422 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



coming into their own, the fact .should call for congratulation rather 

 than discrimination. 



The increasing prominence of the agricultural colleges and experi- 

 ment stations in connection with this show is one of the striking illus- 

 trations of the change in attitude toward these institutions. Their suc- 

 cess in open competition with the world's masters has had great influence 

 in popularizing agricultural education. Everywhere the college and 

 station men were greeted and referred to with respect. Farmers in 

 the audience were pointing them out to one another, and in the judg- 

 ing ring they were much in evidence. These things have demon- 

 strated the practical character of the colleges and the high degree 

 of confidence now reposed in their specialists. 



Of the list of judges at the show, nine were men connected with the 

 agricultural colleges and experiment stations, and the} 7 judged in 

 nearly one hundred and fifty classes of horses, cattle, sheep, and swine, 

 being in many classes the only judges. Their work was repeatedly 

 commended for the soundness of judgment displayed, and the reasons 

 for their decisions were uniformly intelligible and freely given. As 

 formerly, Prof. C. F. Curtiss, who is one of the directors of the expo- 

 sition, was an active member of the executive committee and one of the 

 conspicuous figures of the exposition. 



This is indeed a great change. It is worth a great deal to have 

 attained, and those who have brought it about have reason to be proud 

 and deserve much credit. As measured by other attempts to popu- 

 larize this form of education, the effort must commend itself as entirely 

 legitimate. 



For a long time the agricultural college instructors, following the 

 course of other educational institutions, sat in their class rooms wait- 

 ing for students and teaching the few who chose to come. Later they 

 went after the farmer, met him on his own ground by any means they 

 could devise, and b} 7 sheer force of argument demonstrated their prac- 

 tical nature and usefulness to him, and gradually changed their title 

 from one of derision to respect and confidence. The man who scoffs 

 at the college and station expert now is likely to be pitied in return; 

 and in bringing about this change of feeling, especially as related to the 

 important branch of animal husbandry, the International Live Stock 

 Exposition has been an important factor. 



