The farmer and mechanic., 1911-10-17

Finds a Great Advance in Education and
Is Confident That a New Era Has
Dawned-A Great Grazing and Cattle
Country-Delighted With Work of Appa-
laehian Training School = Fruits and
Vegetables in Exhibition That Was an
Eye-Opener.
Dr. J. Y. Joyner, State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, who has just re-
turned from a visit in Ashe and Watauga
counties, asked to tell of his visit, had
many things Of interest to say, fol-
lows:
Il have just returned from trip
through Ashe and Watauga counties
was greatly impressed with the wonderful
natural resources of these counties, and
also with the signs Of agricultural, indus
trial and educational progress.
Il spoke at the Ashe County Fair, at
Jefferson, Oh Educational Day to A large
interested and very responsive audience
AShe has been behind in education, but
from private conferences with the members
Of the County Board of Education, the
County superintendent, school committee
men and other citizens. / am confident that
new era Of educational progress has
dawned. Within the past two years
number of excellent new school houses
have been built in the county, and there
seemed to be an awakening of educational
interest.
The fair was largely attended; the
crowd was orderly, we'll behaved we'll
dressed, and everybody seemed to be hav-
ing a splendid time The exhibits Of cat
tie. sheep, horses and hogs were the best
that / have seen in the State.
"All that Judge Pell wrote in his recent
article in the Sunday edition of The News
and Observer about Ashe and Watauga as
grazing and cattle counties is true, and
Hl,n
were dotted thick with stacks of fragrant
hay, and many of the mountain sides were
green with grass and alive with cattle and
stock. Ashe and Watauga are a wonderful
fruit country also | passed many orchards
Laden with rich red and golden apples.
The meadows with their countless hay
stacks, the sleek cattle, the feecy sheep.
the orchards laden with their rich fruit
the wooded mountains with their foliage
touched with the first rich coloring of the
autumnal tints all bright in the warm
golden glow Of the October sun formed
picture Of peace plenty and beauty that
one rarely sees and can never forget. Whac
State of wonderful possibilities and va
ried resources is ours! What it shall be
people and taught them how to make the
most of what the Lord has given them
and when good roads and railroads have
penetrated its rich and isolated sections
and opened them to the world and opened
the world to them. is almost beyond the
widest flight of the ina gnation
The Jefferson Fair was big success
ana too much credit cannot be given to
President Worth. the board of directors
and other public-sprited citizens of Ashe
that contributed freely of their time
ana, ana means % to making it a success. You
could hear on every hand from the people
expressions of pride, qualification and hope
at the exhibition of the county's resources
and progress.
TO find that this fair, and nearly all the
fairs of the State this year, have set aside
one or the best days as Educational D;y
1t indicates a hopeful recognition by orr
people OF the Importance of education and
or IT'S 1nsepaTableness from the progress
and prosperity of the state On Educa-
uonal Day. at the Jefferson Fair there was
very creditable parade of the school chill
dren from the rural district schools
The managers of the Fair have set a
splendid example TO the entire State by
announcing In all the advertisements that
the profits of the fair would be devoted 70
the establishment Of rural libraries in the
county Of Ashe
At The Appalachian Training School.
FROM jenerSon 1 visited the .appaiaeb-
IAN Training School at Boone I was much
pleased and encouraged at he work o,
this school ! found it filled to the limit
Of its capacity with students ahout one
hundred and fifty already enrolled fine
BODY OF earnest. capable. enthusia stie
young men and women. 1t was an inspi.
ration to speak to them.
THE people OF other sections of North
carolina do not begin to realize l think
the splendid work that this institution is
dong for that section Of the State 1t is
song thorough, honest work. without any
frills. fads, pretense or noise II ha,
greatly improved the teaching force O.
"atauga and many of the surrounding
mountain counties. 1t is not seeking o.
aspiring to be college but is devotins
Itself wholly to its useful mission of pro
sidlng for these mountain boys and girl
thorough high school instruction and prac
t1cal preparation for more efficient teach
ing IN the rural schools
II Is keeping its roots in the life an.
needs of the people and the schools O
that section and ministering most sue
cessfuliy to these As a result it Is in
creaslng In attendance. in influence an