with his hands as well as his brain. If he can accomplish more by brain work after he leaves us, well and good, we do not object; but whether he can or not, he will not feel above work in the shop or on the farm. He will do that cheerfully because he will feel there is no disgrace in it. That is the initial point in the character of the young men we seek to send out. We want no loafers here

and we shall mourn over every loafer who carries our degree with him into the busy world to which we accredit him. Therefore, we ask the people of this goodly State to consider the matter, and if they wish their sons to come to us we will try to equip them in mind and body, and to send them back with this industrial purpose.

The second general purpose of this college is to make it an institution of

APPLIED SCIENCE.

The sciences deal with the non ego, more directly with that great world outside of the personality of the individual, first with the facts and then the laws of the material universe, and thus they garner a harvest of comfort and material wealth that is so obvious and so charming and so delightful to the senses, that in this practical age we acknowledge their utility. Therefore the practical man and the so-called practical sciences demand a premium. Practical men are paid the highest wages. The theoretical man who develops the prir iples of a science is not to be ignored, but it is the man who can apply the priples evolved by the man of theory that commands the situation. This, the fore, is the age of applied science. Applied to commerce, manufacturing, and all the varied industries of modern life. The world's progress is measured by the bounds of its applied sciences and its prosperity by the amplitude of the practical arts. For this reason we have the demand that our system of education shall include both theory and its applications, and that the State shall furnish both.

In the line of this demand the State of Michigan has formed this college, and the United States has largely endowed it. For every science taught we have the amplest facilities for its application. For agriculture, the farm; for chemistry, laboratories and apparatus for the most minute and the most extensive analysis; for botany, the museum, the greenhouses, the botanical gardens; for the natural sciences, a well-stocked museum and apparatus and operating tables; for landscape gardening and horticulture, the park with all its varied beauties; for military tactics, a large drill room and armory, and muskets and accoutrements; for veterinary, a museum and operating rooms; and for the mechanical arts, large and fully equipped shops, with engineering, mathematical apparatus, and with a complete line of apparatus to illustrate the physical sciences. In all these departments, not only are the theories taught, but the application goes hand in hand with the principle; skill and knowledge go together. There is no institution in this land that more fully than this realizes the ideal of the new system of education, "the teaching how to do by doing " At every step the application enforces the principle. It, therefore, goes without contradiction that a student that has taken this course not only knows as much as, but can do more than, a student that has only the theoretical instruction. In this regard we are justified in claiming for this institution a practical as well as a thorough education. It is not merely a school of observation and instruction, but a school where the students work in all its departments; on the farm, in the park, in the garden, in the laboratories and museums, on the drill ground, at the dissecting tables, and in the shops. The students are an important

working factor in all branches taught and demonstrated here, and in the end it must tell in the more enhanced prosperity of our State.

The third and last general purpose we will note it is hard concisely to state. It is expressed, perhaps, the best by saying that the college is

AN EXPERIMENT STATION.

Experiments are constantly being made in all the departments. Many are inconsequential and useless; many never see the light of day, but all contribute to the general knowledge of the subject. It is as important to know of a failure, and if possible its cause, as of a success. There has been in the country at large disappointment over the meagreness of the results in agricultural experiments up to this time. An impartial consideration of the matter would disarm most of the criticism. The failure lies in the nature of the subject. There is an incertitude in agriculture that does not exist in the exact sciences. Such is the variety of seed, soil, and climate; so inconstant is the weather; so many perils of water, drouth, and insects beset the paths of the agriculturalist between seed time and harvest, that no man can predict with assurance the result of his labors, and no experiment can promise absolute success in all places and by all persons. The consequence is that a large range of experiments is necessary with a more extended range of years; but of the grand aggregate result there can be no question. The introduction of a new variety of seed may in a single year pay well the expense of all the experiments in the past. It is only by trying and testing that the best is found, or the bad eliminated. It is to be hoped that Congress will pass the bill appropriating funds to make all the agricultural colleges experiment stations, and that thereby these colleges may have an assurance of permanent means systematically to follow for years a line of practical experiments. This college, as has been noted, has not been barren. in these results, and the promise may be safely given that in the future it shall, if possible, improve on them.

Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture and Ladies and Gentlemen:-This institution has closed another year of its existence. To-day has gone forth with the seal of our approval a class of young men who are to justify by their deeds the expense and labor here bestowed upon them. The impression may obtain from the fact that so much has been said about the material facilities here furnished for an education, that but little care or stress is laid upon the general culture of our students. Nothing is further from our intention. We cannot be oblivious to the fact that the man exists before the farmer or the mechanic, and that every system of education to be harmonious and complete must include that general culture that forms so important a function in life's work. We must not and we do not forget that, pure English, sound logic, a wide range of historical reading, a thorough knowledge of the fundamental and business laws of the land, and well-defined views of political science and mental and moral philosophy are necessary elements in a practical education. For all these ample provision has been made. But above and beyond all we should remember that morality, virtue, and religion are the corner-stones of a true character, and that this institution should inculcate pure morals and the highest virtue, and should exemplify in the fullest sense our daily obligations to our Divine Benefactor. It is for us of the administration to assure the people of the State, that by our example and by our precept we will be true to the higher duty, and that so far as in us lies we will preserve this institution free from the contamination of vice, and will send out from our halls the young men committed to our charge not only uninjured by their associations here, but better fitted to become good, loyal, Christian citizens.

5

LAWS RELATING TO THE COLLEGE.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

The Agricultural College of the State of Michigan was established in obedience to a requisition of the Revised Constitution of the State, adopted 15th August, 1850, which requisition may be found in Art. 13:

"SEC. 11. The Legislature shall encourage the promotion of intellectual, scientific, and agricultural improvement; and shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an agricultural school. The Legislature may appropriate the twenty-two sections of Salt Spring Lands now unappropriated, or the money arising from the sale of the same, where such lands have been already sold, and any land which may hereafter be granted or appropriated for such purpose, for the support and maintenance of such school, and may make the same a branch of the University for instruction in agriculture and the natural sciences connected therewith, and place the same under the supervision of the Regents of the University."

ACT OF ORGANIZATION.

The act of organization of the State Agricultural College was approved February 12, 1855, and provided:

1. That the president and executive committee of the State Agricultural Society be authorized to select, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, a location and site for a State Agricultural College.

2. To be within ten miles of Lansing.

3. Not to cost over $15 an acre.

4. The conveyance to be made to the State.

*5. Appropriated twenty-two sections of Salt Spring lands for the purchase of lands, erection of buildings, etc.

6. The College was committed to the charge of the State Board of Education.

7. Detailed objects of instruction; the date of beginning and end of each of the two scholastic terms of the year; provided for manual labor; that tuition should be free.

8. A treasurer was to do the work now done by the secretary of the College.

ACT OF REORGANIZATION.

An act of reorganization was approved March 15, 1861, by which a State Board of Agriculture was created and the care of the College placed in their hands. As amended the law now stands as follows, references being to Howell's Annotated Statutes 1882 and the laws of 1883 and 1885:

*The minimum price for these Salt Spring lands, $56,320, was paid over at once to the State Board of Education for the College.

CHAPTER 194.

THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

agriculture

and how

§ 4977. (3532.) 1861, p. 307, Mar. 15, Act 188; Am. 1871, p. State board of 301, April 17, Act 180; 1873, p. 194, April 24, July 31, Act 145. established. SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact. That a board is hereby constituted and established which shall be known under the name and style of the "State board of agriculture." It shall consist of six members besides the governor of the State and Members, the president of the State agricultural college, who shall be er appointed. officio members of the board; the governor, by and with the consent of the senate, on or before the third Wednesday of January of each biennial session, shall appoint two suitable persons to fill the vacancies that shall next occur, which vacancies shall be so filled that at least one-half the members shall be practical agriculturalists.

§ 4978. (3533.) SEC. 2. The State board of agriculture shall be Body corpoa body corporate, capable in law of suing and being sued, of taking, rate. holding and selling personal and real estate, of contracting and being contracted with, of having and using a corporate seal, and of causing to be done all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

§ 4979. (3534.) SEC. 3. Any vacancy in the said board, caused Vacancy. by death, resignation or removal from the State, may be filled by a majority of the members. A majority shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. The members of the board shall receive Compensation. no per diem compensation for their services, but shall be paid their traveling and other expenses while employed on the business of the

board.

