In the pattern-making course the student is supposed to have some skill in bench and lathe work, which will be increased; the direct object being to teach what forms of pattern are in general necessary, and how they must be constructed in order to get a perfect mould from them.  The character of the work differs each year.  For instance, for the last year, besides simpler patterns easily drawn from the sand, such as glands, ball-cranks, etc., there were a series of flanged pipe-joints for 21/2 in. pipes, including the necessary core boxes; also pulley patterns from 6 in. to 10 in. diameter, built in segments for strength, and to prevent warping and shrinkage; and, lastly, a complete set of patterns for a three horse-power horizontal steam engine, all made from drawings of the finished piece.  In the vise work in iron, the chief requirements are these:  1, given a block of cast iron 4 in. by 2 in. by 11/2 in. in thickness, to reduce the thickness 1/4 in. by chipping, and then finishing with the file; 2, to file a round hole square; 3, to file a round hole into elliptical; 4, given a 3 in. cube of wrought iron, to cut a spline 3 in. by 3/8 in. by 1/4 in., and second, when the under side is a one half round hollow—­these two cuts involve the use of the cope chisel and the round nose chisel, and are examples of very difficult chipping; 5, round tiling or hand-vise work; 6, scraping; 7, special examples of fitting.  In the forging classes are elementary processes, driving, bending, and upsetting; courses in welding; miscellaneous forging; steel forging, including hardening and tempering in all its details.

It is worth mentioning that in the industrial art school of the Purdue University there were 13 of the fair sex as students, besides one in the chemical school, and two going through the mechanical courses just detailed, showing that the scope of woman’s industry is less limited in America than in England.  The Iowa State Agricultural College has also two departments of mechanical and civil engineering, the former including a special course of architecture.  The workshop practice, which occupies three forenoons of 21/2 hours each per week, is, however, of more general character, and is not pursued with such a regard to any special calling as in the case of the Purdue University.

The Kansas State Agricultural College has a course of carpentry, though designed rather more to meet the everyday necessities of a farmer’s life.  In fact, all the students are obliged to attend these classes, and take the same first lessons in sawing, planing, lumber dressing, making mortises, tenons, and joints, and in general use of tools—­just the kind of instruction that every English lad should have before he is shipped off to the Colonies.  This farmer’s course in the Kansas College provides for a general training in mechanical handiwork, but facilities are given also to those who wish to follow out the trade, and special instruction is provided in the whole range of work, from framing to stair-building, as also in iron work, such as ordinary forging, filing, tempering, etc.  Of the students attending this college, 75 percent, are from farmers’ homes, and the majority of the remainder from the families of mechanics and tradesmen.