Algebra and Geometry. Algebra was studied somewhat more than one term; good progress was made, and the most important portions of Robinson's University Algebra thoroughly understood.

On finishing the Algebra, Geometry was taken up and pursued for the remainder of the term. Two books were completed, and the balance of the book is to be studied during the Sophomore year.

The class studied Book-keeping six weeks, using Mayhew's text-book, and going thoroughly through with single entry, They were practiced in all the different forms of accounts. both from the book and extemporized in the class-room.

Following this, came Physical Geography, which was pursued during the remainder of the term. The text-book was completed, and they received in addition a series of lectures on the same subject.

It is a matter of gratification to the Faculty of the College that the standard of scholarship has been very materially advanced the past few years.

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The institution, by its organic law, is required to admit graduates of the common schools, and it is to be hoped that they may continue to improve more rapidly, if possible, in the future than in the past. The foundation of the educational interests of the State is the common schools. On their advancement depends the advancement of the higher institutions, and more rapid advancement must be made by all, if Michigan maintains her high standing in this respect among her sister States.

In addition to the instruction given to the regular classes much labor has been performed in all the departments. In the chemical department meteorological observations have, been taken three times a day, with wet and dry bulb thermometers, barometer, wind-vane, and rain-gauge. These observations are taken under the direction of the Smithsonian Institute, and are furnished monthly to that Institute. These

monthly reports are compiled at the end of the year, and will appear as an appendix to this volume. These observations have been kept up and published in this way continu

ously for ten years.

Observations have been made on the ozone contained in the atmosphere, to assist in determining the influence of atmospheric conditions and fluctuations on health and disease. Also, observations on the ammonia contained in rain-water of each storm. These observations on ozone and ammonia have been made for nearly two years.

Analysis has been made of potatoes, to the vines of which, during the period of growth, Paris green had been applied, to destroy the Colorado potato-bug. This analysis was made to determine the fitness or unfitness of such potatoes as articles of food. The results have been already published in the newspapers, and show that the Paris green seems to exercise no deleterious influence whatever. Analyses have been made of human stomach in several cases of suspected poisoning. Analyses of water from Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Blissfield, to determine its value for domestic or medicinal purposes. Analysis of thirteen specimens of soil from Province of Ontario, to determine its agricultural value. Analyses of specimens of soil for Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. Numerous analyses of well water, suspected of sewage contamination.

It will not be out of place to say a word in regard to the new laboratory. After more than a year's use, the Professor in charge reports that for convenience of teachers and students alike, it fully meets every reasonable expectation. The abundant light and ventilation are above praise. Their influence is seen in the improved health and cheerfulness of the students who spend so large a part of their time in the laboratory. The self-ventilating hood, as planned for the great laboratory at Bonn, but here first tried in this country, proves so valuable an addition to the means of ventilation, and of removing offensive and deleterious vapors of every kind, that

no laboratory will be considered complete in all its appointments which does not contain the self-ventilating hood. Their construction is so cheap, and their working so completely within control, that they will be considered a prime necessity in every chemical work-room.

The museum has received valuable additions, both by purchase, donation, and exchange. Fine specimens of mammals and birds, some of them very rare and valuable, a collection of Chicago relics, large numbers of geological specimens and fossils. Entomological specimens in great variety. Specimens of insects, beneficial or injurious, have been put under glass in a large case, and so labeled that the common and scientific name, and also how they are injurious or beneficial, can be seen at a glance. This is found to be quite an interesting feature. New cases have been put in, and many specimens re-arranged.

In the gardens and greenhouse much has been done, and many improvements made. The number of plants in the greenhouse has been more than doubled. Eighty plats of native and foreign grasses, each one yard by three, were planted in the spring. They have been of much service to students and farmers, and have attracted much attention from all visitors. Many of our most valuable grasses are similar in appearance, and need to be examined together to distinguish their differences. These plats afforded just such opportunity.

The crops in the garden have been good. Little more has been raised than was used by the boarding hall. Early in the spring the grounds were laid out by a competent landscape gardener. Locations were established for drives, walks, groups of trees, and several additional buildings. About thirty square rods of drives have been thoroughly repaired during the year, and quite an amount of tile laid in portions of the grounds needing it. A good many trees and groups of trees have been planted.

In the orchard experiments were tried in destroying the lar

væ of the codling moth. Strips of woolen cloth, six to eight inches wide, were wrapped about the trunks of numbers of the trees. These were examined occasionally, and from five to forty insects were found in each cloth each time.

Some improvements have been made in the buildings. The garden barn has been moved into a more convenient and less conspicuous position. The farm horse-barn and piggery have been completed, and are giving excellent satisfaction. A large ash-house has been constructed of brick, for the use of the boarding hall and dormitories.

The College apiary shared the fate of nearly all the apiaries throughout the State during the winter of "71-2. In February it was found that the colonies were rapidly dying in the cellar, where they had been placed, as usual, in the beginning of winter. Seven colonies were entirely dead, and the remaining five exceedingly weak. In all the hives there was abundance of honey, but it was thin, and unpleasant to the taste. It was evident that the bees had diarrhoea, as the hives were besmeared, and from all arose an intolerable stench. The live colonies were immediately removed from the cellar, and placed on their summer stands. Believing the cause of disease to be poor quality of honey, one colony was placed in a clean hive, and given honey taken from the hives the previous fall. This colony began immediately to improve, while all the others died in a short time. The one colony left improved so rapidly that by the first of June it was strong enough to be divided. These two gave another strong colony the first of July, and the parent stock was again divided the first of August. Thus an increase has been made during the year of three colonies from one, and in addition to this, these colonies made 412 pounds of honey.

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