48 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE 



mend is that a record be kept against each high school represented at the 

 College, and that credits for any high school be increased or diminished 

 according to the increase or diminution of efficiency shown by the records 

 during the previous year. 



I wish to have it here a matter of record that, while the department 

 is credited with a number of assistants, only two persons (one of whom is 

 myself) devote their entire time to the work of the department. The ar- 

 rangement is not an ideal one. Necessarily, where a person is employed 

 at two different kinds of work, the one will take precedence while the 

 other is regarded as secondary. This gives rise to many complications, 

 and were it not for the exceptional tact and capability of those now^ hold- 

 ing this difficult relation with the department, the situation would soon 

 become impossible. I would respectfully recommend that in the future 

 arrangement of work such diffusion of energy be avoided, or that a more 

 careful allotment of time at the disposal of the department be made. 



The work of the year has proceeded pleasantly and harmoniously. We 

 have great cause for congratulation in the personnel of our force. The 

 work has been energetic, conscientious and successful, and has enlisted 

 the cordial cooperation of the student body. 



For the coming year we propose to arrange a graduated system of read- 

 ing in literature through the four classes^ using it as a basis for. much of 

 the written work in English. 



Kespectfullv submitted, 



HOWARD EDWARDS, 

 Professor English and Modern Languages. 

 Agricultural College, Mich.. 

 June 30, 1899. 



REPORT OF THE WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 



To the President: 



The Dean of the Women's Department has the honor to submit the fol- 

 lowing report for the College year, September, 1898-June 30, 1899: 



The present incumbent of the office of Dean took charge of her work 

 September 12, 1S98. Mrs. J. L. K. Haner continued her instruction in 

 sewing and Mrs. Marshall retained charge of the work in music. Miss 

 Ellen R. Rushmore^ a Smith College w^oman with special training' in her 

 subject at Drexel Institute, took up the work in domestic science which 

 had been begun so well by Miss McDermott. Miss P>ertha Ronan, coming 

 from the Normal School at Ypsilanti, organized the classes in gymnastics. 



Physical Culture. — This work has been carried on enthusiastically by 

 Miss Ronan. ' All students in the Women's Department, except a few 

 excused by the President of the College, have taken the exercises in 

 gymnastics. The examinations given at the close of the year show a 

 marked improvement in the physical condition of women who have done 

 the work under Miss Ronan. 



Music. — The number of students receiving instruction in music during 

 the year shows an increase in comparison with former years. Mrs. 

 Marshall is still in charge of the instruction in piano and chorus singing. 



