1918] EDITORIAL. 307 



is favored of increasing the poAver of the trustees in such matters as 

 the purchase of hmd and erection of buildings, subject to the ap- 

 proval of the governor and council, rather than requiring specific 

 authorization by the legislature. 



No change is suggested in the present methods of appointment of 

 trustees and members of the faculty. It is thought desirable, 

 hoAvever, that an age limit of 68 years be established for all 

 teachers or scientific workers on the staff. Legislation providing a 

 system of retiring allowances for such employees who have been in 

 the service of the college at least 15 years is recommended, to 

 be administered either by the trustees or the State Teachers' Ketire- 

 ment Board. 



The question as to wdiether the college is or is not a State institu- 

 tion is taken up. It is stated that practically there can be no question 

 in the matter, but since the trustees form a corporation some tech- 

 nical legal questions have been raised, and legislative action is recom- 

 mended to settle the matter. 



In conclusion the commission considers the relation of the college 

 to the development of the agricultural resources of the State. It is 

 brought out that because of various economic changes the acreage of 

 improved land decreased nearly one-half from 1880 to 1910 and there 

 was also a heavy decline in the number of milch cattle. During the 

 same period, however, the yield and value of cultivated land and the 

 productivity of the cows have increased materially. 



The college is credited with valuable service in this direction, par- 

 ticularly by teaching farmers how to readjust themselves to the altered 

 conditions. It "has done much and i^ can do more to develop the 

 agricultural resources of the State, in directing farmers into new 

 lines of agriculture such as market gardening, fruit growing, green- 

 house products, and by showing them how, by teaching new methods 

 of fertilization and cultivation, the productivity of their farms can 

 be largely increased. Farming in these days and in this region can 

 not be carried on profitably by old-fashioned methods. It must have 

 the benefit of that advanced scientific and technical agriculture which 

 the Massachusetts College was established to give." 



The report of the Massachusetts commission thus contains much 

 that is already familiar to agricultural educators, but not always 

 understood and appreciated by the general public. It is a valuable 

 restatement of some of the fundamental relationships of the agricul- 

 tural college and the State, embodying as it does the conclusions of a 

 commission broadly constituted and with sufficient time at its dis- 

 posal for mature study. While not all of its findings are of general 

 application or would meet with universal acceptance, the report as 

 45967°— 18 2 



