Department of Farm Mechanics 8i 



the largest part of an engineering building this constitutes another 

 argument against the construction of a new one at this time. 



The old University barn as soon as it is vacated, following the 

 completion of the new barns now under construction, will be avail- 

 able for some purpose and with moderate alterations could be made 

 suitable for the use of the Department of Farm Mechanics, for say 

 five years to come. In the basement could be located the shops and 

 a steam engine, the exhaust steam from which could be used for heat- 

 ing the shops, the offices and the one or two laboratory rooms on 

 the floor above. All the remainder of the building would be unheated 

 and used mainly for exhibition and storage of machinery, the p.resent 

 haymows being floored over for the purpose. Implements to be 

 studied would be run into the heated rooms when required. In order 

 to reduce the fire risk it would be highly desirable to use as a sepa- 

 rate gasoline engine room the two upper stories of the present ad- 

 dition to the east of the horse barns, which could be moved down 

 to the ground at the north of the main barn. Should this plan prove 

 too costly, however, some provision for this work could possibly be 

 made in the main building, but the restrictions imposed by the in- 

 surance companies for the use of gasoline engines in buildings would 

 materially hamper this important part of the work. 



While there has been figured no accurate estimate of the cost of 

 the necessary changes in the barns, including the removal of the 

 cupolas and the putting on of a much needed new roof, it is prob- 

 able that the work could be done for the sum of $5,000. Money re- 

 quired in addition to this amount, if any, would be invested in mov- 

 able equipment which could be used in the new building when ob- 

 tained. 



Adequate quarters having been provided, it would be necessary 

 at once to add at least two persons to the instructing staiT of this 

 department, one to assist in the laboratory instruction, and the other 

 to be foreman of the shops. Funds should also be provided for the 

 employment of a stenographer for at least half of each day, as the 

 writer is now obliged to spend in work of a purely clerical nature 

 many hours which might otherwise be employed much more to the 

 advantage of the department. 



While considerable research work can be conducted by the aid of 

 advanced students, it would be advisable eventually to appoint a 

 thoroughly competent experimentalist to work under the direction 



