The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-07-05
News Letter from A. & M. College
Communicated.

Communicated
The college has issued for distribution
an attractive pamphlet describing the
textile courses. The history of the de-
partment is one which shows solid. sub
stantial growth from the smallest begin
nings to the best equipment for teaching
textile industry. in 1900 it had only one
instructor and three students, with an
equipment consisting OF one spinning
frame and two looms The machinery
was located in the basement of the main
building, without any power to run it.
Since that time the department has de-
veloped until now there are four instruc-
tors and thirty seven students, and the
equipment, which is valued at $50 900,
is located in special textile building
which cost So. 900. All makes of cotton
mill machinery are included and the
equipment is regarded as one OF the best
i'll the country for instruction in cotton
manufacture. Prof. Thomas Nelson is
head of the department
feature of central interest at the sum
mer school Ill session at the \. X NJ. Col
lege was the country school under the
guidance OF superintendent Ragsdale of
Pitt county; Prof. Massey, of Durham
county. and Miss Wetmore of Greens
bone of the educational system of the
State. The majority of the teachers of
the State are country teachers. In the
country school We're taken up the prob
lem OF organizing and grading the school
for determining what classes the pupils
are fitted to enter, and the problem of
how to arrange the country school daily
program. At all times the country
school asexhibited at this summer school
was crowded with visitors Especially
interesting were the exercises on agricul-
ture, which is now part of the curricu-
lum OF every school in North Carolina.
Dehghtful talks upon the efficiency of
practical utility of agricultural educa-
ton were made by Prof Massey. who
has successfully introduced this subject
into his own schools in Durham county.
Irof. Ragsdale has similarly introduced
agriculture successfully in the schools of
Pitt county. In many other counties of
the State this subject is now being
taught as is reading and writing and all
other subjects OF the ordinary school cur
rlculum. Some counties are backward in
this respect and have not yet complied
with the law. The desire of the State
superintendent of public instruction is
th9t all counties comply with this law
lhis year, ana Ii Is repeatedly expressed
to the teachers and superintendent.
1t Is to be hoped that the school com.
mltteemen and the parents throughout
the State will interest themselves in this
subject and aid, urge and help the teach.
ers to successfully introduce agriculture
The head of the agricultural education oil
the State is naturally the A. & NJ. College
and the Experiment Station, aided by
the magnificent work which is being done
by the State department of agriculture
The \. X NJ. College now has the finest
building in the South for this work, a
large farm, barn, greenhouses, and q
very strong course in agriculture is being
offered at nominal cost to all country
boys who care to avail themselves o.
this opportunity to educate themselves
that they may make the most of the tai
ents they possess. f. Il. OWEN,
Registrar.