3V 911. 0. ©. fleoorl VOLUME I. LANSING, MICHIGAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1896. NUMBER 43 Conference of Institute Workers. On Friday, November 20, there was held at the College a conference of all the Institute workers engaged for the coming winter. There were present, besides officers of the College: William Ball, Hamburg. J. H. Brown, Climax. C. B. Charles, Bangor. I. N. Cowdry, Ithaca. E. A. Croman, Grass Lake. A. P. Gray, Archie. R. M. Kellogg, Three Rivers. Mrs. M. A. Kennedy, Slocum. Mrs. Mary A. Mayo, Battle Creek. R. Morrill, Benton Harbor. A. B. Palmer, Kalkaska. Mrs. Ella E. Rockwood, Flint. J-. N. Stearns, Kalamazoo. R. L. Taylor, Lapeer. A. M. Welch, Ionia. H. E. Van Norman, Agricultural Col lege. The conference occupied the after noon and evening and was presided over by Hon. C. J. Monroe, of South Haven, who emphasized in his opening address the importance of so employ ing the institute fund as to return the largest possible value to the people. He believed this introductory confer ence, the first of the kind held in the state, together with the "round up," which has already proved itself a suc cess, would be important steps to that end. The first topic on the program was a "model lecture," by Professor Clinton D. Smith, on the "Art of Butter Making." The lecture was delivered in the professor's usual effective manner received. Following and was well came a discussion on the topic by J. H. Brown, I. H. Butterfield, Mrs. Ella E. Rockwood, A. P. Gray, I. N. Cowdry and others. < Professor Beal talked about "illus trating lectures," and exhibited num erous charts and photographs showing how and how not to do it. The most common mistake, he said, was in mak ing the illustrations too small and at tempting to show too many details. A convenient material for illustrations is muslin, which can be rolled into a small compass and easily carried. If illustrations are numerous ±hey the may be displayed with other exhibits in a separate room, which should be locked during the regular sessions. Professor Taft spoke of "adapting lectures to localities." The adaptation of the subject rests with the one who prepares the program. To properly present the subject one should, of course, be familiar with the agricul tural conditions of the locality. Some thing of this can be learned by visiting the place and talking with the people just before the meeting, but one needs to be careful how he recommends par ticular methods or varieties. It is well to leave as much of this as possible to be brought out in the discussions, and confine one's self if he can to a state ment of one's own experience. A safe and appropriate line is to take up mis takes most likely to be made. In our talks on insects, plant diseases, etc., we should go into the scientific details only as much as is required to enable one to understand how and why to apply the remedies. Wm. Ball spoke on "How to Draw Out Discussion." No two localities are alike in this respect. What is neces sary to start the discussion in one local ity may not be in another. A question box is often a good thing to get people on to their feet and start them to talk ing. These questions may, if neces sary, be anticipated by the leader of the institute and written upon slips and handed to persons in the audience to answer. WTe should bring out the special needs and resources of the lo cality. I have noticed that people who talk the least have often thought intel ligently upon these subjects and can usually be brought to discuss them if the right method is adopted. Chas. W. Garfield then followed with an address on the "Duties of the Con ductor," which appears in another col umn. At the evening session the first topic on the program was "the question box," presented by R. M. Kellogg, of Three Rivers. Many cannot speak, but all can ask questions. Would have blank slips in the hands of everyone and let the questions be written during the reading of a paper, while the thought is in mind. Mr. Cowdry: At our institutes we often open with the question box and occupy half an hour in this manner before the regular ses sion begins. I. N. Cowdry, Mrs. Mayo and J. H. Brown spoke on "Getting Acquainted with the Farmers," empha sizing the necessity of this acquaint ance, feeling necessary to bring it about, and the useful results from such intercourse, both during and after the meetings. the helpful, fraternal Mrs. Mary A. Mayo, of Battle Creek, next spoke on "Women's Sections." Michigan is the only state in which these have been adopted. Women dis cuss things better when by themselves. These sections are doing a great work, but there is much to consider in their management. The conductor should mention the section in the general ses sions and give an outline of the work it is doing. In the section itself it is of the utmost importance that everyone be made to feel that she has a part in it. To this end formality should be avoided. Most women are unaccus tomed to the routine of a public meet ing, and the ordinary formalities kill the interest. Questions should be an swered as much as possible by persons in the audience. Encourage city wom en to come in. There is a great men tal barrier between the city and the country, which is entirely ideal and ought not to exist. When the city and the country woman each understands the other each will better appreciate her own blessings and be more hap py and contented. "Advertising M. A. C. and the Exper iment Station" was presented by Pro fessor Smith, who said: 1. Don't wind up a speech with an advertisement. 2. Every institute worker should col lect material for THE RECORD. 3. Send with each item the names of persons to whom that particular item will be interesting, that copies of the paper may be sent them. 4. Take names of persons to whom sample copies of THE RECORD may be sent, especially of persons with grown up children. 5. Get acquainted with the boys and young men and take the names es pecially of those likely to go away to school. 6. Take names for the bulletin list, and distribute bulletins to persons es pecially interested. I. H. Butterfield: I believe the Col lege has been the main source and sup port of the institute movement and that it is perfectly proper to say all that may be necessary at the institutes in the way of advertising the College. I think there is no subject upon which the farmers of the state are so ignorant as this matter, and I believe at every institute one session ought to be given up to the presentation of information about the College. J. N. Stearns: "Granges and Farmers' Clubs" were discussed by Chas. W. Garfield, who said: We should avoid becoming par tisans for any particular society. Ad vocate "organization," but let local sen timent determine what form it shall take. Recognize whatever rural organ ization may exist and encourage any means of strengthening it, that the in terest developed by the institutes may be left in good hands. But whatever else you do, do not forget the County that Institute Society, for society we must work. through the Superintendent K. L. Butterfield then closed with a brief account of our institute system, as compared with those of other states. The Michigan system, he said, was a compromise between the Ohio and the Wisconsin systems. In the latter state the cen tral authorities do nearly everything. The state furnishes the speakers and also the conductor, who presides at It fixes the date and every session. place, advertises institute, and prints the programs. The people of the locality have little part in the pro gram, and "discussion" cpnsjsts in asking the speaker questions. In Ohio the local society does everything but select the date and state speakers. The topics are chosen from a list furnished by each speaker. The state assumes no direction of the institute whatever except to furnish certain speakers at In Michigan the the time appointed. the program state fixes its part of and assumes general direction of the institute, but leaves the remainder of the program, the local arrangements, and the choice of the presiding officer in the hands of the Institute Society. Going Back to Japan. GORDON H. TRUE. On the 18th of November, Frank Yebina, '95, started on his return to his home in Aomon Aomore Ken, Japan, after an absence in this country of nearly ten years. All who knew this genial, earnest, whole-souled young man were sorry to see him go from among us, and if his success in his native country is in proportion to the good wishes of his friends at M. A. C. he will accomplish great things. From the time he was a boy Mr. Yebina was filled with an ambition to do something to elevate the people of the lowest cast in his country, the till ers of the soil. Born a soldier, at the age of 16 he renounced his cast, gave up the thought of a soldier's life, and entered the university at Tokio for the study of agriculture. While here he depended chiefly for his support upon the benevolence of a wealthy neighbor, who, also, was in terested in the elevation of the farming class, and contributed $3 a month to the support of our young friend. This, with $2 received monthly from home, paid his expenses. After some three and a half years in at Tokio, hearing through a friend San Francisco that in this country there were opportunities for one to work and earn his way while in school, he determined to come to America. The friend who had aided him at the university and others came to his assis tance, furnishing money for the trip, and Mr. Yebina came to San Francisco. Here he entered the public schools, doing the housework in the family of a clergyman for his board and $5 per month. In vacation he was able to earn $10 a month. This more