Commissioner of Agriculture 417 



The dairy barn has been completed by the students of the class 

 of 1916 in their shop work classes. The work is most highly 

 creditable and the class is justified in the pride that prompted 

 them to purchase and install a bronze plate with their class 

 numerals cast thereon. This same class also started the renovation 

 of the old shed at the Holt barn, in order that it may be used for 

 brood mares and colts. The class of 1917 is completing the work. 



The matter of repairs to the roofs and the re-decoration of cer- 

 tain rooms in the various school buildings damaged because of 

 poor roofs was brought to your attention last year. The Legisla- 

 ture granted, but the Governor vetoed, an appropriation to ac- 

 complish this work. 



THE FARM 



Only progress can be reported in the development of the farm. 

 The season has been propitious from the standpoint of moisture 

 and good seeding, but back of this the influence of rotation of 

 crops and the application of manures, fertilizers, and lime are 

 standing out as the factors that are making the improvement from 

 year to year. The first three years of work were hampered by a 

 lack of stable manure. With the herds now more nearly in pro- 

 portion to the size of the farm, this difficulty is met and improve- 

 ment in crop production more easily maintained. One of the 

 greatest satisfactions in the farm crop work is eleven acres of 

 alfalfa of excellent stand. During the next year this will be in- 

 creased to twenty acres. 



Mention was made in last year's report of the reclamation of 

 five acres of pasture land on the Harwood farm. This is now well 

 seeded and should produce a large crop of hay next year. This 

 year it is planned to take up about the same amount of land in 

 what is known as the Hockridge pasture and which adjoins 

 Field K as shown in the diagram accompanying this report. This 

 will be an economical move in that it will enable the teams and 

 machinery to operate a larger tract with less turning and loss of 

 time. 



The same demonstrational work has been carried on this vear 

 as previously reported with corresponding results. 

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