No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xxv 



frreat amount of valuable work which he has done without 

 expense to the State for years past. 



Three bird pamphlets have been issued by him, being re- 

 prints of articles on birds published previously in the " Agri- 

 culture of Massachusetts." His report as State Ornitholo- 

 gist will be found printed elsewhere in this volume. 



The demand for " Useful birds and their protection," by 

 Mr, Forbush, has continued throughout the year, though of 

 course it has decreased in extent with the passage of time. 

 The second edition is now almost exhausted, and we have 

 on hand a third edition of 1,500 copies on sale at the same 

 terms, — $1 per copy. 



Massachusetts Agricultural College. 

 The progress of this institution has been marked during 

 the year. There are now more students in attendance than 

 ever before, a larger teaching force, more and stronger 

 courses, and the appropriations from the State and national 

 governments have steadily increased from year to year. 

 During the year new greenhouses have been erected, the 

 Legislature at last having granted the necessary appropria- 

 tion, and the college is now in position to give instruction 

 in this line of work in accordance with the importance of the 

 industry in Massachusetts. Many other improvements have 

 been made during the year, and with the steady increase 

 of assistance from the United States government we may 

 look for further increases from the State and greater attend- 

 ance and more interest on the part of the people. Let us 

 not forget, in the days of our prosperity, those who stood 

 firm at the helm while the college was on trial in the early 

 days, when the term " Aggie " was a disgrace in the eyes 

 of most, and the college was a favorite target for the eco- 

 nomical or humorous legislator. They were insistent then 

 that the day of the college was coming; true prophets, their 

 faitli in her future never wavered, and they stood firm for 

 her rights and prestige when that course was not as easy 

 as it is to-day. "We can only regi*et that there are so few of 

 those who went through the trial who are alive to-day to 



