Ixii DEPARTMENT EEPORTS. 



I ask for an appropriation of 1500 for each of the next two years for me- 

 chanical apparatus and material. My department being a new one is almost 

 without apparatus for illustration. An additional S500 ought also to be pro- 

 vided for securing a small astronomical transit. Except for mere star gazing 

 we are without astronomical apparatus. A time keeper and a transit are nec- 

 essary for all kinds of practical astronomical work such as every civil engineer 

 ought to be familiar with. 



For the purpose of supplying heat and light for experimentation in the 

 mechanical laboratory, I would urge the purchase of a gas machine, not to 

 cost over 1250. 



Of course, as French and German have been offered in the mechanical 

 course for next year, it will be necessary to make provision for an instructor for 

 those languages. 



I also beg leave to add the following suggestions concerning matters, which, 

 though outside of my own special department, are still closely connected 

 with the recent enlargement of the college in the direction of mechanical and 

 kindred industries. 



We have now a dozen or more young women in our classes, and the number 

 "will naturally increase as fast as opportunities are offered, and yet, no provision 

 is made for their industrial training in any direction. I know of no reason 

 why industrial schools should not offer to young women, as well as to young 

 men, courses that are intended to fit them for their own proper industrial pur- 

 suits. We are not offering anything in the nature of handicraft instruction 

 suitable to their sex. 



Permit me, then, to suggest to you, and through you to the Board, that, as 

 soon as may be, and this could be easily provided for if the proposed addition 

 to the mechanical building is secured, a suitable room be fitted up for a wom- 

 ans' industrial laboratory, where, for a couple of hours each day, while the 

 young men are engaged in the fields or shops, the youug women may practice 

 and learn such light handicrafts as are suitable. I may name among these 

 photography, type writing, telegraphy, typography, wood carving, scroll saw- 

 ing, etc. A couple of hours devoted each day during the course to these 

 things, besides being beneficial to health, would enable them to learn lucrative 

 -callings, should they choose to follow them. The cost of an outfit for such a 

 laboratory would be quite trifling in amount. 



Again, as I hear that a building for a young woman's dormitory may possibly 

 be asked for, I would suggest that a model kitchen and dining-room be fitted 

 up in this proposed building, and that they be put under the direction of a com- 

 petent lady as matron and instructor in domestic economy and household art. 

 I believe by doing this we can greatly enlarge the usefulness of the college by 

 making it as helpful to the young women of the State as to the young men. 

 There is no argument needed, I know, Mr. President, to convince you or the 

 Board of Agriculture that women educated and trained in their duties contrib- 

 ute as much to the prosperity and happiness of a State as do educated men. 



Trusting that it will not be deemed impertinent in me to offer these sugges- 

 tions, whicli certainly pertain to manual and industrial training, and thanking 

 you for your courtesies and cooperation during the past year, as we have been 

 engaged in starting the ne\y department of Mechanic Arts, I beg to present to 

 you this, my annual report. 



EespectfuUy, 



LEWIS McLOUTH, 

 Prof. Mechanics and Astronomy. 



