Commissioner, of Agriculture 421 



reasons ascribed most often being the bard seasons. A factor that 

 lias had considerable to do with it is that, owing to the cutting 

 of appropriations for general expense by the Legislature of 1914, 

 it was impossible to spend only a third of what we usually spend 

 for advertising. This is discussed further under the heading of 

 publicity. 



Thirty-two students, twenty-nine men and three women, were 

 graduated at the fourth commencement, held June 6-8. The stu- 

 dents have taken their places in life along the same lines as have 

 those of preceding years, and what was said concerning their work 

 in the report of last year may be said this year also. 



COURSES OF STUDY 



In the fourth annual report considerable attention was given 

 to the description of the elective group system and to an argu- 

 ment for its value to the students in this institution. Experience 

 with two classes and the testimony of the students emphasize the 

 fact that the inauguration of this system has been a wise move. 



Last year, because of the elective group system, it was possible 

 to emphasize the practical work to a greater degree than ever be- 

 fore. The juniors were carefully canvassed as to their past ex- 

 perience, and, during the first half of the year, those who had 

 no previous experience worked in the cow barns and with the 

 horses, as well as in the field. During the second half-year, prac- 

 tical work, directly supplemental to the class work, occupied much 

 of the juniors' attention. 



With the seniors, work on the farm has had as important a place 

 as the work in classrooms, and there is growing, with the develop- 

 ment of the herds and flocks, an increasing desire on the part of 

 the students to participate in this work. Advanced Registry feed- 

 ing and testing ; general dairy management ; fitting for show ring ; 

 observation and care of sick animals; testing and grading seeds; 

 planting and harvesting farm crops; treating seeds for disease; 

 leveling and laying drain tile; setting out fruit trees; pruning; 

 spraying; general orchard cultivation and management; care of 

 small fruits; making spray mixtures; incubation, brooding, and 

 management O'f poultry ; killing, dressing, and packing of poultry ; 

 sorting and packing of eggs ; forge work : pipe fitting ; concrete 



