0ie 9iL a. ©. si ecor A VOLUME I. LANSING, MICHIGAN, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1896. NUMBER 14. between being covered up with little patches of grass t h at seemed to be at perpetual warfare with the most widely distributed of all plants—Pteris aqui- liana, or common brake. This arrangement would only be rock broken perhaps by some huge whose surface was covered with mosses and lichens of various kinds and at whose base was a clump of P r u n us spinosa or "slae" one of the ancestors of our best plums. Those again would be followed in their t u rn by lesser plants until into t he mountain side receded the more fertile valley beneath. How often we see in our own country. this larger and same plan grander carried out on a scale Location, soil, and other things is more or less responsible for this arrangement, b ut it all seems to be part of a great plan. ABBOT HALL AND RAVINE FLOWER GARDEN. FLOWER GARDEN E X T E N S I O N. THOMAS GUNSON. In order to increase our stock of hardy herbaceous plants, it was decided, two years ago, to reclaim t he piece of low land in front of Abbot Hall to a point as far south as to where t he filled-in river drive crosses t he ravine, and near to where t he old rustic bridge t h at formed one of t he principal college attractions used to be. This ancient land mark, so inseparably connected for many years with so much of student life, and a r o u nd which memories gather, has long since passed less into history, and artistic perhaps, b ut much more permanent. This low land stretches north to where the small, r u s t ic bridge spans the narrowed ravine on t he main foot walk connecting Abbot Hall a nd Faculty Row, with the rest of t he principal college buildings. its place taken by something T he reason for selecting this land was because it was so admirably adapted for the purpose in view. Repeated dry seasons convinced us there was no use in longer t r y i ng to grow these gross feeding hardy plants on the dry, sandy knoll, near the large greenhouse. Another and a less reason, perhaps, was to head off the possibility for t he present, at least, of this, t he last piece •of low land t h at lay in this direction, from becoming p a rt of t he botanic garden. The curator of this, t he third botanic garden of im portance in t he country, had, t wo years previous to t h at time, developed a desire to annex all the land t h at lay around this interesting and beautiful place. This irregular piece of land was laid out in blocks or sections of different sizes and shapes, more with t he ob j e ct of getting it plowed and cultivated for two or three years without the horses tramping everything, than for more artistic effect. We did not have enough of these hardy plants to fill all of this newly acquired territory for t he first and t h at we did second years, and it has the severe division have some time to recover from necessary to extend t h em as far as possible t he first year; and last summer's being so dry they have not yet appeared at their best. taken those The following is only a partial list of those already planted: Helianthuses or sunflowers, orgyalis, Maximil- ianus, multiflorus, and mult, plenus; Lilies, candidum, tigrinum, and superbum; Hemerocalis, or day lilies, filamentosa, or Adam's needle; fulva and flava; Yucca Hollyhocks; Eulalia gracillima; Phloxes; Monarda di- d y ma (Horsemint); Paeonies* red and white; Achilleas; D i a n t h us barbatus,or sweet william; Gaillardias; Orien tal and annual poppies; German and Japanese Iris in variety, and many others. It is the intention of the professor in charge to add to this list from time to time only plants t h at are of decided merit, until all the land is filled up, t h us form ing a unique collection of these useful plants, some of which will begin flowering just as soon as t he frost is out of the ground in spring, and follow each other in close succession till snow flies in the fall. Meanwhile t he larger blocks have been filled out with castor oil plants (Ricinus), cannas, dahlias, gladiolus, asters, and these again were bordered and odd corners filled up with irregular patches of geraniums, bright- leaved coleus, petunia?, verbenas, sweet alyssum, and other bright flowering plants, all of which were allowed to grow and wander at will. The more exposed and con spicuous places were filled with t he many-colored and bright portulaccas; behind these again were balsams, asinnias, and miniature sunflowers. Some criticism—more or less friendly in its nature— has been made by college people and others against t he apparently u n n a t u r al method of arranging gaily colored flowers for mere purposes of effect, without taking into consideration t he surroundings or the blending of t he t he criticism may colors have been, this was no part of t he plan. It was more to our purpose to have flowers, and to have lots of them. J u st how to arrange plants and flowers to suit the ca themselves. However just fashion, professional artists, and would-be prices of critics in art, is one of those tasks t h at we feel like ask ing to be delivered from. No one has ever laid down any definite rules just how to arrange hardy herbaceous plants to comply with all the requirements in t he case, for they flower at different times during the season, eo t h at they cannot all be made attractive at t he same time, in clumps hence t he necessity of their being planted independent of t he mere arrangement in color. This careless way of grouping plants is not entirely defense less if we would try to follow t he best guide in these matters. The early impressions made on me by t he way n a t u re arranged plants on a steep and barren hillside in a country where everything is stern and wild, still remains a lesson on the subject. Near t he summit of this hill great irregular clumps of European hazel (Corylus Avel- lana) which from its stunted appearance was not entirely