ANNUAL REPORT—CONVENTION. 
61 
Has not the farmer some obligation to perform toward the agri¬ 
cultural college ? Is it not the duty of every farmer to make 
some effort to ascertain the value of these colleges, to aid them if 
they need his aid, and at least to support them in every good 
work? The farmers of Wisconsin have not, indeed, been as pro¬ 
lific in fault-finding as have those of some neighboring states, but 
they have given their college a severe letting alone, and this 
apathy that has been shown may, perhaps, indicate even a more 
dangerous condition than fault-finding. 
The University of Wisconsin offers to the farmers’ sons a four 
years’ course of study, combining general and practical education, 
that is equal to the course of any similar institution in the country. 
It also offers to those who are sufficiently advanced to take it, 
a one years’ course, consisting of agricultural studies only. Be¬ 
sides these courses, it offers opportunity for any student to pursue 
any study or studies he may desire. 
Its board of regents has wisely thrown its doors wide open. The 
restriction it imposes is, that no student shall be allowed to take 
a study that he is not prepared to pursue with profit to himself. 
How many off the farmers of Wisconsin are there who have 
ever asked themselves if this is the education needed by farmers ? 
How many of them have sons who are to make farming a life 
profession, and what is the capital with which those sons are to 
begin their business career? 
Would not an education, that would cultivate their intellect, 
and at the same time give them that practical knowledge that lies 
at the foundation of their profession be the best investment that 
could be made for them? 
The laboratories of the agricultural college and its lecture rooms 
should be well supplied with the best apparatus. Do the farmers 
of Wisconsin know if their college is so supplied ? Labora¬ 
tories, lecture-rooms, cabinets, costly apparatus, libraries and 
teachers, are but means to an end. 
The value of these means to the farmer depends upon the use 
he makes of them. Are the farmers of this state receiving all the 
benefit that is offered them through the gift of congress? These 
are not questions that each may rightly answer according to his 
own inclinations. 
