DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 45 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOILS. 



President J. L, Snyder: 



Dear Sir — The year of 1911-12 has brought to the Soils department 

 an increased volume of work. Six hundred eighty students have received 

 instruction. Of this number 267 were short course students. 



A trip of inspection was made by members of the Farm Management 

 class to five successfully operated farms. Some 30 men made the trip. 

 Each farm visited is characterized by some marked feature of agricul- 

 ture, and from each the students gathered new definite suggestions not 

 found in books. This feature of instruction in practical agriculture 

 is greatly appreciated by those who take advantage of it. 



As indicated a year ago, we are continually modifying our courses, 

 having in mind always the development of courses that shall be in the 

 highest degree practical and correct. The increasing numbers electing 

 work in this department seem to confirm our judgment in these matters. 



The developments of the past year make it imperative that our force 

 be increased if we are to give to each student the individual attention 

 he should receive. 



Our equipment of apparatus is still incomplete largely because what 

 we are seeking is not to be had on the markets. We are, therefore, under 

 the necessity of designing apparatus to meet our needs, and this we are 

 doing. 



Numerous calls still come to us for extension'^ work. We have given 

 such time to institutes and other farmer, juvenile and educational meet- 

 ings as time would permit, but have been compelled to decline a con- 

 siderable number of invitations to attend such meetings. 



Respectfully yours, 



JOS. A. JEFFERY, 

 Professor of Soils and Soil Phvsics. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1912. 



REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY. 



Pres. J, L. Snyder: 



Sir — I have the honor to submit the following report of the Depart- 

 ment of Poultry Husbandry for the year ending June 30, 1912, 



Though under new management it has been the aim in the depart- 

 ment to continue the very excellent courses started by those previously 

 in charge and to add as rapidly as seems consistent with present con- 

 ditions several features which make possible better co-operation between 

 the department and the people of the state. 



The course of instruction outlined by Prof. Kempster has proved 

 successful thus far, there being good attendance and interest in class 

 work. For the regular senior work 10 students enrolled in Poultry 2, 



