REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. 69 



tion such an institution in the far reaching developuieut of its powers and in- 

 formation may be to tlie State. Year by year it is becoming better and better 

 eqnipi)cd for this work. 



There was some aprehension among our agricultural friends that the adding 

 of the mechanical department would in some way impair the agricultural de- 

 partment; that the students would prefer the former and thereby deplete the 

 matriculations in the latter. All such fears are groundless, for the reason that 

 so long as the agricultural industry shall continue in the lead of all others in 

 the State of Michigan, the proportion o students for that course will always be 

 in excess. Under the policy I suggested to the Board, and to which I shall 

 fitiijtly adhere, to wit: the classifying of no student into the mechanical course 

 unless he has a bent in that direction, there is no possible chance for its over- 

 slauo-hiug the agricultural course. The new students are about three for the 

 agricultural course to one for the mechanic. We can fill the popular demand 

 for both without impairing either. 



Respectfully yours, 



EDWIN WILLITS. 

 Agricultural Collbgh, Sept. 30, 188.5. 



REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF 



THE FARM. 



To the President of the College: 



Dear Sir: — I herewitli submit my report of the work of the Agricultural 

 Department, for the college year ending Sept. 30, 1885. 



INSTRUCTION. 



No cliangcs have been made in tlie course in Practical Agriculture since my 

 last report. 



I have endeavored to keep abreast of the best theories and practice of our 

 time, and to present to my classes such instruction as my own experience has 

 shown me, will be most likely to prove really satisfactory to its possessor — on 

 the farm — not in ideal, but in actual agriculture. 



Instruction in Practical Agriculture must be largely (to be of real value) of 

 details of practice, learning the characteristics and uses of the animals and 

 products of the farm, the best and most profitable metliods of management. 



Just what instruction will bo most helpful is not easily determined; but our 

 course has beeu aloptei by those who have had years of experience and whose 

 judginent merits respect. 



We are sometimes criticised because we do not have more agriculture in our 

 course, others intimate that the course is not extended and scientilic enough. 

 AVill our critics please, in the light of the subjects treated, suggest what should 

 be omitted that now receives attention, or what in Justice could be substituted 

 for any part of the work, and further if any other department is expected to 

 traverse so wide a range of topics in so brief a time? 



The whole number who have received instruction in Practical Agriculture 

 during the year, is as follows: Freshman 46, Sop^jomores 39, Seniors 12; 

 total, y?. 



