80 STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTUKE. 



many other things. Near by are many vsecfllins^ apples, pears, (pu'nces, peaches, 

 plums, cherries, lihics, etc., etc. After removing a miscellaneous lot of tliese 

 ])lants, the rows will be all filled out with various kinds of forest trees. 



I cannot close this short paragraph without saying a word in praise of Pro- 

 fessor C. S. Sargent, Director of the Botanic Gardens of Harvard University. 

 As will be seen by consulting tlie list of donations in tiiis and the two pre- 

 vious reports, he has sent without expense to the College a very large number 

 of interesting and valuable plants, as evergreens, other ti'ees, shrubs, Inirdy 

 herbs and plants for the greenhouse. 



THE LAWX, TREES, AXD DRIVES. 



Much more lawn has been kept closely mowed during this year than at any 

 previous time since the College was established. Througli carelessness the seed 

 purchased and sown for lawn contained much ribbed grass or lance-leaved 

 plaintain ( Plantago la.nceolataj. Tlie flower stalks of tliis troublesome weed 

 start up so much quicker than the stalks of the grasses proper that tlie lawn 

 mower will not cut them unless the ground is gone over about once in four 

 days. The numerous scattered tops of these plain tains impair the beauty of 

 a lawn. For a lawn (or meadow either) no seed should be sown until it is ex- 

 amined for the seeds of ribbed grass, which if found should be enough to con- 

 demn as unreliable the man who offers it for sale. 



Considerable labor has been spent in grading about Wells hall. Owing to 

 lack of team work it could not be done in time for seeding in spring. It is 

 now nearly ready for seeding this autumn. 



The site of the old dormitory, which was destroyed by fire, has at last been 

 smoothly graded after removing the foundation and broken bricks. Some 

 grading has been done near the houses of Professors Cook and Kedzie and Sec- 

 retary Baird. 



Some gravel has been added to the drives, mostly through the kindness of 

 the Farm Department whoso teams have done the work. Considerable fine 

 gravel has been found in streaks with sand between the greenhouse and 

 Wells hall. 



This has been or will be drawn to fill up or finish drives already made, where 

 they have settled or have been washed by rains. The removal of this gravel 

 will open a slight depression between the two buildings referred to, and improve 

 the appearance of the lawn. 



Gravelling the drives, like some other things, progresses slowly. Something 

 more will be done this fall and winter if the weather holds out favorable. 



An account of the trees on the College grounds will be found on another 

 page. Some trees have been added ; all have been well cared for and have 

 made a fine growth. 



We have plowed, cultivated, and expect soon to grade the strip by the road- 

 side for the entire distance on the north end of the farm. A double row of 

 American elms will be set along the road this fall and next spring. 



Some lloodwood, old stumps and the like have been removed from the river. 

 A snndl l)eginning has been made to iin])rovc the steep bank near the house of 

 the President. The dead trees and logs and much poison ivy have been removed 

 and a little thinning of trees made in certain places to expose the best views. 

 A wild footpath or ramble has been begun along this bank, where now and 

 then will be placed rustic seats and arbors. 



