DEPARTMENT REPORTS 35 



up to the water-table, it became necessary to liaul several huudred loads 

 of soil, wliicli took up the extra time of the teams during the fall and 

 for a number of days in the spring. The soil about the dairy building 

 is a light sand and this was covered to the depth of four inches with 

 surface soil. The lawn was then seeded, shade trees and evergreens 

 l>lanted and shrubbery and flowering plants set out. Several other 

 borders were prepared and planted and a considerable amount of grad- 

 ing and sodding was done. As the Norway spruces about the grounds 

 had in many places become so large as to cut otf the view, it was thought 

 best to remove a part of them and some twenty were dug out by the 

 roots. [Many of them were very fine specimens, planted forty years ago, 

 and fifty to seventy feet high. In addition to the changes above men- 

 tioned, it has required a large amount of work to keep up the drives, 

 lawns, shrubbery and flower beds, but it has been done without any 

 increase in the working force. During the late fall the new athletic 

 field was graded and a quarter mile bicycle track with embankments at 

 ihe curves was laid out, the work being done by the teams and regular 

 ('m]>loyes of the department. 



J>ate in the fall, an artificial stone walk to the new women's building 

 was constructed, connecting with the main walk near the library at 

 one end, and with the same walk in front of Howard Terrace at the 

 other. The grounds are now fairly supplied with cement walks, but 

 there are at least four places where short lengths could be used to 

 advantage, (1) from the dairy building to the library, (2) along the east 

 side of Abbot hall to the armory, (3) north from the east ward of Wells 

 hall, (4) east from College hall to connect with the walk to the library. 



GREENHOUSES. 



The college greenhouses have been under the charge of Mr. Thomas 

 (runson, whose title has been changed during the year to ''Instructor 

 in floriculture." In addition to the care of the houses he has taken 

 charge of the practical instruction in floriculture, and has given some 

 time to attending the sessions of the State Uorticultural Society and 

 Fai'uiers' Institutes. 



The iron frame houses constructed in 1S02 are in good condition 

 except that the woodwork needs painting, but the remaining wing of 

 the house should be rebuilt at once. We also need larger accommoda- 

 tions for the laboratory work of the students, which can be free from 

 the intrusion of visitors during class hours. In order that they may 

 ])i-oi)erly serve for practical work of the students in commercial flori- 

 culture we should have houses for the growing of roses, carnations 

 and the propagating of plants. 



During the session of the legislature, flowers were furnished for the 

 jiresiding officers' desks and for various functions at the capitol. The 

 jtlants and flowers have also been in grtat d('mnn<l for receptions and 

 other gathei'ings at the college. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN AND ORCHARDS. 



Aside from their value for experimental jmrposes. the orchards and 

 gardens have served for ])urposes of illustration and for the practice 



