10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Upon their arrival, the horticulturists were taken in conveyances for a 

 trip about the grounds and farm, including a large strip of the natural 

 forest which is being improved with a driveway and clearing of the under- 

 growth in places, its ifreservation in others, and the planting of trees 

 where necessary. This will eventually be one of the noblest features of 

 the college. This trip included a view of the farm proper, which was in 

 as good condition as could be expected in this remarkably dry season. 

 Much that was seen was familiar to some of the visitors, but to most it 

 Avas entirely new, and a revelation which caused many expressions of 

 surprise and warm approval. 



Returning to the College, a tour on foot was begun, the visit being first 

 to the grounds of the experiment station, particularly to Prof. Taft's new 

 irrigating plant, which was a source of wonderment to many. There 

 were abundant evidences of its practical utility and its excellent effects 

 upon the crops to which it had been applied. This visit was disturbed 

 by rain, which was so welcome that the interruption was readily con- 

 doned. Later in the meeting the inspection was renewed and completed 

 by most of the visitors. Many of the buildings were also visited, nor was 

 the sight-seeing confined to the horticultural department, but embraced 

 the agricultural, chemical, botanic, mechanical, and other buildings, as 

 well as the barns, the dairy school, and live stock. What was seen at the 

 experimental grounds can not be better described in brief than by quoting 

 a circular issued for information of the visitors, under title of "A walk 

 through the station grounds." We suspect that this was a part of the 

 ever watchful, thoughtful, and thorough work of Prof. Taft, as it bears 

 many of his ear marks. Here it is: 



After you have inspected the grounds and buildings of the college to 

 your heart's desire, we invite you to take a walk with us over the grounds 

 of the experiment station. All of you have read the bulletins from the 

 horticultural department of the station and will now be interested in 

 viewing the plots and greenhouses where the experiments, the results of 

 which have been published, were carried on and where new experiments 

 are now in progress. 



Starting east from the horticultural building, the first object of inter- 

 est is the forcing-house at your right. This house was erected by Prof. 

 Taft to illustrate, first, the methods of construction, and second, the two 

 methods of heating, one wing being heated by steam, the other by hot 

 water. At this season of the year most of the crops are removed from the 

 house and nothing of note remains except the tomatoes and cucumbers. 



The hydrants seen at the left of the drive as you walk on east toward 

 the orchard are visible evidences of the irrigating plant put in this sum- 

 mer for experimental purposes. The water is derived from the river and 

 is forced through the system by the large steam pump in the central heat- 

 ing plant of the college. The pipes are over 3,800 feet in length and dis- 

 tribute the water to the major part of the horticultural grounds. 



At the left of the drive, nearly opposite the forcing-house, is a large 

 plot devoted to a variety test ©f many kinds of vegetables, lettuce, peas, 

 beans, and radishes, a veritable curiosity strip. 



On the right of the drive, going east, comes next a plot containing the 

 varieties of strawberry set out in 1893. Directly opposite, across the 



