The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-07-20
CLEMSON COLLEGE,,
The Last Onicial Report of Prcsi-
dent Craiuhcad

The following is the final report OF
President Craighead, who has recently
resigned the presidency OF Clemson:
10 the Board Of Trustees In view
of my resignation which has been ten
dered you, through the president Of the
board, | have thought it not amiss
briefly to summarize the work Of the
past four years. The enrolment has
been rs follows. 1892 3, 10; lS04-5,
o63; 1896, ia: 1867, 40
The enrolment of students during
the first two years was abLormally large
by reason Of the fact that many stu
dents came here out OF mere CURIOSITY
and being without fixed purpose soon
left. Again, few Of the departments at
that time were adequately equipped,
the barracks at times over-crowded,
lour cadets frequently occupying the
same room, professors and students un-
acquainted with each other and thus,
1t Is probable, that students seriously
inclined left disappointed. At any rate
the average attendance during the first
two years was scarcely greater than
during the past two. During the year
just closed, the average attendance has
been about three hundred, all the rooms
OF the barracks occupied most of the
time, two boys to the room. The cadets
who now come here have for the most
part serious purpose and the popularity
OF the institution rests upon much
more solid basis than ever before Glenn
son Is still the largest school OF the k md
in the South. We arc far better pre-
pared for thorough work than ever be-
fore.
The mechanical department is al
ready as well equipped as similar de-
partmcnts in the oldest and best South
crn agricultural and mechanical col
leges. There is reason to believe that
the department may be made the poly
| tcchnic school OF the South, giving not
only practical Instruction in the me-
chani1 arts, but excellent courses in
civil, electrical and mechanical cngin-
cering.
The department OF chemistry has all
along been admirably conducted. Few
| institutions offer better opportunities
for the study Of chemistry.
The departments OF horticulture,
botany, veterinary science, dairying
geology and mincralogy offer cxcellen
opportunities for Instruction both prac-
tical and theoretical. The academic
department, including mathematics,
English and history. GtferS courses as
extensive Us can be in the time ALLOW
ed.
The agricultural department has suf-
fercd from frequent changes. The chair
OF agriculture in a Southern school is
hard to fill. 1t calls for man who
possesses not only scientific training,
but practical knowledge Of the details
OF the farm ability to teach, and the
power to inspire others with love of
agricultural pursuits Such man was
the late Prof. McGce, but his untimely
death left the chair Of agriculture va.
cant Inc present incumbent. DIR. w
}. Qlick, has suffered from serious i'll
ucss during the past session and thus
the work OF the department has been
greatly impedcd. Hence for reasons
beyond my control this department has
not met the reasonable expectations OF
its friends.
The preparatory department has
been and still is IL necessity mere.
have all along been of the opinion tn al
only the most successful and expert
enccd teachers should be employed ir
the training school. Bright young
} graduates may, as tutors, render valua
Bile assistance to college professors, but
the fitting school demands the very best
teaching talent.
The library contains several volume.
, and is daily opened to cadets.
submit herewith the financial state
, mentS Of the professors in the several
departments
The work Of holding farmers insti
tutes has been constantly growing il
| magnitude and interest. Institutes
; have already been held at the follow
ing places Greers, Galfney, Fairview
, Johnston, McColl,. Seneca, and Winns