Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-18
IorrsIAyA STATE UNIVERSITY

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
AND AGRICULTURAL e. MECHANICAL COLLEGE,
BATON ROUGE. june, 1881
Col. Wm. Preston Johnston:
Mr.. PREsIDENT-It may be of gener-
al interest to the citizens OF Louisiana
toknow that the Mechanical Department
connected with the Louisiana State Uni
yersity and Agricultural and Mechanical
College, is now organized and that prac-
teal operations have already begun
Within the past few months there has
been a neat workshop erected on the
grounds connected with the University
and at a convenient distance, which 10
supplied with several carpenters bench
es and tools, three turning lathes, with
the necessary betting and shafting, a
fonr horse power Baxter portable steam
engine, grind stone and some black
smith tools, other additions being con-
templated during the present month.
In this building will be conducted varl-
ous exercises in wood working, embra-
cling carpentry wood turning, and pat
tern making and as the occasion re-
ouires, the building is to be enlarged by
the addition of rooms, which will be
supplied with the necessary appliances
for practical instruction in the manlpn-
lation of iron and other metals.
In reference to the method of con-
dncting shop exercises, it may be well
to say, that mechanical course embra-
cling period of three years is to be Civ
en- at the University, during two!years OF
which each cadet selecting. that course
will be required to attend the shop ex-
ercises 1t is proposed 50 to arrange the
work performed that cadet after the
completion of his course will have &C.
uuired such varied knowledge and pro-
ticiency both in construction and manual
skill, as to enable him to pursue success
fully the occupation Of Mechanical
Engineer.
As far as practicable, theicourse given
in the workshop will be in accordance
with the plan adopted by the Stevens
Institute of Mechanical Engineering at
Hoboken, New Jersey, The initial step
in this course is to supply each cadet
with few Of the most ordinary car
pepter's tools and have their different
uses explained, as well as the methods
of sharpening and otherwise putting
them in order; after which, the tools be
ing expressly put out OF order, tn
beginner will undertake the work
sharpening and readjusting them. l
being a matter of utmost importance
for mechanic to keep his tools IN per
feet order at all times, considerable az
tention will be given to such exercise
as will aid the learner in overcoming
the many difficulties he will encounte
in this regard, and from time to time b
will be called upon to give practlca
evidence of his proficiency respectln
the case II question. :,
Without entering into details, 1t WI
sutice. for the present, to say that tn
course IN wood working, which Will b
the first given, and which will probabl
embrace the period of one year, will b
arranged in systematic and regularl
progressive manner, beginning with il
struction IN sharpening tools and til
,,se.of the saw and jack plane, and thent
leading step by step to the higher grade
of carpentry, such as house, bridge an
roof framing, cabinet and pattern maF
inc In conducting his exercises, the Il
strnctor. as aids in arranging and syst
mat;zinr his work, will make use OF II
most approved text books bearing
the subject. among which will be Ire
colds Carpentry, Shelly on Worksh'
Annliances and Holly on Saw Filing. !,
;mnortant feature connected Win y
nnlrse viii be the instruction in WOO
tpTning. The lathes will be run
steam 1ower and will contribute vast