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 Fourth&mdash;The legislature of 1897, desiring to bring the State Agricultural College into closer touch with the schools of the State, enacted a law providing for an which law is quoted in full as follows: The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall prepare for district schools a course of study, comprising the branches now required for third grade certificates, which shall be known and designated “The Agricultural College course,” and upon the satisfactory completion of this course of study, as evidenced by a diploma or certificate duly signed by the county commissioner of schools, pupils shall be admitted to the freshmen class of the Agricultural College without further examination. It shall be the duty of the secretary of the Agricultural College each year to send to each rural school district in the State a college catalogue, and upon application to furnish to such schools such other information as may be desired relative to said college. Such catalogue and other information shall be kept in each school for reference.

While this Manual is primarily designed for the purposes heretofore enumerated, it also, as I believe, fully meets the requirements of this law providing for the admission of students to the college.

In conclusion I desire to give full credit for the preparation of this Manual to my very efficient and experienced office assistants, Mr. A. Hamlin Smith, chief clerk, and Mrs. Cora D. Martin, editor and proof-reader. Their many years of experience in various lines of school work, their ability and devotion to the cause of education, entitle them to this consideration. That this Manual contains no errors is scarcely to be expected; but we offer it in the belief that the earnest, progressive teachers of our rural districts will be seekers after the helpful features rather than the opportunity to criticise.

With an abiding faith in our public schools and an earnest desire to promote their greatest good, I am.