The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-04-02
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANI-
CAL COLLEGES.
The Theory and Management of the
Mississippi A. & M. College.
No
CBy Gen. S. D. Lee, of Mississippi

NO. Z.
[By Gen. S. D. Lee, of Mississippil
In this, my last article about Agri-
cultural and Mechanical Colleges, I
will give what [ regard as summary
of practical results, showing some
what in detail how far the objects
aimed at have been attained by the
A. & NJ. College of Mississippi (eight
years..
O.) 1t has increased the attendance
at the State University, at the Baptist
College at Clinton and at the Normal
Colleges and schools in the State, by
giving an impetus to education in the
State!
(2.) 1t has increased the number of
educated persons in the State, for as a
new college it has had from its opening
one-third more students than any col
lege in the State. -,
.(3.) 1t has recruited it's students
from the class Congress intended to
benefit, 80 per cent. being sons of
farmers and from class. not attend
ing the other institutions in the State.
(4.) In providing a cheaper educa-
tion for students, $l25 covering
necessary expenses, and part of this
amount, uniform or clothing, not
included by other colleges; and in
educating a larger number of students
on less appropriation from the State.
(6.) By providing more practical
training for students.
(7) In educating a class of boys
who could not have been educated
elsewhere.
(8.) In providing theoretical and
practical knowledge, that is infused
along with other studies.
Introducing new industry in the
State by the establishment of first
class creamery in the Gulf States.
By gradually pushing creamery butter
on market till better prices were OBJ
tanned at Atlanta, Birmingham, .Vicks-
burg, Greenville, jackson and other
places than was paid for the standard
Elgin butter. AS a result, three
creameries are now in the vicinity of
the college, several hand-separators,
two creameries in Noxumber county,
one each at Edwards, Bolton, Madison
Station, fernando, Woodville, Jack
son (two) and other places. These
creameries cannot begin to supply the
demand.
The college is Bureau of Agricul-
tural information, both for Mississippi
and other States, as shown by the
large number of visitors who come to
get information and perfect plans for
carrying on or embarking in diver
sifed farming and to witness the
object lessons at the college; also as
shown by almost daily correspond
ence upon agriculture, horticulture,
stock breeding and kindred subjects.
".
Has demonstrated the success, and
by example encouraged diversified
farming in the State.
a. By showing practically how
lands are restored to fertility by reno
waiting crops.
(2) By showing good effects
of careful drainage in making lands
on college farm which produces
from 10 to 20 bushels of corn per acre
before purchased, now produce from
so to 60 bushels per acre.
(3.) Has demonstrated that lands
which are too poor to grow remuera
tive crops of cotton, corn or grain
can be made to pay by being used for
stock and dairy purposes; and that the
facility is now being rapidly restored
to partially worn out lands on the
college farm.
(4.) By popularizing and bringing
into common use ensilage, which en-
ables farmers to make cattle raising
more profitable. There are many
silos in Oktibbeha county and through
out the State, patterned after the col
lege silos five in number).
(5.) By showing the value of the
different rations to be fed to cattle for
milk, butter and beef productions by
combining cotton seed meal, &C., with
different grasses raised in the State.
(6) Have attracted the attendion of
the farmers to the fact that science is
the basis of the art of agriculture.
V.
The college has directly or indi-
rectly given impetus to several lines
of agriculture in the State, such as
diversifcation of crops, improvement
of stock by grading, cultivation of