satisfied with its conditions, though it never failed to yield its fruit in abundance every year, was perhaps deeply margined on one or two sides by t he tall purple- colored (Digatalis purpurea) while not far off were masses of the white flowered variety, the spaces foxglove This natural way of grouping plants is in striking contrast to the practice of planting single specimens in t he yard or away from t he house and t h en wonder why or t h at they always look so lonely. to be comforted they refuse t he companionship of t h at of Plants, like many animals, .are more or less social in their nature, they seem their to want fe lows, and especially their I have often Eeen one or two own kind. plants eke out a miserable existence even when given t he best care, both artificially and naturally; when as many hundred would grow luxuriantly, under t he very same conditions with very little attention. The taste for the hardy plants is everywhere on the increase. Amateur and professional flower growers, owners of city lots a nd farm homes, are asking more about them every year; and how admirably adapted they are for nooks and corners around country homes where with a little attention once or twice a year they can be left to take care of themselves. There is no plant t h at will flower all summer, nor all winter; b ut a selection can be made from those t h at will follow each other t he summer season. Greenhouse. succession during in close B I R DS OF S P R I N G. P R O P. W. B. B A R R O W S. species are Spring birds of plentiful a dozen already on t he campus or in t he vicinity. The most a b u n d a nt are t he crow, robin, bronzed grackle or crow blackbird, red-winged blackbird, cowbird, meadowlark and song sparrow. The killdeer is heard daily on the farm, and t he vesper sparrow is here in small numbers. Bluebirds of course should be here, b ut only four or five this immediate vicinity. individuals have been reported yet from On Sunday Morning, March 29, a small flock of tree swallows or white-bellied swallows appeared on t he cam pus b ut have not been seen since. Phoebes were here t he following morning, and are common now. Several other species are certainly here and could be found by diligent search. Some of these are t he fox sparrow, white-throated sparrow, field sparrow, and many species of waterfowl. F or some reason, not yet clear t he rusty blackbird which usually appears with the redwing and crow blackbird, or even in advance of them, was not noticed until April 2, the kingfisher and mourning dove are long over due. A few warm days would doubtless add many new names to this list of arrivals. T he pine grosbeak, so a b u n d a nt from New Years until t he middle of March, has not been seen since March 20, while other winter residents, notably t he cedar w axwings and purple finches, are here in undiminished finest numbers. T he last named bird songsters and it is to be hoped t h at it may stay, on t he campus to nest in spite of its bad habit of nipping off t he b u ds of shade and fruit trees. is one of our Zoological Department. 2 THE M. A. C. RECORD. A P R IL 14, 1896. 3V. 9TI- ©. ©• 9Uor5. PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE EDITED BY THE FACULTY. ADDRESS ALL M A IL TO LOCK BOX 262 L A N S I N G, M I C H. S U B S C R I P T I O N, 50 C E N TS P ER Y E A R. Business Office with ROBERT SMITH & Co., State Printers and Binders, 406 Michigan Ave., East, Lansing, Mich. Entered as second class matter at Lansing, Mich. OUR SHORT COURSES. It has long been t he hope as it is now the expectation of both t he Board and F a c u l ty of M. A. C. t h at special courses along t he lines where t he need is most pressing should b9 offered at the College. Heretofore the de mands of the work at F a r m e r s' I n s t i t u t es have been so imperative at the time of year when t he special courses m u st begin t h at their inauguration has been postponed, except in t he dairy, until t he present time. Beginning next winter special courses will be given along at least four special lines. No examination will stand in t he way of any young farmer or farm laborer who may desire to come. The instruction will be prac tical, to the point, and yet sufficiently extended to fit t he farmer or fruit grower to pursue his chosen line of work. Naturally, in these special courses t he emphasis will be placed on t he laboratory and actual practical expe rience in t he greenhouse, forcing house, grafting cellar, dairy room, stock barns, or seed room as t he inclination or special business of t he farmer may dictate. E n o u gh fundamental science will be given to afford an intelligent explanation of t he various operations. The special course in t he dairy will fit a man to make b u t t er and at t he same time to feed t he herd economi cally and care for fruit raising will fit a man to set out and care for a fruit orchard, whether of trees or small fruits. Practical courses for practical men are intended. them wisely. The course in PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR I 0 U NG WOMEN. MARY A MAYO. Hon. J o hn A. Anderson, a former President of Kansas Agricultural College, said, "A girl has a right to an edu cation as precisely adapted to woman's work, as is a boy's preparatory to man's work. W h at is woman's work? By a wise and supreme law a majority of young women are destined to become wives and mothers; to establish and keep the home, care for it, work for it, live for it, and for this most important work, they should be carefully, thoroughly, competently trained'. As to the advisability of such a training there can be no question. One of our greatest needs is better homes, better fathers and mothers; fathers who realize the responsi bilities of fatherhood and are fitted for t h e m; mothers who are conscious t h at t he crowning glory of her life is motherhood and t h at her greatest concern shall be to make a wise, true mother; who shall