58 



fnntifi, is also used by the department. The large laboratory is well 

 ei] nipped with dissecting- and compound microscopes; also the usual 

 appliances foi' doing l)oth elementary and advanced histological work. 

 One of the small laboratories is devoted to experimental work in vege- 

 table physiology and the other to systematic l)otany. The greenhouse 

 attached to the botanical building is an important adjiuict to the 

 depiirtment. There are four sections containing a total of nearlv 

 3,000 feet of glass. It contains a large number of illustratiA c plants, 

 perhaps 3,0()0 specimens, representing the pi'incipal plant fauiiliesand 

 belonging to several hundred species. The greenhouse furnishes much 

 fresh material foi- laboratory use. It is also used as a la])oratory to 

 cari'y on special work when growing plants arc used. 



The courses in agronomy are given l)y th(> professor of agriculture 

 and the instructor in agronomy and include two elementarv courses 

 during the second and third terms of the junior year and two advanced 

 elective courses during the first and second terms of the senior year. 

 The courses in the order in which they must be taken are as follows: 



Elementary course hr so/Is. — Lectures and recitations three times a 

 week upon the origin, formation, kinds, and physical properties of 

 soils and their improvement by cultivation, fertilization, drainage, and 

 irrigation. Practicum once a week in laboratory, testing physical 

 properties of several soils; determining the relation of soils to heat, 

 moisture, air, and fertilizers, and making mechanical analyses. For a 

 detailed description of the lal)oratory exercises in this course, see 

 Exhibit No. 7. page 59. 



Klemeritarii eoiw^i- 'n\ farm vropx. — Lectures and recitations three 

 tim(\s a week ui)()n the history, production, marketing, cultivation, 

 and harvesting of farm crops. For a list of examination questions 

 indicating the scope of this work, see Exhibit No. 9, page T<». Prac- 

 ticum once a w<^ek with growing and dried specimens of farm crops, 

 including grasses, clovers, and other forage crops. A list of Inbora- 

 tory or field practicums in this course is given in Exhibit No. 10, 

 page 7L 



Adranced cmirse in xoHs. — Lectures and recitations once a week on 

 the physical properties of soils; the relation of soils to heat, air, and 

 moisture; the efl'ect of fertilizers on soil structure and fertility; con- 

 sideration of practical methods of tillage as afi'ecting crop producing 

 power of the soil. Laboratory and field experiments during two two- 

 hour periods each week. A detailed schedule of laboratory work in 

 this course is given in Exhibit No. 8, page 69. 



Advanced course in farm croj^s. — Lectures and recitations once a 

 week on {<() the efi'ect of climate, soil, and markets on the distrilnition 

 and adaptation of farm crops in the United States; {h) the best method 

 of crop production, including a careful study of the details of field 



