74: STATE BOARlJ OF AGEICULTUEE. 



success. We would also respectfully suggest that each Institute begin with an eve- 

 ning meeting, with an address and topic for discussion, and tliat the next day be 

 entirely given up to the work of the Institute, to close with a meeting on the even- 

 ing of the second day. Two such Institutes could l>e held in each week, and the whole 

 concluded in three weeks, beginning with January 10. 



The members of the Faculty will take such part in the meetings as the Board may 

 deem advisable, but we would suggest that not n)ore than two members of the Faculty 

 take part in any one meeting. One essential element of success will be to secure the 

 active cooperation, by addresses, essays, and discussions, of leading farmers in the 

 region in which the Institute is held. The Institutes will be feeble in interest and 

 Impotent for good without such active assistance of representative farmers. 



The length of time assigned for an Institute may seem short, but brief, spicy, and 

 wide-awake meetings will more naturally be secured, and if the time is too short as 

 shown by experience, it may be extended hereafter. Better too short than too long. 



We also suggest that a competent reporter be employed to prepare an extended 

 report of these meetings for insertion in the Annual Keport. 



Invitations for such meetings should be secured through Farmers' Clubs, Granges, 

 etc. If these Institutes are held because the people ask fur them, the influence will be 

 much better. 



The local expense of such Institutes shoiild be borne by the people of tlie vicinity; 

 e, g., for hall. Are, lights, etc. 



Such is a brief outline of the subject. There may be many crude and impracticable 

 Ideas embraced in our scheme, but we want the College and the farmers to come 

 nearer to each other, to be a mutual benefit to each other, and to see the College take 

 such a position in agriculture and associated arts tliat it shall be the pride and boast 

 of the farmers of every section of our State. 



We very well know that in requesting the Board to inaugurate such a series of 

 meetings, and to take the control and guidance of the same, we are asking you to 

 assume an onerous responsibilitj'. But the State authorities in placing you as the 

 responsible head of the Agricultural College, have thereby placed you as the leaders 

 of the agricidtural educational interests of the State. By j'our position you must 

 take the lead in all eflbrts which aim to develop an intelligent interest in Avhatever 

 shall benefit this overshadowing industry. Compared with our agriculture, all other 

 productive industries in our State must speedily take a secondary position. Our lum- 

 bering will soon cease, for the axe and the saw will soon have done their work. Min- 

 ing itself must take a subordinate position in our State, but our agriculture will go 

 on increasing in extent, variety, and absolute value to the end of time. 



The farmers of our State have, tlierefore, a right to demand for themselves and for 

 their calling all that is most helpful and stimulating, to aid this great industry; and 

 the Agricultural College, and all connected Avith it, will fail of their duty if they are 

 not foremost in every movement which shall tend to the improvement of agriculture. 



Agricultural College, June 1st, 1875. 



Respectfully subm i t te d. 



R. C. KEDZIE, 

 W. J. BEAE, 

 R. C. CARPEXTER, 

 Committee. 



The Board appointed a committee, consisting of Hon. J. Webster Childs, 

 Hon. A. S. Dyckmau, and Hon. Milton J. Gard, to make all necessary arrange- 

 ments for the successful carrying out of the suggestions contained in tlie report 

 read by Prof. Kedzie. 



. At the next meeting of the State Board, which was held commencing August 

 24:th, a petition was presented from the members of the Armada (Macomb Co.) 

 Agricultural Society, and one from the Eocliester (Oakland Co.) Grange, 

 requesting the holding of an Institute at each of these places. These reciuests 

 were granted, and a resolution was passed inviting the College Faculty to 

 furnish a list of the subjects on which they would speak at the various Institutes 

 to be held during the winter, and requested Prof. Kedzie to write an article set- 

 ting forth a general plan for the Institutes, and the objects sougiit to bo secured 

 by them, and to have the article published in several of the leading papers of 

 the State. 