be able to give to her child a strong body, clear brain, and a n a t u re capable of a grand development. Most parents are anxious t h at their daughters shall receive something of an education. They attend the common schools and pass to the high school, choose a course of study, graduate. They take Latin, F r e n c h, German, mathematics, astronomy, music, and history, all excellent for mental development. Most of these young laboring people and expect women are daughters of upon graduating to earn their living. How many of these graduates are thoroughly fitted for any one thing t h at shall win for them food and shelter? A few may teach, many go into shops, factories, offices, and some as domestics, all unskilled. Many marry, and frequently men with small incomes. How many know from practi cal teaching how to care for a home, to manage in a wise, prudent manner the family comfortable, healthy and happy? They m u st manage, must cook, m u st work; b ut at what a great disadvantage without any previous preparation. Miss Sill, a professional cook says, " one third of t he food in t he average family is wasted for lack of knowledge in managing, saving, and properly cooking." t he small salary and keep If our young women were thoroughly skilled in cook ing, physiology, hygiene, t he proper care of children and t he home, many of the social and poor problems would be solved. There are no reasons why young women should not landscape in dairying, floriculture, receive gardening and horticulture, if they desire it. Thinking parents of today are anxious t h at their training daughters shall be as thoroughly trained for t he practi cal work of their lives as their sons. They know t h at t he life t h at is before t h em will be intensely practical, and for it they m u st be prepared. Demands will be made upon t h em for skilled hands and trained minds t h at they may be masters of their work and not slaves to it. If they should never assume t he duties of home and its responsibilities, let them at least be so educated as it of our sons, we to be self sustaining. We expect demand it, why not of our daughters. Modern penologists are saying t h at the best interests of society and t he State demands t h at t he inmates of our reformatories and prisons shall be so trained t h at upon their release they may be self sustaining. Are not our young women of quite as m u ch importance to society and the State as juvenile offenders and criminals? The game in our forests and streams are protected by salaried officers aided by large appropriations. Is it not quite as wise to protect t he homes by placing t h em in t he care of thoroughly trained women, skilled in all t h at tend toward their highest development? Where such an education can be obtained; what shall be its scope; and how secured, will be further considered. NEWS FROM GRADUATES AND S T U D E N T S. Isaac J. Quigley, with '93, m., is with a Grand Rapids oil and varnish company. Cal R. White, '81, is general agent for the Odell type writer, headquarters at Chicago. Will F. Hopkins, with '93 m., is a bookkeeper in t he City National Bank of Lansing. "Fairview F a r m ," near Manchester, L. D. W a t k i ns & Son. T he son is L. Whitney Watkins, '93. Louis C. McLouth, with '89, is principal of t he Central Manual Training School, Cleveland, O. Chas. E. Dodge, with '89, a newspaper man, at Cleve land, Ohio, died of typhoid fever, Sunday, April 5. H. C. Newman, with '97, was t he prohibition nominee for township clerk in Portland township this spring. Wm. C. McLean, with '96, m., is in partnership with his father in t he hardware business, Jackson, Mich. A grange of 53 members was recently formed in We3t Medina, of which C. A. Jewell, '62 was chosen master. Roy C. Fisher, '95, will assist Prof. Strong in t he chemical laboratory of t he Normal for t he next three months. R. E. Doolittle, '96, has been appointed H. W. Lawson, '95, as Assistant Chemist Food and Dairy Commission. to succeed to the State From the Portland Review we learn t h at Supt. R. S. Campbell, '94, of Saranac, applied last week in person for t he Superintendency of t he Portland schools. Ed. F. Woodcock, with '78, mayor of Niles, and one of t h at city's most enterprising men strongly suggested as a good man for S t a te Treasurer on t he republican ticket. is being Profs. D. A. Sharp and J o hn W. Rittinger [M. A. C. '94], inform us t h at they will hold a Summer Normal School, in the high sahool building, beginning May 25. Ind. —Gazette, New Carlisle, Henry Silsby, with '73, of Webberville, was elected supervisor of Leroy township at t he recent election by ticket. Dr. E. D. t he largest majority of any on the Millie, '82, was elected clerk of the same township. Mr. and Mrs R. H. Gulley have moved from Detroit to Norwood Park, Illinois, where Mr. Gulley has assumed t he management for the State of Illinois of t he Vermont Life Insurance Company.—Ingham County News, April 9. " You may think t h at a district " school dad " isn't busy, b ut load on president of a reading circle, presi dent of county teacher's association, and member of the board of examiners and some of t he spare time will be taken up."