36 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



planted. Under my supervision Sophomore French, of Paw Paw, had charge 

 of the work, from the planting until stored in the cellar. His interest in the 

 work, his habit of observing and noting in detail points of interest during the 

 growing and ripening season, are apparent in the report of these experiments. 



ENSILAGE. 



The report of the ensilage experiments for 1883 and '83, was published in 

 the report of '81 and '82, so as to get them out a year earlier than if 

 retained for this report. Reference to that report will show that we still have 

 faith in ensilage, as a cheap substitute for roots, and in connection with other 

 foods. The extravagant claims of some enthusiasts are to be deprecated, but 

 that by this method a large quantity of good, succulent forage can be cheaply 

 secured from a small area, will not be questioned by those who have given the 

 subject sufficient attention to enable them to express an intelligent opinion. 



EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING OF STOCK. 



The increasing attention paid to stock in this country, its financial value as 

 the right arm of our agriculture, demands that we do something in the way 

 of experimental feeding. The field is a wide one, and seems to promise as 

 much or more in the way of service to the agriculturist, than any other. 



Ought not this college to be provided with the proper facilities for this 

 work? First in order is a suitable building, in which the experimental ani- 

 mals and food can be entirely separated from the main herds, and so planned 

 that the most perfect accuracy, in«every detail of the work, might be secured. 

 I trust that this matter may receive the favorble consideration of the board 

 of agriculture, and that provisions may be made for more and better work in 

 this direction. 



STUDENT LABOR. 



In my last report in discussing the difficulties connected with our system of 

 student labor I suggested, as the practical solution of supervision, the employ- 

 ing of senior students for this work. I said " make those wlio have ahoays 

 deen attentive to laior duties since entering the College, and have acquired 

 some skill in the details of farm operations, overseers of gangs and allow them 

 extra compensation therefor. The thought of some preferment of this kind, 

 I fancy, would be a stimulus to students and make them more attentive to 

 labor duties. Such supervision would require constant attention and oversight 

 from those in charge ; but this given must prove an advance method. Then 

 the marking of the labor performed, by the person in charge, the same as a 

 recitation,! believe will be found advantageous." We found this plan worked 

 well on the farm in '83, but we were not authorized to pay extra compensa- 

 tion. At the May meeting of the Board of Agriculture this subject was pre- 

 sented for consideration, and after extended discussion, resolutions were 

 adopted authorizing 



1st. Extra compensation to Seniors for supervisory work ; 



3d. A labor record to be kept in which each student shall be marked daily 

 as his work merits; 



3d. Providing for a report (from the Superintendents to the Secretary) of 

 the College of the student labor for each term. 



The plan continues to work well. Students have, almost without exception, 

 been diligent and attentive in discharging labor duties. I fully believe these 

 changes will aid greatly in making our labor system more efficient. Experi- 

 ence and trial will indicate whether they will need to be modified or reinforced 

 in certain particulars. 



