The difference between the estimated receipts and the necessary running expenses leaves an unexpended balance of $2,500, which amount can be appropriated by the Board. The committee beg leave to call your attention to the standing resolution of the Board providing that when persons drawing salaries from the college or station are absent, or not engaged in performing their duties, the salaries shall not be paid for said period. There has been no deductions on that account for the past year. There is some question as to whether under this rule a vacation with pay is allowable. We ask the Board to declare its policy as to the expenditure of time and money in advertising for and securing the attendance of students. We would recommend that the committee on finance, together with the president of the college, be authorized to procure the services of a stenographer and accountant to act as clerk and private secretary for the president. OF THE OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENT STATION, 1897. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. To His Excellency, W. P. Lord, Governor of Oregon :- SIR: I have the honor of respectfully submitting to you the annual report of the State Agricultural College and Experiment Station of the State of Oregon for the year ending June 30, 1897, the ninth year of this institution under the management of the Board of Regents as provided for by act of the legislative assembly approved February 18, 1885. For eighteen years prior to July 1, 1888, this institution was known as Corvallis College, and was under the control and management of the Board of Trustees appointed by the Methodist Episcopal Church South; this report therefore covers the work done during its twenty-seventh year. The Experimental Station provided for by the act of congress approved March 2, 1887, was established in conjunction with this college by an act of the legislative assembly of the State of Oregon approved February 25, 1889. The attendance at this college prior to the year ending June 30, 1889, cannot be accurately stated; however, the following will show the number of students attending this institution and the number of graduates for the nine years ending June 30, 1897: |