FARM CROPS. Eighty-six bushels of oats were harvested. The hay crop is estimated at 45 tons, about 20 of which have been sold (Dec. 1,) mostly in the stack at $7 per ton. The season so favored the making that it was put up in perfect condition and the care taken in stacking has prevented subsequent injury. From the farm experiments were obtained in addition to above 30 bushels of wheat, 40 bushels of oats, 150 bushels of corn (ears), and 75 bushels of potatoes. IMPROVEMENTS. Fifty-two elms have been set on either side of the University Avenue, where they were set and failed to grow two years since. Every reasonable precaution was this time taken to insure their life and growth. The method may be a guide to others under similar circumstances, and is therefore worthy of description. It was necessary to get rid of excessive moisture and to secure a suitable soil, the natural one being a stiff peat saturated with water, unfit to sustain the growth of anything but ferns and wild grasses. An elevated site was secured for each tree by digging a ditch 12 to 18 inches deep and 24 to 30 inches wide, around a circular plat ten feet in diameter, throwing the sods and dirt upon this plat, raising it high at the margin and leaving a deep depression in the center. In setting the trees a small load of sandy loam was hauled for each tree. A portion of this was placed in the depression mentioned above, as a sort of bed. On this the tree was set and the remaining soil was placed and packed about the roots. The trees were then thoroughly mulched with old hay the entire elevation being nearly covered to a depth of four or five inches. This mulch preserved the moisture so perfectly that moist soil could easily be reached with the toe of the boot when other trees were dying for want of water. After mulching, to prevent loosening of the roots by swaying of the tops in the wind, the trees were supported by driving stakes in the ground about two feet from the tree but inclining so that the top of the stake crossed the trunk of the tree four or five feet from the ground where the one was tied to the other. The trees themselves were obtained not from the forest, but from the nursery, where they were said to have been transplanted three times, by which the growth of roots had been kept close to the foot of the trunk where they could be easily retained with the tree, furnishing it with organs of support from the first. None were more than one and a half inches in diameter. In pruning, the tree was not cut off below the branches, but the latter were all cut back severely and a portion cut out entirely. The result of this pruning was, not a bean pole, but a tree as soon as growth commenced. The success of this method must be its test, and it only remains to say that not more than five of these trees failed to live, and make a growth of four to ten inches. Forty four European Larches were set alternating with these elms, but owing to conditions already stated only three or four survived. A shed, the parts of which were removed from the University Campus some two years ago, has been put together, and is now used for the protection of implements, all of which it enables us to house easily and perfectly. Some breaking has been done. One piece lying on north side of Avenue, and in the angle made by Avenue and east line of farm, containing about one acre. Another piece lying on south side of Avenue and adjacent thereto, containing about eight acres. PLANT HOUSE. This presents a very satisfactory condition. The plants are as yet mostly of the common kinds of greenhouse plants, but a few of economic value in other climates are there also. More than forty natural orders and fifty genera are represented by 900 individuals. The health and vigor of the plants have always received favorable comment from visitors. Since the first of April, the work has been performed by Mr. Geo. A. Wood, a student, member of the senior class, and to his industry, faithfulness and intelligence the credit for this condition of the plant house is largely due. As was believed it would, the plant house has been found a valuable assistance by the instructors in botany, the more so as the University is without the botanical models possessed by many institutions. Its value in this line will increase as its collections become more varied. The plant house has also contributed somewhat to the adornment of the University grounds and will contribute more largely when the latter are properly enclosed. STATE FAIR. As in former years the Agricultural Department of the University made such exhibit at the State Fair as its materials permitted, and aided by past experience the exhibit was made no less creditable. The following is a brief enumeration of the articles and description of their arrangement: From the State Experimental Farm, grown in the season of 1877. Ten varieties oats, fifteen varieties spring wheat, three varieties barley, one variety spring rye, one variety field peas, thirty-five varieties garden peas, twenty-two varieties beans, fourteen varieties grass, six specimens wheat showing effect of manures, ten varieties sweet and pop corn, and four varieties field corn. Also twenty-four varieties potatoes, six boxes potatoes showing effect of manures, eighteen varieties tomatoes, eleven varieties squash, two varieties egg plant, three varieties pumpkin, three boxes gourds, four varieties cucumbers, eighteen varieties garden and field beets, and seven varieties carrots. From the Museum of Agriculture. Thirty-three varieties grass and clover seeds, eight varieties winter wheat, five varieties oats, peas and corn, and twelve kinds of fertilizers. From the Agricultural Class Room. Map of State Experimental Farm, map of the Forest Area of the United States, colored lithographs of Walter Cole's flock of merino sheep and herd of Devon cattle, and lithograph of C. A. DeGraff's herd of Alderny cattle. From the University. Painting of University Building, a diagram showing the relation of the University courses of study to the State System of public schools, and a copy of the diploma issued to graduates of the University. Also in this line an oil painting of "Experience Oaks." from Hon. Wm. S. King. From the University Plant House. Sixty-five plants, embracing Coleus, Pelargoniums, Calla, Oxalis, Photinias, Pandanus, Begonias, Alternthera, Cacti, Fuchsias, Agaves. The corn was braided by means of the husks into strings and hung together with the pictures, on the walls above the tables on which the other articles were arranged. Each variety of wheat, oats, barley and rye was represented by two specimens. One, a small sheaf of grain in the straw; the other, a pailful of threshed and well cleaned grain. Beginning at the left 26 bundles, varieties of wheat oats and rye, stood upright, in a row, at the back of the table, against the wall. In front of these, a row of 26 pails containing the corresponding varieties of threshed grain. In front of these, at the margin of the table stood a row of shallow boxes, containing tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes, etc. To the right of all these the fourteen varieties of grasses stood on a frame against the wall, while a group of vegetables occupied the front. Still farther to the right, a raised table held the articles from the museum and the beans and peas in jars. To the right of this table the rows of bundles, pails and boxes recommenced. At the back six bundles of wheat grown with different fertilizers, and three varieties of barley. In front of these the corresponding pails of grain, and at the margin of the table, six boxes containing the potatoes grown with different fertilizers on equal areas. Finally a raised table containing specimens from the plant house. The twenty-four boxes of potatoes containing the products of different varieties on equal areas occupied another table. The exhibit was arranged with a view to making it instructive. Both the arrangement and the quality of the articles were subject of frequent and favorable comment. The judges on the flowers reported as follows: Division H-Supplementary Report. "The exhibit of greenhouse plants from the State University being entirely apart from the other exhibits in this class was overlooked by the committee until after the above main report was made out. Theyh ave, however, examined it, and take pleasure in reporting that the collection though not wide in variety deserves honorable mention from the general fine and healthy condition of the plants. This like other exhibits of the University was not entered as competing for premiums. The committee would respectfully suggest that it would be well for the University to cultivate the best varieties of flowering plants peculiar to the State, as many of them may otherwise become extinct. [Signed,] "A. D. ROE, "MRS. G. W. CHOWEN, This supplementary report was made without the knowledge of any one connected with the University. Several requests for samples were received and complied with as follows: Milo J. Smith, Smith's Ferry, Mass., complete set of the grains for exhibition at a county fair, and subsequently to place in the office of Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. W. H. Ritter, Inspector for the Millers' Association, complete set of wheat and oats. Hon. Geo. A. Bracket, complete set of grains to send east for exhibition. J. A. Christian & Company, Minneapolis, complete set of wheats. Many others received small quantities for seed. The week following the State Fair, the grain and potatoes were taken to Stillwater for exhibition at the Washington County Fair, the Washington Co. Agricultural Society paying freight and drayage. The attendance at this fair was not large, but the Agricultural College exhibit attracted its full share of attention, and much interest was shown in some of the articles. At the State Fair of 1876 entries were made and diplomas representing the highest premiums of the Society were awarded for the "largest and best display of vegetables," and for "large and choice display of grain and seeds." These diplomas have been received, framed and hung on the walls of the agricultural class room. CAMPUS. In the autumn of 1876 the executive committee of the Board of Regents directed the undersigned to assist the President of the University as superintendent of the campus. Under his directions several small changes have been made that have contributed much to an improved appearance. A portion of the elevation immediately in front of the main building has been removed to fill depressions near the same. The shifting and barren sand immediately in front of the agricultural building has been covered with better soil. The path between the two buildings has been raised to a sort of turnpike where it passes through a hollow frequently filled with water. In July the mowing machine was passed over the entire campus, improving its appearance, and contributing to the thick ening of the grass. In September the weeds that afterwards sprung up were cut with a scythe. About the first of November the leaves on the campus were raked into large piles and burned. A gravel walk has been made from University Avenue to the front entrance of the main building. The appearance of the agricultural building was improved during the summer by spading and manuring the soil in the angles of the building and removing thereto a large portion of the plants from the plant house. LABOR. The faithful assistance in the plant house of Mr. Geo. A. Wood has already been mentioned. On the first of April last Mr. W. T. Scott withdrew from the service of the University and the place of farmer was taken by Mr. J. B. Eustis, a former student of the University. Mr. Eustis has brought to bear upon his duties every quality that could render his services acceptable, and the only cause for regret is that he will not consent to continue them. The labor under my direction has been performed more largely by students this year than heretofore, and it gives me great pleasure to testify to their general faithfulness and efficiency. The whole sum paid for labor under my direction on the farm, the campus and in the plant house, from Dec. 1, 1876, to Nov. 30, 1877, was $1716.93. Of this $736.14 was paid to more than 32 different students in sums ranging from 75 cents or less to $224.30. CHAS. Y. LACY. |