REPORT OF PRESIDENT WILLITS. 57 



tial aid in that direction. It was contended, and was the sense of the conven- 

 tion, that this aid would be more satisfactory in its results, coming from the 

 general government, than from the States, as likely to be more permanent, and 

 less liable to the vicissitudes of legislatures of the States, who would be more 

 impatient for results. Exiieriments in agriculture require more time, and to 

 be repeated for a longer series of years than in any other science, to be elfectual 

 for good; and should be conducted by students who should become specially 

 fitted for the work. This could be secured only by permanence and continuity. 

 Hence the convention resolved to present the matter to the next Congress, for- 

 mulated a bill and appointed a special committee consisting of Pres. Athertou 

 of Pennsylvania College, Pres. Lee of Mississippi Agricultural College, and the 

 writer, to visit Washington for that purpose, the December or January follow- 

 ing. 



I returned from the convention July 13th, and assumed the active duties of 

 the college. The report of the secretary relating to the exercises of commence- 

 ment week is so full that I need not repeat it here. I wish, however, to empha- 

 size one feature of commencement week — the alumni meeting. It was a large 

 and representative gathering. I was surprised at the hearty loyalty to the col- 

 lege, the eager interest in its prosperity, and the supreme pleasure their visit 

 afforded them. I have visited many meetings of the alumni of other institu- 

 tions, but never have I witnessed so lively an interest. It struck me as some- 

 thing peculiar to this college, and upon this fact I base in a large measure the 

 future permanent prosperity of the institution. 



The vacation after commencement, was extended from one week, to two, to 

 give most of the faculty an opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the 

 American association for the advancement of science, which this year was held 

 at Ann Arbor. This institution being specially devoted to the sciences and their 

 applications, it was fitting that our Board of Instructors who were members of 

 the association should not be debarred from attending its sessions. The term 

 will be extended one week at its close, so that the full term will be engaged in 

 college work. I remained on the grounds all the time, so as to receive the new 

 students. 



The college was opened September 2d. The indications are of a very full 

 attendance such as shall test to the fullest extent our accommodations. Up to 

 this date there have been matriculated 97 new students, and more coming daily. 

 From the experience of the last few years, I have been informed that the spring 

 term will bring a large influx of new students, who are able to pass the fall 

 studies; so that if that experience is verified this year, we shall have for the 

 year at least 150 new students. If so, we shall be obliged to put three students 

 in a room, a matter conducive neither to health nor satisfactory study, as 

 the rooms are not large. We can accommodate with reasonable comfort in the 

 halls and on the grounds 23U to 250 students, and no more, according to the 

 number who can find private quarters. 



This brings us face to face with^i more serious question. We have a plant 

 here that has cost nearly or quite $400,000, and it justifies and demands at 

 least 500 students. At the last commencement, in an address from the jalat- 

 form, the Governor of the State said the institution fell short of its duty if it 

 had less than 500 students; and any person who has taken the time to inves- 

 tigate our unexcelled facilities for instruction, will feel warranted in coming to 

 the same conclusion. But it is manifest that without additional accommoda- 

 tions we cannot meet their just demands. We are three miles away from Lan- 



8 



