Graduates of the College form part of the Faculty of Instruction in Cornell University, Wisconsin University, Minnesota University, Iowa Agricultural College, and our own Agricultural College. One was selected by Col. Capron to go with him to Japan, in the agricultural service of its Emperor. One gained the first Walker prize for an essay on a topic assigned by the Boston Society of Natural History, and was Assistant Director in an exploring expedition sent to the Valley of the Amazon. Another was made Botanist of an expedition sent out from a neighboring State into Western Kansas and Colorado. Another is the Entomologist, and still another is the Meteorologist of the State Pomological Society, and still another is Secretary of the State Bee Keepers' Association. Two of them have charge of divisions as Assistant Engineers on railroads. Three of them have had places on the Editorial staff of agricultural papers. Two now farmers have of their own accord given up good places in the Faculties of Agricultural Colleges, and the clergyman has been for several years the president of a farmers' club, whose weekly attendance averages over three hundred persons, and most of the lawyers are not infrequent writers on the subject of agricultural education.

The showing is far more favorable than was hoped for by the friends of the institution, and varies greatly from the careless assertions commonly made on the subject by those unacquainted with the facts in the case.

And, indeed, if there is any way of acquiring an education without losing interest in farm work, it would seem to be that in use at the College. Three hours daily labor keeps them used to farm work. A large part of their studies is of a sort to find illustration in the employments in which they are busied while at labor, and the entire surroundings and spirit of the place is in harmony with agricultural and horticultural pursuits. These influences are not to be measured by a count of the graduates that become farmers. Education in the

community at large is in a great degree what its highest institutions of learning make it. Historically the high institutions of learning come first, and education is diffused through their influence; and practically these institutions shape the opinions of men as to what an education is, and for what pursuits it is needful. They have hitherto taught the people that it is needful for law, and medicine, and divinity, but that we must hesitate to call an engineer, as a chemist, learned, however eminent in knowledge and skill of his art. As to farming, the general impression finds expression in the sentiments of the London Times, that a farmer has no need of more than the merest elements of an education. But such sentiments are undergoing a change. The need and the value of intelligent educated farmers is becoming recognized more and more, and the value of an institution that shall furnish the needed education without unfitting in any way for the farmer's life, is increasing rapidly, and will continue to increase as its graduates make their influence felt throughout the land.

RURAL ADORNMENT AND BEAUTIFYING

HOMES.

BY THE HON. A. S. DYCKMAN.

To promote his physical and moral welfare, bring gracious blessings on his head, kindle the light of love upon his hearthstone, give him true respectability, and make the strong brown hand of labor outshine the lily that languishes in gloves and idleness, the farmer must decorate his home with trees and flowers, and not neglect the amenities of life in the cultivation of his acres.

This necessity, although not primary to human existence, is nevertheless fundamental in higher civilization.

He, the labor of whose thoughts is for subsistence only, must be content with his small share of the beatitudes of life, and plod his weary way in oblivion of the wondrous beauties attendant upon every step in the green earth: flowers that lift their bright coronals in mute authority of loveliness; vegetation displaying its myriad forms of grace; the insect populace filling the world with fluttering life; birds that pour their loveborn raptures into song, and the over-bending heavens, out of mysterious depths, revealing all the delicate pencilings of light and shadow that make up the universal picture of life.

But he who studies to discern the secret springs whence nature pours her copious benefactions, cannot fail to see how, under the hand of the Great Architect, beauty is inwoven in every design, and his heart must swell with reverent admira

tion at the thought everywhere presented, that the hand of Divine labor is skilled in the infinite perfection of arts, and is only satisfied with the last line and tint of possible decoration in alliance with uses.

These studies are man's birthright, and enjoin a sacred duty, by diligent attention, to deserve and enjoy them. And the devotee is rewarded in the very exercise of helping these beauties in their efforts to illustrate the divine perfection in the cathedral of nature. The living drapery of green, the floral gems, and aisles of light cast their sweet impressions within the heart, dispelling the shadows, and filling with a purer inspiration.

Who, knowing and feeling this, would turn away to taste the poison of sin, or seek for pleasure along the treacherous path of dissipation?

Let us glance at the department of flowers.

Whether we run to meet them in the wild wood, sit in their dear society under the shades of home, or meet them in the city's crowded mart, at the altar of divine worship, or the shrine of departed friends, in their various language is still repeated the great thought of the poet, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Whether draping some festive hall in graceful festoons and pendant wreaths, or grouped into forms of christian heraldry; whether decking the patriot's grave, or garlanding the brow of beauty, the influence of flowers is elevating, refining, and ennobling.

He certainly should not be burned as a heretic, who believes in that transmigration by which the spirit of flowers may animate the soul of man with radiance of immortal beauty.

Every farm house should have flowers, with every mother a florist, and every fair daughter a happy student of grace in nature. Every father should be a patron of home, and every son feel its attractions stronger than the wiles of idle pleasure. Many such homes, to the glory of Michigan, bright centers

of influence, are laying deep the foundations of our hope in Christian liberty: for the State must rest upon these.

Mark how this influence will extend in a community-for we copy what most we advise.

Then what more desirable thing than to have young ladies and gentlemen educated in a school that shall qualify them to take this high position in life, and what better place for such discipline and instruction than the Agricultural College ?

But ornamental tree planting greatly deserves attention. How often, and with what pleasure, do we revert to our childhood days in recollection of the trees that annually spread their bright banners of bloom to herald the summer, and against the fiery rays of that summer, hung, just above our happy heads, their million shields of green; and in the golden autumn, upon the mosiac of rustling leaves, dropped their fruit treasures at our feet.

Their broad branches reaching to Heaven, or bending gracefully to earth, great trunks bearing all their wealth of top defiantly against the whirlwind and the storm, and their fine spray, presenting delicate wave-lines to the breeze, as if repeating the deep mysteries of the ocean: these come flooding the memory, until the present, with its cares and disappointed hopes, is drowned in a sea of delight.

The God that has given us capacities and opportunities for this enjoyment, has also enjoined the duty to transmit even a fairer heritage to our children.

In many cases it is impossible, in clearing away immense forests, to save trees from the all-devouring flames. But in any case, shall we be satisfied with a bleak and treeless landscape ?

Shall not the wild trees of such various form and flower and foliage, that gave to the Michigan of forty years ago a beauty no art may ever restore, at least be perpetuated along every wayside to break the force of driving winter storms?— storms that sweep the protecting snow from fields of grain and