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EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF DR. THURBER, IN THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, FOR 1861 AND 1862.

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1861.

The Act to re-organize the College, says: "The designs of the institution in fulfillment of the injunction of the Constitution, is, to afford thorough instruction in Agriculture and the sciences connected therewith." Regarding Horticulture as an important branch of Agriculture, we should consider the primary object of the department to be, in the language of the law, to afford thorough instruction." It is in Horticulture that the laws of vegetable growth, and the modifications which art is capable of effecting in them, are more fully illustrated than elsewhere; and it would seem that this should b recognized as one of the educational departments of the ins stitution, and not be considered as a mere appendage to the ble of the boarding hall.

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I would not be understood to overlook the economical value of the garden, but would wish it to be regarded as where knowledge is to be imparted, as well as one fr crops are to be obtained.

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The department of Horticulture comprises the kitchen garden, the orchard or fruit garden, and

tal division.

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It is desirable to attain to the highest excellence in each of these sub-divisions, and not be content with raising the merest necessities in an ordinary or indifferent manner. In the culture of vegetables, not more than averag e success can be had

until the land now appropriated to the purpose is prepared by thorough drainage.

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In the way of fruits we are very deficient. There is a young apple orchard containing about 230 trees, which were planted 3 years ago. A majority of the trees are in a thrifty condition, but we have no means of knowing what varieties they comprise. * * There are 25 dwarf pear trees (obtained from a private source) which were planted this spring, chiefly for the puspose of illustrating the different methods of pruning and training. The Institution should possess a specimen orchard, which should include all the standard varieties of apples, pears, and other fruits. A small nursery was established last year, and a portion of the stocks worked, though a very small number succeeded, owing, doubtless, to the unfavorable location. The nursery contains about 25 budded cherries, and about the same number of stocks, 34 pears budded on quince, and 160 quince stocks, 37 budded apple trees, and about 1700 apple stocks. Some additions should be annually made to the nursery, to afford material for instruction in propagation, as well as to supply the future wants of the College. It is believed that in course of time some revenue might be derived from a properly conducted nursery.

The raising of small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries and the like, is a most profitable branch of Horticulture, when there is a market for the products. A stock of these is needed not only to afford opportunities to practice their culture, but to supply the students with a healthful article of diet. The culture of the grape under glass is, especially near cities, a source o profit; it has become too important a branch to be neglected here. For this a suitable structure is needed. A vinery and a greenhouse could be built at a moderate outlay. We have bricks of which to build the main portion. The glass, a small amount of carpentering, and the mason work, would be the items of expense. A structure of this kind would furnish a much needel tool house, seed room, carpenter's shop, and other offices

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The ornamental division will not, perhaps, commend itself at first sight, as one of any practical importance, inasmuch as its results do not appear in the Ledger account. I hold that this is nevertheless useful, and even profitable. In our practical country everything that tends to create a taste for the beautiful should be encouraged. Whatever the students find attractive and beautiful here, will be adopted by them when they have homes of their own. While tasteful surroundings make a country home more attractive and cheerful, they add greatly to the value of an estate, when it is thrown into the market. Whatever has been done in this way during the past and present year, has been through the donations of individuals. The College has been to no expense but the labor, which item bears but a small proportion to the increase in the value of the property. The improvements already made in the College grounds, have not been without their influence in promoting habits of order and neatness, and in interesting the students in the beautiful productions of the Floral world. * *

It has been necessary to employ one of the students as foreman in the garden. Mr. A. N. Prentiss has been selected to act in this capacity, and I cannot speak in too high terms of the manner in which he has discharged his duties. * * *

Donations of vegetable seeds have been received from B. R. Bliss, of Springfield, Mass., and M. T. Gardner & Co., of Detroit. Respectfully submitted.

GEORGE THURBER.

1862.

FRUIT GARDEN.

A portion of the land appropriated to this purpose by the Board has been laid out, while the other and larger part was cultivated to potatoes by the Farm Superintendent. That portion which has been improved is intended mainly as a nursery from which to stock the other. In order to bring the piece in

to condition, a great deal of labor was required in removing stumps, grading, &c. With a few exceptions all that the fruit garden contains is from donations by individuals. About 10û dwarf apple, peach and cherry trees have been planted with some 50 standard pear, crab apple and quince trees. There is a good stock of young currant bushes, and a few raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries. A planting has been made of about fifteen hundred strawberries, and there are sufficient plants to stock a large bed in the spring. A small nursery of rootgrafted apple trees was put out this spring, a portion of the grafting being done by the class in botany and horticulture as a class exercise. About 20 young grape vines were presented by Capt. Ward, of Detroit, and these with about the same number of old vines of unknown varieties comprise our whole stock of grapes. I would again remind the Board of our poverty in the way of fruits. We should have the best collection of fruit in the State but we are not likely to obtain it by relying upon the liberality of individuals.

The following statement shows the outlay in this division, from which, of course, no immediate returns can be expected: For students labor in removing stumps, grading, laying out, planting and cultivating,..

Paid Mr. Burcham 11 days plowing, with team,....

“Rosin and Wax for grafting,.

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$6653 3.00 66

$70 19

COLLEGE GROUNDS.

No improvements were made here during the past season and but little done besides keeping them in as good order as our limited force would admit. The amount of students' labor charged to this account is $50. A good share of this expense was for making hay upon the grounds.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

The following statement will show the expenses and the amount produced by this division. As the labor of students

was suspended by a vacation just in the busiest season,

necessary to hire labor to carry on the work.

it was

Cost of preparing the soil, cultivating and gathering crops:

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Cost of keeping paths, roads, and carting rubbish,...

21 54

Cost of seeds and plants,...

26 80

Hire of light wagon to send vegetables to market,...

3 00

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Making and repairing tools, (part belongs to farm,)..
Tools lost and broken,..

20 per ct. of $36 87, cost of hot-bed frames and sash,

55

4 22

4 20

736

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