Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-06-28
COLLEGE FOR FARMERS.
Value Of the Mechanical Department
Outlined.

| About four years ago the mechanical de-
| partment was organized and became q
| feature OF the Agricultural college. Sew
eral studies were OF necessity added TO the
| curriculum, and IL was deemed expedient
| TO add "a new course TO the college work,
known as the mechanical course. James
| Wiseman Was engaged as foreman OF the
iron shops, aud the work was commenced
| In some vacant rooms in the boiler house
under the direction of Prof. X. T.. Carpen
ter OF the department OF mathematics and
engineering. An appropriation having been
obtained the mechanical building was
erected the following year, and DIR. Nc
Louth, formerly OF the state normal school,
was engaged TO occupy the new CHAIR, as
professor OF mechanics. III. Campbell was
employed as foreman Of the wood shops,
ana the work assumed dehnite system OF
training. After being two years ia charge
OF the new department, DIR. McLouth re-
signed TO take the presidency Of the Iowa
state agricultural collese and Prof. Will
liam r. Durand, Ph. d., was secured as
his successor. Prof. Durand is "a graduate
OF the United States naval academy at An
napolis, and resigned his commission in
the navy TO take the position offered him
here.
The studies of the mechanical course are
arranged with reference TO the theological
knowledge necessary TO the practical me.
chanic and the mechanical engineer, and
the shop work gives the necessary training
To enable each student TO put this knowl-
edge into practice. The shop practice con-
ssts OF eight hours per week unpaid labor
running through the entire four years.
The freshmen go into the wood shops,
where they devote one term to bench work,
one term TO lathe work, and one term 10
practical application, including pattern
work. At the be ginning of the second year
the student enters the iron shops. Here he
devotes one term TO the blacksmith depart
n
including tool fitting. He then enters the
machine shop and beginning at the vice
with cold chlsel and file, he proceeds in reg
ular order TO become skilled with every
process in the shop, and familiar with the
construction, adjustment and method OF
using every machine. The degree OF pro-
hciency acquired and the grade of work
turned out Is really astonishing.
AS the result OF the unpaid student labor,
rendered as "a part OF the mechanical in
structon, there has been added 10 the
original plant, the state purchasing only
the castings in the rough, six engine lathes,
tive wood lathes. one jig saw, one steam
pump, and "A % horse power engine, which
furnishes the power TO run the entire plant.
Beside these the students have constructed
the iorges in the blacksmith shop and IN de
and bit the cutters and s'nall tools for all OF
the machines. Drills of all kinds, taps, dies,
etc, are made that Will stand being com.
pared with similar tools from the best tool
works in the country. A small brass fur
mace has recently been constructed in the
blacksmith shop and all box ings and other
small brass parts will hereafter be cast by
the students. They are now building a 30
light power dynamo. The incadescent ght
Will be used TO light the mechanical build
ing and the library. 1t is intended that this
pant will hereafter be enlarged as fast as
may be by student labor until all buildings
of the college grounds are lighted by cleo
tricity.
AS result of extra work, mostly on Sat
urday forenoons, when the shop is run for
the accommodation Of the students, there
have been made and taken away nine SIN
gle cylinder 3 horse power engines. Sever
al engines are nearly completed at the
present time. William H. an Derry oort,
IA member OF the first class entering the
mechanical course, ana present senior
cld SIS, last year constructed double cylin-
der 3horse power engine for his own use,
which, when on exhibition at the state
tair last fall, Was run at the rate OF l,4OJ
revolutions per minute. When the bearings
of this eng ne are warm il can be started
with the breath by blowing in the steam
pipe, SO perfect are all the adjustments.
Mr.. Van Derry oort and other students are
working odd hours constructing boat 1t
will be graceful, dainty Lite vessel 20
feet in length and five feet beam. II is To
be propeller and will be run by the
double cylinder engine above referred 10.
With this eight Of the boys are intend NJ
to make tour Of the lakes during the fall
vacation. Two of the students are work
ing extra hours constructing electric mo-