AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 1 49 



in August. The former was of average duration and in- 

 tensity ; the latter of average duration but of exceptional se- 

 verity. 



Frosts held oft' remarkably in the fall. The first to do serious 

 damage occurred September 24th, while the first absolutely 

 killing one was delayed until October loth. 



The detailed record of observations taken, together with a 

 summary of the same, will be found appended in the special 

 edition of this bulletin, which may be obtained upon applica- 

 tion. 



II. Agricultural Engineering 



During the year this department has made surveys for drain- 

 age purposes over a small portion of the black swamp field, 

 find for straightening brooks at three different points on the col- 

 lege farm. 



Much labor has been involved in the problem of establishing 

 proper bounds for the highway in front of college property. 

 Such bounds have been located and marked by permanent stone 

 posts on both sides of the turnpike from the top of Spinney 

 hill to the corner east of the president's house, leaving a full 

 width of four rods for the highway the whole distance. These 

 bounds have been assented to by the selectmen, and full records 

 with map have been placed upon the town books. The work 

 of establishing other bounds has been partly done and the same 

 will be prosecuted as time allows. 



During the year the steam drill, which had been previously 

 loaned to the institution, has been purchased at a very satisfac- 

 tory price and added to the college road equipment. It was 

 used in July of 1897, to assist the highway agents of Durham 

 in cutting down the grade of a public way, and proved its 

 utility beyond question. Bulletin 46 has been issued, giving a 

 full account of the work of the preceding year with the steam 

 drill, and also treating of methods of road maintenance in Dur- 

 ham and elsewhere. 



Popular talks on road construction and maintenance have 

 been given on numerous occasions during the year. 



C. H. Pettee, 



Meteorologist. 



