REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. 35 



tool house, in 1883, replaced the unsightly shed which only gave partial 

 shelter to the farm implements. In 1885 the experimental barn arranged 

 expressly for feeding cattle was erected. The water supply for the barns 

 and fields has been arranged and laid. A new iron bridge over the Cedar 

 river, with substantial stone abutments and good approaches, has taken the 

 place of the old unsafe wooden structure. A large silo has been built con- 

 tiguous to the cattle barn ; and during the last year the sheep house has been 

 arranged for experimental feeding, and the boiler house has received an 

 addition to be used as a grinding room. A large amount of tile has been 

 laid and a large acreage reclaimed. The fields have been cleared of stumps 

 and stones and so enriched by barnyard manure and good cultivation, that 

 their productiveness has steadily increased. In 1882 trees were planted on 

 both sides of the farm lane. These have grown rapidly and are every year 

 making the lane a more attractive drive. Through my efforts a new road 

 from the main highway to Trowbridge station, the junction of the Detroit, 

 Lansing and Northern Railway with the Chicago and Grand Trunk, has 

 been opened so that we have direct access to the station. 



Ten years ago the stock did not meet with the approval of the farmers or 

 breeders — indeed it was the subject of constant and invidious criticism from 

 all visitors. It has been improved by the careful weeding out of inferior 

 specimens and the selection and purchase of only animals of real merit. 

 The reports of the ten years will show that the sales of stock have amounted 

 in the aggregate to a large sum ; and in this way the College has contributed 

 to the very important work of stock improvement in our State. The annual 

 cattle sales of the last four years have proved an excellent way of disposing 

 of our surplus, and have called the attention of the farmers to the College 

 and its work. 



The Short Horn herd is now in excellent condition for a breeding herd, 

 and has so many animals of individual excellence and approved breeding as 

 enables it to rank with the best herds of the State. 



The arrangements for carrying on experimental work are quite complete, 

 and in the special lines of feeding, which I have inaugurated, an extra good 

 lot of heifers and steers of different breeds for dairy and beef tests have 

 been procured. I think I am warranted in saying that the farm and its 

 equipment are in almost perfect order. 



With the erection of the farm laboratory and class-room the department 

 will have such appliances as are needed for the best prosecution of its 

 special work. * * * * 



Mr. Hiram T. French, who has been my assistant since his graduation in 

 '85, and who has had the student labor in charge for two years past and in 

 part the supervision of crop experiments, received a call from the Oregon 

 Experiment Station, at an advanced salary, in July, and resigned his posi- 

 tion here to accept the same. Mr. French carries with him to his new field 

 of labor my best wishes. 



Alice A. Johnson, class of '84, has rendered me efficient service in the 

 office of the Experiment Station in the tabulating and compiling of the 

 bulletins issued and has relieved me almost entirely of the details of office 

 work. * * * The steady employment of one qualified for the 

 task has proved most satisfactory and the work done must be the best evi- 

 dence of the value of the service rendered. 



