The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-11-18

1 ct W 4Io I4od 1Oh-
wheat field for building purposes at an
advance of 500 per acre over the orlgl-
nal purchase price twelve months prcVl-
orslv. This was near Asheville, where
4 new school house had been built, con-
sondating two districts. The attendance
is 21O. and some Of the pupils walk five
miles. There are many applications, but
the school is full.
He said he had thirteen rural schools
that were preparing boys and girls 1or
any institution in the State.
The results obtained by Supt. Venable
seem almost marvellous, but as he said,
nothing is impossible to those who prop
erly strive to achieve it.
Mr.. Thompson, of the firm OF Barrett
G Thompson, architects, then explained
plans for school houses of one, two, three
and four rooms.
SuDt. Joyner said it was bis purpose
to publish these plans, together with all
specifications, in a department. bulletin
very soon.
NIGHT SESSION.
The first discussion of last nights ses-
sion was on conserved Benefits of Better
Houses and Equipment led by Supt. j.
NJ. Way, of Randolph. He told OF one
school house that had been built in his
county at a cost of $500. The idea had
been at first for the county to furnish
$3.50 and the patrons $3.50. But the peo-
pie were so we'll pleased that they con-
tributed $3.50 as a private fund.
He contended that compulsory educa-
ton laws were not needed in Randolph.
or he thought, anywhere else in the
State. Once you convince the people that
their children Will be we'll cared for after
they get to school and they will send
their children there. The attendance
had been about doubled in two districts
where new school houses had been built.
The plan in Randolph, he said, was for
the patrons of the school to put down
dollar for dollar of the general school
fund, and every dollar put down by the
county was always promptly duplicated
by the patrons.
Supt. Way was asked how he got his
people to want new schools.
BY sending in the first place a good
teacher he replied"
He laid great stress upon the incentive
aroused by the presence Of a good teach
or. This he considered the key to the
whole situation. The parents, he said,
were unwilling to send their children to
ugly school houses when there were
pretty ones. Good houses, he had found,
lHCulc3Lcu SOCu mdlilcIS.
Discussion on the ways and means Of
building new school houses was engaged
in by Supts. Sentell, of Haywood; An
/, thony, Of Cleveland; Johnson, Of Macon;
Henderson, of Caswell; Maddry, of
Orange; Long, of Alamance; John, of
Scotland; Cox, Of Forsyth; Peelc, of
Martin: Rucker, of Rutherford.
1t seemed to be the opinion Of the ma
icrity that tho money for new buildings
should come out of the general school
fund, and that it should be limited to a
certain percentage of that fund. The
plan OF the county giving a dollar for
every dollar raised by the people was
! generally approved.
In this connection Supt. Joyncr called
attention to the fact that before any
thing of consequence was done this doc
trinc of sclf-help must be instillcd. He
spoke very earnestly on this matter, de-
claring that the poverty in North Caro-
lima was as nothing compared with tho
poverty in Europe and in the crowded
cities of our own country.
Supt. Long said he thought that a law
ought to be passed that not less than
two or more than four acres Of land be
condemned for a school house. He was
of the opinion that every district could
contribute something toward building
new school houses.
By request of Mr.. Cloyd, the question
was put as to how many counties were
insisting upon more than one acre for
their new houses. About fifteen superin-
tendents arose. 1t was then asked how
many were trying to get five acres.
Supt. E. P. Ellington, Of Rockingham,
arose upon this.
Supt. Ledbettcr, of Davidson, then
g. wand an &hn rIhi0nf ~
county school maps. He claim
ed that properly managed a school map
for q county could be gotten up with
practically no cost. He told of how at
one time, when he was in charge of a
certain school, he asked the children to
draw maps Of the surrounding district.
He finally, by this means, secured a very
accurate map of the district. He stated
that he proposed to get up a map of
Davidson county within the next few
months by urging his teachers to get
their pupils to draw complete maps Of
their various districts, and also to take
the census of the districts. From these
maps he Will draw q correct map of the
whole county.
Mr.. Cloyd said he considered this a
very practical method of getting maps.
and very beneficial to the children.
Supt. Henderson, of CasWcll. said his
county had a map made by the county
surveyors. This work had been done q
long time ago, at the expense of the
county.
DIR. Buttrick then suggested that. as
it was of value, it be required in the
curriculum.
Supt. John. of Scotland, suggested that
the teachers be notified immediately that
the making of maps would be REQUIRED.
Supt. Joyner said he thought it would
be a good idea for some interested citi-
zen in a district to offer a prize for the
best map.
Supt. Venablc, of B~uncombe, proposed
that an accurate outline of the man be
first made, and then let the children fill
it II.
The chairman said he thought the
county commissioners ought to CO.
/ NnHrat H With tho cQ11ntnr loa.l- -