02 STATE BOARD OF AGRIdULTURP:]. 



The instnictioiial force during the past year consisted of Mr. W. E. J. 

 Edwards and Mr. W. N. Clark, both of whom performed very satis- 

 factory work. Mr. Clark resigned March 1st to accept a position as 

 Farm Manager at Glenview, Illinois. 



I would especially direct your attention to the fact that the average 

 number of students per class handled by the department was 75 during 

 the fall term and 88 during the winter term. Again, there was in the 

 fall term over 200 men enrolled in classes for each member of the 

 teaching force and in the winter 176 men for each member of the teaching 

 force. When it is remembered that these averages include the seniors 

 who are receiving technical work and are specializing in the subject of 

 Animal Husbandry it at once becomes apparent that they are not re- 

 ceiving the attention which is rightfully theirs, nor is it possible to do 

 the class of work that a college should stand for, with classes of the 

 above size. 



During August, Sejitember and October, members of the department 

 judged live stock at the following fairs : Detroit, Grand Rapids, Bay 

 Cit}', Howell, Owosso, St. Johns, Saginaw, Greenville, Harrison, Evart, 

 Marshall, Emmet City, Big Rapids, Hastings, Cadillac, Adrian, Hills- 

 dale, Jackson, Caledonia and Wolverine. It is regretted that more time 

 cannot be given to fair judging as this work brings the members of 

 the staff in close touch with the live stock breeders of the state and 

 gives them an insight into live stock conditions that could be obtained 

 in no other way. 



Care and management of the live stock equipment handled by the de- 

 partment has been greatly facilitated and placed on a much more 

 economical basis since the appointment of Mr. Robert Mackie, January 

 1st, to have charge of the herds and flocks. At the present time the 

 department maintains breeding herds of six different breeds of swine, 

 four different breeds of cattle and breeding flocks of seven different 

 breeds of sheep. The large number of breeds are maintained to furnish 

 instruction to the students through first-hand experience and handling 

 of the animals rather than through text-book knowledge. The breeding 

 herds and flocks have been built up on a very slight expenditure of 

 money and are now in first-class condition, although if their improve- 

 ment is to be further continued, it will necessitate the expenditure of 

 larger sums for the purchase of high-class sires. 



Respectfully submitted, 



GEO. A. BROWN, 

 Associate Professor of Animal Husbandry. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1917. 



