72 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



are also Eussian apricots in variety, several mulberries and various vseedlings of 

 promising wild fruits. The care of this garden is placed entirely in the hands 

 of students who work under the direct supervision of myself or my foreman. 

 So far as possible the student is given class-room instruction upon the nature 

 and culture of the plants he handles before he takes up the work in the garden. 

 It is impossible in the fruit garden, as in all other directions, to give all the 

 students practice in all the operations of small-fruit growing. When there is 

 insufficient work in any direction to give to all the students Mdio work in the 

 department, it is given to those who especially require it. In this manner we 

 give the first choice of work in fruit growing to those who expect to follow it 

 after graduation, and the same principle is true of work in the orchards, vine- 

 yards, vegetable garden and on the lawns. It is not expected, however, that the 

 work alone in any of these directions can make an accomplished fruit grower or 

 gardener. Much depends upon the student. We encourage the presence of all 

 students in the gardens and expect that they shall ask questions upon any sub- 

 jects connected with our work. It is this interest on the part of the student 

 that i)romises the most practical results. 



The orchards are two in number, comprising apples, forty-eight varieties; 

 crabs, five varieties ; pears, thirty-six varieties; cherries, eight varieties; plums, 

 seven varieties. The apple orchard has never been a success so far as produc- 

 tiveness is concerned, although it has yielded some good results in the way of 

 experiment. The first difficulty with the orchard is wet feet. A part of it is 

 low witli a retentive subsoil. At present writing the drainage system of the 

 orchard is receiving a thorough overhauling. Last spring students gave the 

 orciiard a thorough pruning, elevating the tops of the trees so that it was possible 

 to plow under them. The orchard was thoroughly plowed and cultivated, all 

 .sod was removed from about the trees, the trunks were scraped and a general 

 renovating was given. I have confidence in the orchard. It is certainly useful 

 for experimental purposes. A part of the orchard is well loaded this year. 

 The {)ear orchard is just coming into bearing. It is remarkably vigorous and 

 promising. The plums, which had been injured previously by premature falling 

 of the leaves, came through last winter in a weak condition. We shall plant 

 again where necessary, however. 



The are two vineyards of considerable extent and a smaller one containing 

 some of the new varieties. Altogether, we are growing sixty- three named 

 varieties and a number of hybrids and seedlings. This year the grapes have 

 been given much attention and we are confident of a good crop next year. In 

 one vineyard we shall put up an illustrative system of trellises to represent to 

 students all the methods of out-door training. In the vineyards, as elsewhere, 

 the work is done by students. 



The vegetable garden comprises seven acres. It is carried on as a market 

 garden under the immediate supervision of my foreman, Mr. Charles S. Cran- 

 dall, who combines with experience a commendable zeal and energy. In fact, 

 to him is due great credit in all work of the Department. Sj^ecial attention is 

 given to the construction and management of hot-beds and cold frames. We 

 are now constructing, largely by way of experiment, a hot-bed and forcing- 

 house, to be heated by hot air from a home made coal furnace. 



The features briefly outlined above, with the methods and appliances acces- 

 sory to them, comprise the means of out-door illustration in horticulture. In 

 most regards they are sufficient to enable a diligent student to obtain the prac- 

 tical operations of the art. As yet we are entirely unsupplied with any means 