than paid his expenses. Having friends in some of the Indi ana colleges, he became acquainted with the opportunities for the study of agriculture, and at the same time working one's way, at Purdue. A per sonal letter from a friend to President in the assurance by Smart resulted the President that Yebina could work his way, so he came east. Here he studied for a little over three years, completing the work in the agricul tural course up to that of the spring term of the senior year. At this time the work which he had previously de pended on for his support was denied him and he came to M. A. C, working with the class of '95 through the last two terms of the course and graduat ing with that class. After graduation he did work in the dairy and upon the farm, as work presented itself, until he acquired means to pay his way home. During his stay here Mr. Yel>ina has been very active in Christian work, both in church and the Y. M. C. A., and the local organization will perhaps never cease to feel the impress of his g personality. His energy and zeal in whatever he undertook was remarkable, and to this we may attribute his success in accom plishing what he has at times under the most trying circumstances. He felt deeply the obligations he was under to those who had helped him, and ever since graduation has looked forward eagerly to the time when he should return home to work among his own people for their advancement. All who know him feel that, with his knowledge of methods of work in this country, with his push and persever ance and that spirit of unselfishness so strong in him, he will not disappoint those who have imposed trust in him. Oratorical Contest. the Plymouth . The annual oratorical contest of the College literary societies will be held Congregational in church, Lansing, next Friday evening, December 4. The representatives of the various societies and their subjects are: Columbian—S. H. Fulton, "Interna tional Arbitration." Eclectic—Clinton D. Butterfield, "The Hellespont and Its Memories." Hesperian—E. Dwight Sanderson, "A Duty and a Danger." Olympic—H. W. Hart, "American Progress, or Evolution of the Nation." Union Literary—J. W. Rigterink, "In dividualism in Society." ,...., ,.. Bristol's orchestra will furnish mu sic. Admission 15 cents. T HE M. A. C. K E C O K D. DECEMBEK 1, 1896. They were defeated by a score of 18 to 4, b ut we know they played h a rd from their appearance the next day. * * * G. N. Gould, '99, and C. H. Hoppough, '99, spent the great turkey day at their respective homes a nd Smyrna. in S a r a n ac * * * G. H. T r ue and C. E. Hoyt spent the day with Chace Newman at his home in Portland. The Union Literary society gave a formal dancing party in its rooms on Wednesday evening. The literary pro gram which w as given before dancing began included an oration by G. F. Richmond, a select reading from Chas. Dudley W a r n er by W. B. Nevins; a se lection of music by the quartet; t he so ciety paper by L. S. Munson, a nd a criticism of the exercises by Prof. Bab- cock. Among the alumni who returned to enjoy the party were C. H. Briggs, '96, from the U. of M.; J .T. Berry, '96, from Cass City, and L. C. Brooks, '92m, fromDetroit. the city, enjoyed About 200 guests, many of them from the reception given by Prof, and Mrs. Barrows and Prof, and Mrs. AVeil at the residence of the latter on Tuesday evening.. T he reception w as given in honor of Prof. Barrows' mother, who has been visit ing here for a week. The rooms were nicely decorated with roses, smilax, foliage plants, chrysanthemums and and the Ideal H a rp Orchestra added to the pleasure of the evening by render ing delightful music. In the dining room, which w as in charge of Mrs. Vedder, refreshments were served by Misses Cornelia Wardwell, Charlotte McCallum, Lilian and F ay Wheeler, and Pearl Kedzie. Quite a large College force started for Institute work yesterday—Dr. Beal, Professors Kedzie, Taft, Hedrick, Mumford, and Messrs. Gunson, True and Dean. Prof. Taft and Mr. Gun son will first attend the meeting of the State Horticultural Society in Grand Rapids, where the former will read a paper on "Education of Horticultur ists," and the latter a paper on "Some Florists' Problems." At same meeting Hon. C. W. Garfield will give the address of welcome, "A Retro spect," to which Hon. C. J. Monroe will give a response. Nine institutes will be held during the week, at the follow ing places: Kalkaska, Mancelona, Har bor Springs, E a st Jordan, Traverse City, Midland, Gladwin, Rose City and Roscommon. this T h a n k s g i v i ng Day. One of the most enjoyable gatherings of the day w as the Thanksgiving re union of Saugatuck campers in the rooms of Profs. Wheeler and AVood- worth. At 2 o'clock an elaborate din ner was served in the Wheeler dining room. At each guest's place was a sou venir menu card, the handiwork of Miss Lu Baker, who w as also a mem ber of the party. After dinner, the re mainder of the afternoon and evening was speut in recounting the events of "Auld Lang Syne" and in t he enjoy ment of games, music and dancing. * • • T he Abbot Hall girls enjoyed their first Thanksgiving dinner at M. A. C. In the evening a few of the boys were invited in and a general good time en sued, in which games played an im portant part. • * * About fifteen of the boys spent the day in Kalamazoo playing foot ball. * * * F. N. Ball, of Grand Rapids, spent Thanksgiving with his son, Waldo M. Ball, '99. * * * Prof, and Mrs. Noble entertained Mr. and Mrs. Gunson and Prof. Hedrick at dinner. * * * President and Mrs. Snyder enter tained Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Mifflin. * * * Mr. and Mrs. K. L. Butterfield took dinner at the old home table. * * * Prof. Smith ate turkey with Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Marshall in Lansing. * * * B. O. Longyear went to Mason to be thankful. A Visit to t he P a t e nt Office W. D. GROESBECK, ' 9 2 w, A S S I S T A NT E X A M I N E R. I suppose everyone who visits Wash ington for the first time, whether on business or for pleasure, starts, with his first moment of leisure for either the capitol or the White House. Next, probably, the Treasury, the Monument or the Bureau of Engraving and Print ing claims his attention; and it is only when these h a ve been visited a nd he still finds time on his hands t h at he turns to the P a t e nt Office. H is first surprise on inquiring for it may be to hear it called t he Interior Department, for this severe old white building, covering two city blocks and begun in 1836 for the use of the P a t e nt Office, has been invaded by other bu reaus of the Interior D e p a r t m e nt till the P a t e nt Office proper is crowded in to every available corner and gallery, fences off and appropriates t he ends of corridors and finds storage in sub- basements to accommodate the usurp ers; and even then 80,000 of its models have been crowded entirely out and have sought shelter nearly a block a w a y. It is r a t h er exasperating to think t h at the Bureau of Pensions, which expends over $160,000,000 per annum, is housed in t he newest and most commodious official home of a ny in the city, while the only self support ing bureau of t he government is t h us shouldered into attic and basement of the building which w as once its home, and every foot of which it could use to good advantage. According the commissioner's report for 1895, the bal ance for t h at year in favor of the Pat ent Office w as $160,750, and the treas ury now holds to t he credit of the of fice about $4,530,000. to As one enters this alleged home of the P a t e nt Office, which stands across Eighth street, between F and G streets, northwest, he finds a building of four wings, each three stories high, sur The rounding a rather large court. building w as erected piecemeal. First, the south wing, completed in 1840 at a cost of about $422,000; t h en t he east wing in 1852, costing $600,000; the west in 1856, costing $750,000, and the quad rangle w as closed in 1867 with the com pletion of the north wing, costing $575,- 000, a total of over $2,347,000. Happily these facts and figures will not all be forced down the throat of t he At t he College. C. B. Laitner, days last week. '97, w as ill several E. N. Ranney, '00, spent Saturday and Sunday, at his home in Belding. M. H. and S. H. Fulton a re having a visit from their mother from Detroit. There is a sort of epidemic of ton- silitis going the rounds in Wells Hall. E. L. Thompson entertained his mo ther and brother Eber, with '98, last Friday. Miss Teresa Bristol has been enter taining her sister, Miss Mabel Bristol, of Almont. T he time for the military hop h as evening, been decided upon—Friday December 11. Prof. H. W. Mumford spent Sunday, November 22, with J. H. Brown, at his home in Climax. Miss Maud McLaren, of Saginaw, has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Gunson since last Wednesday. Miss Louie Hill, of Pontiac, spent last week with her several days of friend, Miss Ella Phelps. The time of meeting for the King's Daughters at Mrs. Gunson's tomorrow has been changed from 3 p. m., to 2 p. m. Born to Dr. and Mrs. E d w a r d s, Tues day, November 24, a daughter. T he doctor says she is a third party, gold s t a n d a rd girl. Another girl! This makes six on the College campus within a year. This girl belongs to Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Ful ton, and she came Saturday morning. s The Juniors and F r e s h m en played last Saturday afternoon—two football 20-minute halves. T he Freshmen scored one touch-down and one goal— 6, and the Juniors nearly scored, not quite. t he Library," published Prof. Noble's article, "The Student and the RECORD of October 