parts of the country, and the remarkable interest in its work shown by practical business men, are most conclusive proof. Its graduates are sought for in every department of industrial activity and maintain themselves with credit. It is not too much to say that thousands of young men have found at Purdue the opportunity for training which has opened up careers of profit to themselves and of the highest usefulness to the community.

It is the policy of the University

First. To foster close relations with the commercial world, to the end that our instructors may be in touch with the latest progress in the industries and professions, in order to make the technical instruction of the greatest possible value.

Second. To keep the opportunities of the University within reach of the great numbers of young men and young women of limited means to whom such training is of highest value.

Both faculty and officers are thus earnestly striving to maintain the institution in conformity to the high and useful purposes of its founders.

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

THE YEAR'S WORK.

It is gratifying to be able to report that in spite of conditions which have placed instructors and students in some departments at a great disadvantage, the work of the University as a whole has gone forward with general satisfaction, and has made substantial progress. There has been no diminution in the devotion and loyalty of students and faculty, and no lack of the spirit of industry and high endeavor which have become characteristic of Purdue.

This is the more notable because the working conditions of the University have become exceedingly unfavorable owing to the constant increase in attendance and the lack of room to accommodate students in the larger departments of instruction.

The needs of the University in this particular were set forth in the last annual report, in the form of indisputable facts, and were presented to the General Assembly in formal reports and in committee hearings, but no relief was granted. The recommendations of the trustees and the appeals of the officers of and professors of the departments of engineering and practical mechanics, to provide sufficient room and equipment for the students actually enrolled, without reference to future increase, were entirely ignored. No appropriation was made to meet the needs of the University at a time when these needs had reached a critical stage and the working conditions of the institution were most trying. The fact that under these circumstances faculty and students have continued to perform their duties with undiminished ardor emphasizes the truth that the work of Purdue in the past has been successful not because of material resources but because of the service of devoted

men.

How long it will be possible to continue in this way can not be predicted. Many of the faculty are men of national reputation and have served Purdue and the State for many years. They have not sought personal gain in this service, but only the welfare of the institution. To deny recognition and support to their work is, therefore, more than a personal disappointment to them. It is too much to expect that an organization of efficient teachers. can be maintained under these conditions or that in these days of keen educational competition Purdue University, which has earned for itself and the State a high reputation, can maintain its posi

tion without reasonable support. The university authorities having done all in their power must be governed, eventually, by the will of the people as expressed through the Legislature, and here the responsibility must finally rest.

Attendance. The attendance for the year has again shown a marked increase, reaching an enrollment, exclusive of students in the School of Medicine, of 1820. In 1900 the enrollment was 749. During these years the University has used no paid advertisements, has steadily raised its entrance requirements, and has increased its charges. Ninety-five per cent of the enrollment is in the regular prescribed courses of study, special students being discouraged. One thousand three hundred and forty students were from Indiana, every county being represented. The remaining 480 students came from fifty-four other states, territories, and foreign countries. These statistics show that Purdue is a represenative institution, not only of the state but of the country at large. Its widespread reputaton for thorough, practical training is responsible for its ever increasing attendance.

Statistics have been collected during the past three years relative to the occupations of the fathers of entering students. Of the 1,240 that have given such information, 31 per cent are sons of manufacturers, merchants, or business men; 29 per cent are sons of farmers; 28 per cent are sons of employes of various grades, and 12 per cent are sons of professional men. Thus 88 per cent of these students come from the industrial classes and it would appear that the University is meeting the obligations imposed by the act of Congress which specifies that its duty shall be "to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life."

Entrance Requirements. The requirements for admission to the freshman class have been increased by the addition of solid geometry, to apply in September, 1907. This subject is now generally administered in the commissioned high schools of the State, and its requirement for college entrance is in conformity with general practice.

For a number of years the University has declined to receive students on certificate unless they were graduates of commissioned high schools. This requirement is designed to encourage high school pupils to complete their course through graduation before undertaking college work, it being quite evident that the discipline and training derived from a thorough, systematic high school course is fundamental to successful college work. The effect of this

requirement is shown in the increasing percentage of high school graduates who enter Purdue. The freshman class this year numbered 531, and of thse 470, or 88 per cent, were graduates of Indiana commissioned high schools, or schools of equal standing elsewhere.

New Courses of Instruction.-The faculty has approved the announcement in the current catalogue of two new courses of instruction, viz.: in Forestry and in Chemical Engineering. There has been a growing interest in the scientific management of forest lands, and courses relating to this subject have been offered to our students for some years. These have now been grouped into a series of electives open to second, third and fourth year students in the schools of Science and Agriculture. They comprise lectures and laboratory practice in forest botany, forest zoology, silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management, protection, utilization, etc. The purpose of the course is not to train men for employment as professional foresters so much as to furnish important scientific knowledge to those who have the care and management of forest lands.

In chemical engineering a full four years' course is offered, designed to prepare men for service in those industries involving the principles both of engineering and chemistry. The importance of such training is shown constantly in the demands made upon managers and owners of manufacturing industries. The course now offered embraces thorough training in the principles and applications of chemical science; in drawing, shop practice, mechanics, electricity, as well as the general subjects of English, mathematics, history, German, etc.

Both of these new courses will be administered beginning with the academic year 1907-08.

Teacher's Training Course.—In response to a formal resolution of the County Superintendents' Association, adopted in July, 1906. and acting upon the advice of a special committee of the Association, appointed at the December meeting, the faculty of Purdue University announced on March 14 that it would offer a Training Course for teachers of Rural Science from April 22 to June 1. The interest in this proposal proved so slight that it was not carried out.

Popular Instruction.-Beside the formal instruction given to University classes, the institution has conducted during the year certain other activities which have been within the reach of every citizen of the State.