The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-01-08

1
and Mechanical College was then
read by Bro. Phares, received, and
ordered to be published in the pro-
ceedings of this Grange.
We, the Special Committee on
that part of the Worthy Masters
address, referring to the Agricultural
and Mechanical College, respectfully
report that
The college opened its first ses-
sion on the 9th of October last, un
der embarrassing circumstances,
from the fact that the dormi.
tories, and other houses, had not
been completed according to ex-
pectation. Thus necessitating the
boarding of students in the town
and country for several miles around
and at greater expense than had
been anticipated. It is only within
the current month that the troubles
caused in this way have been re
moved by the completion and oc-
cupancy Of part of the dormito-
ries by about two hundred students,
the President, commandment, and
most of the other Instructors. The
expense Of board is now reduced to
about II cents per day, or IS per
month. The college furnishes bed
steads and rooms free. Good dou-
bis mattresses are furnished at the
college for 81, each,-(these items
of expense being divided between
two students )-chairs 81 each, fuel,
lights, bowls, pitchers, books, etc.
at wholesale prices. The uniform
costs, including caps, about So.
Tuition, languages excepted, is free
to all Mississippians. The Mobile
and Ohio, and the Vicksburg and
Meridian railroads give half fare
tickets to students going to the col
lege, and the Chicago, St. Louis
and New Orleans railroad grants
the same till January, 1882 1t is
the fixed purpose of the trustees to
make the college emphatically all
that its name implies. and the act
of incorporation contemplates to IL
lustrate in daily practice on the
farm and in the workshops the
teachings of the class,rooms and
the characteristic familiarize stu
dents not merely with words and
pictures but things-objects, by &C
tual handling, analysis, and testing
in all ways. 1t is intended to teach
practically and scientifically, every
thing pertaining to farm, orchard,
garden, forestry, mechanics. botany,
economic entomology, breeds of
animals, physiology, applied chem
lstry OF soils, waters, vegetable and
animal products, authorizations of
food, drugs, textile fabrics, etc.
There are now ten professors and
tutors engaged in instruction in or
out of doors. The trustees are all
practical men and have appointed
a committee of experts as advisor
counsel to the Professor of Agri-
culture. They have prepared a
garden; commenced sowing oats,
procured work animals, and nipple
ments. Have a few head of cattle,
and other animals. Will plant the
best land, Gas m 1ch as can be cult
vated,) in food crops, including
sugar cane, for use on the premises
also cotton, and other parts in clo-
vers and grasses, for growing beef
mutton, pork, etc, and producing
butter and milk. When all these
departments are complete it is be
lieved that board may be reduced tc
S. per month. Students are all re-
quired to work a. least three hours
day, five DAYS of the week. Those
who are able to do more, without
damage to the class standings. may
procure extra work All work is
paid for at s cents per hour in cred
its on board. In this way student;
at other similar institutions earn ar
average of about $35, during the
session of nine and a half months
Those able to do extra work, with
out damage to health or interference
with progress III these studies, may
earn much more. Students no
boarding with the Steward are no
paid for work. There are now two
hundred and forty students, and APP
plications from many more from
all points of the State, desiring t,
attend the college. Besides these
there are hundreds uuder the pre-
scribed age whose parents are anx
ious to have them attend the college
at the earliest moment they can bt
admitted. Quite a large number o
ladies, also, are knocking for ad
mission to the scientific advantage.
of this college At the last meeting
Of the trustees it was agreed to ad
nit them to the lectures, although
the Board could not provide lodg
ings for them, which PRACTICAL,
excludes many of them. The United
States War Department has detail
ed an officer Of infantry, who is tn;
Commandant of the cadets. Ant
the students will be at all time
under as strict military rule as sol
!, diers in barracks. Not over tw,
and half hours a week, however
will be occupied in drilling Th
War Department also furnishe
cannon, muskets, and ammunition
Two literary societies have bee'
formed and natural history soclet
is in contemplation.
.