New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-18
THE OPENING PLAYGROUND SQUARE PARK
TRAVELLING LIBRARIES NEEDED.
Tuskegee Wishes to Increase Scope of Its
Agricultural Influence.

Inasmuch as so per cent of the Southern colored
people earn their living from the soil and only a
trife more than per cent receive any instruction
in the schools which enables them to do so. tho
need Of reaching many farmers, teachers
and children with kind of nature study and
agricultural lessons at once practical and inspira-
tionaI has long been apparent
Two years ago extension bureaus of nature study
and agriculture opened at Hampton and Tus-
kegee Institute through the generosity of friend
who gave 5000 to them Practical lessons in
the form of clearly written and well illustrated
leaflets were prepared by experts after the model
of those issued successfully by Cornell Uni
versity. Applications for them poured in from
thousands OF school superintendent, teachers.
librarians and parents, with whom active corre-
spondence was carried They have been dis
triouted at farmers Institutes and county fairs at
summer schools and conventions of school boards
and they have been reprinted In the Southern
newspapers, thereby multiplying their circulation
without cost.
To reinforce the work a special fund was col
Iected to provide fifty travelling libraries Of agr-
culture and nature books that sent out from
Hampton Institute. These circulate among the
rural schools. whose pitifully poor teachers are
often glad to purchase books from the cases at
wholesale rates. Not book has been defaced or
lost.
At Tuskegee the aim of the nature study bureau
through this its second year. has been to work
along two special lines:
First-To induce public schools to include nature
study in their work. especially as II bears upon
practical agriculture.
Second-To suggest to farmers methods Of farm
Ing which would put them on the road 10 success
The authorities at Tuskegee have also made a
special effort to have the childrens house garden
at the school model. believing that so they could
more effectively teach TO other schools the i'm
portance OF nature study along practical lines
Some Of the points that have been emphasized in
the work at the children's garden are:
Ffrst-The habit of thorough work in the soil
Second-The love OF nature
Third-The keeping of important dates
Fourth-The keeping OF a garden account TO show
gain or loss in the Business.
Fffth-The carrying OF these principles into the
homes OF the children.
AS the result OF this extension work. a strong
impulse toward a practical training. fitting
children for life in the rural districts. has been
given Gardens which were added TO very many
schools have been tended by the children them
selves. furnishing not only object lessons OF the
utmost value but in many gases use. sufficient rsye;
term Best OF all; perhaps there mas been a real
awakening of influential educators, who will see
hind Russia. France Denmark and other European
countries in providing agricultural training for
Because the extension bureaus. which con-
Quoted from Hampton ana TuskegeeI IN a purely ely
work OF those institutions II is necessary that spe
ciai contributions which shall In wise restrict
most promising agencies of hepfuness to the rural
At Hampton Institute, field instructor IS soreiy
needed at the annual expense or about Si.W "A
man is needed who has not only a knowledge OF the
best methods OF agriculture and the ability to teach
them, but one who also has tact, energy and en-
spre as well as teach both teachers and children,
must be willing to dig and plough with his own
hands. and must know how to reach the farmers
and secure their confidence. When such a man can
give his whole time this work first in the counties
adjacent TO the school and gradually working out
into the State, the influence Of Hampton Will be
more strongly felt in the rural districts than can
ever be the case II dependence is placed on leaflets
alone, these in connection with the
agricultural instruction given in the school
Fifty travelling libraries and cases Ike those used
successfully at Hampton needed at Tuskegee.
They will cost $500. Or SIS will supply one such
library.
Contributions may be sent to r. n. Doubleday.
treasurer, No "a Union Square.