THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

The law of the State requires the Trustees of Purdue University to submit a biennial report concerning the operation of the University, and that report is due during the fall next preceding the biennial session of the Legislature.

The report here presented is the report required by the laws of Indiana, and also includes the report called for by the acts of Congress under which Purdue University was organized.

ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR 1896-97.

The whole number of students in attendance during the year ending June 30, 1897, was 664, classified as follows.

The whole number of students in attendance during the year ending June 30, 1898, was 750, classified as follows:

The following table will show the growth of the Institution in respect to attendance since its organization, the respective figures being for the year ending June 30, of the years named:

Names of counties represented by one or more students:

NOTABLE EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

1

the

The attendance for the year 1897-8 shows a gain of Concerning eight-six over that of the previous year. With one exAttendance. ception this is the largest increase that has occurred in any one year. It is also worthy of note that we have enrolled fiftyseven post graduates during the present year, and that most of these are candidates for a degree. From a careful comparison of these figures with those found in the catalogues of other institutions it will be seen that Purdue University is one of the largest purely technical schools in the United States.

2 Improvements.

While we have made no very large additions to our buildings, the year has been marked by a number of important improvements. (a) The main gateway has been rebuilt after designs by Andrews of Boston. This improvement makes a very decided change for the better and presents a handsome and imposing appearance. The iron work of the gateway was presented to the University by the Class of '97. (b) A new iron fence has been placed in front of the main campus, adding very materially to its appearance. (e) About 1,400 square yards of cement pavement have been laid in the old part of the campus and a considerable number of gravel walks have been made in the new part. (d) $5,000 was appropriated by the last General Assembly for improvements to the Electrical Laboratory. This has resulted in an addition 62 ft. 6 in. by 26 ft. 2 in. in size. This has been filled with electrical apparatus and machinery and the entire electrical laboratory has been reorganized and refitted. (e) The same General Assembly appropriated $10,000 for improvements to the Mechanical Laboratory. This has been expended in a new boiler plant costing about $6,500; in an electric lighting plant and in other minor improvements. (f) A Legislative appropriation of $3,500 has been spent in putting the buildings and apparatus in repair.

3 Nature

Study Leaflets for Rural

Schools.

At the meeting of the Delegate Board of Agricul

ture, held in Indianapolis in January, 1898, the following resolutions were adopted:

"Resolved, That we hereby approve of Governor Mount's suggestions to the effect that the children in the public schools of the State should be systematically instructed in such matters as pertain to country life. To this end we are in favor of an amendment to the school laws of the State by which instruction shall be given in such elementary sciences as shall pertain to agriculture and household economy.

"Resolved, That until this change in the law can be secured, we sug gest to officers of public schools the propriety of advising their teachers to give occasional oral lessons upon such topics in Nature Study as will have a tendency to interest students in agriculture, horticulture, economic entomology, the care of domestic animals and household economy. "Resolved, That we believe that the preparation and use of properly prepared leaflets upon subjects relating to agriculture, as suggested in the Governor's address, would prove to be of great interest to our children in public schools and of great value to the agricultural interests of the State."

The Board also passed resolutions endorsing the plan proposed by the President of Purdue University for preparing a series of Nature Study Leaflets and for introducing them into the Rural Schools.

The work was entered upon with enthusiasm by the Purdue faculty, they agreeing to do it in addition to their regular duties, and generally without compensation.

The proposition to use these leaflets in the Rural Schools has met with a hearty response, and more than one hundred and forty thousand copies have already been distributed. The demand has been far in excess of the means of supply. It has been thought by many of the friends of Agriculture throughout the State that this has been one of the most beneficial movements inaugurated in many years. Let it be understood that this work has been done with almost no expense to the State beyond the mere printing. We believe that Purdue has, in the publishing of these leaflets, performed a service to the State of far-reaching importance.

4 Gifts.

This has been a notable year on account of the large number of minor gifts of apparatus and appliances that have been made to the University. Among the most important of these I will mention (1) a full-sized model of the front portion of a two-cylinder compound locomotive, the saddle and intercepting valve of which are sectioned to show the construction