446 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



chapel. The other departments of instruction remain as 

 they were at the time of the last report. 



The course of study has been so far modified as to intro- 

 duce more instruction in the structure of the Enoli^h Ian- 

 guage, rhetoric and history. The study of French and Ger- 

 man heretofore required has been made optional, and the 

 time of recitations so arranged that each student can study 

 both languages if he so elects. 



The work of the college has been most efficiently done. 

 The improvement of the students in their studies and in that 

 good order and gentlemanly deportment so desirable in col- 

 lege, has been highly satisfactory. 



While we could use to great advantage much larger means 

 than we have, and should have the assistance of specialists 

 in different departments of science, which our limited means 

 do not warrant us now in securing, we should be false to the 

 best interests of the college, as well as ungrateful towards 

 the nation and Commonwealth, if we did not fairly recognize 

 what they have already done in making this college an effi- 

 cient agency in the work of practical, liberal education. In 

 seeking for more which is needful, we have perhaps too 

 much lost sight of, or kept from the public view, what we now 

 have. 



It is plainly evident that the people of the State, as a 

 whole, have not understood the provisions here made for the 

 education of the young men of Massachusetts. When com- 

 mittees from the legislature and others have visited the insti- 

 tution and become acquainted with its organization, its 

 means of instruction, and its actual work, the college has 

 proved its own best advocate. To make the college and its 

 work better knoAvn to all the people of the State, we ask a 

 careful consideration of the course of study and of the reports 

 of various departments. We also feel justified in once more 

 calling the attention of the legislature and the people of the 

 State to the founding and organization of this institution as 

 well as to its present condition. 



The grant of land and land-scrip for founding agricultural 

 colleges was made by the general government in 1862. The 

 civil war had brought out with great clearness the elements 

 of national strength, — varied production in agriculture and 



