The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-23
SCHOOLS FOR FARMERS.
CONCENTRATIONS MADE nv
STATE SUPERINTENDENT
MARTIN.
establishment of Three Such Schools
Not to Conflict With Clemson
Strongly Urged.

Not to Conflict With Clemson
Strongly Urged.
Columbia. Dec. 1S.-Agricultural
high schools is a subject that many
Of the public men Of the State are de-
voting their attention to just now. At
recent conference attended by Gov.
Ansel, superintendent Martin, Com
missioner Watson, Congressman Lev
er, DR.. Seaman A. Knapp and several
others, the whole matter was thor
oughly discussed 1t Is not the inten-
tion of those back of the idea to con-
fiict in any way with the work of
Clemson college and in fact 1t is be-
lieved that 1t would aid that institu-
ton. 1t is planned to secure an appro-
priation for three or not more than
four schools In different parts Of the
State and much Of the fund for main
tenance after the first cost would be
earned from the farms operated. The
recommendations and comments made
by Superintendent Martin on the mat
ter are given as follows:
Agricultural high schools have
been established in recent years in
several States. The first States to es-
these schools undertook to put
one school In each congressional dis
trict. 1t was found impossible to Sc
cure enough trained teachers for so
many schools at once. It was also
found that congressional districts are
too irregular In shape to make COM
pact and congenial areas Of support.
The States which are now moving in
this direction are going to begin with
a small number Of schools. The great
Importance OF schools Of this kind Is
emphasized by the presentation Of
bill In congress looking to national aid
for such schools. This bill has large
and enthusiastic support. Each State.
however, will give consideration to
provisions Of this kind regardless Of
the success or failure of the Davis
bill.
1.-TWO questions naturally arise in
the consideration OF these questions
In South Carolina. First, what rela-
tions would such schools bear to our
great industrial colleges? Second,
why Is this work not done by our
high schools as now conducted? d? About
400 boys are denied admission to
Clemson college each year and more
than that many girls are denied ad-
mission to Winthrop. or course.
large majority Of these are not pre-
pared to enter college. A course OF
study In an agricultural high school
would not conflict at all with the
course in any Of the colleges. In fact,
such courses should reach further
down in the elementary grades than
our present high school courses. They
would only reach up to the freshman
class at best in industrial colleges.
They would be designed largely for
pupils who are unable to go 20 COL
lege.
Industrial or technical training re-
quires special equipment. For this
reason II Is impossible for the ordi-
nary high school to give training in
soil analysis. seed selections. cotton
grading, corn judging. cooking, sew
Ing and other similar subjects. It Is
very important for the future OF our
schools. and for the future of the
state. that children having ambition
and talent In these directions should
receive special training. Perhaps this
number would not be so large for
few years, but there will be as many
rs could be successfully trained.
1T would be unfortunate for the
impression to prevail that efforts are
being made to establish more State
We have made the mistake
OF building too many institu-
tions Of college grade. We can AFFORD
to establish more high schools. but We
can not AFFORD to multiply our COL
leges. As many as three agricultural
high schools could be established at
comparatively small expense to the
state. There are a great many pro-
gressive communities in this State
which would contribute from $4,000
to 100000 each In order to secure
the location for such q school, pro-
vided that the legislature will give a
reasonable amount for annual sup
port; $4,000 a year would be ample for
such school. The first appropria-
ton could be used for equipment and
the succeeding ones for salaries.
Whoever succeeds In conducting one
or these schools so that IL will be