34 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



MICHIGAN FLORA. 



More than half of the long summer vaeation of 19U3 was spent in 

 tlioronghly revising- the list of plants growing in Michigan. Since then, 

 nearly as much more time, in addition, has been given to the work. Such 

 a flora was much needed by all botanists of the State. No one else 

 seemed willing to undertake the task. INIost of the proof of the flora 

 has been read for the fourth report of the State Academy of Science. 



Besides the above, several other contributions to the report of the 

 State Academv of Science have been made bv the teaching force of this 



College. 



THE STATE GRANGE. 



For many years past, the officers of the State (Grange have uniformly 

 befriended the Agricultural College whenever it was possible. In like 

 manner, the Faculty of this College has rendered assistance to the 

 Grange. Last winter a session of the Grange was given up to a lec- 

 ture on ''Teaching Agriculture," and later, two short, popular bulletins 

 were prepared on "Grasses and Forage Plants," to be used in reading 

 courses and by lecturers of subordinate Granges, for the months of June 

 and July. 



TEXT BOOKS FOR CLASSES IN BOTANY. 



Concerning this topic, many inquiries are received from teachers. 

 For a course in beginning botany, and another in fruits and seeds, much 

 dependence is placed on the study of plants gTOwn in the botanic gar- 

 den, not only in a fresh condition, but dried, or, in case of fleshy fruits, 

 ]»reser\'ed in jars of four per cent formalin. We have, in liberal quan- 

 tity, hundreds of kinds of seeds and fruits, ready for study at any 

 time of the year. To aid in acquiring a clear understanding of the terms 

 used, a small glossary has been prepared by Professors Beal and Dan- 

 deno, which may be had by each student at a cost of only 15 cents. This 

 is the only text book needed during the first two terms. 



THE VALUE OF A BOTANIC GARDEN AND AN AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. 



In summer, the chief attractions this College possesses over any 

 others in the State in the way of exhibits, are the broad, undulating 

 lawns, the trees and shrubs, the orchards, the botanic garden, the fields, 

 the cattle, the laboratories, the experiments, etc., and we are not likely 

 to overestimate the importance of these features, even when considered 

 as advertisements. In winter, some of the chief attractions for visitors 

 are the museum, greenhouses, domestic animals and the laboratories in 

 variety. Fourteen years ago, by a gradual process, we had gathered 

 and arranged a unique botanical museum that was much frequented. 

 It contained a fine assortment of Michigan woods, prepared in a variety 

 of ways ; corn, wheat and other cereals ; dry fruits and seeds ; and man'y 

 monstrosities. There were many small things that were made of wood, 

 in various stages of manufacture. Of corn, we had the best assortment 

 that I ever saw anywhere. But alas! One night our first botanical 

 laboratory went up in flame and smoke; and one thing after another, 

 including the inactivity of the professor of botany, has- kept crowding 



