XViii , DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



is one of the mysteries of our system of education. Still it is an undoubted 

 fact that it is rare, either in teacher or scholar, to find any enthusiasm for 

 the study. Hence it is desirable that all applicants should come specially 

 prepared in that branch. This is peculiarly desirable in the Agricultural 

 College where special stress is laid upon the acquisition of the faculty of 

 using good English, and special training in the same obtains through the 

 whole course. 



THE NEW DEPARTMENTS. 



This year's experience and work has demonstrated the wisdom of the Leg- 

 islature in placing the Departments of Mechanic Arts, of Veterinary and of 

 Military on an independent basis, with independent buildings and facilities 

 for instruction. The new drill hall and armory has proved of great utility 

 in the instruction in military tactics. There is but one institution of the 

 kind in the country which has a superior. With the means to furnish 

 it, the place can be made all that is desirable for commencement exercises. 

 The new veterinary building has enabled the instructor in that important 

 science to gather together all the apparatus needed for instruction, to have 

 convenient dissecting and operating rooms in close proximity, and, in gen- 

 eral, to give more thorough and exclusive attention to the subject than here- 

 tofore. The results have been eminently satisfactory. 



THE NEW COURSE IN MECHANIC ARTS 



Adopted two years ago, and for which the Legislature generously provided 

 the means for a beginning, has prospered beyond our most sanguine expec- 

 tations. A building containing lecture rooms and laboratories and shops 

 was erected and and fully occujDied last spring term. It Avas constructed for 

 seventy-five students and has been filled to its utmost capacity in the one 

 year and one term of the four-year course. This term the students have 

 been obliged to work in sections of two hours each, from one o'clock to 

 three, and from three to five, in order to get room to work. It is manifest 

 that to accommodate the full attendance of four years' classes the shop 

 capacity must at least be doubled. This will cost about $3,000. More room 

 for draughting and laboratory work is very desirable, but not as imperative 

 as shop room and a further supply of tools and machines and power, to pro- 

 vide for the students who will be added within the next tAvo years, even at 

 the rate they have applied in the last two. It is gratifying to note the 

 earnestness with which professors, instructors and students have thrown 

 themselves into the work and the very promising results that have been 

 secured. We have rigidly adhered to our plan not to admit any student 

 into that course who has no predilection for that industry, and the result is 

 as we anticipated — there has been no impairing of the attendance in the 

 Agricultural Course. 



There is a strong demand from students in the Agricultural Course, and 

 this demand is enforced by the almost unanimous Avish of the parents, that 

 facilities might be offered for a short term of practical instruction in the 

 shop to students in that course. But it is manifest that such facilities can 

 now be given to only a few. The spring term opens the last week in Feb- 

 ruarA". For six weeks, on account of the season, but little work can be done 

 on the farm or grounds or in the garden. This time could be used for such 

 a purpose. But still more room Avould be needed, which Avould cost $2,000, 

 and an appropriation for the simple tools for that course of at least $500. 



