THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 91 



of the class were under examination ; and the questions put 

 to them were such as must of necessity call out answers to 

 be made promptly, without the aid of books or instructors . 

 and the results were highly gratifying. A prominent aim 

 was to ascertain if the young men were really qualified to 

 go upon a farm, and conduct its operations in an intelligent 

 and practical manner. It was deemed desirable to learn if 

 they had been instructed in a way to enable them to carry 

 forward the principles of advanced husbandry so as to pro- 

 mote its best interests wherever they might be located. This 

 requires a knowledge of the principles and practice of chem- 

 istry, also an acquaintance with the physical character of 

 soils, their origin, and methods of reclamation and fertiliza- 

 tion ; the nature and nutritive value of the cereal grains, 

 roots, and grasses ; the value of the different breeds of ani- 

 mals, and the best methods of feeding and utilizing their 

 products ; the care of seeds ; and all the implements of hus- 

 bandry. Upon these points and many others the young men 

 were examined sufficiently in detail to bring out what they 

 really knew ; and it is gratifying to report that the answers 

 showed marked proficiency in these departments of study. 

 They were such as to increase our confidence in the useful- 

 ness of the College in its direct bearings upon the agri- 

 culture of our state and country." 



An equally authoritative indorsement might be presented 

 from every committee whose duty it has been to examine 

 into and report upon the details of the working and effi- 

 ciency of the College. The Committee of 1870, for instance, 

 Professor Louis Agassiz, chairman, say, " The examinations 

 of the students in classes have been upon agriculture, horti- 

 culture, botany, physiology, chemistry, geology, mental and 

 kindred sciences ; and we have witnessed the military drills, 

 and observed with gratification the topographical drawings 

 by the students. We are convinced that the system of 

 instruction is well calculated for the ends in view, that the 

 students are making commendable progress in their studies, 

 and that the several professors are not only accomplished 

 in their respective departments, but earnest and thorough in 

 the prosecution of their duties. 



" The leading object in this institution, in compliance 

 with the Act of Congress to which it owes its endowment, 



