The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1880-12-23
From the Planters J7lrnal.
The Agricultural ana N1echnn-
icni College "a 1lississippl.
BY srEruEN D LEE, rREs'r

by STEPHEN D LEE, PREs'T. 2
Its nov but few days over o
month since this institution opened
its doors to The young men Of Miss
issippi
There are now two hundred and
thirty students from all parts Of the
State, showinga most excellent spirit
engaged in studying and doing such
work as the farm, at this early
date can supply. The Academic and
Scientific Departments are now or
ganized.
The Sophomore Class numbers
twelve; the Freshman sixty aud the
balance are in the Preparatory De-
partment, numbering one hundred
afty. and made up into seven sec
tions The law designates that the
college shall give a common school
education to the youth Of the State,
and, also, a scientific and practical
knowledge of agriculture" "
Hence, the same strictrule, cannot
be applied to the Preparatory De-
partmeut as is thought ought to be
applied to other universities and col
leges. The large number Of students
over fifteen years Of age, show lack
ofthoroughness which is 70 be found
IN the frae- school system, out Of the
towns and cities, and how much good
schools are needed for cur youth.
The morning, from s. to r NJ, is
devoted to study Half an hour, a.
/ o'clock, is given for dinner. At
half past one, half hour for drill,
and on Saturday one hour. From 2
p. NJ. tin 5p.M M during the week,
and all .dsty on Saturday (exeeptins
for dfilf aad society meetiags is de
voted 70 labor on the farm and
grounds 1000
The labor will not be compulsory
tnl the dormitory is occupied. Work,
however, is giving to all who apply
for il, and during October several
students nearly canned enough TO pay
| for their board. Tue working spirit
among the boys is excellent. Over
one hundred can be seen every even
ing clearing up ground, ditching,
/ fencing up around the buildings,
/ hauling out cotton seed, digging
and cutting up. sinmps, sweeping out
the college buildings, etc. Bold is
the youngster who will make slight.
inc remark about work. His pun
'ishment ana treatment, by those en-
gagged at it, will enforce silence for
The future. The sous of the wealth.
est men in the State are vieing with
tbe poorest boys in work, and no
class distinction can Hnd root here,
Tue military discipline is being en-
forced. It was a little bard at first,
but all are now yielding gracefully.
No similar body Of young men have
ever shown SO ready spirit to fall
into line and do their duty in every
respect. Some few could not stand
"the racket and left after a few
days
The different departments are be-
ing rapidly equipped. The Chemical
Department and Labratory will be
fitted up at an expense Of $4,000
and will be one Of the best in the
southern states. Separate desks
with chemicals, apparatus, etc, will
be one of the best in the Southern
States. Separate desks, with chem
icals, apparatus etc, will be at hand
for student manipulations and anal
ysis. The Botanical Department is
also receiving its outfit and will bC
in good working condition. Th'
Farm Department has ample meani
and is being taken in hand as rapid
| ly as possible A large garden, o
ten acres, is now being ditched anC
laid out and enriched, by mos
competent gentlemen, who has fo
years, made his living in this line
n A competent Landscape engines
and architect is now making map
!
and laying OF q plan OF work an,
1 Improvement for many years ahead
so that all work done may be util-
fized in the right direction-so tina
there will be a fixed plan for all t
, work up to in the future. The mean
for the present will be turned In th
direction of paying crops, SO far a
The poor lands and surroundings vii
permit. But student labor whic
cannot be utilized IN this direction
will, probably, be used in the line 0
permanent Improvement.
The experiments, for the mex
, year, viii be with cotton seed, an
! cotton seed meal as manures. tn
, seed will be used freely, and apple
l in various ways, to the crops mostl
l planted in Mississippi.
/ The College desires to come in d
rect and Sympathetic connection wit
! the farmers Of the State. Our labrl
! tories and. professors win, at q
times be ready to do any outsld
work, such as analysis OF manurel
! soils, ETC., which their time an
means. win permit The College
intended "to benefit Agricultural an
| Mechanical Arts" aud will be con
!, dueted in this spirit.
! The College has started well. Th
E Beople Of the State Qust not expe'
loo much at once. They must 3
NJ patient. They must bear Ia min
Z that everything cannot be perfecte
at once, but that it win require tim
y aud patient effort 70 establish tifml
o the agricultural and Mechanics
2 colleae Of Mississippi