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(3) Steam engineering is now a necessity to the majority of onr farmers. Practice 
in engine running and firing of boilers can "be given while our students are taking 
their wood turning. Agricultural engines should be studied by actual experience in 
their management, and every college ought to have such an engine, if for nothing 
more than just such use by the students. 
(4) Pipe fitting is a very useful accomplishment and can easily be given to small 
classes of students at a small cost. 
(5) Bricklaying and masonry construction are other lines of useful work, and our 
farmers might produce better results in that direction if they were acquainted with 
even the first principles of such work. The old dam that forms the ice pond may 
be made a permanent affair if constructed of stonework instead of old fence rails 
and sods, as is usually the case. 
We propose to give the agricultural students at the Rhode Island State College 
some instruction in the mixing and testing of cements and mortars. Various pro- 
portions of cement and sand are used and tests for both tension and compression are 
made. Investigations as to the effect of the age of cement upon its strength will 
be carried on during the present winter. 
Surveying is essential that a farmer may have a clear understanding of legal docu- 
ments descriptive of real estate and of other matters, such as boundaries, acreage of 
fields, etc., for which he is usually dependent upon the word of strangers. 
The ability to repair shoes and to solder leaky milk cans will often save a trip 
iuto town, and likewise save dollars and cents. I have often wished that a course 
might be produced involving the study of machine construction as applied to agri- 
cultural machinery. There may be such courses in existence, but I do not know of 
any at the present moment. A feature of the next convention may well be a paper 
upon the above subject. 
The first cost of fitting up a woodworking department ranges from $12 to $25 for 
each bench and its complement of tools. A forge shop can be established for about 
$25 to $30 per forge and complete set of tools. The expense for materials used in 
instruction in these branches for a year should not exceed $10, and may be limited 
to a much smaller figure. In my own experience students frequently wish to keep 
their own work, and they are allowed to do so by paying only the cost of the 
materials used. 
Mechanical work of an exacting nature should be given to all students of an 
agricultural college, because it cultivates habits of order and neatness. It encour- 
ages original thoughts on the part of the student. It brings out a confidence in 
one's powers of doing and stating things accurately. It gives the student a greater 
respect for skilled labor, and puts the future farmer in sympathy and touch with those 
whose life occupations are the mechanical trades. Moreover, if this instruction is 
given in a proper manner and by teachers who are experienced and enthusiastic in 
their work, these results of mental and bodily cultivation must make their appear- 
ance. It is right and just that we give our time and put our thought and strength into 
the development of the mechanical courses of our colleges, but at the same time let us 
give the agricultural student all the assistance that lies in our power. Let us teach 
him how to make his life work pleasant and interesting. Let us so lead him in the 
development of his powers that he will return to the farm with a true realization of 
the fact that he is to follow one of the noblest callings in God's universe. 
On motion of Mr. Murkland a vote of thanks was tendered the 
eh airman for the signal ability and courtesy displayed by him in pre- 
siding over the convention. 
On motion the convention then adjourned sine die. A social gather- 
ing at the Ebbitt House followed. 
