REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 455 



WANTS OF THE COLLEGE. 



While we have set forth the capabilities of the college, we 

 have not lost sight of what it urgently needs to increase its 

 efficiency. Its library is not adequate for our purpose, — for 

 the wants of the students. We have no proper library-room. 

 There is no proper place for the cabinet, which is a valua- 

 ble one for the purposes of instruction. It is the " State 

 Collection, " enlarged and enriched by private donations. 

 During the past year it has received valuable additions of 

 several thousand specimens of minerals, fossils, shells, in- 

 sects and bird's eggs and nests, the entire private collection 

 of Mr. Winfred A. Stearns, who presented it to the college, 

 and personally superintended its classification and arrange- 

 ment. Both this and the library are in dormitory buildings, 

 with all their inconvenience for such purposes, and exposure 

 to fire. We have no room suitable for public college exer- 

 cises. The hall we now use for chapel is too small for any 

 commencement exercise, and this room is needed to enlarge 

 the chemical department. 



One of our pressing needs, therefore, is a public building 

 containing hall for public exercises, for the library and cabi- 

 net. We trust some public-spirited man will soon give funds 

 for such a building. The names of the Hills, of Knowlton, 

 and Durfee remind us of what has already been generously 

 given to the college for specific purposes, and we feel that 

 when the work and needs of the college are known, other 

 names will be added to the list of our benefactors. 



Our second need, perhaps first in importance, is a fund for 

 payment of instructors. We should have more men, and 

 they should be better paid. We must have men, the equals 

 at least of those in other colleges, and they have more work 

 to do than is ordinarily required of professors in classical col- 

 leges. 



It was found to be impracticable to erect such a building 

 as the college should have for the military department, for 

 $5,000. The plans were cut down, but still no bid warranted 

 the trustees in making a contract. They concluded to hiiiid 

 by the day. The work has progressed far enough to show 

 that a large saving has been made over the lowest contract 



