228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



highest ground of the Clark property, which is in a very 

 thrifty and growing condition. The old and well-established 

 vineyard produced a large crop of fine fruit of excellent 

 quality. In the small vineyard and near the plant house 

 experiments in spraying and girdling have been carried on. 



The Class Room. 



There have been no changes in the arrangement of the 

 course for candidates for the degree of B.S., the students 

 being required for the first three years to follow one regular 

 course of study. In the senior year several elective courses 

 are laid out, with co-related branches grouped. Students 

 are allowed to elect which courses to pursue, but all are 

 required to take English and military. 



The method of giving instruction is largely by lectures, 

 illustrated by charts, models and specimens of objects under 

 consideration. The idea that governs the professor in the 

 class room is that practical application of truths, whether in 

 agriculture, industry or the arts, is equally important with 

 absolute knowledge. Well-equipped and commodious labo- 

 ratories are provided for the students in each branch of the 

 sciences, to work out the ideas for themselves. 



A few students have taken the short winter course, mostly 

 in the dairy school, where a great variety of machinery is in 

 operation. Butter made under difterent methods of cream 

 ripening was scored by experts and the results published. 

 This work should l)e of interest to dairymen and butter 

 makers. Prizes were given to students for the best work, 

 and this course of study is of special value to Massachusetts 

 agriculture, as a large proportion of our farmers are engaged 

 in the production of milk and its products, and the oppor- 

 tunity offered by this short winter course, at a time when 

 perhaps the boys can best be spared and when many older 

 men can come here and spend a few weeks, may be of great 

 advantage. The studies are not confined simply to milk and 

 its care, but also include the care of the dairy and the pro- 

 duction of food products associated with it. 



