The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-13

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had worked his own way through college
almost entirely, His expenses were
about $3.50 a year. The students We're
paid 10 cents an hour for work, which
consisted in dairying, cleaning out barns,
and all kinds of work. About $50 acres
of land had been cleared by the work
of the students Thirty of them were at
least to a large extent paying their own
way through college.
Mr.. Finley, of Wilkes, was next called
upon. He spoke CT the good work being
done in agriculture, and the great posi-
bilities of it, but said the means We're
very inadequate on account of over
crowding.
In response to questions Mr. Finley
said he paid about half of his own ex-
penses by work about the college. 1t
cost him about $160 year for everything
except travelling expenses. Asked what
kind of food they got, he replied: Food
that We can do good hard studying on. ."
That caused big laugh.
Mr. Squires, of Caldwell, next told
of the over crowded condition of the ag-
ricultural department. He worked also
TO pay his way through college.
Mr.. Foster of Rockingham said he
was particularly interested in fruit grow
ing; but there practically was no oppor-
tunity for teaching that branch at the
college. He, however, picked up great
deal of information from Prof. Massey
at odd times. There wore great posi-
biltes along this line.
He brought $3.50 with him. and had
paid all his expenses and had over s27
now.
Mr.. Allen. of Orange, a member of the
winter course in agriculture, a married
man with eight children. said he had
found that the professors of the college
had taught him an untold amount. He
had experience, but not science, and he
considered that was what was the trouble
with the farmers of North Carolina. 1t
was the man who knew how that made
the best farmers. AS far as he was con-
cerned he was willing to pay his share
of the taxes necessary to put up THIS
building
He considered he had made splendid
investment by leaving his business ana
coming down here. His total expenses
were about $50 for the course. He would
not give what he had learned about the
cattle industry alone for his whole eX-
penses. He thought some way ought to
be devised to reacn the farmers of the
State, who were the backbone and stay
of the commonwealth.
Mr.. Scott. of Alamance, read a letter
from the young lady of Alamance VINO
had taken the winter course at the col
lege, expressing the hope that the bill
providing for the agricultural building
would go through
Mr.. Colt then presented the memorial
from the agricultural students. asking
for the building, and setting forth the
urgent need of it.
Commissioner of Agriculture s. l.. Pat
terson addressed the committee, telling
of his knowledge of the college during
the past ten or twelve years. He SAID
that. as was we'll known, the great in
terest in mechanical lines superseded the
agricultural side. 1t was only about two
years ago that DR.. Winston began to de-
vote his energies to the agricultural
side. and he had succeeded beyond his
expectations.
This was the first time that any ap-
lpropriation had been asked of the State
in the interest of agriculture alone.
He said there were over 10000 white
land owners and farmers in North Caro-
lima, and this appropriation of $4,000
meant accordingly less than $1,000 a
farm Every year 5000 new farmers were
coming on, so the cost on these young
men would be only $12 apiece.
Commissioner Patterson's speech was
strong and earnest one.
DR.. Peter E. Hines, of this city, made
an appeal, as one of those who had
worked for the establishment of this col
| lege, to the committee not to deny to the
farmers of North Carolina anything they
could do to give them an opportunity to
learn how to farm to the best advantage.
! DR.. Hines was deeply in earnest and
made a powerful plea. He was applauded.
| Mr. Scott moved that the bill be re-
ported favorably.
| When the vote was taken there was
only one dissenting voice.