8. Write a brief sketch of the history of agriculture. 9. Give your idea of the true scope and value of an agricultural education? 10. What duties does its possessor owe the community and the State? LECTURES AND INSTITUTES. I have taken my regular assignment of the Wednesday afternoon lectures and have also attended the Farmers' Institutes to which I was appointed by the Board of Agriculture at Manchester and Flushing and by the request of the local committees, those held at Paw Paw and Albion. I also attended the annual meeting of the National Association of the Breeders of Dutch Friesian Cattle held in Detroit, Feb. 4 and 5, and delivered an address on "Cattle Breeding and Feeding, the Most Important Elements in American Agriculture." I was present at the first meeting of the Jackson County Shorthorn Breeders' Association in January, and in August I was privileged to meet the farmers of Livingston, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties at their annual picnic at Whitmore Lake. The Board authorized me to attend the National Fat Stock Show held in Chicago in November and the meetings of all of the National Breeders' Associations held during the same week and in which the Agricultural Department of the college is specially interested. THE TEACHERS OF AGRICULTURE. The annual meeting of this association was held at Ann Arbor, during the meeting of the Society for the promotion of Science. The next meeting is to be held at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. IMPLEMENTS. A Bullard hay tedder has been purchased direct from the makers, The Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass. A Eureka mower from the Eureka Mower Co., Utica, N. Y., both giving excellent satisfaction. A Thomas smoothing harrow from W. L. Herendeen, Geneva, N. Y., and a Barlow rotary corn planter from The Vandiver Corn Planter Co., Quincy, Ills. A Eureka fanning mill from J. C. Schneeberger, Lansing, which does. excellent work. We are also using Sperry's agricultural steamers manufactured by D. R. Sperry & Co., Batavia, Ills., in our experimental barn and piggery and do not hesitate to commend it as suited to the wants and means of farmers who desire to cook some food for stock. We have also purchased a few rods of Ewer's farm and garden portable fence, made by Ewer & White, Battle Creek, Mich. The Strowbridge broadcast sower, manufactured by the Racine Sceder Co., Racine, Wis., and mentioned in last report has been thoroughly tested this season both in sewing grass seed and clover as well as oats. It is a cheap, simple, easily adjusted and rapid sowing seeder. I cheerfully recommend it to farmers needing a broadcast seeder. Donations are acknowledged from the following persons: Geo. M. Selleck, Imlay City, Mich., 1 bushel of Acadian seed wheat. food. E. W. Blatchford & Co., Chicago, Ills., one bag of stock food. Packages of imported seed wheats from Col. Coleman, Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Box of Leaming seed corn from John F. Drew, Jackson. PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. The tiling of No. 13 has been completed and we have crossed the Grand Trunk R. R. and commenced work in No. 15. When it is remembered that the drainage water from this field must all be carried to the river, nearly a mile away, the magnitude of the system of drainage we are engaged in becomes apparent. The unsightly hole east of the cattle barn has been drained and plowed. No. 16 has in good part been underbrushed, picked up and burned. About two acres of timber still stands, which I think should be cut the coming winter, so that the clearing of this field may be completed. On account of the location of the new mechanical laboratory, the piggery has been moved twenty-five rods east and a little south and is now located about ten rods south of the sheep barn, a much better and more convenient site than the one it formerly occupied. A joint floor was laid and then planked similar to the old one. A well driven, and supplied with a good force pump and hose, so that the whole interior can be thoroughly flooded at any time. Yards contiguous to the pens have been enclosed with substantial post and board fence, so that it is all in much better shape than before. The old wagon shed has been taken down, as it was unsightly and implements could be stored elsewhere. The last Legislature app' opriated $300 for the erection of a new wind mill and the taking down and repairing of the old one and erecting it near the Grand Trunk R. R., in No. 15, to supply the permanent pasture fields with water for stock. With this appropriation a new Manvel wind mill was purchased and erected on the site of the old mill taken down. This pumps the water into a ninety barrel supply tank, whence it is conveyed in pipes to the experimental and sheep barns and to a twenty barrel tank east of the cattle barn. These tanks have all been enclosed as well as the pump in good shape, which makes our water supply at the bas for stock constant and easy of access and I believe it is so thoroughly protected as to give us little if any trouble by freezing in the tanks. The old mill has been thoroughly repaired, the derrick lengthened some twenty feet and substantially erected, and pump enclosed in No. 15. A fifty barrel supply tank receives the water and pipes carry it to twenty barrel tanks, in each of fields Nos. 15, 16, 12, 13 and to a smaller tank in No. 14. The pipes are arranged so that the tanks can be emptied during cold weather, as this mill is intended only to furnish