46 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



laws. The plans of orgauizatiou are fully described in Circular No. 4. 



During this year extension work was also established in Horticul- 

 ture and Soils and Crojis, the idea being to extend the benefits of the 

 institution to the farmer by direct contact. Special reports of these 

 lines of work will likely be issued in bulletin or circular form during 

 the coming year. 



Short Courses in Agriculture — This year two additional courses were 

 added; viz., an eight week's course in Poultry and four in Forestry, 

 thus making a sum total of six courses. A second term or advanced 

 course was also offered in Creamery Management for those who have 

 ah-eady taken the first term and have since had not less than three year's 

 practical experience; this course consists largely of scientific work. The 

 following includes a statement of the enrollment in the sj^ecial courses: 

 General Agriculture 142, Creamery 40, Poultry 8, Fiiiit 13, Cheese- 

 making 0, and Foi'estry 1, making a total enrollment of 213. The suc- 

 cess of these courses was entirelv satisfactory on account of the interest 

 taken, and unprecedented in view of the fact that almost every man 

 Avho registered stayed to complete the course; sickness, accident or 

 other causes of absence did not arise. 



In view of the fact that added facilities will become available during 

 the coming year upon the completion of the new agricultural building, 

 it would seem highly desirable to otl'er a series of farmere' courses of 

 but one week each. For example, devote one week to dairy production 

 exclusively, studying dairy breeds and judging, breeding, feeding, reg- 

 istration, etc. Such a course would be offered to breeders and actual 

 producers engaged in the business. Lectures and demonstrations would 

 be given by breeders of long experience in addition to the regular col- 

 lege teaching staff. Courses similar to the one briefly described may be 

 offered in connection with horses, beef cattle, sheep, swine, corn and 

 other cereals, soils, the farmer's woodlot, etc. Such short courses 

 would meet the needs of the man actually engaged in business, who is 

 unable to leave his work except for a short period at a time. It is not 

 intended to offer all these courses during any one year, and for the first 

 season, probably not more than two or three will be presented. 



Experimental Union — During the latter part of this year over sixty 

 bushels of improved grains were sent out in small lots to over two 

 hundred farmers. The grains consisted of thiee selected varieties of 

 oats and one of barley. These grains are being grown under actual 

 farm conditions in sections representing nearly everj' portion of the 

 state. Reports are to be returned to this ofllice after harvest. This sys- 

 tem is being employed for the distribution of choice varieties selected 

 and developed by the college. The majority of those receiving grains 

 were former short course men. It is intended to extend this cooperative 

 work throughout other branches of agriculture. 



Brief reports of the newly established divisions of the Agricultural 

 Department are hereafter given. 



Prof. A. C. Anderson reports the following from the Division of 

 Dairy Husbandry. 



Instruction — The instruction in dairy live stock was given, as here- 

 tofore, in conjunction with the other live stock work during a portion 



