Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

LANSING TOWNSHIIP ANT) CITY, WITI HISTORY

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course of studies and the whole discipline and policy to be followed
in the administration of the institution. There are numerous
agricultural schools in Europe, but while an inspection would
afford important vital suggestions, they would afford no models
for us.
"Again, the institution commences here, almost in a virgin
forest, to be subdued and subverted, before it becomes an instrument to maintain the self-sustaining character of the institution,
or a means of ample illustration. The labor and the appropriation
must be largely bestowed in creating what it is desirable that we
should have at ready command.
"The want of a permanent endowment will act as a discouragement. In its infancy, the institution must rely on the caprice of
successive Legislatures. The adoption of a permanent policy requires a stable and reliant support that will carry it through adversity, regardless alike of the frowns or smiles of indifference,
ignorance or malice.
"Friends and enemies will demand too much, and that too
early. The acorn we bury today will not branch into a majestic
oak tomorrow. The orchard we plant this year will not afford a
harvest of fruit the next.
"It is proposed to do for the farmer what West Point does for
the soldier; what the recently established scientific schools of our
country do for the machinist or engineer, or the medical course of
studies does for the physician.
"A great advantage of such colleges as this will be, that the
farmer will learn to observe, learn to think, learn to learn. The
farmer, isolated and engrossed with labor, feels not the advantage
of constant discussion and observation. That discouragement will
be partially neutralized here. Every man who acquires thoroughly
even all the information attainable in a college like ours should
become a perpetual teacher and example in his vicinity. Thus
one of the grand results should be a far wider dissemination of
vital agricultural knowledge.
"As to this youthful State belongs the honor of establishing
the pioneer State institution of the kind and initiating what may
prove one of the significant movements of the age, may she enjoy
the glory of its complete and ultimate triumph."
"For 64 years Michigan Agricultural College has been known