THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 87 



the state. I am telling you this in a general way. Illinois has 

 been unwilling to increase its agricultural fund one bit, but has 

 reduced it. The money goes to the experimental station, but it 

 does not help the students any. In a little while this policy would 

 destroy the college. 



I have tried to make a plain statement of the situation, and 

 would be glad to answer any questions I could answer. I want 

 to attract your attention, and your interest as a teaching institu- 

 tion as well as one that makes experiments and publishes results. 



I want to say just one word about what agriculture is com- 

 ing to mean these days. There is no subject that stands better in 

 the estimation of our people than agriculture. There used to be 

 a time when the agricultural students were laughed at. That 

 time is past. No one need to hesitate to come to the University 

 of Illinois, either on an excursion or to attend this two weeks' 

 course or at any other time with the understanding that he will 

 not be welcome at the university. 



I saw a man the other day, an old man, coming up the street 

 with his grip. I stepped up to him and said, "You are looking 

 for some one." He was coming to the university. He had his 

 nose pointed toward an agricultural building; it is not only our 

 agricultural faculty, but the Y. M. C. A. has organized office 

 rooms for these men and boys and helps to make it pleasant for 

 them. Our Agricultural Club takes the case in hand during these 

 two weeks and helps to make it pleasant. The people say it is a 

 mighty strong body of men that come here. The professor in 

 Greek said : "I like the looks of the fellows that come at this 

 time." I want to advertise this class; we want more people. 



Let me tell you what we did a few years ago when we plan- 

 ned the agricultural building; we planned two acres of floor space 

 and we had nineteen students. Every one said, "You are crazy." 

 It did look that way. That was twelve years ago and it was ten 

 years ago when we went into it. We have changed this plan; 

 two departments are moved out and we are as thick as sardines 

 in a box. We do not dare advertise. We started with nineteen 

 students, now we have 750. It simply means these two things 



