Cadet Life at West Point

WAR DEPARTMENT.

INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.

[Communications relating to matters connected with the Military-Academy should be addressed to The Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C.]

APPOINTMENTS.

HOW MADE.—Each Congressional District and Territory—the District of Columbia and also Porto Rico—is entitled to have one cadet at the Academy. Each State is also entitled to have two cadets from the State at large, and forty are allowed from the United States at large. The law, however, provides that for six years from July 1, 1910, whenever any cadet shall have finished three years of his course at the Academy his successor may be admitted. The appointment from a Congressional District is made upon the recommendation of the Representative in Congress from that District, and those from a State at large upon the recommendations of the Senators of the State. Similarly the appointment from a Territory is made upon the recommendation of the Delegate in Congress. The appointment from the District of Columbia is made on the recommendation of the Commissioners of the District. Each person appointed must be an actual resident of the State, District or Territory from which the appointment is made.

The appointments from the United States at large are made by the President of the United States upon his own selection. The cadet from Porto Rico, who must be a native of that island, is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Resident Commissioner.

The Secretary of War is authorized to permit not exceeding four Filipinos, to be designated, one for each class, by the Philippine Commission, to receive instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point: Provided, That the Filipinos undergoing instruction shall receive the same pay, allowances, and emoluments as are authorized by law for cadets at the Military Academy appointed from the United States, to be paid out of the same appropriations: And provided further, That said Filipinos undergoing instruction on graduation shall be eligible only to commissions in the Philippine Scouts. And the provisions of section 1321, Revised Statutes, are modified in the case of the Filipinos undergoing instruction, so as to require them to engage to serve for eight years, unless sooner discharged, in the Philippine Scouts.

DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission, except in cases where, by reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot be provided for by such appointment in advance. These vacancies are filled in time for the next examination.

ALTERNATES.—For each candidate appointed there should be nominated two alternates. The principal and each alternate will receive from the War Department a letter of appointment, and must appear for examination at the time and place therein designated.[67] The fitness for admission to the Academy of the principal and alternates will be determined as prescribed in paragraphs 19 and 20, Regulations U. S. Military Academy. If the principal fails to qualify, either mentally or physically, then the qualifications of the alternates will be considered and if only one has met the requirements he will be admitted; if both alternates have met the requirements the better qualified will be admitted. The alternates, like the principal, should be designated one year in advance of the date of admission.

EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.[68]

The following are extracts from the Regulations of the Military Academy relating to the examination of candidates for admission and will be strictly adhered to:

19. On the second Tuesday in January of each year candidates selected for appointment (except the Filipino candidates) shall appear for mental and physical examination before boards of Army officers to be convened at such places as the War Department may designate. The Filipino candidates selected for appointment, unless otherwise notified by the War Department, shall appear for mental and physical examination on the second Tuesday in October of each year before a board of Army officers to be convened at such place in the Philippine Islands as the Commanding General of the Philippine Division may designate. Candidates who pass will be admitted to the Academy without further examination upon reporting in person to the Superintendent before 12 o’clock noon, on the 1st day of March following the examination.

20. Each candidate before admission to the academy must show by examination as prescribed in paragraph 19, that he is well versed in algebra, to include quadratic equations and progressions, plane geometry, English grammar, composition and literature, descriptive and physical geography, and general and United States history, as explained in the circulars of notification. No rejected candidate shall be re-examined, except upon recommendation of the Academic Board.

22. Immediately after reporting to the Superintendent for admission, and before receiving his warrant of appointment, the candidate is required to sign an engagement for service in the following form, and in the presence of the Superintendent, or of some officer deputed by him:

“I, ________, of the State (or Territory) of ____, aged ____ years ____ months, do hereby engage (with the consent of my parent or guardian) that, from the date of my admission as a Cadet of the United States Military Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for eight years, unless sooner discharged by competent authority.”

In the presence of ________.

The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in the following form:

“I, ________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National Government: that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my superior officers, and the rules and articles governing the armies of the United States.”

Sworn and subscribed, at ____, this ____ day of ____, nineteen hundred and ____ before me. ________

QUALIFICATIONS.—No candidate shall be admitted who is under seventeen, or over twenty-two years of age, or less than five feet four inches in height at the age of seventeen, or five feet five inches in height at the age of eighteen and upward, or who is deformed, or afflicted with any disease or infirmity which would render him unfit for the military service, or who has, at the time of presenting himself, any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. Candidates must be unmarried.

Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a certificate showing successful vaccination within one year; or a certificate of two vaccinations, made at least a month apart, within three months.

Note.—Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are seventeen until the day they become twenty-two years of age, on which latter day they are not eligible.

It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military Academy that, before leaving their places of residence for the place of examination, they should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a competent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By such examinations any serious physical disqualification or deficiency in mental preparation would be revealed.

It should be understood that the informal examination herein recommended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate himself, and can in no manner affect the decision of the Academic and Medical Examining Boards.

CHARACTER OF EXAMINATIONS.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

Upon the completion of the mental examination all candidates will be thoroughly examined physically by the medical officers of the board, under the following instructions prepared by the Surgeon General of the Army:

Hearing must be normal in both ears.

Vision, as determined by the official test types, must not fall below 20/40 in either eye, and not below 20/20 unless the defect is a simple refractive error not hyperopia, is not due to ocular disease, and is entirely corrected by proper glasses.

In the record of all examinations the acuity of vision without glasses, and also with glasses when the acuity is less than 20/20, will be given for each eye separately; in the latter case the correction will also be noted.

Hyperopia requiring any spherical correction, anisometropia, squint, or muscular insufficiency, if marked, are causes for rejection.

Color blindness, red, green, or violet, is cause for rejection.

The following are causes of disqualification if found to exist to such a degree as would immediately or at no very distant period impair the efficiency of the candidate:

The requirements of the following tables of physical proportions are minimum for growing youths and are for the guidance of medical officers in connection with the other data of the examination, a consideration of all of which should determine the candidate’s physical eligibility. Mere fulfillment of the requirements of the standard tables does not determine eligibility, while on the other hand no departure below the standard should be allowed unless upon the unanimous recommendation of the medical examining board for excellent reasons clearly stated in each case.

The physical requirements should be those of the age at the birthday nearest the time of the examination. Fractions greater than ½ inch will be considered as an additional inch of height, but candidates 17 years old must be at least 64 inches, and those 18 years and upward at least 65 inches in height.

Table of physical proportion for height, weight, and chest measurement.

MENTAL EXAMINATION.

ALGEBRA.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination in that portion of algebra which includes the following range of subjects: definitions and notation; the fundamental laws; the fundamental operations, viz.: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; factoring; highest common factor; lowest common multiple; fractions, simple and complex; simple, or linear, equations with one unknown quantity; simultaneous simple, or linear, equations with two or more unknown quantities; involution, including the formation of the squares and cubes of polynomials; binomial theorem with positive integral exponents; evolution, including the extraction of the square and cube roots of polynomials and of numbers: theory of exponents; radicals, including reduction and fundamental operations, rationalization, equations involving radicals, operations with imaginary numbers, quadratic equations; equations of quadratic form; simultaneous quadratic equations; ratio and proportion; arithmetical and geometrical progressions. Candidates will be required to solve problems involving any of the principles or methods contained in the foregoing subjects.

The following questions were used at a recent examination:

Substitute y + 3 for x in x⁴-x³ + 2x²-3 and arrange the result in descending powers of y.

On the eve of a battle one army had 5 men to every 6 men in the other. The first army lost 14,000 men and the second 6,000 men. The first army then had 2 men to every 3 men in the other. How many men were there originally in each army?

Solve 1.2x - (.18x - .05)/.5 = .4w + 8.9

Find the lowest common multiple of 1-x, x²-1, x-2, and x²-4.

Solve √x + 9 = 2 √x - 3.

Solve (2x - 3)² = 8x.

Expand (m-3/4-m(4/3))⁴ by the Binominal Theorem.

Find all the values of a for which the roots of ax² + 2(a + 3)x + 16 = 0 are equal.

Solve ((x + y)/2) - ((x - y)/3) = 8 and ((x + y)/3) + ((x - y)/4) = 11.

Solve x² - 4y² = 9, xy + 2y² = 3.

A certain article of consumption is subject to a duty of $1.50 per cwt. In consequence of a reduction in duty the consumption increases one half, but the revenue falls off one third. Find the duty per cwt. after the reduction.

A and B run a mile. First A gives B a start of 44 yards and beats him by 51 seconds; at the second heat A gives B a start of 1 minute and 15 seconds and is beaten by 88 yards. Find the time in which A and B can run a mile separately.

Sum to infinity the progression 3 + 2 + 4/3....

