22, Report of the President. 



the year, conducting exhibits, inspecting poultry farms, or giving lec- 

 tures, addresses, and demonstrations. Among other important projects 

 which await the efforts of the department whenever funds shall be avail- 

 able are the conduct of a poultry survey of the State, the establishment 

 and maintenance of cooperative farm laboratories, and the establish- 

 ment and maintenance of a poultry breeding station. 



XII. Department of Farm Mechanics. 



(a) The total number of students receiving instruction in this depart? 

 ment during the year was 394, as compared with 215 in 190S-09. 

 Laboratory facilities are entirely inadequate. 



(b) The testing of spray nozzles has been continued at such times 

 as the laboratory was vacant and the running of the engines would not 

 cause too much inconvenience to other departments in the building. 



XIII. Department of Chemistry. . 



(a) The department gave instruction during the year to 527 students, 

 as compared with 420 in 1908-09, and 248 students in 1907-08. 



(b) Owing to the large enrollment of students and the amount of 

 teaching required, the time of members of the staff for investigation has 

 been limited. A study of the determination of the need of lime in soils 

 has, however, been carried on with good results ; and at the request of 

 other departments of the College 504 chemical analyses have been made. 



(c) Analyses have been made as requested by farmers of the State, 

 and members of the staff have attended and taken part in seven meet- 

 ings and six fairs. 



XIV. Department of Rural Art. 



(a) Ten couises were offered by this department during the past 

 year, besides a short course of six lectures on Rural Improvement, 

 organized for the benefit of the winter-course students. Most of the 

 teaching and drafting has been done as heretofore in the rooms of the 

 College of Architecture of the University. An inspection trip to Boston 

 and vicinity proved of great value in the work of instruction. 



(b) The course in the History of Gardening has necessitated con- 

 siderable investigation, as no published book deals with this subject. 

 Research is not ordinarily, however, a part of the work in rural art. 



(c) Many plans were made during the year for the improvement of 

 rural school grounds and of farm properties, and advice was freely 

 given as requested by farmers. If funds were available much impor- 

 tant extension work could be carried on by this department in the creation 

 of better surroundings about the schools and the homes in our rural 

 communities. 



