DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 55 



character of the season and plan with accuracy for the demands of the 

 cattle. If a surplus of silage is stored it can be utilized the succeeding 

 winter, but a surplus of summer forage plants cannot be as certainly 

 profitably utilized. A deficiency of soiling crops means a loss to the 

 dairyman, and such a deficiency is liable to be brought about by an un- 

 expectedly prolonged drouth. For these and other reasons, we hope to be 

 able to carry over enough silage hereafter to carry the herd through the 

 "dry spells" without the use of many soiling crops. 



To supply seed of new and tested varieties several acres of wheat must 

 be grown annually. In 1898 field 16 and most of 6 were given up to this 

 crop. 



The demands on the farm for land for other uses causes us to restrict 

 the acres devoted to pasture to the smallest possible area. It is necessary 

 to keep the grade herd separate from the full bloods, hence two fields 

 have been reserved for pasture, fields 7 and 12. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



The most conspicuous improvement made on the farm during the year 

 was the erection of the new grade herd barn, located on the knoll south 

 of the herdman's house and between it and the river. This barn is de- 

 scribed in a bulletin, and such description need not be repeated here. It 

 answers its purpose most admirably, is convenient, warm, well lighted, 

 well ventilated and comfortable. New fences have been built along the 

 lane south of the Grand Trunk railroad and the lane graded and graveled 

 from one railroad to the other. Since the coal is now delivered on a new 

 switch on the D. G. R. & W. R. R. it is important to have the college 

 lane in good condition through the fall, winter and spring. The new 

 part of the lane has therefore been well graded and graveled, and will 

 hereafter serve its new purpose well. 



New wire fences have also been built between Nos. 15 and 17, and about 

 the experimental plots in No. 14. This work has been done altogether 

 by students, affording them opportunity to study the different makes of 

 wire fences and methods of .construction. 



THE SPECIAL COURSES. 

 CHEESE COURSE. 



Four special courses were offered in this department during the winter. 

 One of them, the course in cheese making, began the day after Thanks- 

 giving and continued four weeks, closing just before Christmas. The 

 college was extremely fortunate in securing as instructor in cheese-mak- 

 ing Mr. E. L. Aderhold, of Neenah, Wis., whose long experience in this 

 line had especially fitted him for the arduous duties involved in inaugu- 

 rating a new course in this State. Equipment could be provided but for 

 twenty students, although many more than this number applied for ad- 

 mission to the course. Among the men in attendance were many old 

 cheese makers. One had managed a factory for eleven years, another 

 for nine years, another for seven and several for more than three. Inter- 

 est in the work increased from the beginning to the end of the course, and 