—R. B. PICK&TT '93. F r a nk M. Paine '89, florist, Traverse City, writes: " My business prospects are good although this h as been a hard year. Have a 20x80 foot modern green house, constructed of cypress and heated with hot water. At t he present outlook will need to enlarge my glass area soon. Easter trade was especially heavy; had a fine display which drew a large crowd of visitors." Nearly a year ago Clarence B. Smith, '94, while pur suing post graduate studies here, took the civil service examination required of applicants for appointment in t he D e p a r t m e nt of Agriculture. Ten days ago Mr. Smith received notice of his appointment to t he Experi ment Station Division with request to report for d u ty April 15. He has resigned his position as principal of schools at Lawton, Mich., and will be succeeded by H. W. Lawson, '95. Valmore L. Steward, '93 TO., who has been studying at to chemical Santa Ana, California, will devote himself engineering. A recent number of t he American Journal of Science contains an article by Prof. Rowland, Carmichael and '93. Their experiments prove quite con L. J. Briggs, t he clusively t h at t he source of t he Roentgen ray is at anode rather than at the cathode end of t he tube. T he result of their investigation is attracting a great deal of attention and is being widely copied leading scientific journals. in the P e c he Island is at t he foot of L a ke St. Clair and pro jects into t he Detroit river. Here Rollo J. Coryell, '84, is located as superintendent of the orchard and g a r d e ns of Hiram Walker. Life is not entirely devoid of inci dent even in winter as will be seen from the following: " W h en t he river is frozen over we cross to Walkerville in a duck skiff mounted on runners which is drawn along vei-y easily and if the ice breaks t h r o u gh one can s t ep into the boat. Going over for a doctor recently I was careless, broke through and got wet up to my waist. On going back the doctor was pushing the boat along at t he stern while I was at t he bow. He broke in and missed catching hold of t he boat. I did not know of his trouble until he called and by t h at time I had pulled t he boat several feet ahead. I threw him a.rope and instead of pulling him out he pulled me in. As he only had the rope to hold him up his weight drew me down in t he water so t h at my h at was the only thing t h at did not get wet. His water soaked ulster was so heavy t h at he could not get out of t he water and into the boat unaided, b ut finally with my help he rolled in on one side of t he skiff as I slid out on the other to keep t ho boat from capsizing. We at last got across t he river and were asked by t he numerous and interested F r e n ch spectators, if we got wet." WHAT TO P L A NT ON ARBOR DAY. D R. W. J. B E A L. If you follow the fashion you will most likely plant sugar maples or American elms—both very nice t r e es when well grown and suitable for t he road side. Those who are more venturesome and do not care to be limited to these two kinds, may be interested in t he following, much of which was contained in a paper read at a meet ing of the State Horticultural Society held last October at Traverse City. The paper has not yet appeared in print. Let us pass to t he west of the College on t he road to North Lansing over a gently rolling surface and s ee what n a t u re has done and what t he orderly, old-fash ioned pathmaster has done. The native trees a nd s h r u bs and perennial herbs in great variety have t a k en possession of the road on either side, excepting a t r a ck of suitable width for t he passing of teams. The fences are concealed from sight for much of t he distance. Here- is a great variety of woody growth and some views such as an artist would select for his sketching. I noticed in half a mile, five or six kinds of oaks, three of poplars, two of elms, two of ashes, three sorts of hickories, eight of willows, three of dogwoods, several kinds of vibur nums, one kind of hazel, a sumach, three kinds of maples, a blue bee3h, iron wood, baswood, wild plum, wild crab- apple, sassafras, b u t t e r n u t, black walnut, grape vines, Virginia creeper, b u t t on bushes, two sorts of wild roses raspberries, several sorts of hawthorns, asters and golden rods in variety. Here are bunches of second growth called "sprouts" where some trees or s h r u bs have been cut down,—very pretty; here groups of hawthorn, beau tiful when in flower, beautiful in a u t u mn when full of fruit; and there are bunches of willows, beyond a bog of sedges and over t he willows are festoons of Virginia creeper now clothed in scarlet and crimson, as are o ur sumachs and red maples and some of t he oaks and dog woods. T he highway is in excellent condition for m o st of t he year, and I know from observation and heresay t h at city people and others especially enjoy such r o a ds where they can see n a t u re dressed in her neatest robe. On t he knolls certain sorts prevail; in t he low l a n ds others are found, while t he wet places have still a dif ferent combination. I m u st say t h at to my way of thinking, there is m u ch more to admire along this highway of half a mile whero n a t u re has made her mixed planting, t h an there is along th& t he highway north of t he College, where stand double rows of American elms. I would plant or leave, if already there, some haw thorns, dogwoods, Virginia creepers, grape vines, and a mixed lot of native trees and shrubs. In a village or in some other places they should not remain as thick as in the highway referred to, b ut choice selections could be A P R IL 14, 1896. THE M. A. C. RECORD. placed or left in certain suitable spots. To a consider able extent t he same general rule would apply to plant ing of roadsides in t he country and streets in a village. B ut no! t he owner m u st do as others have done, cut away all of these things, seed to grass, and plant maples thirty feet apart j u st one foot or just ten feet from t he fence. Along t he road above referred to I recently sold an acre apiece to two Germans, and made t he request, which they seemed to assent to, t h at I might suggest some of t he wild shrubbery t h at o u g ht to be left. They built houses and began improvements (?) by cutting out all wild shrubs and trees, leaving only a few trees which they trimmed up from t he ground. Still farther west on t he road under consideration, a pathmaster has sev eral times cut all of t he young trees and shrubbery ex cepting a few nearly in line by t he fence. He even cut down some of t he largest and finest trees a foot or more in diameter because they were n ot near enough to t he ine to suit him. In planting