42 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



Sparta, Mich., May Jf, 1807. 

 L. R. Taft, Michigan Agricultural College, Lansing, Michigan: 



Dear Sir — We received the shrubs that were promised for the best re- 

 ports from flower seeds sent out by you last spring. 



We have them set out on the school ground, and they are doing nicely. 



Yours truly, 



ELLSWORTH BUCHANAN, 



A Pupil from Grade 6. 



assistants. 



During the year Mr. Thomas Durkin has continued as foreman of the 

 work in the orchards and gardens, having charge of the men and teams, 

 and with Messrs. Gladden and Dean, assistants in the Experiment Sta- 

 tion, has had charge of a large amount of the practical work of the 

 students in fruit culture and vegetable gardening, while Mr. Gunson has 

 given the instruction in practical floriculture. 



L. R. TAFT. 



Agricultural College, June 30, 1897. 



REPORT OF THE MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT. 



To the President: 



Sir — I have the honor of submitting the following report of work done 

 in the Mechanical Department during the year ending June 30, 1897. 



The work in the class-rooms, drawing-rooms, etc., bas been conducted 

 according to the following scheme: 



FALL TERM. 



Seniors — Thermodynamics and Valve Gears by Prof. Weil. Experi- 

 mental Laboratory by Prof. Weil and Mr. Smith. Steam Engine Design 

 and Graphical Statics of Mechanism by Mr. Westcott. 



Juniors — Elementary Kinematics by Mr. Westcott. Machine Design 

 by Mr. Smith. Metallurgy by Prof. Weil. 



Sophomores — Shop Methods by Mr. Leonard. 



All Classes — Shop Practice by Messrs. Leonard, Hoyt and Theadore. 



WINTER TERM. 



Seniors — Advanced Kinematics by Prof. Weil. Steam Engineering 

 Laboratory by Prof. Weil and Mr. Smith. Advanced Machine Design by 

 Mr. Leonard. , , 



