38 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



lectures have been given on the Onitions of Demosthenes and Acschines on the 

 Crown, on the Liquifaction of Gases, California, Illumination, The Choice 

 of a Business, Mouths of the Mississippi and Engineering works on them, Short- 

 horns, Polish True and Mock, A Course of Reading in English History, 

 Eeproduction of Plants (by Mr. B. C. Halsted), Sympathy, the Soul of Oratory, 

 Snakes, Horticultural Ex^ieriments at the College, The Currency (by W. S. 

 George). 



MILITARY INSTRUCTION. 



On the breaking out of the rebellion the students formed tliemselves into a 

 company and had regular military drill. Governor Blair once visited the 

 company, and addressed it while on parade. Drill was afterwards required of 

 the students, and lectures were given (18G3) on Military Hygiene by Dr. Kedzie, 

 and on Field Fortifications by Professor Clute. Guns were furnislied by the 

 State and subsequently withdrawn. 



At present, military drill is a voluntary matter with the students. An 

 armory has lately been fitted up and tlie State has furnished us with sixty stand 

 of arms, breech-loading Springfield rifies, and accoutrements, a drill ground 

 has been made ready, and the company, fifty-four in number at the close of 

 last term, drills twice a week. The company has encamped from time to time 

 away from the College. 



The College Cornet Band has furnished music at times for the parade. Tliis 

 Band consists of fifteen pieces, and has property in instruments and books to 

 the amount of 195. GO. 



The interest manifested in military instruction is good, and is increasing. 

 Whatever has been done among tlie students is due chiefly to the labors of 

 Professor Ingersoli, their captain, whose experience of several years in the 

 army fits him to be the leader in this movement. 



It may not be generally known that by a law of this State the Agricultural 

 College is a military School. Yet so it is, as one may see by turning to 

 the SGith page of the laws of 18G3. No appropriations for the Military School 

 have as yet been made by the Legislature, and the College waits for the time 

 when the interest of the Congressional Land Grant shall enable it to equip tliis 

 department of instruction. 



SOCIETIES. 



I have now given an account of the various departments of instruction. The 

 Library of about 5,000 volumes and an extensive Ixcading Koom are daily 

 opened to students, and they have tlie further privilege of drawing out 

 books to read. The Societies formed amongst the students although of a 

 voluntary origin and nature are great helps to the students, and may find a 

 fitting mention here. The most general societies arc the Ciiristiau Union and 

 the Natural History Society. 



Tlie Christian Union has a library of several hundred volumes, mostly 

 purchased by the society. It takes charge of the prayer meetings, Sunday 

 schools, and Bible classes, and has lectures and entertainments from time 

 to time. 



The Natural History Society is made uj) of students and profe.-sors. The 

 members arc divided into five sections, Jiotany, Chemistry, Geology, Zoology, 

 and Scientific Methods. Tlie meetings arc held once a month, and its trans- 

 actions are reported in both the Lansing newspapers. The society has a library 