summer supply. This arrangement gives us plenty of stock water in each of these permanent pasture fields. Its value to our stock cannot be over-estimated and its good results are plainly apparent in the thrift and better condition of our cattle over other seasons without any other change except plenty of pure water whenever they wanted it I am convinced that cattle will do better on short feed and plenty of water than on flush feed and lack the water. The contract for the building of the tanks and erection of the mills, furnishing pipe and pumps, &c., was taken by the firm of Jas. Rork & Bro., North Lansing. Their work was done in a most satisfactory manner and reflects credit on the firm. Everything about the mills, pipes, pumps, float, valves, &c., have worked without any trouble from the start and a three months' trial seems to justify our confidence in the quality of their work. The skill and mechanical genius of their foreman, Mr. Joseph W. Gunnison, an old student of the college, deserve mention. EXPERIMENTS The proposed feeding experiments referred to in my report a year ago were carried out with the assistance of Mr. H. D. French of the Senior class. The results were embodied in a bulletin issued in July and also published in the last report of the State Board of Agriculture. The Legislature at its last session appropriated means to carry on these experiments. I had desired to secure two calves of each of the leading breeds as nearly of the same age as possible, and then under same conditions, except amount of food, to feed them together until three years old. Could good specimens of the Hereford, Shorthorn, Holstein Galloway, Polled Angus, Ayrshire, Devon, Jersey and native be procured and fed in this way, they could not fail to be an object lesson of interest and profit to all interested in growing cattle, from the beginning to the close of the feeding period. A careful record of all food consumed and the comparative data as to food, of growth, time of maturing, gain for food consumed, etc., would be of permanent value. Breeders may make fair or extravagant claims for their favorites; but too often the claim has little foundation, except "I guess so." Actual knowledge of the value of breeds is what we want. It seem somewhat difficult to get the animals to start with, Hereford and Holsteins especially. At our spring sale in March, Mr. H. H. Hinds, President of the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders' Association, who has always manifested a cordial interest in all of our work presented this matter to the State Board of Agriculture and thought that the different Breeders' Associations would be glad to donate the calves, selecting such as they believed would be likely to make the best showing for the respective breeds. Mr. Robert Gibbons, editor of the Michigan Farmer, was present, and I herewith append his report of the remarks of Mr. Hinds and the resolutions adopted by the Board. TESTING THE BREEDS. At the stock sale at the Agricultural College last week, all the members of the State Board of Agriculture being present, Mr. H. H. Hinds, President of the State Shorthorn Breeders' Association, after a few words of explanation, made the offer that if the Board would select one or two choice specimens of each of the beef breeds, of about the same age, giving them equal care and attention, and keeping a full record of the feed consumed and the gain made by each, he, on behalf of the Shorthorn breeders, would offer such selected animals free of expense to the college. He said he did this without consultation with his brother breeders, but he knew they would stand by him. He wanted to see the breeds tested fairly, and each represented by animals selected by the friends of the breeds to represent it. He would also like to see some good native steers, free from any admixture of thoroughbred blood, fed with the others, so as to bring out the true merits of each. These animals could then be exhibited at the State and other fairs, and farmers could draw their own conclusions. The college was in shape, since its experimental barn was built, to conduct such an experiment with the carefulness and attention to details it should have, and he hoped breeders of each of the beef breeds would take an interest in such a test. The members of the Board, after some discussion among themselves, in which all spoke favorably of the proposition, unanimously adopted the following preamble and resolutions: WHEREAS, The Michigan Shorthorn Breeders' Association, through its President, has volunteered to select and furnish two specimens of Shorthorn calves for the purpose of testing their relative feeding qualities compared with other breeds, therefore, Resolved, That the Michigan State Board of Agriculture accept the proposition and respectfully solicit other associations or owners of other breeds to select two specimen calves of each of the several breeds for the purpose of making a careful test at the Agricultural College of their relative merits for fattening purposes. Correspondence in relation to the test should be addressed to Prof. Samuel Johnson, Agricultural College, who will furnish information in regard to it. Now, let the Hereford, Polled Angus, Galloway and Devon breeders be heard from, and we shall have a test of the merits of each of the great families of thoroughbreds that will demonstrate their high merit and the value of each to the farmer. It will be a liberal education in feeding to have such a test thoroughly made. There is no lack of public