38 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The expenses of each club are divided equally among the members of 

 that club. 



At the beginning of this year a few students, who desired substantial 

 board at the lowest possible cost organized an independent boarding club. 



The average cost of board per week in each of the different clubs during 

 the year was as follows: 



Avei age No. Average 

 for year. price. 



Club A 47 $2 30 



Club B 37 2 46 



Club C (woinens club) 38 1 53 



Club D 51 2 14 



Club E 50 2 22 



Club F 28 1 83 



Club X (independent club) 32 1 45 



Average 1 98 



The association has been very well managed and the question of board 

 for students has given the College authorities very little trouble or care 

 during the last few years. Occasionally on account of an inefficient stew- 

 ard or a poor cook a club may have trouble, but matters are righted very 

 soon. 



Very few students — not more than eight or ten — have done their own 

 cooking during the year. This plan is discouraged, and when a student is 

 so short of funds as to absolutely require such a course on his part, those 

 in authority endeavor to find some work which will enable him to earn 

 enough to pay his board in a club. 



IMPKOVEMENTS. 



During the last four years, from January '95 to January '96, the col- 

 lege has been granted each year $6,000 by the State for repairs, and f 3,000 

 for the years '95 and '96 for closets, and $5,000 for 1897 for an electric light 

 plant. As it requires the full amount of $6,000 per year to keep the build- 

 ings, heating, sewers and water plants in good condition, there has been 

 nothing left from these funds to apply to permanent improvements. The 

 College has, however, used current fees to make a number of necessary 

 additions to buildings which should have been done by appropriations bv 

 the State. 



From the special appropriation toilet rooms have been placed in Wil- 

 liams. Wells and Abbot Halls, making these dormitories up to date in 

 modern conveniences - . These improvements were made two vears ago and 

 cost $3,000. 



With the introduction of the Women's Department, it became necessary 

 to have a cooking laboratory. As no suitable vacant room could be found, 

 it was deemed advisable to add another story to the rear wing of Abbot 

 Hall, making it two stories — the same height as the other part of the 

 building. This was done at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars. 

 While the room is not first class in all particulars, it answers quite well 

 the purposes for which it was intended. 



The steam heating system has been extended at a cost of over one 

 thousand dollars to the Agricultural and Veterinary Laboratories. It is 

 now used in seven of the largest buildings and will be extended to College 

 Hall during the coming vacation. 



