| Summary: | Minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings held in 18962
Library of A & M College
Auburn, Al abama
June 8, 1896
The Board of Trustees of the A-& 1-1 C.ol l ege 'met in Aimual Sess i on in the Libr ary
of the A & N C.ollege on June 8., 1896 at 3 0 I clock P. H.
They were pre sent :
Hi s Excell ency l'li l lia."ll C. Oates , Pres i dent Ex- of ficio
Absent :
'!
J -. O. Tupner, S1;lperh"1t endent of E<tucation
J . G. -Gilchr i 'st, 2nd Dist rict ,
J . F. Culver, ~rd ' Dis trict .
H. Clay Armstrong, 3rd Di str ict
c. C. Harr is; 8th' District
R. H. Dugga r , ~th Distr i ct
Jonathan -Haralson
Thomas W:i:l l i Mls
J . C. Ri ch
J . A. Bi l bro
Will iam Swan.
The Pr esident of the College made report as f ol l ows :.
Report of the Presi dent to t he Trustees
e . .. -
I respectfully report that the condition of the Col le~ during the pa st sess i on
has been a cause of gr ati ficat ion to the friends of education t hroughout the
-State.
The number of students enrolled. has been greater tpan ever before in its history,
and the devotion to educational work in the part of the students and faculty,
pr aise worthy. -During the first . term there wa·s a serious ,violation of order which
cailled for the retirement of several students; which with t hat exception the general
order has been exceptionally good •.
The register shows there were 298 students enr ol l ed, seven being yotmg women.
These were classified as follows: post-graduates--9, seniors--39, j uniors--48,
sophomores--67, freshmen--5 8, special and irregular students--46, p re parato~and
sub-freshmen--32. 1neir average age at entrance over 18 years.
Of this number, 61 were non-residents who repre sent ed 9 Stat es, with one from
Venezuela. The ot hers represented 41 counties of t he State, of these Lee County
had 59, Montgomery 28, J efferson 11, Talladega 12, Marengo 11, ~~dison 10, and
other counties less.
The College is well prepared to do much hi gher educational work, were the students
as a body, bet t er t rained on entering the Inst itution . The fact that many st udents
of the lower classes are not well prepared for coll egiate work, necessitates a
larger a."llount of disciplinary training on the part of the Faculty.
i
'--
Buildings
There has been built in ac cordance with your action at the last , annual meeting,
a green-hou$e, on the horticultural grounds , which has cost $864.00 •
3
. There has also been constructed, at the w~st . end of the drill grounds, a Gymnasium
building 40 x 80 feet at a cost of $1,848.50. It is proposed when the funds are
available to complete the basement, and supply t he same with water and bathing. '
facilities .
Physical education is r ecognized as an .essential featur.e in all well organized instituti
ons of learning .
The body must be exer cis ed, trained, disciplined, not f or the sake of t he body,
but f or the sake(ar the mind; the "sound body is essent i al for tpe sO\llld. mind.
The surplu ~ energy of youth, which, often leads to the formation of vicious habits J when expended in judi cious phllsica),. exercise, promotes good- or der and sound morality.
Hence, we r egard the gymnasium as a valuable acquisition t o the College and
worthy of support.
Boarding
In accordance with your resolution, booking to securing cheaper board for students
tpe resid~nce of l'-irs. 1. L. Mitchell was rent ed f or $150, on condition t hat she
would board, and lodge students, furnishing rooms , f uel and light for $9.50 per
month . The experiment has proved a succes~.
For the greater part of the year, she has had ternty students as boarders, each one
thereby diminishing his expenses for board at the rate of $49.50 per session less
t han t he amount generally paid. With your approval, I will endeavor to make a
similar arrangement with another r esident of Auburn for the next session. By
this plan, t he Coll ege is giving substantial assistance to young men of l imited
means who ' desire an educat i on.
Certifi cat e Schools
The plan of r eceiving students without entrance examination on a cert ifi cat e of
the principal of those est ablished schools whose courses of study are satisfactory,
has been published in the catalogue, .wi th the approval of the Faculty • . It
is believed t hat t he plan will a ct benefi cially to the College, as ~ell as to the
schools concerned, i n i nducing accurate preparatory work.
Professors
~
Dr. , Luciero M. Underwood, elected professor of biology, September 9, 1895, reported
f or duty at the opening of this session and has perf o rm~d the duties of this Chair
with ent.ire satisfaction. He is wigely known and favorably known as an eminent
botanist and I . regret to announce that he has tendered his resignation in order
to accept t he important position of Chief Pr ofes sor of t he Department of Botany
in Columbia C oll~g e6 New York.
