The progressive farmer., 1901-01-15
GOVERNOR RUssELI's MESSAGE.

both Houses. The parts of most
General interest are given herewith:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
ssntatiUes:
The first General Assembly of the
twentieth century meets under con-
ditions more encouraging than those
which confronted the legislators who
convened during the last decade of
the nineteenth century. Events in
Asia and Africa have created de-
mand for our products. Protective
import taxes have stimulated home
nroduction. Confidence in the Ma
tional currency has sent into circu-
1s+ion vast sums of boarded money,
The extension of American territory
has opened up opportunities for en-
terprise and adventure. Exports of
the nation have enormously in
creased. Cotton manufacturing in
North Carolina is increasing beyond
the dreams of thoughtful men of the
past. Our State population has gone
Vp to nearly two millions. The actual
aggregate wealth of the State has
increased so that tor the first time in
forty years it probably equals or
surpasses the value which prevailed
before the destruction and disasters
Of the civil conflict.
HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Board of Agriculture has con-
structed Creditable building such
as was needed to meet the wants of
this Department. The usefulness of
this Board has been demonstrated to
the extent that it has become a per
manent institution.
THE UNIVERSITY.
The University during the last
four years has grown in attendance
from three hundred and ninety-one
students to five hundred and twelve
Its material equipment has also in
creased by gifts to the State in build
ings amounting to $36, 900, and in be-
quests and money about $42O, 900.
This large growth of the University
means a great extension of it's use
tulness and influence. 1t means a
great impetus to education in this
State A strong and efficient Uni
verSity is essential to the States
educational system, and the Univer-
sjtv must be generously supported if
this State is to go forward. The
present teaching force is unable to
meet the demands made upon it by
the increasing number of students,
and there is already an annual de-
icit in the treasury. The Univer-
s.tv needs and deserves liberal treat
ment at the hands of the Legislature
)t the State.
THB STATE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL
COLLEGE.
The State Normal and Industrial
College at Greensboro suffered very
greatly from an epidemic of typhoid
fever which broke out in the fall of
1899 It was found necessary for
che rrotectiOn of life and health to
close the institution for a time. A
very rigid investigation of the cause
Of tl- epidemic disclosed the fact
that it was not due to any neglect on
the part ot the officials of that insti-
tuition The plumbing of the insti-
a r71n1 nT6
malarnizad, and the institution is at
this "riting in a fOurishing cOndi-
Uon. ling large number of young
women n in it's classes preparing
themselves for the higher vOcatiOns
of life The statement Of the needs
Of this institution is transmitted
herewith, and it is hoped that the
General Assembly may be able to
6aI a way to meet the demands for
-u.1rgement which the statement
..utains
rHL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND
MECHANIC ARTS.
A report of the Board having con-
crpl o. the College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts is submitted
herewith, and exhibits the opera
tons Of that institution for the two
Years past. The enrolment of the
.oIage Is larger than at any time in
i" li~tory, and it is believed that no
other institution within the State is
DOING more to elevate the standards
Of our civilization than is being done
At this College.