The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-01-05
Nature Of Research Work.

"A few Of our graduates have been
able to remain here and carry on
work. One of these is now
the head research chemist for the
American Tobacco Company. another
is engaged in research work on wood
rurpentine at Macon. Georgia; still an
other is now associate professor IF
chemistry at the North Carolina Ag-
ricultural and Mechanical College. |
Such Illustrations could be multiplied.
but the point which concerns You is |
the character of the research they
were engaged in while they We're be
ing trained here. This has ben IVY o.
fold in its charaSter.
In part it has been in pure science,
though IL is difficult TO make any
real distinction between pure and APP
piled science, for what seems to be
of only theoretical interest at one
time often becomes the most vital.
practical matter later. Such research
and its publication in pure science are
duties every university owes to the
increase and diffusion OF knowledge
I Sic by side with these reSearchS
in pure science. there ave been com
pleted and still are being acrried on
here numerous lines of investigation
having a direct bearing on the indus
tries, the material for many Of these
researches being furnished by inter
eSted corporations.
doctors Venahle and Bell are en-
gagged in rare earth work, on materiai
furnished by the Welsbach Company.
North Carolina is richer in such rare
earths than any other Southern State.
DR.. Wheeler has been working on
~anthrana1ic acid, one of the inter
mediate products in the artificial prep
aration Of indigo.
Work Out Oil Mill Method.
I'm my own work in cooperation
with fWO of Our StJl6onrC n Siror1o q ~ u
rapid but accurate method has been
worked out for use by our cotton seed
OH mills, enabling any OF these at a
very slight cost to maintain complete
chemical control of their operations.
Many Of the mills sent representatives
to this laboratory a few summers ago
for full Instructions in the method
which the university offered to every
mill in the South.
w are now trying to determine
the character Of the changes involved
in the cooking Of fossil resins in var
nish making. This great industry il
based upon this procedure. At pres
! ent 1t is carried out on a purely EN-
pirical basis. Real progress in thi:
industry must be based upon a NOR
p. scientific basis han now exists. Thi
= work is being carried on IN cO-Opera
, ton with q large varniSh firm of New
York City, which supplies us with tn
raw material and the product cooke.
by its experienced men in the fac
tory.
S "A number OF researches have bee.
r completed or are in progress in tn
e field of oleoresins. In this work w
have been aided in two ways:
i First, in having authentic. fres
specimens furnished us direct fror
the woods by the ~turpentine operator!
e Second, by a scholarship supporte
during the past FIVE years by a larg
soap company. This scholarship ha
It paid practically all the living expense
q of one of our senior students eac
s. year. he in turn devoting his researc
to this field SO important to soa
makers.
t. Such types of research as aboy
r mentioned constitute only a beginnin
of the cooperation which I hope Wi
t. exist WE his laboratory and OF
d Southern industries.
% Real and effective cooperate
le does not yet exist, Is it has existe
1T for years in Germany, for several re;
lie sons among which nay be mentioned
ct First: In strong contrast to &c
s, man custom, Southern business me
to have rather looked askance at pc
s. sible help from universities in II
n development of their industries.
I'd "Second: Southern capital has pr
IN ferred safe, Well understood lines
lie, investment during this early period
IS. the South's industrial awakening.
ry could tell you a good and true sto,
he in this connection, but l am alreat
l. writing at too great length.
er Third We nave not been able
rk furnish a sufficient number Of pro
erly trained young men. This h
ne been due to the urgent demand f
he our young men who have taken Il
he Bachelors degree to go into teachil
C and into the control of laboratories
Is industrial plants.
I'd Needs For Graduate Training.
p. For graduate training which Z
he future demands, three things a
les necessary:
Ie- "a first class chemical library. tt
we now have here.
Special equipment other than tn
n required for routine u~ndergradua