ANNUAL MEETING. 199 



required ou the farm, so that he may fully underj^tand, prac- 

 tically as well as theoretically, what farming means, to the 

 end that he may make a farmer that will be competent to 

 instruct in that branch in any institution, or, by his example 

 on a farm, to elevate and adorn the great business of farming. 

 This requires a teacher on the farm itself, — one who is 

 competent to instruct any student how to plant and cultivate 

 all kinds of crops, the management of stock, the use of tools, 

 and to economically manage and improve a farm. 



HORTICULTUEAL. 



We found the plants in the greenhouses in as good condi- 

 tion as we could expect. These houses (or rather the large 

 house) are not so constructed as to be economical in their 

 running expenses. In fact, a house costing one-half as much 

 would accommodate as many plants, could be run at one-half 

 the expense, would grow plants better, could be used to 

 illustrate in the teaching just as well ; and we only wonder 

 that Professor Maynard has succeeded so well in growing 

 plants under such difficulties. 



In the gardens and pleasure-grounds we found every 

 thing neat, orderly, and in good condition. The nurseries, 

 seedling trees, etc., were promising, all looking well, and 

 showing evidence of good cultivation. 



The orchards of apples, pears, and peaches, were in an un- 

 satisfactory condition ; some of the trees growing well, while 

 others were stunted and dying. There was only a very 

 small crop of fruit in the vineyard. No method of pruning 

 seems to have been adopted, and here was where we would 

 like to have seen the various methods of pruning grape- 

 vines illustrated : it would involve no particular trouble or 

 expense, and would be practical teaching to the students, 

 and also to the public who visit the college. 



CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



As usual, the laboratory and every thing connected with 

 this department was in perfect order. The researches of the 

 able gentleman at its head have been of great value to the 

 farming interest of our State as well as to the college itself; 

 and his methods of imparting knowledge to his classes are 

 said to be admirable. 