Professor E. M. Shelt on, of Australia, who was el ect ed Pr ofessor of Agriculture at
the same t ime, decl ined t o accept t he posit i on owing t o special i nducements of fered
him where he i s at pr esent engaged.
4
On the 1st of January the former Pr ofessor of Agriculture retired, and the duties
of the office, with the residence at the Experllilent Station were assigned to Assistant
' Professor J. F. Duggar, who was' also elected Sept.e mber 9th. "
The posi tion of Assistant-Professor of Horticulture, t hereby made vacant, was
filled by the election of Professor F. S. ~arle by·the action of the Executive Committee,
subject to confirmation by the Beard: He entered upon his duties January
2nd, 1896. .
Each of these officers gives promise of successful and satisfactory work for the
College and Experiment Station.
Pharmacy
Professor E. R. Miller, who was elected adjunct professor" of Pharmacy at the last
annual meeting, entered upon his work at the beginning of the session. He has
proved himselfva faithful and competent teacher, well qualified t~ build up this
new department of instruction in this our State.
The very contracted room assigned to his Department was temporary and necessitates
now provision for a larger and more suitable l ocation.
Besides qualifi cation for practical pharmacy, the Department looks in the future
to the preparation of our young men to become manufacturing chemists andt'hereby
to aid in the material development of our state and hence deserves encouragement.
Farmers' Insti t utes
The Experiment Station, as now organized, i 's capable of doing very ef ficient work
for the benefit of Agriculture and Horticulture. It is very desirable that the
officers be brought in contact · with the farmers of. the State, ,so' as to learn
their methods and to impart insofar as possible information of value. 31'. .
The mutual sympathy thus caused would enhance the influence of the Experiment
Station and increase its ef ficiency. f1'he Farmers' Institutes, so important and
efficient in other st ates, though authorized by law in Alabama have for some reason
fallen into disuse.
It is earnest ly hoped that they will be revived and oppor-tunity be thus given our
officers to meet and discuss with the farmers whatever may tend to the improvement
of agricuJLture.
New Buildings
The necessities of the department of Pharmacy, the growth of Mechanic Arts and
Chemistry demand that additional room should be provided for ' their development. I
therefore recommend that, 'of the funds available for bui lding, there be appropriated
an amount sufficient to construct a Gbrick building connected with ~he
west end of the Chemical Laboratory to be used by these departments. -
A suitable bui lding may be constructed for $3, 000.00· o'r $3,500.00.
The Department of Veterinary Science 'requires for comfort and increased efficiency
that the stable now attached to the Laboratory should be separate and removed therefrom;
I recommend that $500 be appropraited for that purpose.
Recommendations
The three probationarY years of Pr~fessor J. J. Wilmore will expire with the ~lose
of the session. He is an enthusiastic. officer, and I therefore recommend that he
be made full Professor. I also recommend that the salaries of Instructor B. H.
Crenshaw and of Adjunct Professor E.. R. Miller be each increased.
The Register shows that there. are 61 non-resident students. I recommend tha~ in
future , non-resident students be charged $20,~ tuition per rulllUID in excess of the
fees now paid by resident students,' pa~able one half on entrance and one half. February
1st.
It was deemed advisable to appoint a ncight watchman who has been paid since January 1
$20 .00 perIIDnth. In the annual budget., provision is made for the continuance of·
the office.
2·5th AnniversarY
The next Commencement, 1897 will be the 25th Anniversary of the College. In view
of this fact, the Faculty deems it advisable that the exercises should be held at
that time appropriate to the occasion,. and that special efforts should be made to
secure a large at tendance of alunmi and friends of education throughout the State.
They therefore solicit from the Board an· appropriation of funds to be used in
printing a report of the work done,. and in making accelebration worthy of the C~llege.
The report of the Treasurer shows a balance on hand of $3,505.19 in the Agricul-.
tural Fund. 1bis is available for building purposes, and I therefore recommend . '
that said balance be appropriated to construct the annex for Mechanical Engineering,
Chemistry and Pharmacy, and the stable for the Veterinary Department, and '
that the Treasurer be directed to reserve the srune for that purpose. .
I also recommend that T. U. Culver, Superintendent of the farm, be continued in
office one year and that authority be given to appoint,if necessary, an assistant
in Horticulture.
