The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25

said Tuesday, as he strolled through
the grounds with your correspondents.
that he believed 1t was the most beatltl-s
full In the world lie had seen many
of the European colleges and Hniversi-
Ties, is we'll as those Uf America, but
none would equal this, he declared, In
the natural beauty of It's campus.
Professor Drinkard and others, well
qualified to Judge, arc of the same opin-
Ion. There arc other colleges where
money has done more, but few where
Mother Nature has been more lavish Of
her gifts.
The diversified rolling grounds, over
which Is scattered the college buildings
contains hundreds Of noble trees. beauti-
full hedges and shrubbery.
Its driveways arc bordered by mag
sniflcicnt naples, which meet and form
a canopy OF green over head; and Its
iprettily laid-out walks are In some In
stances skirtcd by rows of dark spruces
and hemlocks that spread their long arms
to the very ground, and towering In
close proximity, cast deep and gloomy
shade.
In contrast. graceful willows and slen-s
der, weeping beaches cast light and
shadow on sunny slopes. Among the
finest trees OIL the campus Is q row
OF giant ioc,ists, which look as II they
might have known n century.
a charming spot on the Boulevard is
Just In front OF tho two academic build
ings--large square structures OF great
height. almost hidden by tho luxurious
growth of Boston Ivy, trumpet vine and
Virginia creeper that cover them from
the ground to the very roof.
THE CAMPUS TREES.
F. Tho campus contains ninety acres ana
on 1t are a great variety Of trees. The
following partial list was prepared by
Professor Price:
Maplc--box elder cork maple, red
maple. silver eaved maple, sugar maple
sycamore maple, Wiers cut-leaved ma Pile.
aspen, balsam poplar, Carolina poplar,
white poplar.
Oaks-bur oak, jack oak, live oak. post
oak, red oak. turkey oak. white oak.
Ash-green ash, white ash.
Afiscellaneous-cork elm, slippery elm
yellow locust, honey locust, sourwood.
black walnut, white walnut, beech. dwarf
pa. tulip (popnr) pnwlonia, Kentucky
coffee tree. Judas tree, G!nkhorse chest
nut, sweet gum. persmmon. dogwood,
mulberry, cucumber, American linden,
European linden, American chestnut,
horse chestnut, sweet gum. persimmon,
silver drop. cherry Towering crab. apple
pear, Japan ounce, evergreens. arbor
Vitae juniper Cedar, Irish juniper. Nor
way spruce, FIR, larch rctinospara, cy-s
press, hemlock. Austrian and other pines.
"A variety OF willows, vines, trumpet vine,
Virginia creeper. Boston Ivy. rambler
roses and honeysuckle.
The rich blue grass OF the campus Is
always kept moved and free from weeds
and trash. which adds much to Its at
tractiyeness
Virginia Polytechnic Institute received
Its present name nine years ago From
the date OF its establishment, in 1872.
until that time 1t was known as Viz
gina Agricultural Mechanical College, the
funds for It's endowment being donated
by the national government for instruc-
zion in agricultural and mechanical arts
FIRST COMMENCEMENT.
The first commencement was held In II.
The thirty second, which " closed
Wednesday. was the most successful In
the history of the college. The grad
uating class was the largest ever turned
out, the daily programmes were interest
ing, the weather was IDEAL and every
thing passed off without a single un-
pleasant incident.
4 The session Just closed has been the
most successful in the history OF the
institution. said DR.. Mcbride. The
largest number Of students were en-
rolled and the Professors report show
the best cIassed records. The health
81 the school has also been. the best.
There have been fewer boys in the hos !;
pital and 1t is the first session there
have been no contagious diseases in the 4
school.
The building operations have also been
more extensive than ever before. The i
new science ball Is nearing completion. /
Tho new agricultural building is well