DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 105 



by the lecturers in the coaches; the remaining time being given to the 

 examination of the exhibits in the baggage cars. 



The exhibits were similar to those used in 1907, a full description 

 of which was given in the last report. In addition, however, there was 

 a very interesting exhibit of road-making materials with drawings and 

 photographs of state reward roads under construction. Much interest 

 was also shown in the exhibit of commercial fertilizers. 



As in previous years, particular attention was paid to corn culture 

 and to show the importance of curing and testing seed corn, several 

 testing boxes were carried. The seeds under test showed very con- 

 clusively the poor condition of the seed corn of the average Michigan 

 farmer. In one box there were samples taken from the college corn 

 crib, from corn that had been purchased for seeding and crib corn 

 that had been sent in to the college by farmers for testing. In no 

 case did more than twenty-five per cent germinate, while seed corn 

 selected in the college fields last fall, identical with that taken from 

 the crib this spring but which had been carefully dried, gave a test of 

 more than ninety per cent. In other words, while crib corn would 

 give only about one stalk in two hills, practically a perfect stand could 

 be secured where the corn was properly cured. 



The importance of testing each ear of seed corn was also shown very 

 nicely as some of the ears taken from the crib upon which none of the 

 kernels germinated were, so far as the eye could see, fully as good as 

 other ears which would give a fairly good stand. 



The interest and attendance at the stopping points for the Corn 

 Special were, in most cases, beyond anticipation, although the attend- 

 ance was somewhat reduced between Grand Kapids and Benton Harbor 

 by the cold, blustering, rainy weather which prevailed, and while in 

 the vicinity of Battle Creek, the day being Saturday, many Adventist 

 farmers did not attend. 



At several places, especially upon the Bay City and Saginaw division 

 of the Michigan Central much interest was shown by the teachers and 

 pupils of the schools, many of whom visited the train and examined 

 the exhibits. 



Some very flattering reports regarding the work done and the good 

 accomplished by the Institute Trains of 190G and 1907, have been re- 

 ceived and it is confidently expected that even greater benefits will be 

 secured from that run in 1908 by the farmers who attended its sessions. 



THE ROUND-UP INSTITUTE. 



From February 25th to 28th inclusive, the Thirteenth Annual Round- 

 up Farmers' Institute was held in the college armory. 



Although the weather at the college was fairly pleasant except upon 

 the opening day, severe storms in the neighboring counties made it 

 difficult or impossible for many farmers to leave home and this con- 

 siderably reduced the attendance, although upon portions of Wednes- 

 day and Thursday every seat in the armory was occupied. 



Special features were arranged for each session. Among these the 



principal ones were the Forestry session on Tuesday afternoon, the 



Agricultural sessions on Wednesday forenoon and afternoon, the Corn 



sessions of Thursday forenoon and afternoon, the Live Stock session 



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