DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 63 



Summer Term, 1883. 



Astronomy, elective with veterinary, (one-half of the class electing each,) 

 taught to the senior class. Mechanics taught to the junior chiss. 



Fall Term, 18S3. 



Civil engineering to the senior class. This study was elective, and was 

 chosen by 13 out of 26 students. Mechanics, one-half term to the junior 

 class. Algebra, one-half term to the freshman chiss. 



The report of the classes taught by the assistant in mathematics is appended 

 to this report. 



The course in the various studies is substantially as described in the cata- 

 logue for 1882-3, except in civil engineering. This study having been made 

 elective, has been also made somewhat more technical, instruction was given 

 on the following subjects: Architecture, building, limes, mortars, and 

 cements, higher surveying, and construction of common walls and bridges. 

 The subject of higher surveying being introduced for the first time iu this 

 study. 



MECHANICAL OPERATIONS. 



The principal portion of my duties relate to work in connection with the 

 position of superintendent of construction in brick and iron. The duties of 

 this position require much time and thought, and frequently absorb time that 

 could proQtably be given to my class work. I have, however, done the best I 

 could. The following heads are an enumeration of the principal con- 

 structions in my charge : 



Boiler House and Chwmey. 



I prepared plans and specifications for this structure, and have superintended 

 the construction to date. This building will include boiler room, pump and 

 engine room, steam fitting shop, and a house for the engineer. The chimney 

 will set on a foundation of concrete 16x16 feet, and 8 feet in depth. The 

 chimney is to have a flue 4x4 and to be 65 feet high. 



The building will not be finished until 1884. The contract was let to Olin 

 and Sproas, of Meridian, for #4,950, the appropriation being $5,000. 



The preparation of the plans and specifications, and superintending the 

 construction, has taken a great deal of time, and has been a subject of anx- 

 ious care. 



Water Worhs. 



The construction of the system of water works, for which an appropriation 

 of 84,267 was made by the last legislature, was, with the consent of the State 

 Board of Agriculture, undertaken by myself. 



The plan laid before the Board, and adopted, involved the use of the wooden 

 pipe made by the Michigan Pipe Co. of Bay City; valves made by James 

 Flower & Bro., Detroit; hydrants made by the Holly Co. of Lockport, N. Y.; 

 a Worthington high pressure pump, capacity 750,000 to 1,000,000 gallons 

 per day of 24 hours. The plan comprehended the furnishing of water for 

 extinguishing fires and other purposes in the College buildings, excepting the 

 residences, and combines a direct and indirect pressure plan. A tank holding 

 300 barrels is placed in the tower of Williams Hall, SO feet from the ground, 

 and provides pressure and water for ordinary use. It is also believed that it will 



