32 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



of our state, perhaps our normal training schools should be 

 of first consideration, for it is here that those who are to teach, 

 guide, and mold, receive instruction to aid in securing com- 

 missions for this all-important service. It is fast being proven 

 that no mistake has been made in providing the larger normals 

 in different sections of our state and the county system to make 

 it possible for more to prepare for the business of teaching. 

 The great demand is for more and better equipped teachers for 

 the common schools of the state. 



There comes a time after children and young people have, 

 as a general mass, attended school together, when each must 

 go his or her way in quest of still further education in prepara- 

 tion for some particular line of occupation or profession. For 

 all this our state has wisely provided various opportunities 

 for technical and professional education, through our School 

 of Mining, the Agricultural College, and our great University. 

 Besides these we have denominational colleges and business 

 training schools. Verily, Michigan stands in the front rank 

 for equipment for rearing an intelligent and progressive citizen 

 population. 



Albeit, as the crowning glory of it all we must recognize 

 and do homage to our intelligent and progressive citizenship. 

 To inherit, as our people have, a country so rich in opportuni- 

 ties as to draw from ambitious men their best energies, brings 

 about a condition of citizenship which for high ideals and 

 grand achievements cannot well be surpassed. 



Here let us pause and ask the relation of the Agricultural 

 College to all this thrift and well-doing. Although the institu- 

 tion was born of wisdom and good intent, it might have failed 

 to get a good start or it might have maintained a mere existence 

 void of progress or of recognized merit. 



The opposite from this, however, has been and is true. It 

 has done an incalculable work in the development of an intelli- 

 gent home life upon the farm. From small and humble begin- 



