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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



The distribution of crops for the season of 1897 is shown below: 



The report of the yields of these crops and the experiments connected 

 with them will be made in connection with the report of the farm depart- 

 ment of the Experiment Station in November next. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



Drains have been extended in No. 16 to the wet places not reached by 

 the drains laid in former years. New fences have been erected by stu- 

 dents around field 15, the lane has been graveled farther south and the 

 woodlots have been oared for according to the plans worked out and 

 reported last year. 



KEPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND LAND- 

 SCAPE GARDENING. 



To the President: 



Sir — I submit herewith a report of the work of this department for the 

 past year. 



The instruction in horticulture has been along the same lines as in 

 previous years, except that the time allowed for it has been increased one- 

 half term, and the arrangement of the course has been slightly changed, 

 The lectures to the juniors during the winter term cover the subject of 

 plant propagating, floriculture, and vegetable gardening. The growing 

 of the plants from seeds and cuttings, and by means of layering, grafting, 

 and budding, was carefully treated, and the subject thoroughly illus- 

 trated. In the afternoon the students were given practice work in these 

 same operations, either in the grafting-room or green-house. In flori- 

 culture the methods of progagating and handling various house plants, 

 as well as the more common crops of commercial florists, were treated; 



