The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-06

climate, great variety OF grasses and clo-
yer, at once assure safe and profitable in
vestments $500
1t may be stated that the Inauguration
OF a system by which exhausted, worn,
and in some instances, abandoned lands
are restored to almost their original fertil-
ity, creates new hopes, renewed energies,
and opens the way for the young man to
remain on the homesteads Of their ances-
tors and receive a generous yield from
their labor, and at the same time
strengthen their attachment for the land
OF their birth.
The report OF President Lee, which will
be furnished you during the session, shows
that the board Of trustees limited the num-
Der in the dormitory to POO. The attend
ance up to this date is 260. The report
also discloses the fact that the college felt
obliged TO decline receiving between 200
and 800 applicants during the last and
present sessions, applicants too, ''who were
registered before the opening Of the session
and anxious to attend college"
The report also gives detailed state
ment OF the receipts and disbursements Of
the college, for the past two years, together
with its wants and needs for 1850:
The receipts from the State for two years
on land 1857 80
Making total s57 50
which amount has been expended for sal
aries, student labor, repairs, building and
incidentals.
The sum Of 50, 100 6s, received from
chemical fees, has been expended for
chemicals, glassware used by the students
and for analysis Of fertilizers, apparatus
and equipment. Other sums, received
from the farm and horticultural depart
ments, have been expended in these de-
partments for further development.
II will be observed that the farm is and
has been, self sustaining, not having re-
ceived a dollar from any source in three
years.
The requirements OF the college are
that all students shall perform some labor,
and, while this is not as profitable as more
systematic labor, ii is an important feature
OF the students education-it gives him
system, habits OF industry, experience
and information that assists him in be-
coming an intelligent farmer.
The report Jf the president refers espe-
cially to the
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE,
which has, since the establishment Of the
college, labored under many disadvant-
ages. Agriculture was regarded as the
most important, and horticulture left TO
struggle and make its way with but little
assistance. This industry is assuming
importance in the State, and deserves sub
stantial encouragement. In Copiah,
Kinds, Madison, and perhaps other coun.
ties, the raising OF early fruits and veg
ctables is not only profitable, but the i'm
dustry has been increased 100 per cent. in
the last two years. The professor of this
department is thoroughly III love with his
work, and, with a fair opportunity, would
demonstrate the value and importance OF
the industry. s-,
Congress has donated $1,000 per an
mum 10 each State for the establishment OF
an agricultural station in connection with
the agricultural college Of the State, and
when there are two such colleges in the
State the sum shall be divided, unless the
Legislature shall otherwise direct. The
object OF the experimental station il, as
understand, 10 test the various soils, as
well rs crops, and see what crops are best
suited 10 particular lands, as well as the
fertilizer that should he used. Those tests
and experiments would be made on the
farm OF the college, and the result given TO
the public. BY this means experiments
would be made for the benefit OF agricul-
ture at the expense Of the general govern
ment that would be expensive 10 indi-
viduals, and 10 further the object and pur-
pose OF donation i respectfully suggest that
a division Of the fund would be OF little
value 10 either college, and considering the
superior appointment and equipment Of
the A. 4 Nj. college, respectfully recon-
mend the passage OF laws accepting the
donation and applying the fund 10 this
college, 10 be expended under the direction
OF the board OF trustees.
submit that the educational interests
OF the State should be fostercd and sup
ported, and in your deibemtion upon this
important subject You will not be unmind-
full that every vocation and pursuit in Mis-
sissippi depends upon the success and
prosperity OF agriculture and horticulture,
and for the furtherncc and advancement
Of these paramount industries the Agricul-
tural x Mechanical college Is an important
factor, and stands ut the head Of the list Of
institutions Of the character in the United
States, not excepting that OF Michigan.
From the opening Of
THE INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
and College for the education OF White
Girls, The attendance has been large.
II may be safely stated that time and ex-
perience has demonstrated the wisdom Of
the location. Columbus Is a beautiful lit
| tie city, noted for the culture OF It's people,
with superior church privileges, and withal
unusually healthy.
The main building Of the college Is fault
less In architecture, attractive In appear
ancc and commodious in all It's appoint
ments. That II meets the wants and de-
mands OF the people Of the State for the
education OF their daughters Is evident by
the increased application for admission in
the dormitory during the present season,
/ there being 372 more than could be com.
iortably accommodated.
While parents and guardians have mani.
tested great solicitude 10 have their
daughters and wards in the college under
the immediate supervision Of the faculty,
yet when this could not be done because
Of insuiliciency Of room, many have pro-
cured board in private families In the city
and thus ayailcd themselves Of the SUI.
pcrior advantages Of the institution.
This college, established a. Il was for
the education Of white girls, has met with
almost universal favor IL may be said,
and perhaps truly, that one reason for its
great and growing popularity Is attribute.
bic 10 the fact that the State had made
generous provision for the education Of
the white boys and the colorcd boys, and
partial provisions for the colorcd girls, but
not n separate dollar before the establish.
mcnt OF this college was expended by the
State for the industrial education OF white
girls. II may be true that this is one, but
I