DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 77 



license cats in the same manner as dogs, and to begin a vigorous cru- 

 sade against all cats not so licensed. Cats are of little or no use against 

 rats, and the mice could be more satisfactorily combated with traps and 

 poison. The average cat catches neither mice nor English sparrows, 

 but does catch considerable numbers of valuable wild birds, especially 

 such as would otherwise become abundant, confiding and useful about 

 our gardens and lawns. 



Respectfully, 



WALTER B. BARROWS, 

 Professor of Zoology and Physiology. 

 Agricultural College, Mich., June 30, 1907. 



REPORT OF THE MILITARY DEPARTME])(T. 



President J. L, Snyder: 



Sir — I have the honor to submit my report of the military depart- 

 ment for the year ending June 14, 1907. 



During the fall and winter terms I have divided my time among the 

 various organizations striving to learn the men and to observe the 

 effort made by them individually. At the end of each half term and 

 term I made a personal inspection of each organization and recorded 

 the standing of each cadet, taking into consideration his attendance, 

 military bearing and proficiency in drill. I feel satisfied with the 

 result of my work for the year. I believe the increased interest and 

 consequent improvement in the drill generally to be quite marked. The 

 work of the crops is not up to that degree of efficiency which I desire, 

 but which, I believe, it being gradually attained. 



The spring teryi opened April 2, but on account of the unusually 

 severe weather I have been very much handicapped in my out-of-door 

 work. The band this year has been provided with a suitable hall for 

 practice, also with a number of C. G. Conn's best instruments. As a 

 musical organization the band has been ver}^ successful, being com- 

 posed of .twenty-five cadets playing the various instruments necessary 

 for a band of this size. The band, however, lacks discipline, due to 

 the fact that a student is leader. I recommend that the leadership be 

 given to an instructor in College, having the required qualifications. 

 I. think such a man can generally be found. 



The corps of cadets during the spring term has been reviewed and 

 inspected by Adj. Gen. W. T. McGurren, Inspector General Carl Wagner 

 and Col. Walter Rogers of the Michigan National Guard. 



Capt. J. A. Penn, General Staff U. S. Army, inspected the corps May 

 22 last. 



The military exercises ordered by the inspector were as follows : 



Escort of the color, review, inspection, battalion drill, company drill 

 in close and extended order, and drill for the hospital corps detach- 

 ment. The corps was prepared to execute the folloAving exercises, but 

 was prevented by rain : Dress parade, guard mounting and signal drill. 



The inspector stated that the corps made a very creditable showing, 



