DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 43 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. 



Pres. J. L. Snyder: 



Dear Sir — ^During the past year instruction work has been given to 

 Ji total of 495 men, a number somewhat smaller than last year due to 

 the fact that the study of breeds has been put forward to the junior 

 year and was not given last year. 



In Animal Husbandry I, required of freshmen agricultural students 

 during the fall term, 192 men were enrolled and handled in two sections 

 of 96 men each. This proved far too large a class for one instructor. 

 The addition of Mr. Spencer to the staff will help out materially. We 

 feel, however, that in justice to the students, sections of under classmen 

 should be limited to 40 men each, and that not more than 25 juniors or 

 seniors should be allowed in one section. 



In Animal Husbandry V, 40 seniors were enrolled. In order to give 

 this class an opportunity to do some practical judging work, the fairs 

 at Flint and Fowlerville were visited. These trips proved of great value 

 to the students. More time should be allowed the class for this work. 



The winter term was largely devoted to work with short course men. 

 One hundred eighty-one men were enrolled in the first year's work. Each 

 year sees a better prepared class of men taking this work, last year's 

 class containing many men eligible to our four-year course, and a few 

 who held degrees from other institutions. Fifty-three men returned for 

 the second year's work. 



Twenty-seven seniors were enrolled in Animal "^Husbandry VI. This 

 work was very ably handled by Prof. Norton, who assisted in the de- 

 partment during the short course. 



The department now has foundation herds of all the leading breeds 

 of beef cattle, sheep and swine, which we hope to improve each year by 

 retaining only the most promising of the offsprings. 



While no funds have been available for experimental work the past 

 year, records of the cost of maintaining the breeding herds of beef cattle 

 and ewe flocks have been carefully kept, and some very interesting data 

 obtained. 



Respectfully submitted, 



GEORGE A. BROWN, 



Instructor in Charge. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1912. 



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