trees for streets, I should first seek a variety of which Michigan has sixty or seventy good native species, taking care to place each in soil suited for its best development. Once in a while some stub born man with no originality in this line of work will persist in his straight row of sugar maples; all right, by so doing t he streets will become an object lesson as they should. It is well enough to plant trees thickly along the streets of a city, b ut t he trouble comes when half or two-thirds of them should be removed to give fine specimens. Not one t he others room to make man in a thousand has t he foresight and t he nerve to take out some of t he pretty young trees before all become crowded, slim and unsightly. Then it is usually too late, and all are left to themselves. T he reader is to infer from t he above, t h at I should usually plant trees in irregular lines and mixed groups making free use of native shrubs and vines in variety adopting each kind to suitable soil. In t he southern part of t he State, especially, some native evergreens would be most excellent to mix with t he rest. Most of t he delightful views along t he roads today in t he older portions of our S t a te are d ue to what was considered a slovenly practice of a few farmers some years ago, who neglected to cut and grub out by t he roots every vest- age of hazel, dogwood, elder, hawthorn, grapevine, white oaks, and everything slick and clean, possibly ex cepting a row near t he fence. Before condemning t he suggestions here made, I hope t he younger persons, especially, will consider t he subject long and well and make comparisons of highways where t he artificial and the mixed planting are illustrated. Botanical Department. AT T HE COLLEGE. Work in t he foundry began last week. J u n i or orations in chapel began last Wednesday. T he Feronians entertained t he ladies of t he faculty last Friday afternoon. E. Ralph Pierce, with '95, m., Belding, Mich., called at M. A. C. last week on his way to Detroit. The Union Literary Society entertained t he faculty and friends from Lansing Saturday evening H. W. Mumford, assistant agriculturist will soon occupy t he rooms vacated by H. P. Gladden. Dwight Randall, with '96, m., is taking a course in mechanical engineering at t he Illinois University. The Juniors are making strenous efforts to make t he coming J u n i or Hop, on Friday evening, t he best of its kind. On Wednesday last C. J. H u p p, assistant general freight agent for t he Michigan Central Railroad, Detroit, looked over our campus, barns and farm. The Senior Mechanicals last week indicator cards from the Corliss engine in Thoman's mill, and also from t he U. S. Baking Co.'s Buckeye engine. took Prof. C. D. Smith, director of Experiment Station, went to P aw P aw last Friday to consult with prominent farmers of t h at vicinity regarding t he establishment of a sub-station. In response to t he request for t he publications by alumni, to be placed in t he library; Dr. F. J. Groner, of t en pamphlets on medical Grand Rapids, has sent subjects, for which we are duly grateful. Among t he college visitors last week were F. L. Man ning, Lyons; W. G. Smith, Sr., Howell; W. M. Hor- ton, and Elias Durfee, Fowlerville, Supt. H. R, P a t t e n- gill, Prof. C. T. M'Farland, of t he Normal School. It is proposed to organize a reading circle for t he study of Dante, or possibly Browning. All who would be interested in such study are requested to meet at Prof. Holdsworths', Wednesday evening of this week, at half past seven. L a st Wednesday evening Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Gladden were surprised by receiving a call from a load of college people, including Prof, and Mrs. Taft, Mr. and Mrs. Gunson, Mr. and Mrs. Dean, and Messrs. D u r k in and Johnson, all of t he Horticultural Department. Mr. Allen Chaplin, Bitter Creek, Sumner Co., Kansas, has just completed a course of reading in t he F a rm Home Reading Circle and a neat diploma h as been sent him. Mr. Chaplin was enrolled as a member of t he F a rm Home Reading Circle in J u n e, 1894, and h as earned his diploma by careful and patient study. T he Agricultural Sophomores are now doing practical farm work. They have two weeks of poultry judging and feeding, two weeks of stock feeding, and t he same length of time at fence building, which last includes practical instruction in building wire, rail and movable fences, and t he planting and care of hedges. Through out all this time each s t u d e nt will carry out some experi m e nt and also keep informed of all t he general farm operations. The Juniors in t he Horticultural D e p a r t m e n t h a ve for t he past week been engaged in t he preparing of cold frames, planting peas, spinach and onions, and in prun ing grapes, peaches and other fruits. Some of t he class It is have been at work learning to model vegetables. proposed to make plaster models of t he leading varieties of potatoes and other vegetables, and most of t he orchard fruits. T he former will be used for comparison and this will lessen t he number of varieties to be grown each year. The appearance of t he general museum has been changed greatly by t he installation of t he new cases and the redistribution of t he large mammals. F ew college museums have more or better specimens of our charac teristic animals. Probably the most conspicuous gap in our list of mammals is t he Bison or American Buffalo, of which we possess neither " h i d e, horn nor hoof." Though once a b u n d a nt in Michigan it is now not only absent here, b ut on t he verge of total extinction. T he Agricultural College should have a living herd of these valuable animals. H I L L S D A LE VS. M. A. C. M. A. C M. A. C. was defeated at base ball by Hillsdale Col lege at Hillsdale last S a t u r d ay in a game t h at was fast and close from start to finish. T he score was as follows: I B. P . O. A. E. A. B. R. 