Insurance
I also submit from the Treasurer the report of the companies in which the buildings
are i nsured and ~~ount of insurance.
Reports of Professors
As a part of this report, I herewith subrrdt the special reports of the professors
in the several Departments with inventories of the property under their charge.
Their reports will be made the basis of the biennial report to the Governor for
the use of the Legislature.
There is also submitted for your consideration, the annual budget of appropriations
for the next year, giving the amounts for each officer and department, all of which
have been made to comply with the legal conditions limiting each fund.
6
Recommendation for Degrees
The Faculty recommend for the degrees named the following graduates:
For Bachelor of Science:
A. L. Alexander Miss A. F. Heard
C. N. Alford _ H. .S . Henderson
A. B. Andrews R. S. Jackson
N. J. Bancroft G. B •. Kelley
1;11. J. Beeson VIf,. B .• Kelley
J. S. Bennett G. D. King
S. J. Brass 'r . J • L. Moulder
J. I. Burton C. D. Oglesby
·H. R. Casey J. A. R~eves
L. A. Christain B. A. Taylor
J. W. Culver 1tf. R. Tichenor
H. A •. Drennen w. A. Tippen
O~ D. Dumas W.• H. H. Tramm~ll
J. B. Edwards Miss E. L. Itllii taker
J. c. Farley F. L. Whitman
w. L. Fleming B. h . Wilson
J. L. Glenn
For l'1aster of Science:
H. H. Peevey H. H. Smith
For ElectricaJ and Mechanical Engineering:
J. A. Wills . H. H •. Tyser ,
J . C. Thomason
For Mining Engineering:'
J. P. Slaton
For Pharmaceutical Chemistry:
S. L. Coleman .
Respectfully,.
William LeRoy Broun
7
June 8, 1896
ON MOTION of Mr . Harris the President ' s Report was referred to a Committee t o consist
of three . Whereupon the President of . the Board appointed on said Committee Messrs.
Harris , Gilchri st, and Culver . -
The Tr easurer of the College made . report as follows :
Report of Treasurer of the A & M Col lege for the year ending June 1st , 1896 :
Endo~nent and General Account
Receipts:
To Cash Bal ance $ 11.31
" " Stat e Treasurer 20,280 . 00
" " Incidental Account 1,277 . 50
" " Surgeon 1,277 . 50
" " Library 538 .00
" II Di plomas, etc. 188 .43
II II House rent 200 .00
II " Farm Pr oducts Balance 73 5.31
" " " " Receipt s 910 .24
II " Analysis Account 397.23
" " Chemical Department 50 .75
" II Electrical Engineering 130 .15
" " I"Iechanic Arts 3 .10
" " . Error . 50
$26,000 .02
Disbursements:
By Amount Paid Salari es $16, 849.94
" " II General Expense 916 .67
II " II Expens es at Commencement 358.62
" " II Print i ng 441.31
" " II Fuel 202 .37
II II fl Stat ionery 178 .40
II " " Trustees 187.73
" II " Military 176 .61
II II fl Servant Hire 374 .00..,
" II " Grounds 171.43
" II " Insurance 944. 50
n " " Gymnasium Building . 1,884. 50
II fI II Gymnasium Equi pment 337 .23
" fI " Mechanics 281.14
II fI " Postage 332.34
If II " Library 538 . 00
" II " Surgeon 1 , 277 . 50
II " " Analysis 203 .83
" " II Electrical Engineering 430 .45
II " II Balance 13 .75
$26, 000 . 02
8
Receipts:
' To Balance
• I! Lash State Treasurer
Disbursements:
By Amount Paid
II II II
II II II
II II II
II II II
II II II
Salaries
Pharmacy
Physics
'lectrical Engineering
Mechanic Arts
Library
Morrill Fund
$ ' 726.64
8.709.75
$7,902.49
385.55
130.22
362.76
350.00
3051}7
$9,436.39
$9,436.39
Recapitulation
Receipts:
To Endowment and General Fund
II Agricultural Fund
II Harrill Fund
II Hatch Fund
Disbursements:
By Endo"WIIlent and General Fund .
II Agricultural Fund
II Mor rill Fund.
II Hatch Fund
Balanc8 on hand
$26,000.02
8,249.25
9,436.39
15,000.00
$25 ,986.27
M,i.., 757.81
9,436.39
15,000 .00
~,505.19
$58,6$5.66
$58,685.66
.dills Payable
To salaries due July 1st, 1896:
Endowment Account
Morrill Account
Agricultural Account
~f
J i, \
$ 3,300.00
>2,537.50
900 .00 $9'i737.50
Respectfully submitted,
E. T. Glenn, Treasurer
9
ON MCTION of Mr. Armstrong, . the Treasurer" s Report was referred ·to t he Committee
on Finance, consisting of Messers. Harris, Armstrong and Duggar.
