Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-05-06
EDUCATION FOR
NEGROES DEVELOPING.

., Many evidences that State col
ieges Tor negroes and similar insti
tutlons on private foundation in the
South are being put on more sub
Stantlal basis and that there is an in
creased interest in their work in apri-
culture and home economies we're
found by DR.. A. G. True, director,
States Relations Service, United
states Department of Agriculture.
during recent visit to a number of
such institutions in North Carolina,
South carolina, Alabama, Georgia
Tennessee and Virginia.
The number of students at these
institutions has greatly increased in
recent years and they have better
trained faculties and enlarged equip
mont. This is due in large part to
the fact that as q result of the in
roads of the cotton boil wcevil and
other economic causes, agriculture
IN the South is becoming more diver
sitied and therefore requires more in
telligence and education on the part
of the farm operator. The number
Of negroes owning farms is incrcas-
better training in agriculture for
their children.
Increased Demand for Teachers.
1t was also observed that institu-
lions receiving the Smith-Hughes
fund for the training of teachers are
being much benefited by the aid.
There is an increased demand for
teachers and extension workers in
agriculture and home economies and
these institutions are being stimulated
to meet this demand. The extension
ngents, are closely associated with the
higher institutions and influence
fnany students t. attend them. They
also stimulate interest in the work of
the institutions in agriculture and
home, economies.
! The larger part of the work of the
institutions visited by Dr.. True is of
secondary grade and many students
are still. admitted in the elementary
grades. Comparatively few are tax
ing the college courses, and in some
instances no work is attempted be-
You'd the second year of the college
course,
The classes in home economics are
usually organized and largely attend
cd by girls. There has been much
more difficulty in getting the boys to
take the agricultural courses. They
have been much more inclined to
take courses in various trades be-
cause when they have learned a trade
lively large wages. The agricultural
equipment of some of the institu-
lions has been relatively meagrc and
.unattractive. Increased efforts are
now being to improve this equipment
with good results.
There are as yet comparatively
few high schools for negroes in the
States visited. There is, however, a
general movement to improve the
rural schools for them, with State aid
and private endowment, and as a
result examples of schools with good
houses Of two or three rooms, adc-
quate equipment, and competent
teachers are now quite numerous.
A recent report on this subject shows
that under the stimulus of contribu-
tions from single private source,
1,265 houses for such schools have
with. public and private funds at a
these schools was visited and the work
and equipment were found to be cx-
cellcnt.
These and similar schools maintain
ed under other auspices are closely
linked with the agricultural eXtcn-
sion. work. Boys and girls clubs arc
maintained in connection with them
These arc often used as community
centers where extension agents hold
meetings.
"These institutions" says DR.. True
:'.'greatly appreciate what the depart
ment is doing for them by furnishing
publications and illustrative materia
and by helping them in other way:
in their cffrots to solve the problem:
>of negro agricultural education"