APPENDIX. 133 



The time has now come when it seems demanded that a definite plan 

 of action should he presented to the legislature, not only to meet the 

 requirements of the law, but also that those who desire the advantages 

 of the College may understand the facilities it will offer for education. 



Plan of Study. 



According to the regulations already adopted for admission to the 

 freshman class, students must be prepared to pass the examination 

 required for entering the normal schools of the State. 



The subjects required to be taught in the College were also given in 

 a former report. The present plan, therefore, simply arranges the 

 studies, giving to each what is thought to be its proper place in the 

 course. Undoubtedly, experience will suggest improvements, changing 

 the relative place of studies here mentioned, introducing others, and 

 perhaps striking out some now required. The object aimed at in the 

 instruction is, first, to make intelligent, thoroughly-educated men ; and 

 secondly, to make practical agriculturists. This is demanded by the law 

 of Congress donating the lands, which declares the purpose to be, " to 

 •promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the 

 several pursuits and professions in life." It is difficult to see how an 

 agricultural education alone would meet the requirements of this law if 

 such an education were desirable. But any system that attempts to 

 give practical knowledge without first having given a broad scientific 

 basis, will succeed only in making skilful artisans, and will not send forth 

 men fitted to improve themselves, or add materially to the advancement 

 of knowledge. 



The course of instruction is necessarily somewhat modified by the 

 condition of our schools. If all the children in the State could have the 

 advantage of our best High Schools, the studies of the College course 

 might commence one year in advance of what they now can. The 

 College must raise its standard just as rapidly as it can be done without 

 shutting out those who most need its advantages. 



If any are now able to have at home the advantages offered by the 

 College in the first year, such students can enter in advance, while the 

 College should offer instruction to those who mu^ go from home, at a 

 less price than it can be obtained for in any other place. 



It is proposed that, for the present at least, the instruction shall 

 consist of two courses: a special course of lectures, exclusively agricul- 

 tural, to be given every winter, and also a regular four years' course of 

 study that shall give a truly liberal education — a basis for the active 

 duties of life, which any citizen of a free republic may be called upon 

 to engage in. The College will thus offer the advantages of a profes- 

 sional school in agriculture, and an educational course differing from 



