174 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tations of the most hopeful. Cjiu we not liave a scliool for Ladies based upon 

 the suuie principle of uniting practice to theory, uniting labor and study? 



It seems strange that our State tliinks all leading pursuits of men of enough 

 importance to found special schools for their benefit, while that pursuit which 

 has widest range of all does not receive a passing notice. Is it not tlie duty of 

 the State to provide a school giving to girls the education of which I speak? 



How could a school be conducted to give lier these advantages? It is a very 

 simple problem — add to an ordinary college course some instructions in domes- 

 tic economy, and unite with it a certain number of hours of daily work. On 

 account of the expense of founding a new school it would be economy to add 

 these advantages to some school already in operation. Where could it be 

 most easily and successfully adopted? Tliere is an objection to having it con- 

 nected with the university. From the manner of the management of that 

 institution it would not be well to have a boarding-school connected with it. 



At Ypsilanti the course is too technical for an ordinary education, and for 

 its object it is better for it not to be changed, and it would be necessary to add 

 another course, which would take away its force as a teacher's school; besides, 

 a change must be made in regard to their manner of boarding, that they 

 might have the work connected with their study. What objections can there 

 be to uniting such a school to the Agricultural college? For general practical 

 value its course could not be bettered. If but slight changes were made its 

 course would give to girls just the culture they need. The school need not be 

 changed at all from its present methods of working. Substitute in place of agri- 

 culture some study suited to a girl's education, and we have an excellent lady's 

 course. The teaching of the chemical department could scarcely be bettered in 

 regard to its practical value to her. It now has a course of lectures in dairy- 

 ing, teaches methods of canning and preserving fruits, how to make jelly, best 

 methods of cleansing, and many other things of equal value to her. Of pure 

 mathematics there is none too much for a lady's course. The natural sciences, 

 French, moral philosophy and psychology are all necessary to a course of 

 studies for ladies. 



Looking over the whole list of studies pursued at the Agricultural college 

 there are none objectionable to a ladies' course, only the technical studies per- 

 taining to agriculture. Substitute domestic economy in place of them and we 

 have a better course for girls than any other college affords. Some may still 

 be fearful that it would not be a good place for a girl's school. Who is better 

 able to judge than he who has been connected with that institution through all 

 its growth? The president for seventeen years; and none could be more care- 

 ful of its welfare than he. But listen to his words addressed to our State legis- 

 lature : "'I am strongly in favor of adding a department for women, and can 

 see no reason why such a one should not be useful and successful." 



Many others have expressed a similar opinion on this subject. Is not this 

 a subject that deserves our earnest thought? — a need that ought at once to be 

 satisfied ? 



To fit humanity for the places which they are to fill is a noble work, and 

 always gives great results. Our State, in the advantages it gives to youths, 

 should not neglect the true culture of her daughters. Though woman's life is 

 secluded, her work not often open to public gaze, yet fitting her for her duties 

 will never be a waste of means. 



Not only should such culture be a blessing to herself : of homes, hundreds 

 would be brighter, of hearts, thousands would be lighter. 



