(I
T II E II E S T E R I A N.
ated and furnished the various apartments, ns is best adapted
to the particular branch ol education to be imparted therein.
Here, under the happy influence of a government that re
gards the sanctity of the people's rights, the children 'ol the
poor, as well as those of the wealthy, of merchant and me
chanic, the sous and daughters of him who tills the soil, and
ol him who works in shop and factory, can obtain such edu
cation as will prepare -them for their separate work in Hie.
In its broad sweep, comprehending, as it does, every depart
ment of useful knowledge, the academic and industrial col
leges, the Latin and fine arts, the military department, and
the experimental farm and station, each under the direction
of instructors whose names arc a sufficient guarantee of suc
cessful administration, and all supervised by a chancellor of
national repute as an educator, there can be no doubt but
that the influence exerted by this institution of learning, will
surpass even our highest hopes, refining, Christianizing, and
elevating the people, stimulating labor, ennobling the labor
er, and developing and increasing their ability to produce.
The university is built upon a solid foundation.
It has behind it the power of the nation, before it the
hopes of the people. It has been successful, it will be a
success.
In an address to which I listened delivered here during
ihc winter of 1889, President Angel, of the state university of
Michigan, asserted that "if during the next decade, it ad
vanced as it had in the past, it would take rank with Har
vard and Yale." We have confidence to believe that this
prophecy will prove true.
The fact that it is especially adapted to the needs of the
people in imparting that practical and useful knowledge that
will aid them in the discharge of the everyday duties of life,
the fact that its influence beautifies and dignifies labor, the
fact that its doors stand ever open, and its benefits arc acces
sible to every class and condition, is an argument to my mind
that it has the blessing and is under the peculiar care of that
Divine Providence that loves our weak humanity
It is a pure fountain, from which he who drinks, invigor
ated and refreshed, goes lorth to labor in the field of duty,
and in" being blcssqd he blesses others. Particularly is there
one department of this institution, in which I am most deeply
and intensely interested. It is that branch that is devoted
to the education of the children of the farm.
Nearly all my life I have toiled and labored on the farm.
This, of itself, would be sufficient reason for' my interest in
this direction, but other and better reasons can be offered.
.Our state is one peculiarly adapted to agriculture. The sun
in his daily journey around the world looks not down upon
another region covering as large a portion of its surface that
can grow as many bushels of corn or cereals, or that can sus
tain such countless numbers of the domestic animals.
Look abroad over her territory. The enormous harvest of
the present year is witness to the statement. The time is
coming and not far hence, when every foot of land within her
borders will be occupied, when spots that now arc isolated and
barren will be green with verdure, or weighted with yellow
grain. Wonderful has been her past development. But a more
wonderful development is seen in our vision of the futnre. Mill
ions of happy homes will rest upon her bosom, whose inhabitants
will find their nourishment in the products of her fertile acres.
There was a time in the history of the world when it was
not considered necessary for one engaged in agriculture or
pastoral pursuits to be endowed with any particular degree of
learning.
Hut those were the days when-he plowed the ground with
a crooked stick and dragged it with brush for a harrow.
When he pulled his grain up by the roots or cut it by the
handful with a knife, threshed it by beating it with a club or
trampling it with cattle, winnowed it by tossing into the air,
and ground it by crushing it in a rude mortar. Those days
have gone by forever.
The time is now when he who cultivates the soil and is suc
cessful must be a man of education, lly this statement I do
not wish to convey the idea that it is necessary for him to
know whose chisel carved the Sphinx, to de able to converse
in Greek or Hebrew, or even be able to interpret the inscrip
tions graven on the pyramids of Egypt, or on the massive
ruins of ancient lialbec; but he must he acquainted with the
chemical constituents of the soil, and know what kind of
grain or fruit can be cultivated to the best advantage in the
different locations.
The soil and the location most suitable for the growth of
vines and berries, to know how and when to plant them, to
harvest and preserve the crop. He must know how, when,
and where to put in the various kinds of vegetables, plant
and root crops, how to care for them, and best prepare them
for the market. He must also understand the care of stock,
how to breed them the kind of food to give, and how the
food should be prepared in order that he mav receive the
largest piofil fiom the smallest outlay. When and how to
feed for growing, and when and how to feed for fattening pur
poses. He must also be educated in mechanics, and know how to
operate, and care for valuable and complicated mechanical
contrivances.
A knowledge of ditches, drains and drainage is also neces
sary. Irrigation is commanding much attention. Entomology
demands his investigation, as ' it is essential to know what
insects injure or destioy his products and how to meet their
ravages with the proper remedy. The diseases of stock, their
cause and cure, opens up a broad field for his consideration.
Among the most eminent original investors of animal dis
eases our own Dr. Hillings takes high rank. The celebrated
Dr. Koch of Germany has borne testimony to his fitness.
The patho-biological department connected with this univer
sity now under his able and efficient management will in time
contribute much to the prominence of this institution.
The construction of a laboratory suited to his labors would
aid materially in his researches. I refer especially to this
matter as one of the gieatcst interest to the development and
prosperity of the state, for in securing immunity to his stock
from diseases that ravage and destroy, the success and welfare
of the farmer to a great extent depends.
In every other industry as well education is a requisite.
The man who makes machinery, the man who builds our
house, they who work in shop or mill or factory each and all
require such education as will fit them for their calling.
In the provision made for education the women also are
included. The day was, and lingering traces of that time can
still be seen, when it was believed that they were not capable
of receiving and applying any high degree of learning.
All history disproves that assertion. Whenever opportunity
hos been granted they have come off more than conquerors;
They keep even pace with man in the onward race. In a
large measure upon their education depends our advancement
and prosperity. Their influence is supreme; from their lips
we receive our earliest lessons in the ways of life, and by their
hand our infant feet are first directed in the paths of know
ledge. Yea, more than than this, as teachers in our public
schools they have given universal satisfaction, that this import
ant duty to a large measure has been given to their keeping.
.Whether in kitchen, factory, school room, as a clerkin the