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Krentel, A. C, c Crosby, s. a... Adams, 2 b Warren, p. McLouth, 3 b Brown, H. N., c. f Krentel, A. B., l b . . .. Clark, 1. f Simmons, r. f 5 1 4 10 10 6 3 3 0 2 3 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 _. T o t a l s . .. 36 1 12 24 4 HILLSDALE. Myers, 1 b Whipple, 2 b . . ._ Brokaw, c Davis, 1. f. Wells, 3 b French, s. s Brown, c. f Burton, r. f Storms, p A B. R. 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 1 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 1 B. 1 3 2 1 0 2 0 3 P. O. A. 12 0 13 8 10 1 2 0 0 4 4 0 0 10 0 0 14 0 0 4 E. 1 0 1 0 Totals 37 4 13 27 15 2 E a r n ed runs, M. A. C, 1, Hillsdale 2. 3 base hits, Brokaw, Storms. Stolen bases, H. N. Brown 2, Krentel, Whipple 2, Meyers, Brown. Double plays, F r e n ch to Myers to Whipple. Bases on balls off, W a r r en 1. H it by pitcher, H. N. Brown, Myers. ren 4, by Storms 8. Umpires, Hoyt and Lampson. S t r u ck out, by War them another The game was won by Hillsdale in t he fifth when they bunched two singles and two triples which netted In t he eighth three singles and an error three runs. by Simmons gave run. O ur boys, although they got 12 hits to 13 for Hillsdale, were un It is safe to say t h at we have able to b u n ch their hits. t he most promising lot of young players t h at we have had for years. They are a little weak at t he b at and a little slow on t he infield, b ut our outfield is decidedly fast. Brown in center and Clark in left, doing especially fine work. T he three games t h at occur on our home grounds in t he next two weeks will give an opportunity for lovers of t he national game to size up our Colts. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. T he monthly meeting of this society held April 10, was of u n u s u al interest. Mr. T. L. Hankinson talked about t he " Birds of t he campus," describing twenty species which had he seen upon t he college grounds t h is sea in son. Mr. C. D. Thompson told of " S e e ds found snowbanks," giving t he results of observations made last winter in t he vicinity of t he college, including t he discovery among other weed seeds of t he " winged pig weed," a species new to this locality. Mr. C. F. Wheeler gave an account of his recent visit to t he American Museum of N a t u r al History in New York city near Central Park, describing in particular t he magnificent J e s s up collection of woods in this museum, collected and prepared under t he direction of Professor C. S. Sargent and containing every species known of North American trees. Mr. G. C. Davis described t he California system of quarantine against injurious insects as he had observed its operation while on a visit to t h at state. This system began to be developed eleven years ago immediate1 y after an unusually severe scourge of t he cotton cushion it secures t he periodical scale. As now conducted inspection of all orchards and also t he inspection of all fruit trees b r o u g ht into t he state or shipped from one part of t he state to another. Among t he remedial measures adopted has been t he introduction of some twenty or more species of lady bird beetles which a re particularly destructive to scale insects. K. L. Butterfield described briefly t he features of t he Michigan I n s t i t u te System. U n d er t he head of " O b s e r v a t i o n s" Master Norman Edwards reported seeing t he first robin on t he 26th of February. Mr. Roscoe Kedzie reported picking dande lions in flower over t he lines of steam pipes on t he campus on March 30 Dr. Beal and others reported instances of robins and meadow larks remaining in the' State all winter. Prof. Barrows mentioned, as an ex ample of how weed seeds are sometimes distributed, t h at he once counted 22,000 seeds of a single species taken from t he stomach of a duck. T he meeting closed with a few appreciative words from President Snyder. S AP F L I ES alias SNOW F L I ES et al. G. C. DAVIS, '89. These flies are one of t he earliest of our harbingers of spring. They made their appearance nearly a m o n th ago though not in as great n u m b e rs as may be seen when t he first few really warm days of spring come in succession. We seldom see t h em use their wings, b ut they are rapid walkers and are crawling over everything and into everything in a very innocent manner, indoors and out. If one sits down to write they are sure to find his h a nd and crawl over it to investigate what is going on, and then they t a ke delight in crawling over t he b a ck of one's neck, evidently for t he sport of seeing him jump* and cringe; yet aside from these few eccentric festivities there is not a more harmless insect in t he animal king dom. No d o u bt from these few reminders each reader has a distinct picture of t he fly in his mind t h r o u gh his own experience with its habits. T he picture shows us a- smoky brown, nearly black, insect, about a half inch long, slender, antennae projecting forward, narrow, many veined wings folded over its back and with two horn If we like appendages projecting back beneath them. t a ke t he trouble to examine t he wings we shall find there are four, instead of two as in all t he t r ue flies. T he first question of course is, W h e re do they all come from? Go with me down to t he Cedar River in t he a u t u m n, and in t he swift flowing part of t he stream almost any loose flat stone t h at we may pick up will be seen to have t he nymphs of these flies attached to it on t he u n d er side. The n y m ph resembles t he stone in color, b ut in shape it resembles t he m a t u re fly except t h at it lacks t he wings and h as six little clumps of white> hair-like gills for securing its oxygen from t he water instead of breathing air. Both t he n y m ph and t he fly form quite an important p a rt of t he food supply of our fishes. T he nymphs t h at escape t he fate of making a luncheon for some hungry fish, crawl from t he water