422 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



that if the institution is narrowed to the special needs of 

 those who are to till the soil, it becomes a mere technical 

 school, and loses the distinctive characteristics of a college. 

 Every college must do something more than teach the 

 technics of any employment, or it is no longer a college. 

 The objects of study and training are two, — to form the 

 man and to form the workman. The work of a college is, 

 mainly, to develop manhood. The object of an agricultural 

 college is to form men, and also to furnish special training 

 for those who are to till the soil, or are to direct others in 

 tilling the soil. No narrow structure Avas contemplated in 

 the broad foundation proposed by the act of Congress, under 

 which the Massachusetts Acjricultural Colleofe was estab- 

 lished. It has ever striven to make men, though it has 

 often suffered the misfortune of being considered a mei-e 

 training school for farmers. This view is degrading to the 

 farmers and to their employment. Technical training with- 

 out liberal culture subordinates the man to his employment, 

 and tends to make him something less than a man. The 

 full course of study, as now arranged, is needed by every 

 young man who attends the college, whatever may be his 

 future employment. 



But the question may still be urged : " How is this col- 

 lege to aid the agricultural interests of the State ? " In reply 

 to this question, we would say that the college enables a 

 large class of young men to prepare for wide usefulness who 

 cannot pursue, or who do not M'ish to pursue, the courses of 

 study in the older colleges. Through the intelligent labor 

 of these graduates, agriculture and other productive indus- 

 tries of the State will receive fresh impulse, and will be 

 more wisely developed. 



The question may be aske^ : " How does this college pro- 

 mote the agricultural interests of the State as other institu- 

 tions of the State do not ? " We answer : — 



1. By providing special opportunities for the culture and 

 training of those engaged in agricultural pursuits, thus em- 

 phasizing the importance of such pursuits. 



2. By recognizing the value of a thorough education for 

 those engaged in agricultural pursuits. The day is past 



