44 STATE BOARD . OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FARM CROPS. 



President J. L. Snyder: 



I herewith submit a report of the Department of Farm Crops for the 

 year ending June 30, 1912. 



The several courses offered by the department have been given as out- 

 lined in the college catalog. During the fall term instruction was given 

 to 28 junior students in Farm Crops 2, and to 13 senior students in 

 Farm Crops 3. During the winter term instruction was given to 237 

 freshmen students in Farm Crops 1, 42 senior students in Farm Crops 

 4, 183 first year short course students and 51 second year short course 

 students. During the spring term instruction was given to 130 sopho- 

 more students in Farm Crops 2 and 28 senior students in Farm Crops 5. 

 Instruction has also been given to 2 graduate students during the year, 

 one of which has taken his major and one his minor in this department. 

 The total number of students taking work in this department during 

 the year has been 714. 



During the year the department has secured additional equipment 

 for the laboratory, in the vrcij of laboratory cases, cans for the storing 

 of judging samples of small grains, grass seeds, etc., trays for the stor- 

 ing and judging of corn germinators, dissecting sets, etc. Numerous 

 charts and lantern slides have also been prepared to supplement the 

 work in the classroom. 



An effort is now being made to systematize and standardize the in- 

 struction work of the department. On account of the many variable 

 factors upon which crop production depends, it has been difficult in all 

 our agricultural colleges to place the instruction in Farm Crops on a 

 basis similar to that in the more exact sciences. It is hoped, however, 

 to reduce the instruction of the department to a more definite pedagogi- 

 cal basis which will deal mainly with fundamental principles and give 

 the student a broad conception of the more important factors of crop 

 production. 



Respectfullv submitted, 



v.'m. SHOESMITH, 



Professor of Farm Crops. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1912. 



