THREE THINGS LAST CENTURY 



SECRETARY JAMES WILSON 



It has been said that the United States did three unique 

 things in the last century. It built at Washington the Capitol, 

 the Washington Monument, and the Congressional Library, 

 each the finest of its kind in the world. A much grander work 

 was the laying of the foundation of agricultural education and 

 research to prepare the farmer for his Hfe-work, establish agri- 

 cultural literature, and Hf t the tiller of the soil to a higher level of 

 efficiency as a producer and a citizen. No country on earth has 

 such a comprehensive system to bring about these results. The 

 total number of land-grant colleges is 65, and 63 of these give 

 courses in agriculture which are attended by 10,000 students. 

 These colleges are also largely engaged in giving instruction in 

 agriculture to adult farmers in the farmers' institutes which are 

 annually attended by over one million farmers. These institu- 

 tions have permanent funds and equipment amounting to 

 $84,000,000 and an annual revenue of $14,500,000, to which the 

 federal government contributes $3,000,000 and the state govern- 

 ments $7,500,000. 



The work is telling in many ways. Young people go to these 

 institutions who would not go to any other. There is a great 

 demand at home and abroad for young people educated along 

 these lines. The brightest farm boys and girls are being edu- 

 cated for the farm. It is the most delightful and comprehensive 

 study of material things to which the mind can be appHed. 



FEDERAL AND STATE WORK 



There has been steady progress during the half -century that 

 marks the work of the Michigan Agricultural College. Con- 



203 



