in Berrien and Washtenaw counties, and at the request of

Prof. Cook and Dr. Kedzie, those held at Otsego, Allegan county, and Grand Rapids. All these meetings were well attended, and the College, through its representatives, was brought into more direct and pleasant relations to those whose interests it was organized to advance.

IMPLEMENTS.

A Belle City Feed Cutter has been purchased from the Belle City Manufacturing Co., Racine, Wis. ; a Circular Horse Power from Smith & Woodard, Kalamazoo, Mich.; a Potato Marker and Coverer from H. W. Doughten, Millington, New Jersey; an Acme Harrow from Nash Bros., Millington, New Jersey; a Farmer's Caldron for cooking food, from D. R. Sperry, Batavia, Ill. All of these have proved very satisfactory in actual use in our barns and fields.

The following donations have been received by the Department: Railway Pitching Apparatus, Gardner B. Weeks, Syracuse, N. Y.; a Strowbridge Broadcast Seed Sower from Racine Seeder Co., Des Moines, Ia. ; a Sett of Seed Drill Regulators from the Seed Drill Regulator Co., Lemont, Pa.; a Hanger for Slide Gate from D. H. Clark, Owosso, Mich.; a Post-hole Digger from Post & Flemming, Springfield, Ohio; two varieties seed corn from H. A. Goddard, Fort Atkinson, Iowa.

ENSILAGE.

Owing to the unfavorable season of '83, the corn planted for ensilage was a total failure, and the field corn was cut by the early frost so that the silo was not filled. This year, '84, we have been more fortunate, securing a fair growth of corn, a trifle over ten tons per acre. Fifty-four thousand three hundred and three pounds were placed in the silo Sept. 12 and 13, and we shall continue the experiments begun in '82 during the coming winter.

EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING BARN.

In my last report I called attention to the need of doing more in the line of experimental feeding of stock, and suggested that the College should be provided with good facilities for this work, and the first need was a suitable building.

It gives me pleasure to report that this recommendation received the favorable consideration of the Board of Agriculture, and by their authorization a building has been erected 34x48 feet, with feed room and stalls, where work of this kind can be carried on independently of the other stock. I sincerely hope the results in future years may justify the wisdom of this outlay. The plans for the coming winter embrace

First-The feeding of cattle:

(a). Animals of different breeds, fed with same foods, to determine their comparative growing and fattening qualities.

(b). Animals of same breed, fed with different foods, to determine what combination of ordinary foods will give most profit to the feeder.

(c). The feeding of ensilage.

Second-The feeding of two pens of sheep, one of Southdowns and one of Merinos to determine:

(a). The amount of food a sheep will consume per month or during the winter.

(b). The food required and the comparative cost of putting on a pound of flesh on the two breeds named.

Third-The feeding of swine; cooked vs. uncooked food.

CONDITIONS.

1. Well-bred, vigorous animals.

2. Similar previous management.

3. Comfortable stalls or pens kept clean and well ventilated.
4. Weighing of every article of every meal, and water consumed.
5. Weighing of unconsumed food.

6. Animals weighed every week.

7. The daily record of temperature.

8. Grain ground, hay and coarse fodder cut, and roots sliced. 9. Feeding, grooming, and exercise at regular intervals.

Our live stock interests are claiming more and more attention each year. With wheat at 75 cents per bushel in Michigan, our farmers cannot afford to raise it. Good stock well managed will prove remunerative. There are, however, many unsettled questions as to values of different breeds and foods that can only be determined by careful, continued experiments. In what better way can the Agricultural College serve the farmers of Michigan than by helping in the solution of these problems? I would recommend that a liberal appropriation be requested to carry on this line of work during the next two years.

STOCK.

There have been no purchases of stock during the year, except two PolandChina sows, from the herd of Mr. B. G. Buell, of Little Prarie Ronde. We have now three breeds of swine, viz.: Essex, Berkshire, and Poland-China; two breeds of sheep, Merino and Southdown; six breeds of cattle as follows: Sixty Shorthorns, embracing some well-known families as The Rose of Sharon, Peri Dutchess, Roan Dutchess, Victoria, Young Mary, Phoenix and Harriet. Colonel Acomb 2d, 37,984, heads the herd. He was bred by the Winslow Bros. of Kankakee, Ills., is proving very serviceable in the College herd and his get are uniformly good.

Ten Ayrshires, four Jerseys, three Holsteins, two Herefords, one Galloway, two cross-bred Galloway and Shorthorn, one cross-bred Jersey and Ayrshire.

