The board of control of the state public school is hereby authorized to sell a certain tract of land now owned by the said school, devised to it by one Truman Cobb, and described as follows:

   That part of the west half of the northwest quarter of section 23 in town 5 south of range 7 west, Branch county, Michigan, lying north of the Coldwater river, containing 50 acres more or less, subject, however, to rights of flowage; said board of control being authorized to sell said lands either as a whole or subdivided into smaller tracts, whichever, in the judgment of said board, may be most advantageous, and to give a warranty deed or deeds for said tract or tracts.