The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-26

what was needed could hardly be found. The idea grew up and developed in his mind until it became a reality in an in stitute of learning and practical help that is known the world over. Fighting al- ways shy of politics, he did accept the state senatorship to help aiong a num- Der of school laws he thought ought to be passed. He is a lumberman with in- terests in the south and the west. He Is going on with this institute until 1t is the biggest, as it is perhaps now the best, of it's kind in the country.
 Work All Practical.
 The idea of the Stout Institute is prac- ticabiIity. All of the grades are taken care of in connection with the town schools. Every girl child is taught to sew, to cook, to do those things about the house and the home that are useful. This goes from the time a tot is taught the rudiments of stitching to the ability to turn out a fitted garment, cut by measure, and in the most exact way. In cooking the knowledge Is brought up from the rudiments to a scientific knowledge of foods, what to eat and how to eat. For instance, it Is argued, why should the food for horse or a COW be selected ! for a person? Why should not a man or a woman know what is best for them and eat that food? The effect Of the educa- ton, therefore, is to make it possible to know the science of food and food prep aration and to have the best only pre- pared.
 There is also the question of economy. Girls are tTught how to select the best four, the best meat and the most nour- ishing portions of animals that are eaten. In like manner they are taught to cut dresses and garments generally so that there will be no waste. In a word, the course prepares students to know what they need in life and how to get it in the most economical way.
 Boys Make Success.
 It is shown by the reports that the boys get good wages after they take the courses. In addition to the regular line of manual work trades are perfected, in- cluding plumbing, carpentering, brick laying, blacksmithing, painting and all others that make up the general run of useful occupations. Boys go out and get good jobs. They are too much in de- mand," said Senator Stout. 'They get good places at good wages before they fin- ish their courses many times. The de- mand for them is far in excess of the sup ply
 Practical ways of teaching are pro- vided. Brick laying Is done under a capable instructor, the walls being erect ed and the bricks land in just such way as they would be in putting up houses. One of the large buildings of the in- stitute is now going up, the work being done by the boys of the advanced classes. In the plumbing shop the boys make lead joints, connect pipes and set up bath tubs and toilets just as they would if actually doing the work. Every line of heating and piping work is done in just as practical way as would be the case in fitting up buildings
 Taking the institute as a whole the work is right down to the best in a practical way. There is a thoroughness that makes it worth while in every way. The girls of the senior classes served dinner to the party of southern educa- tors and it was 8 meal to make the best fed in the country glad of life. The party was shown, in addition. every courtesy inspecting in detail. under the care of President Harvey the many parts of the activity in progress. Each man left with a feeling that it was good to have been there.