i8o MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



It declared: "But the action of the state government has 

 been so sweeping and provident that the Agricultural College 

 may be looked upon as a permanent institution, unless it con- 

 tains some inherent defect that no money or state aid can sup- 

 ply." The article ended by "urging a cordial support of the 

 College, and to invite a renewed interest in it and in its capa- 

 bilities for educating and developing a strong, earnest, intelli- 

 gent farming community." Thus it was fifty-two years be- 

 tween the first legislative enactment hinting at agricultural 

 instruction and the passage of the last act which seemed finally 

 to settle and fix the status of the College. 



To get a broad view of the present and to meditate a little on 

 the past, the roof of the new engineering building furnishes a 

 good place. Walk around near the edge of it and think of fifty 

 years ago, recalling the three buildings, the few acres partially 

 cleared, with charred logs, stumps, and the litter of the builders 

 strewn around; the vision limited to a small circle bounded by 

 a wall of forest trees, burned and blackened while clearing the 

 few acres above mentioned. Recall the crooked road to Lansing 

 with its mud holes, corduroy and roots of trees extending into 

 the traveled part which had not been cut or worn away. Think 

 of roads from Lansing to your respective depots, and of the rail- 

 roads carrying you nearest to your home, and of the variety of 

 vehicles, whether carriages, stage, lumber wagon, or on foot, 

 the latter usually the most comfortable. Forgetting the past, 

 stroll leisurely around again and inspect the campus, with every 

 sort of tree, shrub, or vine common to this latitude, its walks and 

 drives, its cozy nooks and winding paths, its flowers and plants 

 in great variety, all or nearly all labeled and well kept. View 

 the fifty or more buildings and think of their equipment and con- 

 tents, constituting a very complete outfit for the purposes 

 intended, especially when we get our agricultural building and 

 fire-proof library, which we hope for in the near future. Linger a 

 few moments more, and beyond the campus scan the gardens. 



