30 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



that the fathers who provided for this College, along with others 

 in our educational system, possessed that wisdom and foresight 

 which led to the laying of a foundation so eminently fitting to 

 a state destined to be recognized as a leader in agricultural, 

 industrial, and intellectual development. 



It is well for our people to gather and to assist in celebrat- 

 ing important anniversaries of the estabHshing of prominent 

 state institutions, but it is expected that, without lacking a full 

 appreciation of the value of all others, we give distinctiveness 

 to each separate event. 



This College exists most conspicuously for the development 

 of agriculture and, as a fit companion, to give such mechanical 

 and technical training as will permit the head and the hands to 

 work together, and to assist each other in being progressively 

 useful. The term agriculture in its broad sense may include 

 horticulture, floriculture, stock raising, and all things incident 

 to soil production. 



It is therefore fitting to consider at this time the importance 

 of agriculture and how it leads out and directly affects all 

 other interests and the welfare of the state itself. From such 

 line of thinking we may also decide for ourselves the relative 

 importance of this College to all other educational institutions 

 of our state. 



As the foundation of it all, Michigan is, in the main, an 

 agricultural state. Although there exist within its domain rich 

 deposits of iron, copper, salt, and coal, and there are within 

 its thrifty cities numerous manufacturing and business interests 

 employing many people, yet those engaged in interests akin 

 to agriculture more than equal all others combined. The 

 products of its farms, gardens, and orchards, including Uve 

 stock, make up an annual aggregate value of more than that 

 of all other interests. 



Michigan is also a state of ideal American homes. These 

 are established upon a soil so fertile and exist under such climatic 



