The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-02
Our state Agricultural CoIlege.

Our state ARric ultufal College
We are pleased to witness the fact that the
press Of the State are noticing favorably our
Agricultural College This institution has had
more to contend against, had more obstacles
10 overcome, than all the other State institutions
put together. But while il has had its bitter
enemies, and those who looked upon it with dis
trust, il has at the same time had many true and
warm friends, who have carefully nurtured this
germ Of popular agricultural education, waiting
patiently and hopefully for time 10 eradicate all
prejudice against it, and TO develop TO the world
at large that great fountain Of usefulness was
here taking rise, that would ere long make its
impress upon the wide field of science and art
It has been in a great measure an experiment.
The possessor Of any great and useful invention,
without means to carry out his designs, OF
course must fail in his purpose, and the world must
forever remain ignorant Of his ability to do them
good So with the Agricultural College; with
very limited amount Of means at its disposal,
how could great things be expected, or much
good be accomplished? Il mas now, however,
a liberal endowment, which will soon furnish
ample means to make it self sustaining, and enable
the institution to show more clearly 10 the world
its capabiliity Of doing good. We have full con-
idence that the time IS not far distant when the
stone that the builders came near rejecting viii
be found to possess merits to them unknown,
and that il viii vet become the chief stone Of
the corner.
The attendance at the College for the past
year has not been so large as might be desired,
but it must be borne in mind that at the
time when it was about TO be opened for the
year 1868, its very existence was threatened, and
it was not definitely known whether it would be
open at all for students Let circumstances and
misfortunes that could not be avoided by those
in charge Of the institution extenuate in behalf
Of IFS lack Of prosperity. The great rebellion
now in existence in the land, has taken more
largely from the young men accustomed to farm
/ labor and outdoor pursuits, those in want OF Ill
agricultural education, than from those who are
in pursuit of professional education merely,
and hence the Agricultural College has been de
priyed OF a great many more students In proper
ton than other institutions OF learning.
Another thing that keeps some young mel
from this College ia the fact that the student j:
compelled 70 labor three hours day, at some
farm work. While this may be repulsiye to the
minds Of some. did they but consult their Owl
best interests, they would feel thankful for thii
privilege Il is a well known fact that the ne
cessary sedentary habits Of college life ruins th'
health OF a large number of young men WHIT
take a regular college course Of three or NOR
| vcarr, when # they had a few hours of outdoo
employment each day they would not suffer tn
least in health This opportunity is not onl,
afforded but required at the Agricultural Col
lege, but at the same time the student is allOwe
pay for his labor. Labor is regarded as an es
sentia part Of the educational system OF tn
College, and is performed with special reierenc
TO Illustrating and applying the instruction @
the lecture room. Ii the parent has that du
regard for the health of his child which shout
characterize all parents in the education of thei
children, be will send his son to this institution
in preference to any other now in existence il
the State.
The Agricultural College is on the road t
prosperity. Il is now attracting more attention
than ever before, and We anticipate the attend
ance Of a large number of students at the mex
term, which will be open on the oath Of Februa
~ next Additions will be made to the stock o
the farm as fast as the abilities of the institution
will permit, and soon this feature viii be one {
great interest and attraction. If the farmers c
the State, and the people generally, will TAX
that interest in promoting the prosperity OF thi
College which they should, it will soon ran
among the first institutions in the land. tn
College belongs to the people OF the whol
State, and hence the entire people Of the Stat
should be interested in promoting its welfare
and Witnessing its prosperity. We have n
longer any fear Of the failure of this institution
We have confidence that the people will 500
awake to its Importance, and that its usefulnes
will ere long manifest itself in an improved con
dtion of the farming interests Of the State.