A servant agrees for certain wages the first month, on the understanding that they are to be raised a dollar every subsequent month until they reach $60 a month. At the end of the first of the months for which he receives $60 he finds that his wages during his time of service have averaged $48 per month. How long has he served?

PLANE GEOMETRY.—Candidates will be required to give accurate definitions of the terms used in plane geometry, to demonstrate any proposition of plane geometry as given in the ordinary text-books and to solve simple geometrical problems either by a construction or by an application of algebra.

The following questions were used at a recent examination:

Define the following:

1°. Rhombus. 2°. A mean proportional. 3°. Similar triangles. 4°. A segment of a circle. 5°. The apothem of a regular polygon.

Theorem: The perpendicular is the shortest line between a point and a straight line.

Theorem: In the same circle or equal circles, the less of two chords is at the greater distance from the centre; conversely, the chord at the greater distance from the centre is the less.

Construction: Divide a given straight line internally in extreme and mean ratio.

Theorem: The areas of two triangles which have an angle of one equal to the angle of the other are to each other as the products of the sides including those angles.

Problem: Given a circle of unit diameter and the side of a regular inscribed polygon, find the side of a regular inscribed polygon of double the number of sides.

Theorem: The four bisectors of the four angles of a quadrilateral form a second quadrilateral, the opposite angles of which are supplementary.

Theorem: If on the diameter of a circle two points be taken equally distant from the centre, the sum of the squares of the distances of any point of the circumference from these two points is constant.

Problem: Find the locus of the point of intersection of the three altitudes of a triangle, given a fixed base, and constant angle at the vertex.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR.—Candidates must have a good knowledge of English grammar; they must be able to define the terms used therein; to define the parts of speech; to give inflections, including declension, conjugation and comparison; to give the corresponding masculine and feminine gender nouns; to give and apply the ordinary rules of syntax.

They must be able to parse correctly any ordinary sentence; giving the subject of each verb, the governing word of each objective case, the word for which each pronoun stands or to which it refers, the words between which each preposition shows the relation, precisely what each conjunction and each relative pronoun connects, what each adjective and adverb qualifies or limits, the construction of each infinitive, and generally to show a good knowledge of the function of each word in the sentence.

They must be able to correct in sentences or extracts any ordinary grammatical errors.

It is not required that any particular text-book shall be followed: but the definitions, parsing, and corrections must be in accordance with good usage and common sense.

The examinations may include questions similar to the following:

ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND ENGLISH LITERATURE.—Candidates will be required:

1. By the writing of short themes on subjects chosen by themselves within limits set by the examination paper, to prove (a) their ability to spell, capitalize, and punctuate, and (b) their mastery of the elementary principles of composition, including paragraphing and sentence-structure.

2. To give evidence of intelligent acquaintance with three plays of Shakespeare: one comedy, one history, and one tragedy,—The Merchant of Venice, Henry V., and Macbeth being especially recommended.

3. To exhibit a fair knowledge of the names of the most prominent English and American authors, and of the names of their principal works.

The general character and scope of the examination are indicated by the following specimen:

GEOGRAPHY.—Candidates will be required to pass a satisfactory examination in descriptive geography and the elements of physical geography. A preponderance of weight is attached to a knowledge of the geography of the United States.

In descriptive geography of the United States, candidates should be thoroughly informed as to its general features and boundaries; adjacent oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and islands; lakes, the location and extent of mountain ranges; the sources, directions, and terminations of the important rivers, the names of their principal tributaries, and at what points, if any, these rivers break through highlands on their way to the ocean; the water routes of communication from one part of the country to another; the location and termination of important railroad lines; the boundaries of the several states and territories and their order along the coasts, frontiers and principal rivers; the locations and boundaries of the island possessions; and the names and locations of the capitals and other important cities of the several states, territories and island possessions.

In short, the knowledge should be so complete that a clear mental picture of the whole of the United States is impressed on the mind of the candidate.

In descriptive geography of other countries, candidates should be familiar with the continental areas and grand divisions of water; the earth’s surface; the large bodies of water which in part or wholly surround the grand divisions of the land; the capes, from what parts they project and into what waters, the principal peninsulas, location, and by what waters embraced; the parts connected by an isthmus; the principal islands, location and surrounding waters; the seas, gulfs, and bays, the coasts they indent, and the waters to which they are subordinate; the straits, the lands they separate, and the waters they connect; the location of the principal lakes: the locations, boundaries, capitals and principal cities of the political divisions of the world.

