DEPARTMENT REPORTS. . 47 



the vises of the same, and the smoke and dust from the forge shop below, 

 greatly hindered the students, but the work done was very creditable. 



The work in farm power machinery was confined to instruction on, 

 and the practical use of, the gasoline engine, steam engine, traction 

 engine and hydraulic ram. Some work in concrete and cement was 

 given. Owing to the great interest among farmers in the use of the 

 gasoline engine, special attention was given to the subject, both in the 

 lecture room and in the laboratory, which occupied the lower south 

 room of the old tool barn. Here we had seven gasoline engines of various 

 makes which were loaned by different firms. During the fall term, the 

 farm department secured a combination eleven ton road roller and 

 traction engine from the Port Huron Engine and Thresher Co., which 

 has not only been useful in the class work, i)i.c has been a great con- 

 venience to the college in road work, silo filling, etc. 



The above subject^ were also given to the short course students during 

 the winter term. The aim has continually been to present such work as 

 will be of practical value on the farm. 



Mr. J. G. Halpin reports the following from the poultry division: 



During the past year there has been added to the stock mentioned in 

 last year's report, a few each of the following breeds: Black Orping- 

 tons, Pekin and Indian Runner ducks. About 1000 chicks were hatched 

 and brooded during the months of April and May. All of the eggs used 

 for incubation purposes were produced on the college farm, with the 

 exception of those bought to secure the additional breeds mentioned 

 above. 



During the year sixty-six men and one woman registered for poultry 

 work. Of this number twenty-six were second year winter course men 

 who received one hour's lecture a day during the month of January. 

 Six others began the work at the beginning of the fall term and carried 

 ten hours a week during the fall and winter terms. During the winter 

 six men elected poultry work and received three lectures a week, with no 

 credits given in the college. At the beginning of the spring term it was 

 decided to allow some of the seniors and juniors to elect ten hours a 

 week in poultry. Twenty-eight men elected this course and were given 

 as thorough a course as possible in so short a time. The work is made 

 as practical as possible, including the operating of incubators, feeding 

 laying hens, killing and dressing market poultry, and as many as pos- 

 sible of the practical things that one meets with on a poultry farm. 



In addition to the instruction given at the college several days were 

 spent attending farmers institutes, and ten days with the institute 

 train. 



