3S STATE B(\VRD OF ACUTCriTrnE. 



worthy of note. During the past winter about 1.500 loads of mulch were 

 hauled from the pond in the rear of the Woman's Buikling and spread on 

 the campus and sjarden. with most excellent results, l^y draining the 

 pond in tiie fall, this can he relocated from year to year without great ex- 

 pense, thus obtaining a fertilizer quite as valuable for the lawns at least, 

 all things consiilered, as barnyard manure. During the year the grouncl 

 disturbed in putting in the tunnel system the year previous has been re- 

 ■ converted into lawn. Tiie building erected several years ago for the cold 

 storage of fruits, and which was well-nigh worthless for the purpose, has 

 been remodeled and the Cooper system of refrigeration installed. It has 

 not been possible to test the ])lant thoroughly as yet. but it seems to work 

 perfectly and the dejiartment will have added to its equipment a means of 

 keeping fruit for class and commercial work. Early this spring a hydraulic 

 ram was placed at the dam in the river to supply the artificial pond with 

 a suitable amount of water. 



As stated before, the efforts of the department have been largely devoted 

 to teaching, possibly somewhat to the neglect of other matters. It is hoped 

 that the teaching is left in such shape that my successor will be able to 

 give more time and more of the funds of the department to the other lines 

 of work in the department than I have been able to do. 



In handing you this report. .Mr. President, 1 must express my very great 

 satisfaction with the relations which have existed between this department 

 and the government of the college. In all that relates to the teaching of 

 students, the relations have been ideal, as they have indeed in most other 

 respects, but I have to record for the good of the department in the future, 

 my very great dissatisfaction with one or two ])hases of the work. 



The noil-professional work of delivering ice, hauling coal, caring for garb- 

 age, and doing the general utility work of the college ct)nnnunity, has been 

 most annoying and burdensome at all times. Nor can such matters be 

 attended to by assistants, as you have so often suggested to me, for requests 

 and complaints will be thrust upon the head of the department as long as 

 the work is in his charge. Much of my time ior the past three years has 

 been spent in bickering with people of the community over their affairs as 

 related to the above tasks retpiired of this d(>partnient. I again protest 

 against the continuance of this disagreeable, non-horticultural work. 



I must call your attention also to the fact that the instruction of the 

 students in the greenhouses is most seriously interfered with and the finances 

 of the department greatly de)ileted by the custom of furnishing the Legis- 

 lature, State, and college officials with flowers and plants. In my opinion. 

 this custom should be almost wholly stopped; or failing in this, it should 

 be regulated by the State Board of Agriculture. In the latter case my 

 recommendation is that the college be asked to ]iay the dejiartment for 

 all such donations, and that no presents whatever be made of flowers or 

 plants to state or college officials except upon the written order of the Pres- 

 ident of the college. 



In closing this brief report, I must exj^ress my thanks to you and to the 

 State Hoard of Agriculture, for the hearty and generous support you have 

 given to me to make the Horticidtural Department more helpfid to the 

 students of your college and more valuable to the jieople of the state. 



Respectfullv stdimitted. 



"u. p. in:i)iiicK. 



Professor of Horticulture. 

 Agricultural College, Mich., June HO. 100.". 



