The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-19

ficiary of a princely donation the work of the school would have received wider recognition It is interesting to see what can be done without the pouring In or thousands of dollars to be used indiscrim- nately.
 It should be reiterated several times that the first money raised for the school was contributed by the people living in the vicinity of Camp Hill. The school was established by Dr. Lyman Ward In September, 1898 It was chartered by the legislature in 1901. and had for its pur- poses "the establishment, organization and maintenance of an institution of learning of high grade for the education of youth in industrial and manual train ing, in all the useful industries in the mechanic arts, also to give training in literature, science and arts"
 Beginning of Work.
 With practically no capital. Dr. Hall rented a building and began with twenty three pupils and another teacher besides himself Four thousand dollars was con tributed by the people in that vicinity, and from other sources the school re- ceived support. The next step was to purchase AGO acres near Camp Hill, and year after the opening of the school work was begun on the first building on the plantation, upon which partlai pay ment had been made.
 Today the school property is easily worthy s2bO00. Land in the vicinity sells for $50 per acre, and much of the farm is now under cultivation. Some Of the land is rented and all of it produces cot ton, corn, grain and the usual farm prod ucts. The school buildings include Ross Hall and the presidents residence and a large two-story dormitory, which will ac- commodate twenty girls. It is equipped with a basement for a laundry and room for a creamery, together with an adequate kitchen and dining room.
 Ross Hall was completed in 1900, and work has been started on a trades build ing The work upon these buildings as well as upon several smaller buildings was done entirely with student labor. The buildings are attractive, well venti- lated and are surrounded by large and beautiful grove, winding driveway lead ing from the main road. The roads out through the farming lands give pctur- esque glimpses of the Alabama hills. The soil is more or less rocky and reddish in color. The pasture lands are supplied with water, but the water facilities in the dormitory and other school buildings are poor.
 The school now owns several cows and males for farming. raises poultry and produces nearly all the pork that is used yearly.
 Industry of Pupils. The boys do all the work on the farm, milk the cows. feed the stock, and be- sides the practical work in farming, they are receiving instruction in the academic branches. The girls are being taught cooking and general work about the house, sewing, laundry, besides receiv- ing instruction in the academic depart ment.
 The Birmingham party who visited the school this week were especially inter ested in the kitchen. The work Is sys- tematically divided. two girls each day being assigned to different duties about the kitchen. the dining room and the general cleaning. Dinner was being cook ed by two brlght-faced young girls. their long aprons, which completely enveloped them, adding to their attractive appear ance. One of these young women was bending her pretty face over large pan, in which the meat was being cooked, but she looked up long enough for the visitors to see that she understood the principles of broiling thin slices of bacon. Another young woman was engaged in rolling out the biscuits, and she smiled over the biscuit board bewitchingly.
 The vegetables looked appetizing, and the menu, simple and wholesome, was being prepared entirely by these two girls. The dining room was spotless, the tables having been set by two other girls. By this system of cooperative housekeeping the work does not fall heavily on any one girl This arrangement also enables young women to work their own way through school. the seven girls now in the dormitory being able to educate them-