DEPARTMENT REPORTS 47 



6. Analysis of the water supply at the College in connection with ques- 

 tions of the health. 



OUTSIDE WORK. 



By request, I attended the meeting of the American Society of Florists 

 in Cleveland in August, 1896, to read a paper on the Chemical Tripod 

 in Floriculture. The article was published in the American Florist and 

 called out a long discussion as to the source of the ash elements in air 

 plants, leading to the conclusion that air plants (Orchids) no less than 

 soil plants require mineral matter for their successful and continued 

 growth. 



In February, 1897, by request, I appeared before the Michigan legisla- 

 ture and gave an address on the Cultivation of Sugar Beets in Michigan. 



farmers' institutes. 



In December, 1896, I attended a long Institute at Shelby, giving a 

 lecture on Agricultural Chemistry for four days in succession. 



On January 11, 1897, I attended the twenty-first anniversary of the 

 first Farmers' Institute held in this State, giving a history of Farmers' 

 Institutes in this State, their growth here and spread into other states 

 and even foreign lands. Many of what may be called the charter mem- 

 bers of the Farmers' Institutes were present at this anniversary meeting 

 and recalled the incidents of the first meeting. Gen. Pritchard was again 

 the presiding officer, and gave life and dignity to the occasion. 



On March 3, 1897, I attended the Round-up Institute at St. Louis and 

 gave an address on Sugar Beets. 



The Adjunct Professor of Chemistry devoted three weeks to work in 

 Institutes, attending Institutes in Kalkaska, Harbor Springs, Traverse 

 City, Copemish, Benzonia, Lake City, Hastings, Scottville, Chase and 

 Hersey. 



Respectfully submitted, 



R. C. KEDZIE, 



Prof. Oil em istry. 

 F. S. KEDZIE, 



Adjunct Prof. 



