The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-17
A VISITOR TO
THE POLY TECHNIC
Some Casual Observations of the
BIacksburg Cadets.
EAT FOOD AND TAKE The DISHES
The Dairy Departmental Good Pay
ing Institution-School Furnishes
aGood Market for the Sur
rounding Country.
EAT FOOD AND TAKE The DISHES

BLACKSBURG, VA, June l4-Special-
C,ttrnanencement-week begins to-lnorro"
at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Blacksburg, where the institute is 1ocat-
ed, is one Of the Oldest towns IN the
State.
Here we see in quaint little cottage
such treasures as portraits on grass OIL
Napoleon painted in his day, or wide Dlue
dishes that would make a lover OF ceramics
90 into heart-elation with a bound or
curious old leather-bound books, enough
to feed the most hungry bookWorn.
One would think that such a. great m
stitute as the Polytechnic would natural-
" produce something of the modern nus
tie in the public entertainment OF the
place, but the institute IS like quiet
country home: not a saloon to be 1ound
in the village; and, Of course, one gets
the best of country fare at the table de
hote.
Equally, of course, there is the young
lady on the yerandall in the afternoon with
the score of cadets at her feet, VINO enjoys
smiling out of the corner of her mouth
at strangers whom she mentally hates as
country.
A VILLAGE INN.
I find that she is always an adjunct OF
the village inn; and il she mas not the
cadets, there are others!
Entering the campus gates, one drives
past the strawberry Eeds,- where boys
perhaps employed-in worn cadet uniforms
are picking berries: past the Lovely gar
dens where early Yorks and elephants
are luxurious; past the steam-puftlns
creamery and agricultural station, and
along the drive i'm front Of the row of love
~ brick cottages, where the professors
live.
There On the right hand is the stone
skeleton of the building that was burned
In the winter; its windows garping wide,
its ivy partly dead, making a brave effort
to recollect its walls in beauty. l saw in
fancy those brave cadets as they worked
to save ii on that bitter cold night. On
the left, and just below the barracks
building is the magnificent gray stone
edifice, being erected by the Y. N. C. A.
1t was to be dedicated during commence
rrent-week, and the workmen were very
busy on it indeed. 1t lis the first of its
kind or any college grounds in the South
The campus grounds, over thrty-tlVe
acres in extent are the most beautiful in
the South Shrubbery Of all known sDe-
cies it would seem, adorn it; hedges of
arbor-vital, lashorne pyramldal trees; oaks,
naples. spruce pines, laurels, hollywcods
and others. Huge syringa brushes, in snowy
wreaths Of blossoms and mock oranges
with heavy fragrance dropped over the
smooth level walks. On the academic
walls of the huge lowered brick build
ings, there are vines of all the hardy
varieties-ivies of several species; Vir-
ginia creeper; Bell creeper, with the Grim
son trumpet flowers notyet in, bloom, and
the Nisteria hanging its purple blossoms
like grapes from its fern foliage.
THE BARRACKS.
Out of the windows of the barracks
float calico curtains, and colors according
to the tastes of the boys.
In the rooms two iron beds are put to-
gether like steamer berths, for the sake
of space. The rooms are neat and small
and the arrangement sufficient for light
and healthful ventilation.
Some OF the appropriation money viii
be used for new barracks, and think the
State caSnot better use her wealth than
TO keep UP this great industrial school.
Hazing OF all kinds is sternly prohibit
ed here. and when INDUCED must be done
just as the dear little monogram butter
plates from mess hall are obtained as
Souvenirs-wi thout leavei
We can not help but admire the cadet
WHO would take possession of a soup
plate or pitcher For the sake of senti-
ment for his hungry days here, and we
think in him is the stuff generals are made
of-that kind that take the ''sweet-taters
and turkey goblers-in the enemies coun-
THE MESS HALL
The mess hall, large. airy, cool and
clean, can seat comfortably five or six
hundred boys.
The mess hall manager is Mr.. Shultz,
Of LyEcaburg. The patent mammoth dish
heating arrangement. the ovens, full of
fresh bread, the every perfect clearly
appointment OF the culinary departm
is there. l saw the cold storage, where
the boys told me the Christmas turkeys
were hept-killed New-Year's, cooked in
June. and this arrangement, according
TO the boys. was a great hunlbug.
was told that a new and improved
range will Very shortly be here for use.
This part Of the institution has to be Of
ten renewed. They are used up so quickly.
One item Showing the enornity Of the
Work done IN it Will prove this.
Mr.. Shuitz told me he had to furnish
ninety dozens Of eggs for a breakfast.
Upon referring to the supplies and how
obtained. was told that the surrounding
country furnished these. was also told