6, has been trans lated into Armenian by A. G. Bodou- rian, '00, and published in one of the Armenian newspapers. in We present in this issue a partial re port of t he recent meeting at Washing ton, D., C, to which President Snyder a nd Prof. Smith were delegates. This report is concerned mostly with M. A. C. boys in Washington. An account of the convention itself will appear next week, visitor; b ut he will be left to stroll at his will among "the models," which are, of course, the main source of at traction. In the main corridor of w h at w as once t he model hall, he will find cases filled with models of spinning, weaving and other textile machinery, while near by on a pedestal of its o wn is a miniature copy of Whitney's cot ton gin, patened March 14, 1794. Another case shows the development of sewing machinery, a nd among these is Elias Howe's original model. F a rm fire arms, electrical and machinery, steam machinery, typewriting ma chines and m a ny other lines are repre sented in surrounding in t he same corridor, and an a t t e n d a nt will inventions direct one to a ny class of he may wish to see. cases It will well repay anyone who h as time, to stroll through the galleries a nd sort out of all this mass of American inven ingenuity some of t he "freak" tions patented by men with "wheels." J u st a few random examples will suf fice to set one's imagination at work on w h at else there is to be seen in t h is line. One genius Avould o r n a m e nt sheet metal by enclosing it in a die a nd ex ploding gunpowder inside it till it is driven into the intaglio design of t he die. Another, fearful of being buried alive, has patented a coffin with an "upstairs" attachment, on t he l a d d er of which t he unfortunate m ay reach the surface, if he should revive. An electric a l a rm button is convenient to the "deader's" hand and a toe piece is provided by m e a ns of which he can pull down t he glass which covers his face. A Hoosier anatomist has patented a tape-worm t r a p. Imagine a five grain capsule in brass with a ring in t he t op for t he fish line; A tiny sliding door in one side, edged with teeth which a re shielded against m a k i ng the opera tor a "fisher of men," can be pulled down and held open by a bait trigger. Suitably baited, this t r ap is swallowed, line and all, a nd the patient waits for his bite. H ow successful t he device is, or how large a sale it h as had, I have never learned. tracks. A Montana railroader h as patented a train which is intended to relegate to limbo of antiquity all switches, the sidings and double E v e ry t r a in is capable of climbing over or rooting under every other train on t he s a me track. With a properly con structed locomotive in the center of t he train, long, triangular cars at each end and a track laid over t he top, t h e re you are. Trains going west r un their noses close to the track; trains going east w e ar "retrousse" noses, or vice versa, and no poor nerve-racked en gineer h as to sit, on a cold, sleety night, with his head out of the cab window and his eyes glued to the rails. Colli sions are impossible; freights t a ke t h e ir own gait, while express trains climb over them and proceed; the train dis patcher h u n ts another "yob," a nd all is well. Scores of equally brilliant and equal ly profitable ideas can be unearthed, but it would take volumes to describe them. Of all t he labor t h at it t a k es to pre pare the applications for issue as pa tents (571,323 h a v i ng been issued to date), besides t he useless work d o ne on cases a f t e r w a r ds abandoned, I h a ve not t he space to speak. T he casual visitor rarely sees the examining divi sions. Neither is there space to men tion all the formalities which a t t e nd t he prosecution of a case to its issue as a patent. All t h at is, in the w o r ds of our Anglo-Vermonter, "another s t o r y ." DECEMBER 1, 1896. ^ T HE M. A. C. R E C O R D. 3 T he Association of Agricultural Col leges and Experiment Station. P R O F. CLINTON D. SMITH. Annual meeting at Washington, D. € ., Nov. 10, 11 and 12, 1896. some E v e ry railroad line between Lansing a nd Washington h as special attraction not possessed by the others. T h e re is not one t h at does not abound in varied a na beautiful scenery, not one t h at does not pass through culti vated fields for one p a rt of the journey a nd over mountains and through val leys for the remainder. The regret of t he traveler is t h at he cannot go over all t he lines on one trip. It w as our choice to go by way of Toledo, and over the famous Pennsyl vania the Allegheny Mountains, with their coal mines and immense iron and steel foundries and factories. through road Through Ohio, by way of Mansfield a nd Wooster, where t he Experiment Station is located, the land is naturally extremely fertile and is in a high state of cultivation, as is evidenced by the excellent farm buildings and the gen eral air of thrift and success that per vades the home surroundings of the farmers. together, I shall not attempt to describe the scenery in the mountains, where for much of the way the road is so crooked t h at you can see both ends of the t r a in from t he car window if you hap pen to be in the middle car. T he train in narrow defiles over winds about shadowed by wooded mountains on either side and seemingly shut in in front by great masses of rock, when suddenly the engine d a r ts through a tunnel and in a moment you emerge half way up the mountain side and overlook a wide valley illumined in all its grandeur by t he first rays of the morning sun. Pittsburg and Allegheny a re passed, those t w in sisters of smoke furnaces and ubiquitous dirt, where t he very rich and t he very poor do not meet the mansion though overshadows the hovel, those cities of beautiful parks, fine school systems, immense magnificent buildings and factories on the one hand and the per ennial filthy springs of anarchy and crime on t he other. We are now in the heart and center of the iron industry furnaces belch t he of America and forth volumes of smoke from every niche in t he m o u n t a i n s .. On we go through Johnstown, where the station- m a s t er shows us how high the w a t e rs t h at awful flood which de came in stroyed t he city a few years ago, and points out the bridge over the innocent looking Conemaugh, where the dead bodies were strained out of t he rush the ing w a t e rs and mangled against stone piers. Next, after going up and up through a succession of inspiring mountain views, we come to the climax as we round the noble Kittatinny Point the Horseshoe Bend. and approach We have passed the summit and have begun a rapid descent into t he valley of t he "blue J u n i a t a ." Before and to the right of us is a broad valley broken up by a succession of lower mountains a nd hills all well wooded and bathed ki a u t u mn sunlight. T he view cannot be forgotten. As we round a sharp curve on the very brow of the moun the tain we come series of dams which hold in check the head w a t e rs of the w a t er supply of t he city of Altoona, lying far down in the valley below. T he h a nd of man h as smoothed off the roughness of the landscape and made the nearby view a fit setting to t he magnificent landscape beyond. into full view of the J u n i a ta for F r om Altoona to t he Maryland line plows, left-handed t he country is level, rich, well watered a nd well tilled. T he P e n n s y l v a n ia Dutch about York, with their uncouth speech, t a n d em work teams, a nd b a r ns that project a dozen feet or more over the basement walls, well deserve t he name of a pecu liar people. They a re thrifty to the utmost limit of the word, and as a con sequence are well-to-do. the and avenues t he city Washington is a most delightful city as well as this great t he capital of Republic. F r om the top of the Wash appears ington Monument spread out in a raised map for inspec tion. The streets crossing at right an gles radiating from t he Capitol like the spokes of a wheel, t he multitude of small parks and breathing places, each with its monument of some hero or statesman, and well provided with flower beds and green lawns, the central market, with its long rows of truck wagons, the "Maul" running from the Capitol to t he monument, one long park inter rupted only by the Pennsylvania rail road station (allowed there because the authorities a re unwilling to oust it), government the grand and buildings scattered over the city, to gether make a picture worthy the best endeavors of t he most inspired artist to put on canvass. finally I must not fail to mention the new Congressional Library Building. To t he uninitiated the building appears t he very acme of t he architect's art. In perfection of detail, in the general effect, in grandeur of conception and exquisite blending of sculpture, fres coing, inlaid work, painting, the build ing stands without a rival on the con tinent. Of the M. A. C. boys resident in Washington it was my good fortune to meet first Lyman J. Briggs, '93, who, after completing his work in physics at Johns Hopkins, is now devoting his energies to inventing apparatus for soil work in the division of soils of the De p a r t m e nt of Agriculture. He has late ly aided in perfecting an intricate elec trical a p p a r a t us for t he measurement of moisture in soils in place. By means of a telephonic arrangement, combined with a set of resistance coils connected with electrodes in the soil, he is able to listen to the growth of plants and tell by the sound the amount of w a t er and of salts in solution in the region of the electrodes. It would take an electrical expert to either describe or even under stand the apparatus, it w as enough