L[BRARY 

 NEW YORK 

 BOTANICAL 



GARDEN 



As State reports are so often slightingly regarded, it may not be considered 

 out of place to insert the following letter from W. R. Eobertson, Esq., M. R. 

 A. C, Fellow of the Madras University, Principal Madras Agricultural Col- 

 lege, regarding the last report issued l)y my predecessor : 



Office, Madras Agricultural College, I 

 Saiddpet, India, February 15, 1885. ] 

 To Robert G. Baird, Esq., 



Secretary State Board of Agricidttire, Michigan, Lansing, United States: 



Sir, — I have just seen your admirable report for 1883, and wi-ite to ask that you will 

 be kind enough to favor me with a copy for the library of this college. 



2. I may remark that this is the only Agricultural College in India, and that it is 

 attended by students from all parts of the country, most of whom will be interested 

 and benefited by a perusal of your report, which I venture to consider, after a very 

 large experience of agTicultirral reports, is one of the best ever published. 



3. I hope that we in this country may be able to follow in some respects the admir- 

 able example illustrated in yom report. 



4. I forward a copy of the last report of this college. 



Ihave the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, 



W. R. ROBERTSON, Principal. 



