306 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



cations, to prevent overlapping, and to secure the greatest efficiency 

 and economy in their work." 



The first need of the college is set forth as permanent and adequate 

 financial support. " All of the other problems with which it is con- 

 fronted can only be solved satisfactorily if requisite means are pro- 

 vided to meet the expense which their solution involves. Inadequate 

 support means poor teachers, poor buildings, poor equipment, a sec- 

 ond or third rate institution." The public is frankly advised that the 

 college " will probably prove one of the most expensive institutions 

 which the State maintains if it is to repay the State for its invest- 

 ment, and will grow more expensive the better instrugtion it gives." 



Special consideration was given to a study of the best method of 

 supporting the college. Of the four plans examined, that of millage 

 appropriations, based on a fractional amount of the State's valua- 

 tion, is deemed most advantageous to the institution, since in general 

 it affords assurance of a certain relatively fixed income increasing 

 with the advancing valuation of the State and with the developing 

 needs of the college. The method chiefly followed in the past of 

 annual appropriations based on estimates made directly to the legis- 

 lature is characterized as unsatisfactory to both the college and the 

 legislature, since it prevents the trustees from knowing sufficiently in 

 advance what means they will have for the development of their 

 plans, and has also apparently proved wasteful of the time of the 

 college authorities and of the legislators. 



A modification of this plan, which makes continuing specific ap- 

 propriations to cover a definite period of years or until revoked, is 

 deemed objectionable from the legislature's viewpoint because of 

 its implication of a binding agreement upon subsequent legislators. 

 If the appropriations are made for a fixed period, there is also " al- 

 most certain to be at the end of the period the kind of discussion of 

 the college and its conduct that is not beneficial to it." The final 

 plan studied, that of a general advance budget for all State institu- 

 tions, " if carefully worked out and justly administered," is believed 

 to be of great merit and applicable to the college. 



The imperative need of several important buildings, additional 

 improved live stock and other equipment, and more land is dis- 

 cussed in detail. An adequate and fireproof library building, to cost 

 about $250,000, and a commodious chemical laboratory, " furnished 

 with the best facilities for chemical instruction and research," are 

 deemed particularly necessary. A suitable gymnasium and armory, 

 a dormitory system commensurate with the growth of the college, in- 

 cluding provision for the increasing number of women students, and 

 a greatly enlarged central heating plant are also recommended. The 

 need of planning ahead on such matters is set forth, and the policy 