for the vulgar crowd it worked. Briggs is also doing good work all along t he line. He expects soon to take a vacation and visit the western side of the Rockies, not alone to Investigate the e a r th itself, but one of its best products, a sample of which he will bring back with him. to know t h at from wandering the city which shelters In t he same building, on Thirteenth street, Gilbert H. Hicks, '92, w as inves tigating t he vitality and germinating ability of seeds for t he government, and trying at the same time to keep his to his home mind t h at across six-months'-old bouncing boy. Hicks h as had some hard fighting to do for the department and it was pleasant to hear the honored secretary and his assistant speak in the highest t e r ms of our old instructor in botany. Mrs. Hicks remembered with pleasure her life at M. A. C. and her recent short visit here. 24-pound, it to bother bacterium another the already overloaded farmer. To aid in its suppression he has given t he withering a nd euphonious name, bac illus solanacearum. The other boys from M. A. C. in these departments, I am sorry to say, I did not meet. They are all of the people highest in authority in t he de to praise p a r t m e nt did not hesitate them without stint, remarking t h at the work in the sciences in this institution m u st be unusually thorough to turn out men universally so well tiained. them doing well and W. A. Taylor, '88, t he Assistant Pom- ologist, w as glad to see a friend from his alma mater. He is making a name for himself among the fruit raisers and is doing a grand work. He needs Michigan air to restore the roses to his cheeks and Michigan fruit to fill up his overworked frame. Then there w as C. B. Smith, '94, in the office of Experiment Stations, busy as a bee, but wonderfully filled out in form and feature since he has shaken on the shoulders of his friend Lawson the cares and worries of school life. Smith is a great walker and has the map of Washington at his toes' ends. There is said to be one p a rt of t he city that he visits more frequently t h an any other, which might have accounted for the very possessive case in which I found him; but respect for his Michi- igan friends makes me desist. F. H. Hall, '88, is in t he same office and enjoying the climate of the semi- tropical city and the beautiful views from t he windows of the department office and library. Across the city to the north of Penn sylvania avenue s t a n ds t he P a t e nt Office Building. H e re I found Walter '92w, smiling as ever, D. Groesbeck, but deeply buried in stacks of manu script and tables full of drawings, all related to some intricate machine for making umbrella ribs out of strips of It w as steel, strengthened by wire. Groesbeck's duty to see whether some body else had a patent on the p a r ts of , t h is machine, and how he ever retained his sanity through all the vast mass of records and drawings, specifications, w h at not, through every detail of which he had to conscientiously pore. w as a mystery to me. Groesbeck seemed to enjoy t he work and seemed as healthy a nd happy as when he adorned t he M. A. C. campus with his commanding presence. J a m es H. Tibbitts, '73, w as about the lobby of the E b b i tt House meeting old friends and whiling a w ay the intervals between his hours of duty in the de p a r t m e nt t h at makes more money t h an all other divisions of government work. He sent his regards to all his Michigan acquaintances. I have not mentioned half the M. A. C. boys I met, b ut all t h at 1 can t h i nk of at this time. We were all proud of the work they a re doing at the seat of government, where they are reflecting honor on our beloved College. Of the boys t h at came to t he conven tion from college or station work I remember, first, Geo. L. Teller, '88, of t he A r k a n s as University. Teller cer tainly has not added to his s t a t u re by taking thought a single cubit, nor h as he shrunk in the least in his longitude. He has recently covered himself with glory by his analytical work in t he sta tion of which he is chemist. He thor representa oughly enjoyed meeting tives of his beloved a l ma m a t er and recounting old times. He is a thorough s t u d e nt and a hard worker and is bound to come to t he front. President Oscar Clute, '62, w as north from Florida. In o u t w a rd appearance he has changed but little since leaving M. A. C. He is t he s a me genial a nd dignified gentleman as ever and as sured us of his kindly recollections of this Institution and his fellow alumni. T he class of '78 w as represented by t wo members, C. C. Georgeson, Pro fessor of Agriculture in t he K a n s as Agricutural College, and E u g e ne Dav enport, Dean of the College of Agricul t u re of Illinois. t he University of t he sec Georgeson w as c h a i r m an of tion on agriculture and chemistry, and read a paper before t h at section on " H ow shall selling milk on t he basis of quality be accomplished in t he retail trade." Besides teaching a large class of students he is carrying on a line of experiments in t he station, giving es pecial prominence to steer feeding. Professor Davenport w as t he secre t a ry of the section on college work, a nd read a paper on t he causes of t he exo farm, dus of young men which w as extremely valuable a nd highly appreciated by the large audi ence which heard it. from t he THE MAPES CLOTHING CO. 2 07 and 2 09 WASHINGTON AVE., SOUTH. Our $5.00 Suit and Overcoat Sale s a i S ^a week's business demonstrated the fact that LOW PRICES and GOOD V A L U ES are great trade winners. We have sold more goods in the past 10 days, than, (consider ing the conditions of the times) we could expect to have sold in a month. We cannot stop this sale in the midst of a whirlwind of business, so will let the good work go on and continue this great profit crushing but business producing FIVE DOLLAR SUIT AND OVERCOAT SALE. We've got the goods and must have the money. We are getting desparate and bound to make business if we don't make a cent and in our higher grades of Men's, Boys' and Children's Suits and Overcoats as well as FURNISHING COODS We are offering more solid inducements, more genuine and unmatchable bargains than any house in the state. E r w in F. Smith, who studied at M. A. C. for one season at least, was also in the building. He has been at work on t he cause of a certain rot of the potato and tomato and has discovered TH6 MaD6S GIOtMDO GO. 2 0 7 a nd 2 09 W A S H I N G T ON A V E ., S O U TH T HE M. A. C. RE CO E D. DECEMBEB 1, 1896. The M. A. C. Reeord. PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE E D I T ED BY T HE F A C U L T Y, ASSISTED BY T HE STUDENTS. A D D R E SS A LL M A IL TO L O CK B OX 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 R O B E RT S M I TH P R I N T I NG CO., Printers and Binders, 108-120 Michi gan Ave. West, Lansing, Mich. Entered as second-class matter at Lansing, Mich. . For various reasons T HE M. A. C. RECORD is occasionally sent to those who have not sub scribed for the paper. Such persons need have no hesitation about taking the paper from t he postofflce, for no charge will be made for it. The only way, however, to secure t he RECORD regularly is to subscribe. " The Duties of the Conductor," BY H O N. CHAS. W. G A R F I E L D. I shall say. And when I have no model conductor in mind, a nd I shall treat you all as if you were conductors, or to be conductors, in I w h at say you shall do certain things, please do not consider me mandatory, b ut re g a rd it simply as a method of speech, as if I h ad said, " We h ad better, or should do so a nd so." I w a nt to s ay just a few words first about attributes of a conductor. First of all I w a nt a conductor to have a It is of t he utmost clear, cool head. importance if a m an is going to con duct t h at he shall not get rattled. I w a nt him to have his business so well in hand that he shall always stand upon his feet, and for a conductor to do this he must have a clear notion of w h at is at the end from the beginning, and. he must be cool under all circum stances, even if the room is hot. He must have decision of mind. 1 think, perhaps; this h as teen a fault found Willi conductors t h at I have more It t h an otiy other one fault. sefemM to me t h at decision of character Is of t he utmost importance, so t h at all t he time shall be occupied a nd so distributed t h at each m an or woman taking p a rt shall have his own time a nd own proper courtesy. An institute conductor, if he h as nothing else in t he world in t he w ay of attributes, should have gumption. I mean by t h at such a knowledge of t he world a nd such an adaptabUity to its conditions t h at if one thing will n ot right on t h e- work, he h as another string immediately to utilize. I have seen them entirely at a loss because conditions came up they were not used to, a nd did not know w h at to do. It s e e ms to me t h at an adaptability to conditions is one of the most important things connected with t he preparation. F O UR P 'S F OR T HE CONDUCTOR. T h en I think Start on time a nd end on t h at t h e re should be four letters affixed to every conductor's name, a nd each one should be a "p." I m e an by t h at t h at he should have first as an attribute to his character, punctuality. time, a nd stick to it as nearly as pos sible from t he beginning to t he end of t he institute. I say t h at this is just as important at t he other end as this end. If there is anything t h at leaves a b ad taste in t he mouth it is to n ot begin a nd end on time. E nd up so as to leave everyone feeling first-rate. T he second attribute is perseverance, that, etiek-to-it-iveness. I mean by with regard to