62 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



criticism of the courses as laid out was that the time was too short, 

 although many in attendance confessed that if at the outset the term 

 offered had been twelve weeks instead of six they could not possibly have 

 come. 



I wish to speak here in commendation of the work done in live stock. 

 The College needs a judging pavilion in which the boys can be comfortable 

 while studying animal form but notwithstanding the present limitations 

 in this regard probably no feature of the course was more attractive and 

 more helpful than the work in the yards and class rooms examining and 

 comparing the forms of the live stock presented to them. 



The Veterinary work was also enthusiastically received and will prove 

 of great and permanent benefit. I hope that before another winter it will 

 be possible to extend the course by including practical demonstrations 

 in the cutting up of meats and the judging of carcasses as a whole or in 

 sections. The work in soils and plant life was systematically arranged 

 and formed a very complete entity. The students understood the reason 

 for the different operations on the farm and will be able to conduct their 

 work more intelligently hereafter. 



In the Creamery course there was felt the same want of sufficient time to 

 thoroughly understand the topics treated. Six weeks is not long enough 

 to afford even decent training in dairy manipulation, giving all a 

 thorough understanding of bacteriology of the subject and the preparation 

 of cultures. The work as far as carried was very satisfactory, however, 

 and the class was abundantly satisfied. 



I am glad to report that the Board has recently permitted the exten- 

 sion of these two courses to twelve weeks each to as many students as so 

 elect. 



The Fruit course was attended but by nine students; every one in at- 

 tendance pronounced himeelf as more than gratified with the quality and 

 quantity of the work offered. It is to me a mystery that this course is not 

 better patronized in a state like Michigan which is noted for its fruits. 



The course in Beet Sugar Production was limited to the spring term 

 and the students were required to get their preparatory training else- 

 where. The numbers received were limited to twelve on account of the 

 lack of room in the Chemical Laboratory. Two improvements are called 

 for in this course: First, The teaching of mechanics; and Second, The 

 offering of preliminary training in chemistry. Unless, however, the 

 factories can so arrange their aftairs as to offer the young men who have 

 taken this course steady work through the year there is small inducement 

 to build up a strong course. 



Kespectfully submitted, 



C. D. SMITH, 

 Dean of Special Courses. 

 Agricultural College, Michigan, 

 June 30, 1903. 



