The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-06
Education, Agriculture and Mining.


EDUCATION.
The number of persons in the State of school
age, viz, between the ages of six and twenty
one years, is 709,4 24. The number admitted to
the schools was, in 1882, 1892. The average
daily attendance of pupils last year was 3O5,513
The number of school teachers is 1899. The
number of school-houses in the STATE is 9,556, of
which AZ are log, 80 are stone, 2,4Sl are brick,
and 6,944 are frame.
The amount of the public school fund is
So, l3s,4U8.3l. The addition made to 1t annually,
taking ms "A basis an average OF the past five
clude the large sum (dbout 100000 a year. re-
ceIved from partlcul r licenses and other sources
aud applied each year to tuition.
The amount of tuition-mOney derived from in
teresJ on the school funds IN 1882 was $780,
1884. The whole amount received from State
and local tuitinn taxes was 81 059, SIG A. The
proportion OF The entire expense ot tuition paid
from taxes. State and local, was rs per cent.
IL will thus be seen that, ample rs OGr school
fund is, three touTths OF the expenses of tuition
are derived from public taxes. the fact that
these taxes are Dald without complaint Is the
highest evidence of rhe tsteem in Which the pub
lie school system is held.
The report of the State Superintendent of Pub
he obstruction is replete with interesting Facts
and suggestions. :
The State Normal School is shown, by the re.
port of the trustees and superintendent, to he in
"a highly h1Hrlshing condition. The average
numDer of students during the past wear was
302. The need for n moderate appropriation for
the purchase of apparatus for instruction in the
sciences Is urgent.
The Important suggestions contained in the
reports OF the trustees OF the State University
ana OF the trustees ana president of the Purdue
University VIII properly engage your most con
siderare attention.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The State Board of Agriculture has shown
commendahle zeal during the past year IN the
discharge of it's official duties. 1t is required by
law TO hold a meeting in the month of January
of every year, together with the delegates FROM
the several county societies, for the purpose Of
deIiberation and consultation respecting the
"wants, prospect and condition of agriculture
throughout the State" At this meeting reports
from the county societies, required to be made
annually, with regard to the condition of agricul-
ture in the several counties, are delivered, pur-
suSnt 10 law, to the president OF the State Board.
IL was dOnhtless the expectation of the trainers
of this statute that these comfy reports w0nld
furnish the chief basis for the deliberations and
consultations of the Board relating TO the con
diti0n and prospects OF agriculture in the State.
If filed "a proper time before the January meet
ing thev doubtless would, but mt being delivered
until after the meeting has becun, they cannot
he examined during the meeting with any care,
and therefore form no basis for consul alton or
deliberation. The consequence is that they are,
as "A general rule, hastily prepared, contain lit
tie varied or specific information, and fail to
present with fnllness or vivlduess the condition
Of agriculture in the counties,
If the re- ports we're required to be delivered 20
the secretary of tine State Board by the LIST of
Drcrmber of each year, and 1t were made his
duIy TO present TO the board at its January
meetinga cOpious ABSTRACT of their contents, and
! II arrange and index Them So tnat the several
suhiee.s couId be readily referred to. they would
snon form a basis for the deliberations and dis
cussions of ttpn hoard. and their qualify would
be greatly improved. IL would he good policy
for the State to offer a reasonable premium nn-
nuaily for the best county resort. THIS would
excite emulation, and the end world make these
reports Of much value to our farmers.
Some OF the professors OF Purdue University,
the States agricultural ealiege, devote the
greater part of every year to studies ami exper-
iments in agriculture. If these particular pro
fpssors were made members of the State board
thev would imnart much freshness ana interest
To its discussions, and give TO it increased energy
and spirit. | that two members of
the faculty of Purdue University be made ex
oficio members of the board,
N.Y." AZ A
II o'' "'ueS III IL eot''ei Is Low