, the accumulation of years, and
the impenetrable briar thickets near the buildings.

During the latter part of the first spring term in 1905 the boys applied
two good coats of lead and oil in cream and white to the Boys' Hall. The
work was well done although it was the first work of the kind any of
them had ever attempted. The appearance of the building was greatly
improved, and every boy was delighted to find how quickly the painter's
art could be learned.

The black picket and crooked worm fences around the buildings were then
removed and replaced with good board and wire fences. The extent of good
and substantial fences, erected during this period, aggregate about 100
rods of board and picket fences around the campus, garden and stock
yards; 12 large farm gates, all hung between tall posts with overhead
tie; and 780 rods of web and barb wire fence; all set with good Bodark
or Locust posts, top down and reinforced with a strong oak stub in every
panel, making a valuable permanent improvement.

In March 1906 a young orchard was planted consisting of 50 trees, that
include a number of the best varieties of apples and peaches suited for
that section. These were supplemented with a similar lot in 1913.

The purchase of lands, begun in 1908, as soon as the restrictions were
removed, was continued until 1912 when the aggregate included fifteen
different purchases, making 270 acres and costing $2050.00.

Twenty-five acres were cleared of previously ringed and dead trees and
thirty more were enclosed and cleared of underbrush and useless trees.

The surface drainage work begun in 1905 and completed in 1912, included
outlets to all the little ponds near the buildings, the deepening of the
artificial pond north of the buildings, a deep drain with branches,
through the meadow and another one through a large slough at the
northwest corner of the farm.

BUILDINGS

The first building erected was a log house 24x32 feet with a good
cistern in 1906, and for the number of its conveniences it is an
excellent model. A cut and description of it will be found in the latter
part of this volume.

A new shed was also built that year, on the east side of the commons,
for the convenient, daily care of the growing herd in the pastures.

In 1907 a belfry and farm bell were put on the comb of the roof of the
first girls' hall. An axle was obtained and a wooden wheel and frame
were made for the large old bell, and it was then mounted