systematic and extended courses of our high schools, if the requirements 

 for admission to the College allow them to enter here before completing 

 the high school course*. To this charge it is to be answered, in the first 

 place, that the state of things complained of cannot be helped. Good 

 faith forbids that such conditions of entrance shall be imposed as would 

 exclude from the College that large part of onr population that gets its 

 training in onr common country schools. Through the same door that 

 such students enter, pupils can also enter from the lower years of a 

 high school course. In the second place, it is believed that the evil will 

 not prove a serious one. The College unhesitatingly recommends that all 

 students who can shall complete a high school course. They will find 

 much in it that the College does- not furnish, and which will give them a 

 decided advantage in all subsequent work. They gain also advanced 

 standing in the College by completing thjeir high school work ; but inas- 

 much as the two courses are necessarily dissimilar, their gain in this re- 

 spect is not a proper measure of the real service that a more extended 

 course of study has given them. 



3. In the third place and finally, a few words must be said in regard 

 to the equipment and present condition of the College. 



Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) have been expended in the out- 

 fit of the College thus far. The department of Physics and Mechanics is 

 well equipped. It is safe to say that the opportunities for studying these 

 great and fundamental branches here are decidedly superior to those else- 

 where offered in the State. The laboratory method of study has been 

 adopted, the student being obliged to make the experiments and repeat 

 the demonstrations upon which these branches are founded. 



Ample provision has been begun for the thorough and comprehensive 

 study of theoretical and practical chemistry in its main sub-divisions. 

 The laboratory is already well furnished for ordinary work, and will be 

 made to keep pace with the growing necessities of the College by all 

 additions and enlargements required. 



In the department of Surveying and Engineer ing a full set of the best 

 instruments in the market is provided. 



Much useful material in the department of Practical Agriculture aud 

 Botany has already been accumulated, in -the way of specimens, charts 

 and models. A portion of the College farm is to bo Bet aside as an ex- 

 perimental station, and this will furnish invaluable assistance in these 

 departments. 



A zoological laboratory and museum has been "begun, and is already 

 in a condition to render very important service to the agricultural and 

 general stadent. 