In physical geography, candidates should be familiar with the relief of the earth’s surface; the principal mountain systems, the river systems and watersheds; the coastal and lake plains, and the influence of climate, soil, mineral deposits and other physical features on the resources, industries, commercial relations and development of a country and its people, especially of the United States.

The following questions were used at a recent examination:

HISTORY.—Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with so much of the History of the United States, and of Ancient Greece and Rome as is contained in good high school text-books on these subjects, and must have a good knowledge of the important facts in General Ancient History and in the History of Medieval Europe to the end of the fifteenth century.

In History of the United States, the examination will include questions concerning early discoveries and settlements; the forms of government in the colonies; the causes, leading events, and results of wars; important events in the political and economic history of the nation since its foundation; and the elementary principles of civil government, with special reference to the federal congress, executive and judiciary.

In Ancient History, the examination will include questions on important persons and events in the legendary and authentic history of Greece and Rome, and on general important facts in the history of other ancient peoples, taking some account also of Greek art, of Greek and Roman literature, and especially of Roman government.

In History of Medieval Europe, the greater emphasis will be laid on the period from Charlemagne to the end of the Middle Ages, particularly on events connected with the political and social development of England.

Questions similar to the following in character and scope are likely to be asked:

ACADEMIC DUTIES.

The academic duties of new cadets commence on the 11th day of March. The academic duties and exercises of the other cadets commence on the 1st day of September and continue until about the 5th of June. Examinations of the several classes are held in December and June. At the December examination cadets, who are found to be proficient in their studies, are arranged according to merit in each subject. At the June examination they are similarly arranged and they are also assigned general standing in the class as determined by their standings in the various subjects. When a subject of study is completed during a term an examination concluding the work in that subject is sometimes held. Cadets deficient in studies at any examination are discharged from the Academy unless for special reasons the Academic Board recommends otherwise. Cadets exceeding at any time the maximum number of demerits allowed for six months are immediately reported to the Academic Board as deficient in conduct and are discharged.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

All cadets are examined physically in June of each year, and those found physically disqualified to continue with the course or, in case of the first class, for commission in the Army, are discharged.

VACATIONS AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE.

Academic duties are suspended from the completion of the June examinations until the end of August. During this period cadets live in camp and are engaged in military duties and exercises and in receiving practical instruction in military and other subjects. Academic duties are also suspended from the close of the semi-annual examinations, about December 23rd, until January 2nd, and on the Friday and Saturday preceding the last Sunday in March. All duties and exercises, as far as practicable, are suspended on New Year’s Day, February 22nd, May 30th, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Cadets of the first, second and third classes are allowed short leaves of from four to six days at Christmas, if their conduct during the preceding six months has been satisfactory. Cadets of the first class, having satisfactory conduct records, are allowed leaves, not to exceed 75 hours, at the beginning of the summer encampment and leaves not to exceed 27 hours at Thanksgiving. Excepting these short leaves for good conduct, cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four years’ course. As a rule this leave is granted at the end of the first two years and extends from the middle of June to the 28th of August.

PAY OF CADETS.

The pay of a cadet is $600 per year and one ration per day, or commutation therefor, at thirty cents per day. The total is $709.50, to commence with his admission to the Academy. The actual and necessary traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military Academy are credited to their accounts after their admission as cadets.

No cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of the Superintendent. A most rigid observance of this regulation is urged upon all parents and guardians, as its violations would make distinctions between cadets which it is the especial desire to avoid; the pay of a cadet is sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.

Each cadet must keep himself supplied with the following mentioned articles, viz.:

Eight white shirts; two gray shirts; *eight summer undershirts; *six winter undershirts; *four night shirts; twelve white linen collars; twelve pairs of white linen cuffs; *eight pairs of summer drawers; *six pairs of winter drawers; *eight pairs of socks; *twelve pocket handkerchiefs; one black tie; *twelve towels; two clothes bags, made of ticking; two pairs of uniform shoes; six pairs of uniform white gloves; two sets of white belts; *one clothes brush; *one hair-brush; *one tooth-brush; *one comb; one mattress; one pillow; four pillowcases; six sheets; two blankets; one quilted bed cover; one chair; one tumbler; *one trunk; one account book; one wash basin.

Candidates are authorized to bring with them the articles marked *.

Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All articles of their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are sold to cadets at West Point at regulated prices.

DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION.