an institute, t h at you have something in mind with regard to t h at institute as connected with t he people there, a nd bring it out in some against If everything works way. you, still keep it in mind t h at you a re to benefit this community. Do not let t he institute get a w ay from you, b ut keep to your make the right impress. idea so that you shall T he third is preparation. I know sometimes we a re called upon very suddenly, and we need to be very thor oughly equipped, b ut no conductor is called upon suddenly to conduct an institute, because he knows from his schedule that he is to conduct an insti tute several weeks ahead. He should begin to prepare for it then a nd know w h at he is to do throughout t he insti tute. I do not care how ready a m an is, how well equipped, no man can act rightly in a locality where he has never been. He must have some prepara tion. My fourth " p" is pleasantness. I do not care if one h as an audience of but three, he must "laugh a nd grow fat." If everything goes against him, he must turn up t he corners of his mouth discour —he must Every aging circumstance should in some way be turned to account in this line of pleasantness. With these four p 's to s t a rt out with, 1 think a conductor is fairly well equipped for his journey. smile. I N S T I T U TE A C C O M P A N I M E N T S. Now, I want to talk about some use ful accompaniments to every institute. I think there should never be an insti tute held without a blackboard. You may not use it very much, b ut when you do want it, you want it badly. You can use it in so many w a y s; you may not have a single institute worker that is an expert in lettering or making pictures, but there will something come up where the blackboard will be a de sirable acquisition, .«».!•«* < »** Then I would have blank cards. You c an go to a ny book-binder a nd get a lot of cards, and t he area should be pretty nearly double these (.about 3x<3 inches), a nd a conductor should have them always in his pocket, —first of all, so t h at he c an take notes for himself. You can always slip this package right into your hand. When you get home you can bring together the points for anything you desire. The rest of the cards you can have many uses for. There is a m an t h at is about to go away. He h as made some remarks, but the name you have not caught. Step to him a nd say: "I would like your name a nd address." Somebody is a fumbling around for a little bit of papeer; you have these all ready to hand out. There are a hun- " dred purposes that these cards can be made use of, a nd you can p ut 250 in a bundle in your pocket. Another useful accompaniment is the scratch-book. We h ad an illustration of t h at at t he round-up. It seems to me that every institute ought to have a scratch-book a nd pencil to go with them. If you have pencils t h at a re known to be yours, you can lend them and they will always come back. T he pencil must have something distin guishing about it to let people know that it is the conductor's pencil. These pencils a nd scratch-books a re impor t a nt a nd will be valuable for everyone who comes to t he institute to keep some thing t h at he gets there. A C C O M P L I S H M E N TS OF T HE I D E AL CON D U C T O R. I w a nt to s ay something about ac complishments. I -am referring to t he ideal conductor. My ideal conductor should be ready with a crayon. B ut if we are not ready with a crayon, I think we ought to acquire some efficiency. The conductor h as announcements to make. He w a n ts to p ut them upon a blackboard. He ought to be ready enough with a crayon to do this at any time, a nd do it clearly a nd distinctly. I think t h at t he model conductor should be a fair story teller. I would not have him h a ve t he reeord Gov. Hoard nas, b ut it seems to me the con ductor ought to have certain illustra tions in his mind, a nd ought to be able to giVe them in such a w ay t h at t he audience will at least gather a point I have known from his illustrations. conductors t h at tried to be real s m a rt and tell stories, a nd told very poor ones. This is unfortunate. 1 would not have a conductor attempt w h at he cannot do, b ut if he equips himself he can use them and use them fairly well. If I could pick out my model conduc tor I would not h a ve a m an t h at could simply smile, b ut a m an t h at could ha- ha with a good laugh. There, a re times when a laugh is contagious. I have before now m et with conductors that had such a hearty good nature about them t h at their laugh w as j u st catch ing with an audience. in this direction,particularly in Then there a re two things in the line of memory—the memory of names a nd laces—the same a t t r i b u te that enables a model merchant to know everybody and call them by name. Now this is an acquirement t h at many cannot se cure, b ut many can acquire some pro ficiency the ability to call names. 1 found, my self, with t he practice in connection with this kind of meetings, where I w as constantly meeting people, that 1 could school myself in a few weeks so t h at I could remember n a m es quite It is a m a t t er of well, comparatively. schooling largely in regard to t he mem ory of names. These two acquirements are very valuable, P R E P A R A T I O N. Mow let me Say, as a sub-topic, some thing about preparation; Tht< ebiidui!- tor Should klloiv his locality. If you a re tq. conduct an institute in the town ship of Shelby, in Oceana county, for example, you m u st know t h at t h at is a plum and peach region, and t h at those people up there a re fairly equipped along those lines, a nd that if t he insti tute gets a w ay from you it will get into t he h a n ds of those fellows. He must know t he w a n ts of t he locality, and he must know t he tendency of t he locality with to discussions regard upon t he line of institute work. He m u st have some acquaintance with t he people of the locality. I think t he con ductor should get into t he town in ad vance a nd meet and shake by the hand the merchants a nd ministers, if possi ble, a nd they should be interested in t he work of t he institute, a nd he cer should not miss, if possible, tainly meeting t he leading teachers in t he schools. We go into a locality with an institute as a means of education, ' t he people whose business it is to edu cate that community ought to be our best lieutenants, a nd we ought to gather them into t he institute. In the upper peninsula, as an illustration of that, we h ad t he three clergymen of a town come in at almost every session, and from t he very fact that they were willing to t a ke part, others were in terested. And t he average minister of the town generally knows better how to keep a discussion going t h an a ny one else in t he locality. It is important t h at t he conductor meet these people and know them, and know t he business men, so as to g et t h em s o m e w h at in terested in t he institute itself. When you go into an average village a nd meet a business m an he will s a y: "This is an interesting thing for o ur Hope you will h a ve a good farmers. "Well, a re y ou not coming?" time." "Why, t h is is for you say. They s a y: " B ut we w a nt you farmers." t he there. Is there anything t h at interests farmers t h at does not interest your business?" There is one thing t h at I h a ve found in my experience in connection w i th the State Horticultural Society—who a re t he t wo or t h r ee c r a n ks in t he locality? W ho a re t he fellows t h at have hobbies? Those men t he conduc tor should know, a nd he should know them well enough so as to understand how, in a delightful way, to sidetrack them whenever they come to t he front, and t h at needs all those four " p ' s ;" b ui you have to understand those men. T he local agricultural or horticul t u r al organizations should a l w a ys be used in connection w i th an institute, because when you go a w ay from there you leave certain things behind you, and it is well if you can leave them in good hands, so t h at t he work will go on after you; so no conductor ought to neglect t he rural organization, whether it be a grange, a farmers' club, a floral club, or w h at not, A OOOD P R O G R A M. " t h at you need Then there should be a perfect pro gram. Your superintendent is a model superintendent, because he furnishes such complete programs for you. T he is one program that you know so thoroughly t h at there c an be no mistake. You need to u n d e r s t a nd t h at t he people a re going to t a ke p a rt or going to be there. If there is one thing in connection with a toastmaster t h at is annoying, it is to be told by t he conductor that Mr. So a nd So will m a ke a speech a nd then, after you h a ve introduced him in a neat little speech, not find him there. T he conductor w a n ts to know t h at t he people a re there a nd a re going to t a ke part. ;) , *. ; .,, Along with this is the m a t t er of com plete a r r a n g e m e n ts for t he hall. Per h a ps this is one of the greatest defects; t h at is, we do not have good janitor work, everything arranged in a d v a n c e; so t h at a lot of time is t a k en up with ventilation, with a pitcher of water, and all those things, a nd you h a ve to tip-toe around after t he meeting is started. T he conductor should see t h at those things* a re all provided in ad vance. A nd t he press of a uy locality t h at a should be t he best lieutenant conductor h a s. He should know t he newspaper m en thoroughly a nd s ee t h at they a re in sympathy with t he work of t he institute, and will be pres ent a nd take an interesting p a rt in it, a nd report thoroughly t he work of t he institute. O P E N I NG AN I N S T I T U T E. T he opening