spirit among our cattle breeders, many of whom have expressed a desire for such a test; but many feel, and I cannot help sympathizing in the feeling, that the State is abundantly able to purchase the stock needed for its experimental work. The members of our State Board feel in this way and I think, as some six months have elapsed since the adoption of the above resolution and no offer of calves has been made, we had best conclude that if we are to have specimens of the breeds to feed we must buy them for that purpose. The outlay required will be as much or more perhaps than the animals will bring after three years' care and feeding; but we must not forget that experiments are not remunerative directly in a pecuniary way-only in the lessons gleaned from them and the conclusions they demonstrate. I therefore recommend that a portion of the amount appropriated for feeding experiments be expended for animals for this purpose, and that they be secured as soon as possible, at the same time holding ourselves in readiness, to accept selections made by any of the Breeders' organizations pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Board of Agriculture; provided the animals in these classes have not been previously secured. STOCK. Since my last report some very desirable additions have been made to the college herds. In November last, Hon. F. Wells and myself attended the cattle sales held during the week of the Fat Stock Show in Chicago. From Mr. T. L. Harvey, of Turlington, Nebraska, we purchased Jenny Baldwin, a young Mary, Lady Catherine, a Princess, and imported Red Rose of Derwent, bred by Geo. Fox, Esq., of Staffordshire, and sired by his $12,000 bull, the 24th Duke of Airdrie. These have all dropped strong and vigorous calves since coming to the College farm, sired by 33d Duke of Airdrie, sold at same sale for $3,300. The following day we bought at the sale of I. Barr & Son, Davenport, Iowa, the two year old Phyllis heifer Meadow Belle, and the imported four year old Cruikshank cow Victoria 71st from the celebrated Scotch herd. The heifer dropped a heifer calf in December by the imported Cruikshank bull, imported Julius Cæsar (18,073). The cow did not prove in calf and has been a little shy in breeding, but by change of conditions and reducing the flesh she promises to be of use. She is a fine specimen and we prize her highly. In May, at the Chicago sale of T. C. Anderson, of Side View, Kentucky, we purchased a ten months old Shorthorn bull, Fennel Duke 2d, of Side View. We think him a very promising animal and hope he may prove a worthy successor to Col. Acomb 2d, who has headed the herd for the past four years. These purchases, with the many good animals on hand, has put our Shorthorn herd in very creditable shape. The members of the State Board of Agriculture, recognizing the increasing attention paid to the Hereford breed of cattle in our State, thought they should be represented here in a small herd. Mr. Wells and myself were authorized to attend the sale of Burleigh & Bodwell, held at Chicago in May, and purchase in our discretion two or three good females. The imported cows Daisy and Lady Agincourt, (the latter with bull calf Argyle) and Dove, a two year old heifer, were purchased. Daisy and Dove have dropped calves since the purchase. This gives us, with the cow Lemon, seven head of Herefords. A Polled Angus calf was purchased at the same time for experimental feeding. The six Shorthorns cost. The four Herefords The Polled Angus.. $2,060 00 1,030 00 85 00 We have added to our stock of Poland China swine, by purchases from Barnes Bros., Byron, Mich., and to the Berkshires from the herd of Messrs. Turner & Hudson, Lansing. Four imported Shropshire ewes bred by H. Lovatt, Esq., were purchased from Mr. C. Hills & Sons, Delaware, Ohio, who brought them over last season. They have just reached us and seem to be fine specimens of this popular breed. A pair of grade Clydesdale mares three years old and weighing 3,000lb was purchased of Mr. J. M. Turner, of Lansing, in April last. They are active for large horses, gentle and hardy, possessing all of the qualities needed in a good farm horse. This gives us a pair of grade Clydes to work by the side of the grade Percherons secured by exchangea year ago and is in accordance with the wishes and instructions of the Board, who thought it desirable to test in this way the comparative merits of these two popular breeds of draft and all work horses. PUBLIC CATTLE SALE. In my last report I suggested to the State Board of Agriculture the feasibility of disposing of our surplus stock at public sale. In the nature of the case it must be an experiment, but there were many things about the plan that seemed to warrant the trial. After due consideration the Board authorized the sale and appointed President Wells and myself as committee in charge to make the needed arrangements. We decided to hold the sale March 25. I compiled a catalogue of the stock offered and had eight hundred copies printed. The day was propitious and the sale was largely attended by intending purchasers from different parts of the State. Gov. R. A. Alger and a large number of the members of the Legislature were present during a part of the afternoon. It called together a large number of persons, who had never visited tho college and knew very little of its work. And while it proved to be a very satisfactory way of disposing of our surplus animals, the members of the State Board of Agriculture, who were all present, were unanimous in their expression |