1 68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 



high grade. It was, perhaps, the best that could 

 be obtained at that time and under the conditions 

 which then prevailed. 



The requirements for admission were neces- 

 sarily low and much preparatory instruction had 

 to be given; but when once prepared, I have yet 

 to find pupils who made such rapid advancement 

 as did those eager, unspoiled students from the 

 prairie farms. Later on many of the students who 

 came to us were fitted for entrance by our own 

 upper classmen and were therefore superior to 

 those who had been confused by a multitude of 

 subjects badly taught. 



The college year began the last of February 

 and closed the end of the following October with 

 only a few days vacation in July. There were two 

 reasons for placing the long vacation in the winter ; 

 first, the method of warming the College building 

 by the Routan system was an expensive failure; 

 and second, the winter vacation gave an oppor- 

 tunity for all qualified students to teach in the 

 public schools where they were much in demand. 

 This arrangement proved advantageous in many 

 ways. The secondary schools were benefited; at- 

 tention was drawn to the College; prospective 

 pupils received a better preparation along the 