and later transform to t he flies which appear with t he first spring thaw, leaving t he cast skins in abundance^ on t he b a n ks near t he water's edge. The wings enable t he fly to travel some distance from t he stream where it was bred, b ut its life is short, last ing only a week or two, and there is probably very little-- if any food taken during this time. There are many species of these flies, all of which belong to t he family Perlidae ( P e r' -li-de) and are given the common name of stone-flies by Prof. Comstock in his new work on entomology, because of the h a b it of liv ing under stones in t he immature stage. T he name by which they are perhaps most commonly known in this State, at least in t he vicinity of sugar bushes, is sap- flies. Their inquisitive n a t u re h as led t h em to where they have gotten into t he sap and has caused t he sugar maker an endless amount of trouble to skim t h em out. Snow-flies is another common name given them as they are very often found crawling over t he snow while it still covers t he ground in early spring. U n d er favorable conditions great n u m b e rs of these stone flies will be 4 THE M. A. C. RECORD. APRIL 14, 1896. found traveling upon the surface of the enow, and this gives rise to the many extravagant paper notices at such times on ihe "phenomenal appearance of insects." The stor.e flies are not alone in this habit, but there are minute wirjgless allies in a kindred order Thysanura (Thys-a-nu' ra) which are capable of activity at even a lower temparature and are known to color the whole surface of the snow by their presence in such great numbers. Next month and in early J u re another and still larger ally, the May-flies, will replace the stone-flies. They also are harmless and, like the stone-fly, are preyed upon by the finny inhabitants of our streams. Zoological Department. SOME VIEWS ON OIK CAMPUS. One who has never visited our College can have but a faint conception of the many beauties it presents. In the accompanying group of pictures are shows a few of the attractive features of our campus. Wells Hall, our largest and finest dormitory, faces an attractive open campus, which in summer affords room for several tennis courts. This hall contains rooms for about 125 students, the Club D dining rooms, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity rooms, the Hesperian Society rooms and the Columbian Literary Society rooms, in which are also held the meetings of the M. A. C. Grange. Back of Wells Hall runs the Red Cedar River, a view of which is shown, looking down from the dam. In summer the banks of this river, in places low and grassy, in others high, steep and rugged; here lined with graceful overhanging willows, there fringed with tall grasses and golden rods, and again bordered with belts of standing timber, offers many a tempting retreat for a long afternoon of study or reading. Three afternoons of each week the students appear in uniform on the parade grounds in front of the Armory and spend an hour going through the evolutions of military drill. Our illustration shows one end of the armory, the interior of which contains the office of the Commandant, a gun room, and a large drill hall. The small illustration on the right shows a part of Faculty Row and a better view of the parade ground. It is on this large parade ground that the students " cross bats" with the students of sister colleges. It has been the scene of many a hotly contested ball game, many an ex citing " hundred yards dash," "mile run," "relay run," or other athletic contests between M. A. C. and Albion or Olivet. Another illustration shows the U. L. S. Chapter House, -a handsome brick structure owned by the Union Literary Society, and in which are held the weekly meetings of this society and of the Feronians, a society of lady students. In front of this is the fountain erect ed by the Class of '73, and in the distance another view of Wells Hall is shown. Williams Hall is our oldest dormitory and it contains rooms for about 100 students. In the basement are the din ing rooms of Clubs A, B, and E. First floor con tains the Y. M. C. A. assembly room and parlors, the College book-store, a barber shop, and rooms for stu d e n t s. The second and third floors are occupied by students. Fourth floor contains the Delta Tau Delta chapter rooms, the Eclectic Society rooms, and the Olympic Society rooms. Abbot Hall, faces newest a broad shallow our dormitory, ravine, which in summer and autumn is brilliant with beds of asters and other bright hued flowers. It contains twenty-five rooms, each suit large, airy able for two students, also a commodious, well-lighted dining-room, and is thoroughly modern in everything— finish, heating, ventilation, and water appliances. At the beginning of next year (Aug. '96), fine parlors will be fitted up here, and under the charge of a competent matron, this hall will become the home of our lady students. The State Board of Agriculture has decided to meet the increasing demand for an industrial course for ladies by admitting them to this college, and before the opening of the next college year a course fully adapted to the needs of ladies along the lines of liter ature, science and household economy will have been arranged. In the midst of such healthful surroundings it seems strange that a student should ever be ill, and yet such a SOME VIEWS ON OUR CAMPUS misfortune sometimes befalls. For such an emergency our State has wisely provided a neat Hospital, facing the state road on the north side of the grounds, which contains bath rooms and all modern sanitary ap pliances, and where the sick will receive the best of care. It will not be out of place to say that our hospital has never yet been occupied by a patient. And now we invite your attention to our annual cata log for 1894-5 which contains many more fine illustra tions of College views, together with much valuable in formation