A SHINING LIGHT. 219 



• 



students for their labor ou the farm, might not be reduced in 

 accordance with the spirit of the times. 



Your Committee are aware that this Board has no authority 

 to introduce any changes in the instruction or management of 

 the College, but that the sole control thereof is by law vested 

 in the trustees ; but understanding that the legislature, by 

 making the Board of Agriculture overseers of the College, 

 intended that they should in some wa}' give expression to 

 their views in resfard to the institution, it seemed to them not 

 out of place to introduce them in this report. 



These suggestions are made by your Committee, uot to 

 criticise the present management of the institution, with 

 which as a whole they are highly gratified, but because they 

 feel interested in increasing and extending its influence. 



It may not be practicable or wise to attempt to give it a 

 preeminent position among the colleges of the country for a 

 general literary or misceUaneous education, but it is practicable 

 to make it, par excellence, the Agricultural College of the laud. 



AVith its splendid endowment, its large aud noble farm, its 

 healthful and admirable situation, its convenient and ample 

 buildings, its admirable and salutary military discipline, its 

 corps of accomplished, scientific and enthusiastic instructors, 

 it ought to occupy a high position in the agricultural world ; 

 it ought to be "a burning and a shining light," attracting the 

 attention and becoming the pride and admiration of every 

 son of Massachusetts, throughout the laud. 



Edmund H. Bennett. 



Boston, February 1, 1876. C. S. SargENT. 



The Report was fully discussed, and finally accepted. 

 Mr. Sessions presented the following essay upon 



DEVON CATTLE. 



I have had an experience of over twenty-six years with this 

 breed of cattle. I am not disposed to criticise other breeds, 

 but will simply state some facts that have been collected in 

 my own observation, and in an extensive correspondence with 

 Devon breeders all over the country. Some of the facts here 

 presented may come in place ou this subject. 



