Bro. Beal presented the following paper, which was ordered spread upon the minutes:
With reference to the recent action of the State Grange in appointing a Standing Committee on the Agricultural College, I beg leave to make the following brief remarks:
I have spoken to the President of the College and some of the Faculty. They all heartily approve of the resolution referred to, and cannot see that anything but good can grow out of this action. It will bring the Patrons of Husbandry and the College into more intimate relationship. The members of the Committee can visit the College at least once a year in the most favorable season when the students are in attendance.
They can see the students and professors busy in the classroom, laboratory, field, and garden, and become more intimately acquainted with the aims and work of the institution. To a great extent, the College and the Grange are engaged in a common cause-the intellectual improvement of the farmers.
No doubt each helps the other. If one suffers or is neglected, the other must suffer also; if one prospers, it must help the other. In behalf of the Faculty, I can assure you that we are striving to the best of our ability with the means at our command to make the Agricultural College the pet of every Patron of Husbandry in Michigan.
W. J. BEAL.