272 



ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



If for no other reason, a college or association of some kindus neces- 

 sary, because experiments if left depend'ent upon the life and health and 

 inclination of private persons, would almost certainly fail. 



Although comparatively new institutions, colleges of agriculture have 

 abundantly proved their value. The railroad is not more to transporta- 

 tion than the Agricultural College and experiment station will be to 

 agriculture. 



There is but one opinion among those acquainted with their worR; 

 they must be maintained. Any farmer and all farmers who will watch 

 the work done in these institutions and who will apply to their own 

 work what may be applicable, will soon become their enthusiastic 

 friends. 



A reasonable amount of public money judiciously expended in one 

 agricultural college will return a hundfedl fold to the common good. 



A wise public policy will surely give liberal support to the agricul- 

 tural college and experiment station. 



We are met here to dedicate this great building, the largest agricul- 

 tural college building, I believe, in the world. It is consistent — we are 

 the greatest agricultural community, and this building stands in the cen- 

 ter of the largest tract of the most productive land comprised in any sin- 

 gle state. It will be well equipped. We have here a corps of instructors 

 many of them already renowned for eminent services to agriculture, all 

 are learned and skilled in the art, and devoted to it. 



To the great art— the greatest— we dedicate this splendid building. 



