Report of the Director. 15 



The principles that are involved in farm machinery, and the prac- 

 tice, cannot be adequately discussed in most colleges of mechanic 

 arts or engineering, for such colleges have another and special point 

 of view. Several of the colleges of agriculture are now develop- 

 ing departments of farm machinery. The subject needs emphasis 

 in the east as well as in the west. In fact, it needs greater em- 

 phasis here; machinery has been developed mostly for easy condi- 

 tions and large areas; it now needs to be developed for the more 

 difficult and complex eastern conditions. Every farm should be 

 provided with a shop, and the farmer should understand the use 

 of tools and the principles that underlie the operation of machinery. 

 Our Farm Mechanics Department is now housed in the basement 

 of the Agronomy building, in quarters which it will outgrow this 

 coming year. It should be one of the largest departments in the 

 college. 



Home Economics work designs to do for the farm woman what' 

 other departments do for the farm men. The department was 

 established by action of the board of trustees in June, 1907, al- 

 though winter-course work in these subjects had been given for 

 two years. The object of this department is to provide courses 

 of instruction in those branches which best serve the interests of 

 women students and to furnish a basis for the practical correlation 

 of chemistry, and the physical, biological and social sciences with 

 Home Economics. Laboratory facilities are being provided, to- 

 gether with other modern equipment. The courses to be given in 

 this department are designed to meet the needs of three classes of 

 students : 



1. Academic work given as a regular part of the course leading 

 to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. 



2. Classes open to other students who desire only a general 

 knowledge of the principles and practice of Home Economics. 



3. A winter-course, requaring less previous preparation on the 

 part of the student, is open to those desiring brief practical training 

 in Home Economics. 



Other Departments Now Needed. 



It should be the first purpose of the college to develop the de- 

 partments already established. None of them has yet reached its 

 full stature. Other lines of work must be established, however, 

 if the college is to be able to serve the State to the greatest advan- 

 tage. Some of these may now be mentioned. 



Normal Department. — The greatest need in pedagogy at present 

 is the necessity of relating rural education to the lives and affairs 



