The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-06
REPORT ON SCHOOLS
OF AGRICULTURE
ceorgia's System of Instruc-
ton Is Progressing Well
PROFIT FROM FARMS
There Arc Now in the State Eleven
Schools with Three Thousand
Acres of Land and About
Two Thousand Pupils

Atlanta, February -(special)-The
nrst annaul report of Georgia's IL district
Agricultural schools, prepared by Joseph
y. Stewart, professor of secondary educa-
tion, University of Georgia, shows not
only wherein they have made excellent
Progress in their little more than two
Years of existence, but is a document full
Or interest and significance in respect to
their possibilities and their undoubted
wide degree of usefulness.
Summarizing the main features of their
Drogress in paragraph, Professor Stew
art calls attention to the fact that since
they came into being late in 1907 they have
accumulated property with valuation of
Eat least $732,000 with 30S3 acres, with 1888
/, acres actually cultivated this year Q909),
by the pupils, and with total product
from the farms of $16,O5O for the year.
The first full year showed an attendance
- l00l pupils. The first two months of the
present 5000 fall term show an attend
ance of $50 pupils, and these are entirely
distinct from the neighboring town
schools, IS per cent being boarding stu
dents from 1O7 counties out Of 146 counties
In the state. No girl under 10. nor boy
under IA years of age is admitted"
Professor Stewart compares the Georgia
agricultural schools with those of Ala
hama, established 10 years ago, which, at
Che time of the establishment of the Geor-
Eia schools were almost entirely local
schools, meeting the needs of local COM
munities. Only those over 10 years of
age recevingyfree tuition were required to
take agriculture. The schools were re-
ceiving only $500 a year from the state.
But after the establishment of the Georgia
schools Alabama changed her plans some
/. what, put in new and definite cur
rieulum in 1909, and began giving them
1903 was 1864, but included others than
strictly agricultural and industrial pupils.
The total acreage owned by the Alabama
schools is only $40, and the aggregate
value Of the plants $222, 500. 1t will be
apparent, therefore, where the influence
of the Georgia schools was in the direc-
9 ton of. definite progress, not only in this
state, but in Alabama as well.
ara Some Historical Information
- The report is submitted to the trus-
tees of the state college of agriculture by
Dean A. NJ. Soue, who makes brief COM
ment upon the splendid record of achieve
mHnt.
It contains a complete list of the
officials and boards of trustees of the
various schools; the board of trustees
for each is made up on one member
from each county in the congressional
i. district wherein the school is located.
Z The beginning of the project in
Georgia came with recommendation
2 from Gov. Joseph M. Terrell, in a
= message to the Legislature, and the
bill introduced by Hon. II. H.
Perry of Hall and finally passed and
signed by Governor Terrell at the ses
( sion of 1906.
- The schools were to be supported by
the funds derived from the inspection of
oils and fertilizers by the department of
agriculture. But at the time of the pas
5 sage of the act there were funds to
start the work in motion, and these were
furnished by the general education board
OF New York.
The general facts connected with their
prganizat ton, the competition among many
counties which offered land and build
ings to secure them, are familiar his
tory.
s The buildings were designed by Archi-
test HARRISON Beckley of Atlanta. The
main academic building cost about sl8.-
900 and the dormttories about $4,000 each.
: Some Facts and Figures
The farms at these schools consist of
240 to 300 acres, much of it in woodland.
There are under cultivation at each
school from % to 125 acres These farms
are worked up scientifically. the rocks
and stunps removed and terracing and
drainage perfected.
! BOARD of students ranges from s. to
yfSO per month. The majority of the
schools charge $40 per month and credit
each pupil with the number of hours OF
labor for the month at 10 cents an hour.
The others charge smaller amount fol-
board and do not deduct for labor but
require a maximum of nine hours work
zach week, the result being practically
the same Additional pay is allowed for
extra hours of labor, and tuition Is free.
{ A matriculation fee OF 81 or 81 is charged
End books cost about 50 Il year. Uni
forms where used cost about Sc.
9 The expenses for the nine months
term do not exceed, therefore, total of
tso. Many make it for much less. The
total expenses of the first honor man In
the Fourth district school last year were
s51, and of this amount he made $50