DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 33 



of the different kinds of fruits in tlie College and Station orchards: 

 Apples, GOO; Cherries, 100; Peaches, 4o; Pears, 140; Plums, 100; Cur- 

 rants, 80; Gooseberries, 20; Grapes, 100; Raspberries, 50; Blackberries, 

 32; Strawberries, 200. A great number of these varieties are worthless, 

 and having been thoroughly tested and reported upon, the plants should 

 now be discarded. 



THE GROUNDS. 



No very important changes have been made in the grounds during the 

 past year. Two new buildings, the Bacteriological Laboratory and the 

 Bafh House, have made necessary some grading, turfing, and building of 

 walks. It has been found necessary, as in the past, to remove some trees 

 and shrubs. Planting is always done to secure immediate effects and 

 this m.eans that at a later date the axe must be used to secure the wel- 

 fare of the remaining plants, as well as to increase the beauty of the 

 scenery. The springs of 1902 and 1903 have been wet and the grass and 

 weeds have grown luxuriantly. With this increase of labor in caring for 

 the grounds, and with the high price of labor, it has been impossible to 

 do more than to keep the grounds in a normal condition with the money 

 at my disposal, though opportunities for improA'ement are at hand. It 

 has been thought best to do away with many of the flower beds formerly 

 maintained on the lawns, both from the standpoint of beauty and from 

 that of economy. 



THE GREENHOUSES. 



Early in the year the vegetable house belonging to the Station but 

 under the charge of this department, was torn down and rebuilt as a 

 part of the main greenhouse range. This was done as a matter of 

 economy in heating, of convenience and because the old structure was in 

 danger of tumbling down and had to be rebuilt. The old grapery, for 

 the past few years falling into decay, has had to be torn down. So far 

 as possible the greenhouses have been turned from exhibition purposes 

 into houses for the illustration of class-room work and to give practice 

 to students in growing flower and vegetable crops. The houses are now 

 most admirably adapted for this purpose. During the session just past, 

 flowers have been regularly supplied to the Legislature. These were 

 grown by the students for the most part. The greenhouses and the stu- 

 dent work connected with them have been under the charge of Mr. 

 Thomas Gunson, to whom credit is due for the very great value of the 

 Louses and of the student work to the department. 



THE VEGETABT-E GARDEN. 



The vegetable garden has been planted and cared for by students for 

 most part as educational labor. It is carried on as a market garden, 

 under the immediate supervision of Mr. Dean. The garden comprised 

 about ten acres. To some extent the results are utilized by the Experi- 

 ment Station. The intention of the department is to grow only as many, 

 and only such vegetables as will illustrate the work for students and 

 supply the Station with such tests as it may call for. 