of t he institute I w a nt to say a few w o r ds about. T he con ductor should open t he institute in every case. I do not know a ny excep tion. He is t he m an to call to order, to set t he ball rolling, n ot simply to do the oiling after t he things move, he is to a t t a ch t he current, and, in my esti mation, should preside at t he first ses sion of t he institute. He is to s et an object lesson for t he presiding officer t h at shall come after him. And it seems to me t h at there a re some things connected with t he open ing of t he institute t h at should be al w a ys thought of; first, promptness, of course. B ut there is another thing connected with t he opening t h at is a r a t h er delicate m a t t er to handle t h at seems of some importance. I w a nt t he things institute to s t a rt off so t h at shall be smooth from t he b e g i n n i n g- DECEMBER 1, 1896. T HE M. A. C. R E C O K D. ' 5 institute crew, an atmosphere of harmony connected with the institute. It may be done "with a song, with a devotional exer cise, with a prayer, or by telling an in teresting incident of some kind; but' let there be something to start with to bring the conductor into harmony with the institute. If once an institute is started off smoothly in the proper con dition of mind to receive everything well, we have that which will help us to glean the best. There are towns in which I would never think of having a prayer or song, but a pleasing inci dent connected with institute work, some reminiscence, perhaps, of the in stitute behind, would be better. The prefatory address should always be made by the conductor, and should be characterized by earnestness and en thusiasm. And there are certain men on the institute corps or force, that the people have not met. They have never seen their names before, some of them. It seems to me that the conductor should outline somewhat the character of his force, saying something about the men that are to make the impress upon that in stitute. If Professor Smith is to be at an institute, say that he is the pro fessor of agriculture at the Agricul tural College, and Director of the Ex long periment Station; that he has been an expert dairyman, and that they will understand everything he says to them. If Dr. Kedzie comes to the front it is well to say that he has been connected a long time with the Agricultural College and has made a strong impress. If Mr. Morrill is to be a member of the institute crew, say fruit-grower that he is a successful and that he has come up from the primer. Then people can appreciate better what these men have to say. the As I said, the institute conductor should preside at the first session. The conductor of the institute should be at the institute when it opens if no one else is there. The oil can should always be in the hands of the conductor. He is the man to look after the machinery, to notice the first break, the first piece of friction anywhere connected with the institute, and if he is not there, there is something lacking in the con ductor. Unnecessary noise should be noticed by the conductor and quieted without ostentation. should be Inattention noticed, and if it is an the part of young people, it should be quelled; if on the part of elderly people, some times it can be done in a very quiet way by just calling attention to the fact that they are missing something. The low speech of the lecturer is a very different thing for the conductor to handle. So many people will make this mistake and think that they can be heard when they cannot. Some times the conductor can go to the rear of the room and simply say: "We can not hear back here." He should be there so as to know the people there cannot hear. I have seen a conductor sit right by the president all the time, but it is just as important to be in the rear of the room sometimes and know the needs of the auditors there. There are certain people that special courtesies ought to be extended to, elderly people; see that they have seats where they can hear. Children should be looked after. See that they are not standing up. People that you see are invalids, that come at some expense of pain perhaps. All these people need to have courtesies extended to them; this matter should be in the mind of the conductor from the beginning to the end, because it gives tone to the insti tute. ALWAYS ON TOP DAVIS & CO. 10-4 W a s h i n g t on A v e. N o r th 1 04 OUR WINTER GOODS ARE NOW IN—WE WILL BE PLEASED TO SHOW THEM TO YOU. OVERCOATS, ULSTERS, BICYCLE OVERCOATS PEA JACKETS AND VESTS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE BREASTED MELTON SUITS ALL UP TO DATE. Also Full Line of . . . Furnishings and Hats The conductor may ask questions oftentimes to draw out the speaker. He can often start the discussion when all is quiet, and no one else is ready. The long-winded man should be shut off. If you cannot do it in one way, do it in another: and if you have to teach an object lesson with regard to the rights of others, teach it clearly and distinctly. Do it so that an impression will be made that it is a discourtesy to talk too long, because it is intrench ing upon the time of others. These things are perhaps as important to teach as to teach that the milk must be clean in order that the butter may be good. INTKODTJCTIONS. A matter of a good deal of import ance is the matter of introductions. T have known an institute worker, who was just full of good things that he could give out, to go to the hotel and stay until just time for him to give his talk, and to leave immediately after. Now, this is all wrong, and the con ductor should see that introductions are made. The conductor, as far as his force is concerned, should be an autocrat, and should be so recognized by the institute force. The matter of exhibits, it seems to me, should be thought of by the con ductor in advance. There are a num ber of things that Can be utilized. Some people cannot talk without they have an ear of corn or a potato in their hands. The exhibit may consist of anything peculiar to that locality, or that can be made useful in illustrat ing anything connected with the work of the institute. I think we ought to have an enroll ment in some way or other. I do not know just how to compass it, but it is a thing to think of. The newspaper men will tell you that names are worth dollars to them. So it is to the Super intendent of Institutes and to the Agri cultural College. CLOSING AN I N S T I T U T E. institute In closing up there the should be engendered the utmost good feeling. Never let the institute die on your hands as a conductor. Always have in mind that the result of the in stitute depends largely upon the atti tude of mind the people have in regard to it when they go away. Let them go away happy, interested. So I should avoid having an acrimonious discus sion just at the close of the institute. If anything of that kind comes up. bury it in some way, so that there shall be left a pleasant aroma after the institute is closed. Always impress at the very close the importance of a higher, richer, nobler, and more con tented rural home life. Never leave a locality without making some partic ular impress for that locality—some thing that everybody in the audience will remember. Some member of your institute force may do it, but some body ought to leave something that will stay with all of the people. There ought to be some impress made upon the community itself. Gome in and see us anyway BUY Y O U R- IP YOU MAKE A Clothing, Hats, Caps and Furnishing Goods .OF.. H. Kositchek & Bros. 1 13 WASHINGTON AVE. N. Ttie MAUD S WIND MILL AND PUMP 60MPflNY, Manuf a cturers of CYCLONE PROOF CALVANIZED STEEL WIND MILLS AND "MAUD S" PUMPS, Lansing, Mich I MICHIGAN SUPPLY COMPANY WHOLESALE DEALER TN Belting, Hose, Iron Pipe and Fit tings, Tubular Well Supplies, etc. S T A TE A G E NT F OR MAUD S PUMPS, LANS,NMH MICHI6AN M. A. C. SPECIAL RATES ON PHOTOS AT **Mistake And get in the wrong place try Thompson & Van Buren for your next job of printing. IF YOU NEVER MADE A **Mistake y o u ' re s u re Be started r i g ht (for Thompson & V an go Buren's) ahead. t h en OTTAWA STREET EAST Phone 192 New Phone 76 J. G. REUTTER 322 Washington Ave. South F r e sh AND S a lt M e a ts FINE CHICAGO BEEF A SPECIALTY We are Headquarters for all Rinds of Home- Mad e Sausage. SHARPSTEEFS STUDIO. W. S. BAILEY New Grand Hotel EVERYTHING NEW Special R a t es to M. A. C. Boys R. RENNER, Proprietor 1 09 MICHIGAN AVE. W. 1 6L0THIN0 I>. A. SEEI/EY, College A g e n t. JESSOP 6* SON Have the neatest Box Calf Shoe in the country. Practically water proof. In needle and new opera toe. Cleanest shoe on the market for #2.00. Winter Russets in all styles from $150 to $5.00. CASH SHOE STORE ^^Hollister Block, Lapsing. 6 T HE M. A. C. R E C O R D. DECEMBER 1, 1896 News from Graduates and Students. Official Directory. BOYS ! B U C K — —^ Furniture — RIGHT. ALL GOODS DELIVERED TO THE COLLEGE FREE. Best Woven Wire Cots, - - ^1 25 Best Woven Wire Springs, - 1 50 WE SELL EVERYTHING. M.J.