454 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



This College was established, we understand, for the purpose of 

 bringing science to the aid of agriculture, and the question very natur- 

 ally here arises: Is it ace()ni])lishing, and to what extent is it accomplish- 

 iug, the purposes lor which it was established? 



"The people" are, today, asking fur practical results, in all matters 

 which concern the public. The "depressed condition" of which we have 

 all heard, and of which numy of us have felt, gives adequate reason for 

 this demand. 



But leaving the consideration of the subject, along these lines, to those 

 better qualified to correctly determine, let us consider, fur a few moments, 

 the relations which should exist, and seek to ascertain if these relations 

 do exist, between the farmers of Michigan and their State Agricultural 

 College. No extended words are needed, no arguments need be pro- 

 duced; the simple statement is sutKicient, the relations which should 

 exist are those of mutual confidence and sincere helpfulness. 



But I desire to speak, more particularly, of these relations, as existing 

 between the College and the more than 250 farmers' clubs of the State, 

 with their many thousands of members, and as represented through their 

 central organization — the Michigan State Association of Farmers' Clubs. 



The nearly 20,000 men and women comjirising the membership of 

 these farmers' clubs are loyal to education — to that education which 

 results in "the full and high development of all of the faculties and 

 powers of our being'' — and as thus defined, most truly and most emphati- 

 cally ought the farmer, with a broad field for observation and great 

 opportunities for research, to be a most loyal supporter of "education." 



From certain quarters has come the intimation that the farmers of 

 Michigan, as represented through the farmers' clubs of the State, are 

 opposing "higher education." This intimation is unjust because it is 

 untrue. The farmers are not opposing "higher education," if rightly 

 defined. But this they do oppose — and well and wise is it for them to 

 oppose — every form of unwise or extravagant use of the public funds; 

 and present conditions surrounding rural homes make this request for 

 the prudent use of all public funds a most just and reasonable request. 



I have said the farmers of ISJichigan are loyal to education, and they 

 are justly proud of our beneficent and magnificent State educational 

 system, whereby every citizen may acquire, in our public schools, that 

 education which shall fit him for "good citizenship," and while the gr^at 

 importance of sustaining our primary schools is shown by the fact that 

 about ninety-five per cent of our people acquire therein their only educa- 

 tion — so far as aid from our public schools is concerned — yet this fact 

 does not lessen the necessity, and therefore the wisdom of upholding 

 and advancing our higher institutions of learning. 



And this the farmers will do, provided they can feel that practical 

 results are being secured through the operations of good business con- 

 duct. 



It may be proper to suggest that the farmers of the State are not 

 as familiar with the workings of their State Agricultural College as 

 they should be. It will bear and invites candid investigation, and nill 

 be strengthened by just, candid and friendly criticism. 



In conclusion, I feel that I may safely assert thnt in so far as our State 

 Agricultural Collejre holds to the purposes for whir-h it was established, 

 and produces practical results along those lines, the farmers' clubs of 

 Michigan will give to it consistent, earnest, practical and loyal support. 