§ 4980. (3535.) Am. 1873, p. 194, April 24, July 31, Act 145. Meeting of the SEC. 4. They shall meet quarterly at stated times at the State agri- board. cultural college, and may meet at such other times and places as

they may determine.

§ 4981. (3536.) SEC. 5. At their first meeting the members shall President. choose one of their number as president of their own board.

§ 4982. (3537.) SEC. 6. At their first meeting, or as soon after secretary and as a competent and suitable person can be obtained, they shall treasurer. choose a secretary of the board. If chosen from their own number, a vacancy shall be thus created in the board. A treasurer shall also be chosen, at their first meeing, who may or may not be from the members of their board, as they shall determine. They shall take such bonds from the secretary and treasurer as shall be Bonds. deemed adequate to secure the faithful performance of their duties by those respective officers. The secretary and treasurer shall be chosen biennially, and shall hold their offices for two years from the last Wednesday of February, or till their successors are chosen.

§ 4977. "An act to re-organize the agricultural college of the State of Michigan, and to establish a State board of agriculture:" No. 188, Mar. 15, 1861, p. 307. CHAPTER 194. NOTE.-Act 130, Feb. 12, 1855, p. 279, provides for a State agricultural school.

Act 142, Feb. 16, 1857, amends section 2 of the above act.

Act 235, Feb. 15, 1859, page 871, makes additional provisions for the school; all these are superseded by this chapter 194; and for repeal, see, § 5012.

Secretary and office.

Duty to keep record of the board.

To have custody of books, etc.

To file reports societies.

§ 4983. (3538.) SEC. 7. The board shall direct the disposition of any moneys appropriated to the State agricultural college.

§ 4984. (3539.) SEC. 8. The secretary of the board shall reside at or near the agricultural college, and keep his office at the city of Lansing, in the State buildings, or at the institution, as the board shall direct It shall be his duty to keep a record of the transactions of the State board of agriculture, and of the State agricultural college and farms, which shall be open at all times to the inspection of any citizens of this State. He shall also have the custody of all books, papers, documents and other property which may be deposited in his office, including specimens of the vegetable and animal kingdoms of the State or counties; also keep and of agricultural file all reports which may be made from time to time by county and State agricultural and horticultural societies, and all correspondence of the office from other persons and societies appertainVarious duties. ing to the general business of husbandry; address circulars to societies, and the best practical farmers in the State and elsewhere, with the view of eliciting information upon the newest and best mode of culture of those products, vegetables, trees, etc., adapted to the soil and climate of this State; also, on all subjects connected with field culture, horticulture, stock-raising and the dairy. He shall also encourage the formation of agricultural societies throughout the State, and purchase, receive and distribute such rare and valuable seeds, plants, shrubbery and trees, as it may be in his power to procure from the general government and other sources, as may be adapted to our climate and soils. He shall also encourage the importation of improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and other live stock, and the invention and improvement of labor-saving implements of husbandry, and diffuse information in relation to the same. He shall encourage such domestic industry and household arts as are calculated to promote the general thrift, wealth and resources of the State. To effect these objects he shall correspond with the patent office at Washington, and representatives of our national government abroad, and if possible procure valuable contributions to agriculture from these sources. He shall aid, as far as possible, in obtaining contributions to the museums and the library of the State agricultural college, and thus aid in the promotion of agriculture, science and literature.

seeds, plants,

etc.

Distribution of § 4985. (3540.) SEC. 9. The seeds, plants, trees and shrubbery received by the secretary, and not needed by the college, shall be, so far as possible, distributed equally throughout the State, and placed in the hands of those farmers and others who will agree to cultivate them properly, and return to the secretary's office a reasonable proportion of the products thereof, with a full statement of the mode of cultivation, and such other information as may be necessary to ascertain their value for general cultivation in the State. Information in regard to agriculture may be published by him, from time to time, in the newspapers of the State, provided it does not involve any expense to the State.

SEC. 10. Am. 1861, p. 37; repealed 1873, p. 214, April 25, July 31, Act 157.

SEC. 10, repealed, required annual reports from the Secretary of the board to the governor and legislature. For requirements instead, see § 17.