Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-07-04
COLLEGE FOR FARMERS.
Value of the Mechanical Department
Outlined.

About four years ago the mechanical de-
partment was organL cd and became "a
feature Of the Agricultural college. Sew
eral studies were OF necessity added to the
curriculum, and it 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 and the work was commence
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 DR. Nc
Louth, formerly of the state normal school,
was engaged 10 occupy the new chair as
professor of mechanics. II. Campbell WAS
employed as foreman Of the wood shops,
and the work assumed "a definite system Of
training. After being two years III charge
of the new department, Dr. McLouth re
signed to take the presidency of the Iowa
state agricultural college and Prof Will
liam +. Durand, PHI. 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 10 the practi cal 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
slSts Of eight hours per week unpaid labor
running through tae entire four years.
The freshmen go into tho wood shops,
where they devote one term to bench work,
one term to lathe work, and one term to
practical application, including pattern
work. At the be ginning of the second year
the student enters the iron shops. Here he
HaNnTng fol n h.a III 1
ment, learning TO forge, weld, temper, etc,
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, aud familiar with the
construction, adjustment anu method OF
using every machine. The degree OF pro
ticiency 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
structiOn, there has been added 10 the
original plant, the state purchasing only
the castings in the rough six engine lathes,
i've 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 made
and fit the cutters and small tools for al 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 oil bookings and other
small brass parls will hereafter be cast by
the students. They are now building 30
light power dynamo. The iucadescent ght
will be used to light the mechanical build.
ing and the library 1t is intended that this
plant will hereafter be enlarged as fast as
may he 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 accumulation of the students, there
have been made and taken away nine SIN
gle cylinder horse power engines. Sever
al engines are nearly completed at the
present time. William II. an DerNoort,
a member OF the first class entering the
mechanical course, ana pre- sent senior
class, last year constructed double cylin-
der 3-horse power engine for his own use,
which, when on exhibition at the state
fair last fall, was run at the rate of l,4OJ
revolutions per minute. When the bearings
of this engine are warm it can be started
with the breath by blowing in the steam
pipe, so perfect are all the adjustments.
Mr.. Van DcrNoort and other students are
working odd hours constructing Il boat. 1t
will be graceful. dainty little vessel 21
feet in length and five feet beam. 1t is TO
be propeller nd will be run by the
double cylinder engine above referred TO.
With this eight of the boys are intending
TO make "a tour of the lakes during the fall
vacation Two of the students are work
ing extra hours constructing electric mo-
tors.