The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-18
EPOCH IN HISTORY
 OF MISSISSIPPI.
Corner Stone to New Building
 Laid at StarkviIIe
JAMES fl. WILSON PRESENT
The Secretary of Agriculture Says the Farmers Need an Education More Comprehensive Than They
 Have Used in the Past.

Starkvllle, Miss, April 17.-Today has marked an epoch in the industrial history of Mississippi. The occasion was the lay ing of the corner stone of the new $40,000 Science hall at the Agricultural and Me- chanical college.
 The feature of the forenoon was the masterful and patriotic speech of Hon. James Wilson, secretary of agriculture who was applauded to the echo from point to point and who received an ovation and a shower of thanks when he had conclud- ed. Secretary Wilson was introduced most brilliantly by Congressman Candler, whose tribute to the flag evoked the most cordial applause.
 The feature of the afternoon was the able and practical address of Mir A. D. Tompkins of North Carolina, who was presented by Governor Longino.
 General Lee Speaks.
 Gen. Stephen D. Lee, in a feeling and eloquent speech, detailed the struggles and triumphs of the college over which he presided for nineteen years He was proud of the great industrial awakening in Mississippi.
 President Hardy, the practical patri- otic and able president of the college, eloquently welcomed the faculty and stu- dents of the Industrial Institute and Col- lege and the committee representing the state university. President Kincannon responded most appropriately for the h. dustrial Institute and College, as did Pro- lessor Lipscomb for the university.
 Secretary Wilson spoke about the ne- cessity of agricultural education, saying in part:
 Secretary WiIson'o Address.
 "The farmers of the country need an education more comprehensive than that which we have borrowed from the old world, originally designed for the profess slonal man, the man of leisure and the hereditary law giver. The activities of the age in lines of research have reached the tillers of the soil and inspired them with ambition to know more of the prin- ciples with which they have to deal.
 "Such education Is required as our high CT institutions of learning have neglect ed and it cannot be longer neglected without seriously hindering the progress of our country. Sixty-five per cent of our exports are from the farm and grown by people who have not had special training beyond the traditions of the farm. A new country with abundance of land stored with plant food has given us an advan- tage over competitors who are required to maintain soil fertility by resorting to com mercial fertilizers and intensive cultiva- ton, made practicable through access to cheap labor. Our available free public lands are mostly taken up while popula- ton steadily increases and will continue to increase as long as opportunities for getting new land, are more favorable for homeseekers here than anywhere else.
 "The education of the scientist in agri- culture should begin in the common school It should be continued through the secondary school and the college. and rounded out with specialization in the university. This would give us teachers and investigators. The tillers of the soil in all cases should get something in their line in the primary schools and an in- creasing number would go through col lege, if we had schools and colleges that would give them what they require. We have few such colleges equipped with faculties and illustrative material, and be- cause of this, few young people study along this line"