238 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



them with unequaled spirit and energy. The making of an agricultural 

 professor was nearer possdble than ever it had been befote. The first 

 class graduated from the Illinois Industrial University in 1872. One of 

 the brightest of its members was made an assistant in the chemical 

 laboratory and ddring his first year of service wasi selected in effect for 

 the agricultural position. He went to Europe for a year's study shaped 

 entirely towards his anticipated duty, and in 1874 was made instructor 

 in agricultural chemistry. Perhaps personal reasons in this case more 

 than in any other caused the termination of the engagement after the 

 apparently established period of one year. It was at the close of this 

 service that Dr. Miles entered upon his work. In the meantime the affairs 

 of practical agriculture, as the phrase was, had been entrusted to the head 

 farmer and to one or another employed as temporary directors of field 

 experiments. The Regent and the various members of the faculty gave 

 assistance, such as it was, in class insitruction. 



, In 1876 George E. Morrow, then professor of agricultnre in the Iowa 

 Agricultural college, was elected to the chair in thisiin stitation, and in one 

 respect, but by no means in all related things, the fateful troubles were 

 ended. He retained his ofiice during eighteen consecutive years, and was 

 dean of the college from the time of its organization in 1878. So far as 

 this early history reaches and with all it includes, there is\no other name 

 so important for what it recalls, so illustrious for what it denotes. In his 

 memory the hall in which we meet is appropriately, and, let us trust, sig- 

 nificantly named. Today as we triumphantly dedicate these buildingsi, 

 we bring also our loving tributes and our laden testimonials to the ser- 

 vice rendered memory of this service-giving man. He wasi singularly 

 gifted in many ways, and these included qualifications needful in the 

 arduous and difficult work which he undertook to perform. He harmon- 

 ized opinions, co-ordinated interest, gained the confidence and good will 

 of those in authority and of others with whom he worked. Himself an 

 editor in his earlier career, he secured a favorable attitude on the part of 

 the agricultural press. He was unequaled at the time as a lecturer at 

 home and abroad upon agricultural themes, and his devotion to his sub- 



