REPORT OF THE MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT. 33 



UEdertaken, and said extension is now completed. A Colliau cupola (24 

 inches diameter inside of lining) has been purchased and put in place, 

 also in working order. Plans have been prepared for a core oven, and 

 also, to a certain extent provision has been made for placing a crane in 

 the foundry. 



Plans have also been prepared for the arrangement of forges in the new 

 blacksmith shop and material for carrying out the arrangements planned 

 is now being assembled. 



It is proposed to furnish the blast and to remove the smoke and gasses 

 (in the blacksmith shop) by means of a blower and exhauster respectively 

 and to furnish the power to these by means of an independent engine. 

 The purchase of a Case engine for the last named purpose has been decided 

 upon; this engine presents many points of interest to mechanics in its 

 construction, and will thus serve as a model for use when giving instruc- 

 tion, as well as a power unit. 



The piping from the forges to the fans will be laid in " boxed trenches," 

 already constructed, and of a design that renders the piping readily 

 accessible, thus securing in the blacksmith shop unbroken sources of light, 

 and providing for the better supervision of individual forges, by the 

 instructor from any point in the room. 



It is proposed to erect at present only those forges now owned by the 

 college— eleven in number — and for the remainder make the necessary 

 castings in the college foundry during the coming term. 



In the wood shop the floor has been expended to cover the formerly 

 existing well, and individual benches are now being constructed to replace 

 the continuous bench, ranged along the side of the room, used in the past. 

 In the construction of these benches the material of the old bench is being 

 utilized. When completed this room will have nineteen benches, 

 with room for at least six more; as each bench is arranged to allow two 

 students to work at the same time this arrangement provides for the 

 immediate handling of thirty-eight students, or ultimately tifty students 

 students at one time. 



Plans have been prepared for a tool room in the wood shop, and for this 

 room space has been reserved. 



An 8x13x12 compound engine, the construction of which began previous 

 to my taking charge of the department has been completed and can be in 

 place in the engine room, before the beginning of the coming term. 



Plans have been prepared for changing in the shops certain partitions 

 in order to obtain what it is thought will be a better distribution of floor 

 space. The work of changing these partitions is now being carried on. 

 The plans provide for more floor space in the engine room, in the experi- 

 mental room, and for a practically separate wash room. 



Attention is particularly called to the fact that the alterations made, 

 during this vacation time, and the completion of the compound engine, 

 have been accomplished with the aid, in the main, of student labor. 



My class room work commenced on the morning of my arival at the 

 college, and I was necessarily somewhat hampered in my work by 

 unfamiliarity with my surroundings, but as a rule I found the students 

 ready and willing, and my labors were much alleviated by the impetus 

 given to the work in the mechanical course by my predecessor — Prof. L. 

 P. Breckenridge. 



Respectfully submitted, 

 Agricultural College, | CHAS L. WEIL. 



Vacation, Dec. 30, 1893. 



5 



