STATE INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE. 25 



Whatever promises to advance among our farmers the science 

 of agriculture, to put more skilled mechanics in our shops, and to 

 give a broader culture to our business men, is certainly worthy of 

 the careful attention of our people. To retain, by the develop- 

 ment of our State's resources, our native population, is better 

 policy than to import vast colonies of foreigners, ignorant alike of 

 our language and institutions. In the restless fever of emigration 

 we shall find that "wisdom and knowledge are the stability of 

 the times." 



Question. I would like to inquire how long it is necessary for 

 a young man to stay at the college to get such an amount of 

 information as will prepare him for the business of life. 



President Allen. Our college course occupies four years. We 

 have a course similar to that of any college designed to afford a 

 liberal education. I do not suppose that it can be very much 

 shortened. 



Gov. Perham. Having been one of the official visitors of the 

 State College, it may be proper for me to say a word in regard to 

 the appearance of the students, and the progress which they have 

 made ; and I may be excused for some enthusiasm in this matter. 

 It is now almost twenty years since I began to argue that we need 

 a different course of study for that portion of our young men who 

 intend to follow the industrial pursuits of life from any then 

 furnished by our schools, and I have pressed this view at every 

 opportunity, in season, and perhaps some of my friends have 

 thought, out of season. I have felt all the time that the course of 

 study which this college proposes to furnish to the ^oung men of 

 the State was just what was needed. I have had the privilege of 

 visiting that institution three times, once last winter, last spring, 

 and again in the fall ; and I can say here without making an 

 extended speech, that 1 think President Allen and Professor 

 Fernald (who has been- in the institution longer than President 

 Allen) need have no fear in putting the students of that college 

 beside students in any other institution in the State or anywhere 

 else, who have been engaged in their studies the same length of 

 time. 



I am confident that the three hours' labor every day is of very 

 great value. It seems to relieve them of any inclination to cut 

 up capers as many college boys are wont to do. President Allen 

 will not find the trouble in his discipline that is found in other 



