78 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



had given him rich opportunity to solve Nature's problems, 

 and he improved them to the utmost. The students thought of 

 Dr. Thurber as a walking encyclopaedia, and indeed he deserved 

 the title. He was quick with advice and information upon 

 almost every subject; and his perpetual fund of wholesome 

 humor made him the center of attraction in every social gather- 

 ing. His telling service in the horticultural department, and 

 his exceptional ability to make science clear and fascinating, 

 constituted seed of the right kind, when agricultural education 

 was first taking root. Except for his one lamentable failing, 

 what a power for good he might have become, in this first agri- 

 cultural college ! I have often wished that he might have had 

 in boyhood and youth such influence and companionship as 

 would have come with association with one like Dr. Abbot. 

 How different might have been his life, and how he might have 

 enriched the science department of this College through his 

 rare ability and genius ! 



PROFESSOR ALBERT N. PRENTISS 



Professor A. N. Prentiss was one of the first two alumni 

 called to the faculty of this institution. My intimate association 

 with him, and friendship for four years of college life, and my 

 equally pleasant relation with him as a fellow-teacher, make it 

 difficult to speak dispassionately regarding his character and 

 work. Of all my college associates, next to Dr. Abbot, he did 

 most for me. He was clean, true, able, industrious, and of that 

 gracious make-up, that would never barter character for aught 

 that life or man could offer. In the seven years that he taught 

 here, he builded up the department of botany and horticulture 

 in marvelous fashion. How little he had to help him, and yet 

 how the students loved him and his work ! His dignity of bearing 

 and purity of life were a constant inspiration to the entire student 

 body. Cornell took a gem from us, when she captured Professor 

 Prentiss. This College has made mistakes; I think the first 