regarding our courses of study, expenses, etc. If you are interested in college work write for our cat alog to THE SECRETARY. Agricultural College, Mich. THE THREE NEW WHEATS FOR MICHIGAN. R. C. K E D Z I E. It is my purpose to give a brief history of the three new wheats offered to our farmers, describe their proper ties and tell where the seed may be obtained for next fall's sowing, and the probable cost of the seed. I am in no way interested in the sale of the seed wheat, nor have I only take this I any wheat to sell or give away. course to inform the farmers and save the trouble and expense of answering letters of inquiry. History. The Golden Chaff was discovered by Mr. Robert Daw son of Paris, Ontario, in 1885. Writing under date of April 26, 1894, Mr. Dawson says, " I found five stalks of it eight years ago last harvest, growing where the other wheat was killed, and I thought it would be worth taking care of. It has done well wherever it has been tried. Last year it stood the highest in yield, highest in hardi ness, and highest in stiffness of straw, and second in earliness. It was tested in 47 townships." From this stool of wheat has come the Dawson's Gol den Chaff, which has nearly displaced all other varieties of winter wheat in that part of Canada. The Agricul tural College of Canada experimented with this wheat, pointed out its great productiveness and other valuable qualities, and disseminated it widely in the Province, thus conferring a great benefit upon the farmers of Can ada. In merchantable and milling qualities it is highly prized, and in some cases the millers have offered a pre mium of ten cents a bushel over other wheats. Seed Wheat Imported by M. A. C. Not to be outdone in so good a work, the State Board of Agriculture imported 90 bushels of this wheat for fall sowing in 1894, in order to introduce it for trial in differ ent parts of our State, placing the seed for distribution in the hands of Prof. Smith. A field of eight acres was sowed with this wheat on the College farm in 1894, and of the balance of the seed about 70 bushels, in parcels of about one bushel, were distributed in different sec tions of our State. I have not seen the returns from all these tests, but as far as heard from the report shows in nearly every case a larger yield per acre with Dawson's Golden Chaff than with any other kind, in some cases an increase of 50 per cent. In most cases the wheat harvested from this first sow ing was used for seed. It would seem that the product from this second sowing would be sufficient for an extended seeding next fall, but it is doubtful whether the public can be thus served, because the farmers seem to be inclined to keep this wheat for their own seeding instead of selling to others. The case of a prominent wheat grower in Southern Michigan will illustrate this point. He said, "I sowed the bushel I got from the College and harvested a crop better by four bushels per acre than other varieties sown under better conditions. I sowed all this crop, and now have ten acres of the handsomest wheat I ever saw." " Then you will have seed to sell next fall?" " No, sir; I shall sow every bushel of it myself." There was no doubt about his estimation cf the value of Dawson's Golden Chaff, Where to Get the Seed Wheat. I have received many letters of inquiry from persons who wanted this seed wheat in quantities varying from a bushel to a car load, and I have been trying to find where it can be bought in the quantity desired, and how to obtain it. I hope in this article to answer such inqui ries once for all. I have only a peck of this wheat in my museum, and if the parties wanting this wheat will only write directly to the parties who will have it for sale after next harvest, they will save me a peck of trouble. At the College.—Prof. Smith sowed thirty acres with this wheat last fall, and the crop at this date looks prom ising. If the season is propitious, the College will have some of this wheat for sale after harvest. For further information write to Prof. C. D. Smith, superintendent of the farm. In Canada.—By correspondence with Mr. Robert Dawson of Paris, Ontario, I learn that he can probably supply all the seed wheat wanted by our farmers. Under date of March 6, 1896, he writes: " If the coming season proves favorable for the wheat crop we can supply you with the quantity you stated, and perhaps more if you require. I cannot state what the price will be. We generally charge from 25 to 30 cents per bushel above the market price of wheat here. We can warrant it pure and not mixed with other wheats. If I am spared till about the latter part of May, I will write you and let you know what the prospects will be then for a crop of It is mostly covered with snow, and we do not wheat. know how it will come out. We hope it will be better than last year." The extra charge of 25 or 30 cents per bushel is very reasonable for the extra care and trouble in handling. These prices are for seed delivered on the cars. The cost for freight, customs, etc., will be borne by the purchaser. In case any party or neighborhood should want a large quantity of seed, it would be well to write Mr. Dawson before harvest. His P. O. address is Paris, Ontario. Chemical Department. FOR SALE 2 Registered Shorthorn Bull Calves. One roan, calved J u ne 18,1895, sired by the famous Cruickshank show and stock bull, Volunteer, 101205. Dam College Victoria C. One red, calved April 3, 1895. Sire Volunteer; dam College Mysie 4th, tracing to Imported Mysie 36th. \ Rod Pnllflfl Rllll Pfllf S i r ed by Jim Corbett, dam Cara, 8393. IritJU rUUCU DIM \JM A deep red, calved July 7,1895. \ Rnlctoin Rnll ffllf A white and black calf, sire Maurice 1 nUlbieW DIM l(ttll Clothilde, 17638, dam College Pauline Wayne, 30900, calved Feb. 13,1896. ALSO 10 SHROPSHIRE RAM LAMBS All Stock which Is not Registered Is Eligible. ADDKESS INQUIRIES TO C L I N T ON D. S M I T H, Agricultural College, Mich.