THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 93 



Thus have come into existence six committees of five mem- 

 bers each, having a general supervision over the experimental 

 work in agriculture. These committees meet separately as the 

 interests of their individual departments require, and general 

 meetings of all are held at least once a year. It is fair to assume 

 that each committee is composed of representative men of the 

 state in that particular branch of agriculture covered. It is also 

 fair to assume that these thirty men, acting jointly, represent in 

 the broadest possible way the agricultural interests of the state. 



At a general called meeting of these committees held at 

 Urbana on August 16, 19 10, the condition of the Agricultural 

 College was taken under consideration. Such short investigation 

 as could be made at the time convinced those present that a thor- 

 ough investigation was needed, and by unanimous vote a commit- 

 tee was constituted to arrange for a general investigation. Mr. 

 F. I. Mann, of Gilman, Illinois, was made chairman and all mem- 

 bers of the Advisory Committees were named as members, as 

 well as the various officers of the before mentioned agricultural 

 associations. In addition to this, prominent men interested 

 throughout the state were added to the committee. 



On October 17 this committee, which was called the Gen- 

 eral Agricultural Committee, met, pursuant to written notice, at 

 the Agricultural College at Urbana. As a result of its delibera- 

 tions, the following conclusions were arrived at : 



First : That conditions were most critical and the existence 

 of the Agricultural College as a school of the first rank was at 

 stake. 



Second : Any practical solution of the problem and the 

 drawing of conclusions which could be sustained before the peo- 

 ple of the state, would require extended and careful investigation 

 which could not be carried out by a large body of men. 



Third : That a small committee must be selected which 

 should consist of representative men who would be able and will- 

 ing to give the necessary time to a thorough and exhaustive in- 

 vestigation, and that such investigation would necessarily re- 

 quire an investigation of the institutions in the neighboring states 



