109 



worked great injury to the cause of agricultural education. It is not the- 

 function of a univt^rsity or college maintained by taxation to sin)[)ly meet the 

 present demands, but it should rather stimulate and create demands for such- 

 types of education as shall contribute the greatest good to the Connnonwealth. 

 * As the industry of agriculture is fundamental, and as our Goveriniient. in 

 recognition of tliis fact, makes annually large appropriations for agricultural 

 education, it is the plain and imperative duty of all land-grant colleges to build 

 up strong, independent departments of agriculture and to encourage y; ung men 

 in every w;;y possible, even to the remittance of fees, to make a thorough, scien- 

 tific study of this subject. Short courses should be provided for thiise unable 

 to take the longer courses. Through the experiment-station bulletins and 

 farmers' institutes, knowledge rf practical, everyday problems sh;)uld be 

 brought home to the farmer who is unable to avail himself of the advantages- 

 offered in tlie class room. 



If the agricultural department of a university or the State agricultural col- 

 lege, in eiiuipment. buildings, teaching force, and courses of study, is such as; 

 to coumiand the respect of all thinking people, how can the interest in anrl 

 appreciatinu for the work of this institution or department be increased? 



It was the intention of the writer at one time to prepare an answer to this- 

 question from information furnished by the various institutions engaged in this 

 work. But after jn-eparing a blank asking for specific infornnition on twelve 

 or fifteen points, it came to his attention that there were at that time several 

 such blanks on his desk unanswered. His heart failed him and he decided, even. 

 at the risk of unfavorable comment, to give brielly the methods used by his own 

 institution in bringing before the public, and the farmers in particular, the- 

 advantages that institution has to offer to the young people of ^Michigan. 



It may be projier to state at this time that this college has always maintained 

 very friendly relations with the public schools, and especially the high schools, 

 of the State. Members of the faculty belong to the State teachers' association 

 and have an extensive acquaintance among public school men. This has, in 

 many ways, contributed to the growth and stability of the college. 



For advertising purposes .$2,000 is set apart each year. This is expended 

 through the president's office and almost entirely within the confines of the 

 State. Methods differ soniewhr.t from year to year. As an indication of the 

 plan ordinarily pursued, a brief outline of the work done last year will be 

 given : 



About the 1st of January the college calendar was issued. This gave views 

 of buildings, landscapes, laboratories, interior views of laboratories, etc. An 

 edition of 6,000, costing about $325, was distributed to all the high schools of 

 the State, alumni, newspapers. State officers, country ministers, and the leading, 

 agriculturists of the State. The college has issued a calendar each year for 

 the past seven years and the results from this source of advertising have been 

 \ery satisfactory. 



The college issues quarterly bulletins in editions of from 5.000 to 10,000. The 

 first edition is issued in February. This gives the programme of the round-up 

 farmers' institute, together with information concerning the college, and e.spe- 

 cially the agricultural deiiartment. This is mailed to all the ofiicers of the 

 county institute societies and to those who have in any way been interestod in 

 the work of the institutes, also to other prominent farniers throughout the State^ 

 'tile proceedings of the round-uj) institute are printed and issued as a sui>ple- 

 ment to the February bulletin. Ten thousand copies are in this way distrib- 

 uted among the farmers of the State. 



The May bulletin is designed to give information to young i)eople who may be 

 induced to enter our long courses. These are sent to the members of the senior 

 class of each high school of the St;;te and to several thousand other young peo[)le 

 whose names we have collected from farmers' clubs, granges, country ministers,, 

 ahnnni, old students, and various other sources. To this list of names are sent 

 also several special editions of our college paper. Including the commencement 

 number. 



The August bulletin is also sent to this list of names, as well as to all likely 

 to be interested in the excursions to the college. It gives information concern- 

 ing these excursions, which take place during the third week of Augu.st. Four 

 railroads enter Lansing. One railroad is given two days for excursions, the 

 other three one day each. We arrange several months beforehand with each 

 railroad, having an understanding as to the territory to be covered and the 

 rates to be charged. The railr ad furnishes the college printed matter adver- 

 tising the excursions. We mail this to all the granges, farmers' clubs, post- 



