DEPARTMENT REPORTS 67 



REPORT OF THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



President Snyder: 



We herewith submit the annual report of the work in the Cnemical 

 department for the year ending June 30, 1898: 



The work in the department has been characterized by great activity 

 on the part of instructors and students alike. The number of students in 

 the agricultural, mechanical and woman's course has been constantly 

 increasing, and many of the classes have been divided into two sections 

 in order to find adequate room, especially in laboratory practice. While 

 the rooms have been crowded, the enthusiasm of the students has not 

 diminished. 



With a prospective still greater increase in the size of classes in chem- 

 istry, the question arises whether an increase in room for laboratory 

 work will not soon be a necessity. The cry in days of old, "The place is too 

 strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell." is the natural expres- 

 sion of growth and prosperity, and an occasion for congratulation rather 

 than dismay at increased expenditure. The room was ample when only 

 the Agricultural course was organized. With the large addition brought 

 in by the Mechanical course, and the further increase by organizing the- 

 Woman's course, and the large influx only waiting for adequate dormi- 

 tory accommodations, the increase in space for the chemical laboratory 

 will become a pressing demand in the early future. 



Many years ago Gov. Bagley said he would never be satisfied with the 

 condition of the Michigan Agricultural College till its freshman class 

 numbered 100 students. We then held our breath in astonishment 

 at the audacious suggestion; but now that the freshman class has 

 passed the 200 mark and is rapidly approaching 300, we begin to grasp 

 the capacity and the needs of this young giant in the educational family 

 of the Peninsular State. 



CLASS EOOM INSTRUCTION AND LABORATORY WORK. 



The instruction in chemistry and work in the laboratory during the 

 year were along the same lines as were shown in our last report, but many 

 of the classes had to be divided on account of their size, and the work for 

 the teacher largely increased. 



In addition to the ordinary work of the department, lectures and lab- 

 oratory work were offered to the students in the special classes provided 

 for short course students. A course of lectures on Agricultural Chemistry 

 was given by the senior professor, and a course 1 of instruction by Mr. 

 Munson, assistant in chemistry in the Experiment Station, on the Chem- 

 istry of Milk. 



