DEPAKTMENT KEPOETS. 83 



plants as lobelia pumila or nieronibergia gracilis. A large irregular shaped bed 

 of double seedling petunia was very sliowy, but would be better if only one 

 variety was used, The soil of beds should be rich and not less than three feet 

 deep. Tlie best mulch is that of two or three inches of spent hops put on at 

 time of planting. In order to have fine blooms some protection is necessary 

 against our violent rain storms, such as light wooden frames larger than the 

 beds and covered with cotton clotli, because a heavy rain will S2)oil pelargoniums 

 for at least two weeks. 



VISITORS. 



During the past year the number of visitors has much increased. They come 

 from otlier colleges in other States, and from all parts of the country. Nume- 

 rous granges and neighborhoods of farmers have paid us a visit. Many of these 

 persons, especially the farmers, have never visited their institutions of learning, 

 or, at least, not for several years. Too many come in winter when little is to 

 be seen ; too few in early summer, when everything appears to best advantage. 

 Some have considered the College a useless tax on the people because they have 

 not taken the trouble to go and see it, or because they had not tried to get the 

 reports and read for themselves. Sucli men know almost nothing about it. 

 They have certain theories picked up from various sources. We are glad to see 

 a change for the better in this respect. We are trying to reach the farmers in 

 all manner of ways, by our reports, by writing for the papers, making experi- 

 ments, by farmer's institutes, etc. We want the earnest co-operation of every 

 true farmer. We are doing all we can for their interest. Leb them come and 

 see. Remember this early next summer. 



When a company visits us they let us know before hand. Tlie party meets 

 in the chapel for a few moments, where they are briefly instructed as to some 

 of the experiments, where to find tlie orchards, vineyards, gardens, nursery, 

 wild^ ardens, greenhouse, plats of grasses and large plants, plats of corn and 

 whea t, etc., and potatoes, the fields, the cattle, the various buildings, the muse- 

 um, library, etc. They take notes of these. They put out their horses; take 

 their lunch in the grove, and stroll about in small companies as they may wish. 

 The College flag is raised and perhaps the College cornet band gives them 

 music. 



Taking into consideration the unfavorable soil and climate at the Agricult- 

 ura College, it is my ambition to do what I can to produce the best experi- 

 me ntal orchards of apples, pears, quinces,* plums, cherries, grapes, the most 

 interesting vegetable and flower gardens. 



I am trying to make the college grounds the most beautiful and attractive of 

 any in our state. The rich man can imitate or copy a fine place ; the poor man 

 can see something wliicli he can adapt to his own use even on his small farm or in 

 his small yard or garden. Those who have no places of their own are the very 

 persons most of all who are benefited by seeing a fine farm witli attractive sur- 

 roundings. They pay no tax ; they can come and see, and if they have the 

 capacity, they can enjoy "without money and without price." Any nice field, 

 garden, animal, orchard, grass-plat, shade tree, flower-bed, exerts a pleasant 

 and refining influence on the beholder. He is made better for having seen it. 



WORK IN WINTER VACATION. 



I had need enough of rest and work enough to do at home in the line of 

 preparing or revising lectures. My winter vacation, as will be seen, afforded 



