DEPAETMENT REPORTS. 60 



iSeiver to M%isewn and Library. 



A six-iucli sewer pipe was laid early in the season from the inuseimi and 

 library building? to a point on the main sewer from Williams Hall, below the 

 boiler house; closets were also erected in this building. The cost came within 

 the estimate, viz, $350. 



The above work was done principally by student labor. The excavation was 

 very deep and we were much troubled by water and quicksand. 



SURVEYING AND ENGINEERING. 



Drain and general surveying is in my charge. We have commenced a 

 topographical survey of the college farm and in tiie fall of 188"^ finished that 

 portion lying in the township of Lansing. 



A careful survey of the above land shows a considerable discrepancy 

 between the land occupied and that called for in the deed. The topograph- 

 ical survey will be continued in the summer of 1884. Very little drain sur- 

 veying has been done, except to reset stakes on drain in fields No. 12 and 14. 



INSTRUCTION IN MECHANICAL OPERATIONS. 



At date of writing this report no systematic instruction has been attempted 

 in mechanical work, the difficulty has been two-fold, want of time on my part, 

 and want of a proper room. The last legislature appropriated for the purchase 

 of tools for such instruction and repairs in iron work $1,000 — the expenditure 

 of which the State Board of Agriculture placed in the hands of Hon. H. G. 

 lleynolds and myself. We propose to purchase a small engine and engine 

 lathe for iron work repairs and several sets of tools for working in wood and 

 iron for instruction. I then hope to be able to offer to such students as desire 

 it an opportunity to obtain instruction with the use of tools. This work will 

 not be paid for. 



OUR PRESENT BOARDING SYSTEM. 



Being secretary of the committee on the club system of boarding, appointed 

 by the State Board of Agriculture, I have had much to do with the plan of 

 boarding now in operation. The following will I think give a clear idea of 

 the system : 



The law establishing the college, requires that board be furnished the stu- 

 dents at cost. In order to comply with the law, previous to the year 1883, the 

 State Board of Agriculture employed a college officer, paying him a salary of 

 $600 to $800 per year, known as the steward, whose duties were simply to run 

 the boarding establishment. At the request of tlie students this office was 

 abolished Jan. 1st, 1883, and the boarding plan as described below adopted. 

 This change in no way affects the labor plan. 



The system adopted was to divide the students into five groups, to be known 

 as Clubs, and respectively designated by the letters of the alphabet, A, B, C, 

 D, and E. Each Club elects from among its number a steward, who duties are 

 to buy provisions, empioy help, and look after the business of the Club. Dur- 

 ing the year 1883 he collected and disbursed ail moneys. During 1884 the 

 Secretary of the College has consented to act as Treasurer of the Clubs, and 

 "will receive money from the students and pay on orders from tlie stewards. 



An advanced payment on board equal to $20.00 is required of eacli student 

 at the beginning of a term. No person is allowed to remain in a Club unless 

 he has money to his credit with the treasurer. 



The State Board of Agriculture required the clubs to own most of the prop- 

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