&B.M.BUCK O P EN E V E N I N G S. LOWEST PRICES Will be quoted to SCHOOL ... LIBRARIES... And others sending lists of books wanted to Lansing Book & Paper Co., L A N S I N G, M I C H. ...My... Neckwear Stock Contains all t he Latest Ideas as to SHAPE, G0L0R AND PATTERN lower and the price than ever before. Wonld be pleased to have you come in and see it. B E F O EE P U K C H A S I NG YOUR F A LL A ND W I N T ER = H A T= Allow me to show yon Allow me to show yon some natty " Up to D a t e" some natty " Up to D a t e" styles. Nothing but relia styles. Nothing bnt relia ble qnalities find place in ble qnalities find place in my stock. my stock. STUDENT'S PATRONAGE SOLICITED. STUDENT'S PATRONAGE SOLICITED. ELGIN MIFFLIN ELGIN MIFFLIN THE OUTFITTER. THE OUTFITTER. That new silk hat that Geo. Rich mond wears has been charged to the election expenses of Clay Tallman, '95. J. H. Briley, '96, is teaching at Heth- erton, Otsego county, and has been elected a member of the board of school examiners. R. A. Latting, with '97, now in the law course at the TJ. of M., is one of the managers of a Teachers' Agency at Ann Arbor. Frank Yebina, '95, on his way to Japan, stopped long enough at Pueblo, Colo., November 21, to drop a line to friends at the College. B. F. Bain, '93m, has severed his connection with the American Stoker Co. and is now with the Pasteur Cham- berland Filter Co., of Dayton, Ohio. Herbert L. Fairfield, with '98w. writes from Arizona that lie is enjoy ing fresh picked melons and strawber ries. He expects to go into the dairy business. The Lewiston school building, where H. B. Fuller. '92, is principal, was de stroyed by fire two weeks ago. Only one day of school was lost, however, seats being improvised in the city hall. News comes to us of the marriage of Prof. Henry Thurtell, '88, of the Ne vada State University, to Miss Mary Snow, of Reno, Nev. Just when the wedding occurred we are unable to state, but it was just before the open ing of the school year. Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia, just ready to be issued by D. Appleton & Co., has 35 associate editors. Of these 35 specialists selected from all fields of literature, science, art and theology. M. A. C. alumni are repre sented by two men: Liberty H. Bailey, '82, on agriculture, horticulture and foresty, and Charles E. Bessey, '69, botany and vegetable physiology. J. F. Merkel, with '97m, writes from Milwaukee: "I take great delight in reading the RECORD, for it keeps me in close connection with the College, and, indeed, I do not wish to forget her very soon. I often wish I could have stayed and graduated. One only feels the lack of good education when he comes to need it." Hundreds of others who have dropped out have wished as Mr. Merkel does. A. C. Redding, '83, formerly profes sor of chemistry in Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio, is now at Baker City, Oregon. In the spring of 1896 he took Greeley's advice. He became assayer for a gold mine, and has made over 1,500 assays besides making several prospects the past season. "There are three of us on six claims which have $500,000 worth of ore in sight. Shall put up plant in the spring and turn out bullion Coming east in about 30 days to get my wife and babies/' We are indebted in Guy L. Stewart, '95, principal of Gaylord schools, for several of the items about former stu dents this week. He is doing consid erable studying, and is taking an active part in the teachers' associations and farmers' institutes. He wants all members of the class of '95 to keep in mind the Triennial Reunion at M. A. C. next year, and not only to keep it in mind but to be there. Guy is keeping a record of the class and would be glad to have the members keep him posted. "Pop, what is promptness ?" "Prompt ness? Well, it is a bad habit of always being on time and getting tired to death waiting for people who are not." —Chicago Record.. Sunday Chapel Service—Preaching at 2:30 p. m. Y. M. C. A.—-Holds regular meetings every Thursday evening at 6:30 and Sunday evenings at 7:30. S. H. Ful ton, President. C. W. Loomis, Cor. Secretary. Y. W. C. A. regular weekly meetings for all ladies on the campus Tuesday evenings at 8 o'clock, in the ladies' par lors. Meetings on Sunday evenings with the Y. M. C. A.; Miss Edith F. McDermott, President; Miss Alice Georgia, Cor. Secretary. M. A. C. Grange—Meets every three weeks on Tuesday evening in the Co lumbian Society rooms. Prof. C. D. Smith, Master. H. W. Hart, Secretary. Society—Regular meeting second Friday evening of each month in the chapel at 7:00. H. C. Skeels, President. W. R. Kedzie, Sec retary. Natural History Botanical Club—Meets first and third Friday of each month in the Botanical Laboratory at 6:30. T. Gunson, Presi dent. W. R. Kedzie, Secretary. Dante Club—Meets every Wednesday evening at 7:30 in Prof. W. O. Hed- rick's office, College Hall. Prof. A. B. Noble, President. M. A. C. Athletic Association—C. B. Laitner, President. G. B. Wells, Sec retary. Columbian Literary Society—Regular meeting every Saturday evening in their rooms in the middle ward of Wells Hall, at 7:00. E. H. Sedgwick, President. C. F. Austin, Secretary. Delta Tau Delta Fraternity—Meets Friday evenings in the chapter rooms on fourth floor of Williams Hall, at 7:00. E. A. Baker, President. C. P. Wykes, Secretary. Eclectic Society—Meets on fourth floor of Williams Hall every Saturday at 7:30 p. m. C. D. Butterfield, Presi dent. Manning Agnew, Secretary. Feronian Society—Meets every Fri day afternoon at 1:00 in Hesperian rooms. Miss Sadie Champion, Presi dent. Miss Marie Belliss, Secretary. Hesperian Society—Meetings held every Saturday evening in the society rooms in the west ward of Wells Hall at 7:00. J. D. McLouth, President. R. H. Osborne, Secretary . Olympic Society—Meets on fourth floor of Williams Hall every Saturday evening at 7:00. H. W. Hart, Presi dent. C. J. Perry,/Secretary. Phi Delta Thej:a Fraternity—Meets on Friday evening in chapter rooms in Wells Hall, at 7:00. W. G. Amos, Presi dent. F. H. Smith, Secretary. Union Literary Society—Meetings held in their hall every Saturday evening at 7:00. E. A. Robinson, Presi dent. S. F. Edwards, Secretary. Tau Beta Pi Fraternity—Meets every two weeks on Thursday evening in the tower room of Mechanical Laboratory. G. A. Parker, President. E. H. Sedg wick, Secretary. Club Boarding Association—I. L. Simmons, President. H. A. Dibble, Secretary. Try and Trust Circle of King's Daughters — Meets alternate Wednesday. Mrs. C. L. Weil, Presi dent. Mrs. J. L. Snyder, Secretary. every FOR A N Y T H I NG IN HARDWARE, STOVES, TINWARE, GRANBTE WARE, CUTLERY, ETC. TRY~ ... Norton's Hardware III Washington Ave. S. ...COLLEGE BUS... Leaves M. A. C. for Lansing at 8:30 a. m. and 1:30 p. m. Returning, leaves Lans ing at 10:30 a. m. and 4:30 p. m. Packages left at Emery's will receive prompt attention. Livery or Bus for picnics at resonable rates. NEW PHONE H. O. PALMER HAVE YOU FIVE OR MORE COWS ? HAVE YOU FIVE OR MORE COWS ? If so a " Baby " Cream Separator will earn its cost for If so a " Baby " Cream Separator will earn its cost for If so a " Baby " Cream Separator will earn its cost for you every year. Why continue an inferior system you every year. Why continue an inferior system you every year. Why continue an inferior system another year at so great a loss ? Dairying is now t he another year at so great a loss ? Dairying is now t he another year at so great a loss ? Dairying is now t he only profitable feature of Agriculture. Properly con only profitable feature of Agriculture. Properly con only profitable feature of Agriculture. Properly con ducted it always pays well, and must pay you. You ducted it always pays well, and must pay you. You ducted it always pays well, and must pay you. You need a Separator, and you need t he B E S T , — t he need a Separator, and you need t he B E S T , — t he need a Separator, and you need t he B E S T , — t he " Baby." All styles and capacities. Prices, $75. " Baby." All styles and capacities. Prices, $75. " Baby." All styles and capacities. Prices, $75. upward. Send for new 1894 Catalogue. upward. Send for new 1894 Catalogue. upward. Send for new 1894 Catalogue. THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR CO., THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR CO., THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR CO., GENERAL OFFICES: GENERAL OFFICES: GENERAL OFFICES: 74 CO RTLANDT S T R E E T, 74 CO RTLANDT S T R E E T, 74 CO RTLANDT S T R E E T, N EW YORK. N EW YORK. N EW YORK. sp«500ooooo»ooo©»o»eoo«oo: barefoot girls $2.95 barefoot girls $2.95 barefoot girls $2.95 will not be particularly interested in t he very l a t e st style shoe will not be particularly interested in t he very l a t e st style shoes will not be particularly interested in t he very l a t e st style shoes m a de up on t he new round toe l a s t s, but girls who wear shoe made up on t he new round toe l a s t s, but girls who wear shoes made up on t he new round toe l a s t s, but girls who wear shoes will be pleased to see them. Made in finest Vici Kid, ham will be pleased to see them. Made in finest Vici Kid, h a nd will be pleased to see them. Made in finest Vici Kid, h a nd t u r n ed or welt, (extension) soles, lace or button. We cal t u r n ed or welt, (extension) soles, lace or button. We call t u r n ed or welt, (extension) soles, lace or button. We call special attention to a heavy sole s t r e et shoe, m a de from soft special attention to a heavy sole s t r e et shoe, m a de from soft, special attention to a heavy sole s t r e et shoe, m a de from soft, dull goat skin, fine as silk, t o u gh as c a l f s k i n, at $3.50 a paii dull goat skin, fine as silk, t o u gh as c a l f s k i n, at $3.50 a pair. dull goat skin, fine as silk, t o u gh as c a l f s k i n, at $3.50 a pair. We offer t h e se to g et t h em s t a r t ed at TWO N I N E T Y - F I VE We offer t h e se to g et t h em s t a r t ed at TWO N I N E T Y - F I V E. We offer t h e se to g et t h em s t a r t ed at TWO N I N E T Y - F I V E. REPAIRING. REPAIRING. REPAIRING. a nd mend rubbers C D. WOODBURY a nd mend rubbers C D. WOODBURY and mend rubbers C D. WOODBURY We repair shoes We repair shoes We repair shoes 103 W a s h i n g t on Ave. S. 103 Washington Ave. S. DECEMBEE 1, 1896. T HE M. A. C. K E C O K D. A. C. C. A. This new combination of letters