Immediately after admission candidates must be provided with an outfit of uniform, etc., the cost of which is about $160. This sum, or at least $100 thereof, must be deposited with the treasurer of the Academy before the candidate is admitted. It is best for the candidate to take with him no more money than he needs for traveling expenses and for his parents to send the required deposit by draft, payable to the Treasurer, U. S. Military Academy. The deposit is credited at once to the cadet’s account. Upon graduation a cadet who has exercised proper economy will have sufficient money to his credit with the Treasurer of the Academy to purchase his uniform and equipment as an officer.

PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION.

The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the provisions of an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, given in the chapter entitled United States Military Academy.

RECITATION SCHEDULE.

On another page is shown the recitation schedule adopted by the Academic Board, June 23, 1907, and approved by the War Department, August 10, 1907.

This schedule was put in effect with the class entering March 1, 1908. The other classes in the academy on that date continue the old schedule, with some modifications adopted to facilitate administration of the departments during the period of transition from the old course of studies to the new.

The preliminary term is March 11 to June 10. New cadets are advanced to the 4th class after passing the June examinations.

The first term of the regular academic year is September 1 to December 18, inclusive.

The second term of the regular academic year is January 2 to June 4, inclusive.

DEPARTMENT OF TACTICS.

ALL CLASSES.

New cadets, upon reporting for duty, are given infantry recruit instruction, with gymnastic and calisthenic exercises, until they join the battalion.

Practical instruction is given during the summer encampment, and from September 1st to November 1st, and from March 15th to June 1st, in cavalry, artillery and infantry drill regulations, in target practice with the rifle, revolver, mountain gun and field gun, and in Military Engineering.

During the summer encampment, cadets of the third and fourth classes are also taught swimming and dancing, and those of the first class, the service of sea-coast artillery and submarine defense at Fort Wright, N. Y.; all classes participate in exercises in minor tactics, practice marches, problems and practical field work, in which the employment of all arms is exemplified.

Practical instruction in fencing and gymnastic exercises and in boxing and wrestling is given to the fourth class from October 1st to June 1st, and to the other classes from November 1st to March 15th.

Instruction in riding is given to the first class during the encampment and from September 1st to June 1st, excepting the month of February; to the second class, from November 1st to March 31st, and to the third class from November 1st to March 15th and during the summer encampment. Instruction with English pad saddles is given to the first class, and in polo to the first and second classes.

During the winter months map problems for the purpose of instruction in writing orders, selecting positions from the map, both offensive and defensive, making dispositions of small forces, selecting best route for advance and retreat, and for practice of map reading in general; also lectures upon the methods pursued in company, post and staff administration as required by Army Regulations, upon uniforms and equipments, and upon etiquette and customs of the service are given cadets of the first class.

TEXT BOOKS.

• Light Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S.
• Cavalry Drill Regulations. U. S.
• Infantry Drill Regulations. U. S.
• Coast Artillery Drill Regulations. U. S.
• A Military Primer of the Service of Security and Information. Marshall and Simonds.
• Elements of Hippology. Marshall.
• Coast Artillery Drill Regulations: Position-finding service.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

• Army Regulations. U.S.
• Small Arms Firing Regulations. U. S.
• Manual of Instruction in Mountain Guns, etc. U. S. M. A.
• Manual of Guard Duty. U. S.
• Manual of Pack Transportation. U. S. M. A.
• Regulations. U. S. M. A.
• Blue Book. U. S.M. A.
• Manual of Gymnastic Exercises. Koehler.
• Field Service Regulations. U. S.
• Horses, Saddles and Bridles. Carter.

ISSUED TO FIRST CLASS BEFORE GRADUATION.

• Army Regulations. U. S.
• Manual of the Subsistence Department. U. S.
• Manual of Quartermaster’s Department. U. S.
• Paymaster’s Manual. U. S.
• Regulations for the Post Exchange.
• Manual of Medical Department. U. S.
• Drill Regulations of the Hospital Corps. U. S.
• Manual of Courts-Martial. U. S.
• Army Register. U. S.
• General Orders, No. 169, War Department, series of 1907.
• (Uniform Order) with all amendments.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND MILITARY ENGINEERING.

FIRST CLASS.

The course in civil and military engineering and the art of war is confined to the first class year.

The course in civil engineering begins September 1st and is completed during the first term, which closes with the Christmas holidays. It comprises brief treatises on the mechanics of civil engineering, framed and masonry structures, the materials of engineering, water supply and sewerage.

RECITATION SCHEDULE

* Length in minutes. † Number per week. ‡ Total number.

