The age-herald., 1902-05-04


 In talking of the needs of the institu- ton Booker Washington pointed out to me just how the money received for the school was spent. He told me of how he worked for the subscriptions and dona- tions and in that way pointed out the needs and the future of the school. Dur ing this talk he said many interesting things about his future plans and needs some of which l give as follows as near ly as my memory will permit
 Tt is my wish that in the future the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial lnsti- tute continue to develop in the same di- rection that it has been developing dur ing the last two years. More and more it is my ambition to have the nstitu- ton reach the real needs of the people of this section, to make the work of the in- stitution useful to both races. No in- stitution has any excuse for existence that docs not sooner or later make all the people in the section where is exists feel .hat they are richer wiser and more comfortable by reason of the existence of the institution.
 Alabama is very largely an agricul- tural state, and 1t is perhaps true that four-fifths of the colored people at the present time live by some form of agri- culture and are likely to do so for a good many years to come Since this is true. l believe that the Tuskegee Institute can be made of the greatest service to my own people and to the white race as well, by emphasizing the teaching of agri- culture in all of it's various forms.
 After making a careful study of the condition of our people, l find that as rule, they do best in the rural districts when engaged in agriculture. In the cities they are surrounded with tempta- tions and besides come into severe and close competition in a way that does not always help them. In proportion as the young colored men are taught intelligent and skillful methods of agriculture. in the same proportion will they remain in the country districts and keep out of the large cities.
 Alabama is sending out of the state hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I suppose l ought to say millions, every year for products which can be produc- ed in the state For example, if we can send out from this institution students who assist in showing the people how to raise their own corn. meat and veg etables instead of sending out of the state for these things, fl seems to me that we will : adding wealth to the state and will be assisting in making every white man as well as every colored man more wealthy than he was before ..is insti- tuition was established.
 "I note also that a large sum of money goes out of the state every year for wagons and axe handles. utensils and tools that can just as well be produced in the state. I take it thct if a young man Is sent out from Tuskegee who will go into the forest as many of our stu dents do, and convert a raw hickory or oak tree into a wagon that he is adding to the wealth of the state. Every such ura if, gf.a to. going out of the state for foreign wagons
 GIRLS RAISE POULTRY.
 "At Tuskegee a large number of our girls are being taught to raise poultry. Every chicken and every egg produced in the state will make the state so much richer. l note that a large amount e money is sent out of the state also for dairy products. If we can send out as we