180 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The above figni-es s1ioa\' llie disli-ibulioii of the regular college sliulents 

 in the various deparlmeuls. 01' those enrolled, thirtj^-three are students 

 deticient in one or nu)re subjects who have reinained to remove their 

 deficiencies. One hundred and sixty-three students are taking work in 

 which they have never previously enrolled. Of the total number in at- 

 tendance, six students are completing work for a degree at the end of 

 this session. 



The group of thirty-two rural teachers enrolled this year deserves 

 special comment. This number is double the number enrolled last 

 year and represents seventeen dift'erent counties of the state. These 

 students are distributed among the various special subjects as the above 

 statistics show, and I find through a questionnaire that they are attracted 

 to this institution by the practical value they hope to get from these 

 courses for use in the schoolroom. This value they are finding, ac- 

 cording- to their testimony, in every one of these courses. In addition, 

 they are getting an acquaintance with the activities and spirit of this 

 great institution which they are going to carry back with them to their 

 work. This gives the College another avenue of approach to the rural 

 community and an opportunity to help shape the education of boys and 

 girls of these communities whose training has been too much colored 

 by the city-trained minds of the teachers. There is need of a rural- 

 mindedness on the part of teachers, which can be secured at an institution 

 of this kind. Furthermore, such training will contribute its bit to the 

 better appreciation of the work of this institution throughout the state. 

 These persons are bound to become disseminators of information. If 

 we can have the proper vision of this value and the patience to cultivate 

 its possibilities, the Summer Session may become an invaluable feature 

 of our school year for such individuals and for ourselves. This does 

 not mean large numbers, but a sufficient number to effect the standard of 

 rural education. 



In connection with this summer's attendance, I wish to acknowledge 

 the debt owed to our extension workers for their service in directing 

 the attention of rural teachers to our summer work. Many have come 

 as a direct result of their efforts. 



Following the plan of previous years, the College held a rural con- 

 ference to which all persons interested in rural problems were invited. 

 In 1915 this conference enrolled twenty- five; in 191G, forty-two; in 1917, 

 two hundred. The program continued for one full week. 



The attendants upon these sessions came from widely distributed 

 parts of the state. 



Number of counties represented 41 



County sending largest number — Ingham and Shiawassee. 13 each 



Kumber of church denominations represented 10 



Total comniunities represented 120 



Number of women present 30 



Y. M. C. A. Secretaries 5 



Total attendance " 200 



The program of this conference dealt with the interests of the rural 

 community, from moral, educational, recreational and industrial points 

 of view. The purpose in mind on the part of the College were improve- 

 ment of those who serve the various rural communities by rendering 