The course in military engineering and the art of war begins on January 2nd and closes on the 3rd of June. Military engineering embraces the study of field and permanent fortifications and siege works. The art of war embraces the study of the organization of armies, employment of the different arms in combination, logistics and strategy. To familiarize the students with its principles, lectures are delivered on military subjects and the principal operations of about twenty selected campaigns are studied. During this course the students are taken to the battle-field of Gettysburg to familiarize them with the effects of topography on the employment of troops in the field.

TEXT BOOKS.

• Civil Engineering. Fiebeger.
• Field Fortifications. Fiebeger.
• Permanent Fortifications. Fiebeger.
• Elements of Strategy. Fiebeger.
• Siege Works. Mercur.
• Organization and Tactics. Wagner.
• Field Service Regulations. U. S.
• Campaign of Gettysburg. Fiebeger.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE.

• Campaigns and Battles. Department.
• Story of Civil War. Ropes. Cambria Steel.

The department has a well-selected reference library on civil engineering, military engineering and the art of war.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.

THIRD AND SECOND CLASSES.

The course in natural and experimental philosophy begins with the third academic year. Mechanics is studied during this year, the class alternating daily by halves. The text used is Gordon’s “Mechanics.” Many of the principles are illustrated by apparatus in the lecture and section rooms, and the students are required to repeat and explain these experiments. The course aims to be as complete as possible with the limitation that it can be properly covered in a term of about 100 days by students having a proficient knowledge of the calculus; the treatment is sufficiently mathematical to furnish a confident basis for advanced work in the technical staff corps after graduation.

During the second class year about 100 lessons are allotted to this department. The first half of this time is devoted to the subjects of sound and light. The authorized text-book is Gordon’s “Sound and Light.”

Astronomy is studied in the remainder of the second class year. The texts used are Young’s “General Astronomy” and Michie and Harlow’s “Practical Astronomy.” The principal aim of this course, in addition to its important value in educational development, is to furnish an ample basis for the establishment of stations in explorations and surveys.

The class alternates daily by halves throughout the year.

TEXT-BOOKS.

• Sound and Light. Gordon.
• Mechanics. Gordon.
• General Astronomy. Young.
• Practical Astronomy. Michie and Harlow.

Numerous standard works on the general subjects covered by the course are available for reference.

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS.

NEW CADETS, FOURTH AND THIRD CLASSES.

The course in mathematics begins with the new cadet class upon entrance in March, and extends through two years.

In the new cadet class year algebra and geometry are taken on alternate days for three months. In both these subjects the matter covered by the entrance examination is reviewed rapidly and, in the case of plane geometry, very briefly before proceeding with the regular course. An examination is held in June upon which the class is graded according to mathematical capacity.

In the fourth-class year algebra is completed in alternation with trigonometry. Plane and solid analytical geometry and descriptive geometry follow.

In the third-class year a course in the differential and integral calculus is taken, alternating during the latter portion with the subject of mechanics in the department of philosophy. The most advanced students take also a brief course in the theory of errors and method of least squares.

The course in algebra covers the entire subject as generally taught in colleges, but the student is expected to have already mastered elementary algebra to include the progressions and the solution of the quadratic equation. The course in elementary geometry includes the books that relate to the plane and those that relate to space, but the student is expected to have mastered the former. Plane and spherical trigonometry includes the complete solution of the plane and spherical triangles. The course in analytical geometry includes the discussion of the general equation of the second degree in the plane and in space.

Descriptive geometry includes, in orthographic projections, the right line, the plane, ruled surfaces and surfaces of revolution, tangent planes and intersections of surfaces. It also covers shades and shadows, perspective, isometric projections and, for the upper part of the class, spherical projections.

The course in differential and integral calculus covers the ground of the usual college text-book, including briefly the subject of ordinary differential equations.

TEXT BOOKS.

NEW CADET CLASS.

• Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells.
• Elements of Geometry. Phillips and Fisher.

FOURTH CLASS.

• Advanced Course in Algebra. Wells.
• Quadratics and Beyond. Fisher and Schwatt.
• Elements of Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Crockett.
• Logarithmic Tables. Newcomb.
• Conic Sections. C. Smith.
• Elements of Analytical Geometry (Solid). Smith and Gale.
• Descriptive Geometry. Church.

THIRD CLASS.

• Differential and Integral Calculus. Granville.
• Integral Calculus. D. A. Murray.
• Method of Least Squares. Johnson.