I have in a former report referred to the annual public sales of stock from the Ontario Agricultural College. The surplus stock is thus distributed among the farmers of the province, going to the highest bidder without any reserve. I respectfully suggest to the State Board of Agriculture that they take into consideration the feasibility of disposing of our surplus stock in some similar way.

TEAMS.

We have three work teams in the Department. During the year one of the

aged teams has been exchanged for a pair of grade Percheron mares that promise good service. We shall need another vigorous, young team soon, and I trust that suitable provision will be made for such purchase.

IMPROVEMENTS.

The farm-house, and all of the farm buildings and gates have been painted, very greatly improving their appearance. The herdsman's house has received some needed repairs. Buildings and fences are in good shape, and unless unforseen accidents occur will need but small outlay during the next two years. The lane fences have been extended to the Grand Trunk R. R., and a large amount of clearing has been accomplished in Nos. 12, 13, and 16. The dry season has been particularly favorable for cleaning out low places, and a good part of the student labor of the last term has been employed in this work. "The waste places" in Nos. 13 and 16 have thus been greatly changed in appearance, and put in condition for profitable use.

DRAINAGE.

Nearly three miles of tile drains have been laid during the past year. The experimental grounds in No. 3 have been drained with 3 and 4 inch tile. The main 8-inch drain from the Cedar river has been extended through Nos. 12 and 13 to its terminus in No. 11. A 6-inch lateral extends south from this main to the Grand Trunk Railway, and will furnish an outlet to drain the low places in No. 15. A system of parallel 3 and 4-inch drains empty into these mains, rendering all that part of 12 and 13, next to the lane, comparatively dry.

Our tile have been purchased at the factory of Mr. Robert Barker, one mile from the College. I give sizes and prices at factory as of some interest to those who may not be familiar with their cost.

I would respectfully recommend that a special appropriation be requested to continue this very important work of reclaiming the waste places on the College farm.

The season has been remarkable in this locality for a long-continued period

of drought. It was not early enough to injure the grass, but oats and corn were materially shortened in field. The table above gives the crops on the respective fields and the yields for 1884.

CEDAR RIVER BRIDGE.

This bridge, which has to be crossed by our stock and teams daily, is not in a condition to trust very much longer. This is largely due to imperfect construction, by which the supporting beams were weakened. It should be replaced by an iron bridge at no distant day. I recommend that the board or the committee on the farm examine the bridge thoroughly, and if they shall decide that it may not be safely used two years longer, that the College estimates shall include a sum sufficient to put in two stone abutments and a new bridge. In any case I recommend that estimates for the building of an abutment on the south side of the river be made.

STOCK WATER.

This dry season has shown us the necessity of making better provision for securing water in those fields which are likely to remain in permanent pasture. We have been compelled to drive our stock to the river, a good portion of the summer. Plenty of pure water where animals can get it at any time is indispensable in stock farming. I trust this matter will receive the favorable consideration of the board.

In conclusion, I desire to express my obligations to those who have aided me in carrying on the work of the department. Our system of student labor makes it imperative that most careful attention be given to the details of management by those in charge. I believe heartily in the idea that order should reign on the College premises-a place for everything and everything in its place. But it requires untiring energy, habituated by long years of practice, as well as the most earnest devotion to the interests of the Institution, on the part of those who are in places of supervision, to secure such an outcome. We do not by any means always succeed in reaching our ideal; but we are striving for better things. It should be borne in mind by those who may be disposed to criticise that it is a difficult matter to secure men in every way fitted for such supervisory work. Such men can do better in a pecuniary way by working for themselves. Talkers, writers, and theorizers about farm management and especially about the management of the practical agriculture and horticulture of the Agricultural College are numerous; but the trouble is that much of this talk and writing comes from those who are not at all conversant with the practice, and who make very sorry work when they attempt to practice what they preach. Not less criticism, but more intelligent and unprejudiced, we desire-that which in tenor and spirit aims to conserve the best interests of the department.

I cannot forbear expressing my sense of obligation to you, Mr. President, for your unvarying support and encouragement in all of the efforts I have made to develop and build up the agricultural department since my connection with the College. To this support and the cordial coöperation of the State Board of Agriculture I am greatly indebted for any measure of success achieved in my work.

All of which is respetfully submitted.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,

October 15, 1884.

SAMUEL JOHNSON, Prof. of Agriculture and Supt. of Farm.