stands for the newly organized Agri cultural College Cooperative Associa tion. F or several weeks a committee h as been at w o rk on constitution, plans, etc., for an organization to buy books and stationery direct from pub lishers. L a st Monday evening, after t he faculty had voted to order books through a cooperative association, if such were organized, a mass meeting w as held and a temporary organiza the next four tion resulted. During days about 180 persons subscribed for stock and on F r i d ay evening a meet ing of subscribers was held and a per manent organization The following officers were elected: Presi dent, Professor W a r r en Babcack; vice president, L. S. Munson; secretary, H. W. H a r t; treasurer, I. H. Butterfield. These officers, together with W. G. Amos, '97; H. L. Becker, '98; W. H. Flynn, '99, W. T. P a r k s, '00, Prof. W. O. Hedrick and Mr. C. E. Hoyt, consti tute the board of directors, who will elect a manager to conduct the busi ness. effected. Shares of stock cost 75 cents each and members will receive books and stationery at cost. Others will prob ably pay the ordinary price. The asso ciation will order books of any kind for members, not only while they a re at College, b ut after they have gone away, so t h at its benefits a re not limit ed to t he few years of attendance at M. A. C. A g r i c u l t u re as a Vocation. A. J. COOK, '00. those pursuits a re apt In considering briefly this science or vocation, whichever it may be termed, it cannot be thought otherwise t h an one of the most important occupations in Avhich man is engaged. Other oc cupations are useful and necessary. to be But them changed by time, and some of m ay entirely disappear, but farming cannot. It is one of the most essential pursuits, and it is to the interests of every one t h at this calling be honored and prospered. If the efforts and la bor invested in it a re not well recom pensed is it not because it is not ener getically and wisely followed? T he opinion of many people is t h at this vocation should only be followed by those who already own large, fer tile t r a c ts of land, and an abundance of implements, and that only this class can m a ke the farm pay financially. The statement which John Jacob As- tor made, t h at his first thousand dol lars w as secured with more difficulty t h an the rest of his fortune, can in t he majority of cases, be applied to this occupation. A first-class and profitable farm can not be made in a few months, by one of limited means, and one who depends upon it entirely for support. But is there an honorable business which can be made a success without years of hard work? It There is as much room on the farm for using good business methods, as in almost any other occupation. is being regarded more and more as a science, and is requiring more thought and more education t h an ever before. It is especially necessary now, when the prices of all farm products a re so low, t h at the largest returns be re ceived for the smallest amount of capi tal and labor invested. If we look b a c k w a rd in the history of our country, to within 40 years ago, It is found t he sciences was not needed to become a successful agriculturist. One cannot, t h at a knowledge of as in former times, engage in this busi ness, or in a ny other, and m a ke it truly successful without first having a fairly good education as a foundation. There a re m a ny people, especially young men, having no knowledge whatever, of farm operations, who have gone and are going into the business, sometimes investing all t he money they possess. They fail, and are forced to begin life anew, while a proper training and con ception of the pursuit would have averted this failure. Let us not consider it a vocation which will need but a part of our ener gies and powers, as many suppose. Records of the successful men in this science show t h at those who have used brains, perseverance, and pluck, along with hard work, have accomplished as much for the amount invested, as those of other professions. The person who engages in this work, after having a college training, is the one who should excel. If he does not reach the standard laid down before him, he is severely criticized, and a re flection is often made on the source of his training. We who have chosen it as a voca tion should regard it as one of the most pleasant pursuits which we can fol low, and do all in our power to m a ke it worthy of the attention and respect of all. Board of A g r i c u l t u r e. Hon. F r a n k l in Wells, P r e s i d e n t . . . . . .. Constantine. Hon. Chas.W. Garfield. .Grand Rapids. St. Clair. Hon. Chas. F. Moore Hon. C. J. Monroe South Haven. Hon. Henry Chamberlain.Three Ooaks. Delhi Mills. Hon. W. E. Boy den Gov. John T. Rich Ex Officio The President of the College..Ex Officio Hon. I. H. Butterfield, Secy... Mich. Agr. College. F a c u l ty and Other Officers. J. L. SNYDER, A. M., P h. D., Presi dent. R O B E RT C. K E D Z I E, M. A., M. D., Professor of Chemistry, and Curator of the Chemical Laboratory. W I L L I AM J. BEAL, M. S., Ph. D., Professor of Botany and Forestry, and Curator of the Botanical Museum. E. A. A. GRANGE, V. S., Professor of Veterinary Science. L E VI R. T A F T, M. S., Professor of Horticulture and Land scape Gardening, and Superintend ent of the Horticultural De partment. H O W A RD E D W A R D S, M. A., L L. D., Professor of English Literature and Modern Languages. H E R M AN K. V E D D E R, C. E., Professor of Mathematics and Civil Engineering. H E N RY H. BANDHOLTZ, 2d Lieut. 6th Inf., U. S. A., Professor of Military Sciences and Tactics. I. H. B U T T E R F I E L D, Secretary. CLINTON D. SMITH, M. S. Professor of Practical Agriculture, and Superintendent of the F a r m. CHAS. L. W E I L, S. B., Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Mechanical Department. W A L T ER B. BARROWS, S. B., Professor of Zoology and Physiology, and Curator of the General Museum. F R A NK S. K E D Z I E, M. S., Adjunct Professor of Chemistry. W I L L I AM S. H O L D S W O R T H, M. S., Assistant Professor of Drawing. P H I L IP B. W O O D W O R T H, B. S., M. E. Assistant Professor of Physics. ALVIN B. NOBLE, B. Ph., Assistant Professor of English Litera ture and Modern Languages. C H A R L ES F. W H E E L E R, B. S., Assistant Professor of Botany. W I L B UR O. H E D R I C K, M. S., Assistant Professor of History and Po litical Economy. W A R R EN BABCOCK, Jr., B. S., Assistant Professor of Mathematics. E D I TH F. McDERMOTT, Professor of Domestic Economy and Household Science. MRS. LINDA E. LANDON, Librarian. H. W. MUMFORD, B. S., Instructor in Agriculture. GAGER C. DAVIS, M. S., Instructor in Zoology. A. L. W E S T C O T T, B. M. E., Instructor in Mechanical Engineering. DICK J. CROSBY, B. S., Instructor in English. M E R R I TT W. F U L T O N, B. S., Instructor in Agriculture. BURTON O. LONGYEAR, Instructor in Botany. CYRUS C. P A S H B Y, B. S., Instructor in Mathematics. GORDON H. T R U E, B. S., Instructor in Dairying. C H A R L ES E. MARSHALL, P h. B,. Instructor in Bacteriology. H. E. SMITH, B. S. Instructor in Mechanical Engineering. K. L. B U T T E R F I E L D, B. S., Supt. F a r m e r s' Institutes and College Field Agent. D. B. B A L D W I N, Engineer. THOMAS GUNSON, F o r e m an of Greenhouse. F. C. K E N N E Y, Assistant Secretary. E R N E ST W I T T S T O C K, F o r e m an of the F a r m. W. S. L E O N A R D, F o r e m an of Machine Shop. T H O M AS D U R K I N, Foreman of the Horticultural Depart ment. C H A R L ES E. HOYT, and F o r e m an of the Wood Shops F o u n d r y. E. S. GOOD, Clerk to President. C H A CE NEWMAN, Clerk of Mechanical Department. S t a t i on Council. Clinton D. Smith, M. S Director and Agriculturist. J o n a t h an L. Snyder, Ph. D., P r es L. R. Taft, M. S Robert C. Kedzie, M. A., M. D. Ex Officio. Horticulturist I ra H. Butterfield, Chemist. Secretary and Treasurer. Advisory a nd Assistant Staff. A. A. Crozier, M. S Assistant in Agriculture. . . . T H E - -^ Farm Department OFFERS FOR S A L E: Two very fine Duroc Jersey Sows, seven m o n t hs old, eligible to r e g i s t r y; all color a nd f o r m. r i g ht in Poland China Six Pigs, in e x c e l l e nt six m o n t hs old, b r e e d i ng c o n d i t i o n, l a r ge a nd t h r i f t y; p e d i g r ee t he b e s t. A pure bred Holstein- Friesian Bull Calf, b o rn in S e p t e m b e r, 1896, o ut of College R o sa B o n h e u r, a d a u g h t er of Rosa B o n h e ur F i f th w i th a r e c o rd of 106 l b s. of m i lk in a day. College R o sa g a ve 50 l b s. of m i lk a d ay for seven c o n s e c u t i ve d a ys in n e a r ly O c t o b e r, t w e l ve b u t t e r. T he calf was M a u r i ce C l o t h i d e, for several y e a rs at t he h e ad of t he H o l- stein h e rd at t he C o l l e g e. T h is i n to a b u ll calf will d e v e l op a ny H o l s t e in fit h e rd h e ad t he c o u n t r y. c o n t a i n i ng of sire of p o u n ds t he to in Herbert W. Mumford, B. S . . . A l s o . .. Assistant in Agriculture. H. P. Gladden, B. S Assistant in Horticulture. M. L. D e a n. .Assistant in Horticulture. Thorn Smith, B. S Assistant in Chemistry. E. A. A. Grange, V. S .. Consulting Veterinarian. G. C. Davis, M. S Consulting Entomologist. Botanist. Librarian. Chas. F. Wheeler, B. S Mrs. L. E. Landon T. T. Lyon, So. H a v en In charge of Sub-Station. R. L. Taylor, Lapeer In charge of Apiary. Show Birds of several of t he l e a d i ng Breeds of Poultry Address, Sub-Stations. CLINTON D. SMITH, Grayling, Crawford county, 80 acres deeded. South Haven, Van Buren county, 10 acres rented; 5 acres deeded. Superintendent of Farm, Agricultural College, Mich. T HE M. A. C. R E C O R D. DECEMBER !>• 1896.