AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 525 



instruction require that our numbers shall not exceed the 

 limits indicated. At the beginning of the present college 

 year thirty were admitted to the Freshman class. Twenty- 

 six of these received scholarships, in accordance with the 

 resolve passed by the legislature of 1883. The members of 

 the Senate of our State have shown commendable faithful- 

 ness in giving notice in their several districts and in arrang- 

 ing for examination of candidates. The State College meets 

 the wants of those who desire a more thorouiih scientific and 

 practical training than can be obtained at most of our higher 

 institutions. Such students are usually obliged to make 

 their own way in the world, and are compelled to practice 

 rigid economy. The expenses of the course though very 

 moderate as compared with many other colleges, are beyond 

 the means of a large proportion of those in whose interest 

 the college was established. Whatever can be reasonably 

 done to diminish the expenses of the course, the Trustees 

 are disposed to do. Arrangements are made to employ 

 students at such times as Avill not interfere with their studies, 

 so far as circumstances will allow. With the co-operation of 

 Mr. Wright, the farmer, and his wife, some of the students 

 have formed a club and furnished themselves with good 

 board for about |2.50 per week. I believe the State of 

 Massachusetts, that in the past has done so much by direct 

 gifts to other colleges and private institutions within the 

 State to extend their usefulness, will not be slow to open 

 the way to that increasing class of workingmen's sons who 

 desire to avail themselves of the advantages of the State 

 Collegfe, but who have not the means so to do. 



IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE COLLEGE. 



1. In the earlier part of this report we have noticed the 

 condition of the Library and Chapel Building, and the 

 course pursued by the Building Committee in its erection. 

 An appropriation is now needed to put in heating apparatus, 

 to furnish the librar}^ and reading-room, to provide cases for 

 the State collections now in the care of the College, and 

 to do what additional work may be necessary to complete 

 the building according to its design. 



2. The chemical laboratory building has been in almost 



