66 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



Another thing I wish to speak of is the work that Prof. Rankin is do- 

 ing. He is here to come in touch with the young people of this state 

 who are interested in farming, and if as you go to your homes you have 

 a son that is looking around to do this kind of work, put him in communi- 

 cation with Prof. Rankin. Let Rankin send to him the blanks which he 

 is sending out, that will lead the young man to a line and system of 

 work and observation and reference to corn raising ,and so get in touch 

 with the University. 



In the summer school, there were 200 students. This must help, 

 and it would help a good deal more if those teachers that come here 

 felt that they must pass an examination in the elements of agriculture 

 before they could secure certificates; they would give better attention 

 to that department. 



One subject that I touch with hesitancy, is the subject of short 

 courses here. I want to speak of it modestly. In what I say, I may 

 not be in perfect harmony with what is being done here. I am very 

 positive that a grand work is being done, and all of us know what was 

 done here ten years ago and what is being done here now, deserves 

 praise. I cannot help the feeling that the short courses would attract 

 a good many here who would not come otherwise. They would go back 

 and tell others what could be done here and influence others to come. 

 If he commences at six weeks and tells his neighbors about it, and comes 

 back and brings two neighbors with him, he is doing a good work. The 

 professors here seem to be afraid of the term " short course." 



They bring here in January several hundred young people to con- 

 sider the subject of stock judging and corn judging; they will be here 

 from the 19th of January for two weeks, and I am sure it will be very 

 helpful. , I wish there could be more of it. 



Just let me give you a little of what is being done in other insti- 

 tutions, but not for comparison. After talking with Dean Davenport, 

 I am inclined to think people do not understand the facts about this in- 

 stitution, and the reason is in the published matter that goes out — you 

 don't tell the facts. The Dean told me a person could come here and 

 study this or that and get practically what is short course. The teach- 

 ers do not understand it that way. 



I take Harris's report and I read that if you come to this college, 



