34 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion?" "What is the relative order of development of the stamens and pistils 

 of many plants of Indian corn, and liow many days do tliey vary?" " IIow 

 docs doildur behave as a parasite?" " Study cleistogamons flowers of a violet." 

 "Study the shape of all parts of a flower of the common pea, from a small 

 bud to a full-blown flower." "For what do ants visit plants, and. how do they 

 behave?" 



LANDSCAPE GARDENIKO. 



The usual time of half a term was occupied by the Seniors in this study. 

 Some lectures were given, and some use was made of Kemp's text-book. Lists 

 of trees and shrubs were made out and much was learned by studying the 

 beautiful specimens which are found, in great variety on the lawn and. in the 

 arboretum of the College. 



nORTICULTUKE. 



On account of a change in time for this class, no instruction was given dur- 

 ing the year which just now closes. For the manner of giving this instruction 

 the reader is referred to my lecture at Farmers' Institutes. The lecture is 

 printed in the last part of this volume. 



HISTORY. 



Again, and probably for the last time, it has fallen to my lot to teacli the 

 Freshman in History. The members of the class seemed interested in the 

 subject. The class was divided into two sections, and recited in the autumn 

 term, making use of Swinton's outlines. 



EXPERIMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS. 



For accounts of these, see my lecture given at tlie Farmers' Institutes. This 

 lecture may be found in the back part of this volume. 



Mr. F. A. Gulley, foreman of the Horticultural Department, has given 

 some account of experiments with beets and strawberries. 



KespectfuUy submitted, 



W. J. BEAL, 

 Professor of Botany and Horticulture. 



KEPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the President of the Michigan State Agricultural College : 



The following report of the Department of Agriculture in our College is 

 submitted for your approval. 



It covers the current year ending August 31, 1879. The year opened with 

 prosperity, although there were many changes noted in the manner of keeping 

 the accounts of the department, which will be noticed in their place. 



INSTRUCTION. 



During the first term I was called upon to give instruction to the class in 

 French. Tlic class was large and was consequently divided into two sections, 

 thus causing two hours of each forenoon to be devoted to class-room work. 







The chi?s did creditably, considering the amount of time I had to devote to 

 their work. 



