94 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The total number of students enrolled in the Mechanical Department 

 during the year was three hundred and sixty-five (365). 



At the beginning of the College year the Board of Agriculture author- 

 ized the emi^loyment of an additional instructor in this Department and 

 Mr. George Tryon, a graduate of the College in 1903, was engaged as 

 junior instructor in Mechanical Engineering, 



Mr. W. W. Wells resigned his position as instructor in June, 1903, 

 after having served the Department very efficiently for a period of two 

 vears, in order to enter engineering practice. 



Mr. W. R. Shedd, of the class of 1901 of this College was elected 

 senior instructor at the beginning of the present College year. 



The arrangement of the work during the past year was somewhat 

 markedly altered, as compared with previous years, through the author- 

 ization by the Board of the employment of an additional instructor, as 

 already noted, and the further authorization of an increase in the re- 

 sponsiijilities of the assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering, the 

 said changes permitting of greater freedom on the part of the head of 

 the Department in directing the work and in the conduct of practical 

 engineering work. 



I am pleased to state that, in my opinion, the work of the Department 

 has been fairly satisfactory during the past year, particularly so con- 

 sidering the number of students handled and the accommodations offered 

 by the Department with respect to room. I desire to express, at this 

 time, my appreciation of the services rendered by my associates during 

 the year, including in this connection Mr. L. F. Jenison, Mr. E. C. Craw- 

 ford and other special assistants. 



A somewhat notable change has been made during the year in the 

 method of conducting work in the Department shops in respect to the 

 employment of a number of skilled mechanics to further the work in 

 hand. The change permits of realizing mo.re fully the plan of having 

 the work designed in the Department drawing room carried out in the 

 shops under the observation of the students interested. It is our inten- 

 tion to provide for the pay of the skilled mechanics employed through 

 the sale of a part of the product of the shops, but we shall, however, 

 while attempting to secure a salable product from the shops, endeavor 

 to keep in mind, at all times, the educational side of shop practice de- 

 manded in a technical school. 



It would seem unnecessary to make any' statement in this report, ex- 

 cept as a matter of record, in regard to the need of the Department with 

 respect to additional building space. We believe the need is thoroughly 

 appreciated by all concerned. 



Owing to tiie number of students handled and the consequent neces- 

 sity of carrying on the Department pay roll several special assistants, 

 a but limited increase can be made yearly in the Department equipment 

 under the present apportionment. The more important additions to the 

 equipment during the past year have been, two engine lathes, one level 

 and one transit. 



During the year the writer has carried on a somewhat gre^iter amount 

 of engineering work for the College than usual, particularly in connec- 

 tion with the new central heating, lighting, and power plant now being 

 built. The system of water mains referred to in my last report were com- 

 pleted, in so far as contemplated for the present, during the summer of 



