FARM mechanics' BUILDING AT IOWA COLLEGE. 219 



The building has a hirge elevator with openings on each floor and 

 balcony. It i.s very .su}).stantiall3^ constructed of brick, stone, and 

 steel, and is tireproof throughout. The cost, including heating, 

 plumbing, furniture, and other e([uipnient, will be ))etween $(5.5,000 and 

 $70,000. Those familiar with such buildings state that when com- 

 pleted it will be the best and most thoi'oughly equipped building for 

 instruction in farm mechanics in this or any other country. 



Although this department is new at the college, it already has con- 

 sideral>le material in the way of equipment. A 112-h()rsepower steam 

 engine has been donated by a thrashing-machine company, to be used 

 for instruction purposes, and a wagon company has furnished a farm 

 wagon especially constructed for experimental work. The equipment 

 of this wagon includes 10 sets of wheels of difl'erent heights and differ- 

 ent widths of tire, to be used in tests to determine the best kinds of 

 wheels for different roads, and sets of roller and l)all-beai'ing axles, 

 which will be tested and compared with the ordinarj' friction axles 

 to determine the relative draught. The roller bearings were espe- 

 ciall^y manufactured for this wagon and are thought to be the first 

 roller bearings used on a farm wagon. A steel grain tank having a 

 capacity of 150 bushels also goes with the wagon. The department is 

 also provided with a newl3^-invented dynamometer which registers 

 maximum and minimum draughts on a sheet of paper, and by an 

 ingenious device shows the average draught during the test. 



It will be the aim of the department to cooperate with the imple- 

 ment manufacturers in various ways. A friendly spirit has already 

 been exhibited by these manufacturers. Quite a number of machines 

 have already been received from them which will be used for practice 

 work 1)}^ the students, and many others have been promised as soon 

 as the new building is read}'^ to receive them. Representatives of 

 these implement manufacturers will be invited to lecture before the 

 students in farm mechanics from time to time, explaining in detail the 

 construction of the machines which they are manufacturing, with the 

 aid of specimens of these machines for illustration. In this way it is 

 hoped to obtain for the students the best possible information on 

 implement construction by men who are specialists in their lines. 



The aim will be to make the collegiate course thoroughh' practical. 

 Students will be trained in the fundamental principles of construction 

 of farm machiner}^, and in the setting up, operating, and adjusting of 

 various kinds of implements. Besides farm machinery, the depart- 

 ment embraces instruction in farm drainage, road construction, irri- 

 gation, planning farm buildings, mechanical drawing, carpentering, 

 blacksmithing, and horseshoeing. Courses are provided in farm and 

 field machinery, in farm power machinery, in drainage, and farm 

 buildings, and opportunity is offered for postgraduate work. A num- 

 ber of postgraduate students are taking farm mechanics this year as 