Complaint having been ,made as to the tax upon the Band of Music employed by ·the
~olleg e, during Commencement Exercises, a Committee consisting of Messers Duggar
and Culver was appointed to confer with the Mayor and Council and request that in
f uture, no such tax be levied.
Or. Turner from the C;ormnittee to consider the' practicability of establishing Dormitory
for the College made report which on motion of Mr. Armstrong was received and
laid upon the ta~le.
ON NOTION of Hr. Harris, the Board adjourned until tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.
Tuesday morHing, June 9th, 1896
The Board met in the Library of the A & M College in pursuance of adjournment at
9 l'clock A. M.
Present: His Excellency Wm. C. Oates, pr esiding, J. O. Turner, Superintendent of
Education; J. G. Gilchrist, 2nd District; J. F. C;ulver, 3rd District; H. Clay
Arnlstrong, 3rd District; C. C. Harris, 8th District; R. H. Duggar~ 9th District.
Mr. Harris from the Comrr~t tee on Pr esident's Report, reported as fol lows:
10
To the Board of Trustees
A & r-l College
Auburn, . Alabama
Gentlemen:
Your Committee to whom was referred the report of the President, beg leave to
report as follows:
(1) ve recommend that the Prestdent be authorized to increase the accommodations
to board and lodge students on . the plan heretofor e adopted, by renting Mrs.
Mitchells and one or more other pauses, t q cost not exceeding $450 •
.I . ,
(2 ) That the assignment of . J. F. Duggar t o the duties of Pr ofessor of Agriculture
and Agriculturist of the Experiments Station , and the election of F. S .
Earle as Assistant Professor of Horticulture and Horticulturist of the Experiment
Station be, and the same as hereby confirm,ed.
(3) That there be appropriat ed. from the funds available for building the
sum of $3,000 to construct an arwex to t he Chemical Laboratory and ~ 500 to build
a stable for use of Veter i nary D ~ partment.
(4) That T. U. Culver be elected for the ensuing year as Superintendent of
the Farm at the salary of %600 and use of present residence. That if necessary
the Pr esident be authorized t o appoint an employee in Horticulture and the same
be paid for his compensation not . exceeding. $50 per month.
(5) That J . J. v·Jilmore be elect~d fulLprofe ssor •.
(6) That the salaries of Adjunct Pr ofe ssor E. R. Miller and Instructor B. H.
CrenShaw be each increased from $1,000 to $1,250.
(7) That the salary of R. J. ,Trammell,. 2nd· Assistant in Hechanic Arts, be
increased from $750 to $850 .
(8) - That students who are not residents of the State shall hereafter be
required t o pay a tuition fee of t~20 per annum in addition to fees now paid by' _
resident students; said tuition being payable semi-annually •
. (9) -To assist·-the Alumni in pr operly celebrating ·the . t ltlenty-fifth anniversary
of t he College , there ': }3e appropriated from the Incidental Fees the sum of
$200 , Provided the alumni and others raise as much as $300 in addition.
(10) The -President is aut horized to take such steps as he thinks necessary
by and with consent of the Faculty, and Commissi oner of Agriculture . t o. encourage
and organize Farmers Institutes throughout the State.
(11) .We ·recommend that ' degree$ be conferred upon the following named parties:
A. L. Alexander
C. N. Alford
Bachelor of Science
Miss A. F. Heard
H. S. Henderson
11
A. B. Andrews R. S. Jackson
N. J . Bancroft G. B. Kelley . J • Beeson w. B. Kelley
J. S. Bennett G. D. King
S . t,.T. Borss J. L._ Moulder
J. I. Br i ston C. D. Oglesby
H. R. Casey J . A. Reeves
L. A. Christain ,B. A. Taylor
J. W. Culver \'1 . R. Tich,enor
H. A. Drehnen ~i' . A. Tippin
0 . C. Dunnes w. H. H. Tr ammell
J . B. :Ddwards l~iss E. L. TtJhitaker
J . C. Farley F . L. ltJhitman
vI. L. Fleming B. H. "'tlilson
J . IJ . Glenn
, Master of Science
H. 1:1. Peevey H. H. Smith
Blectrical and Mechanical Engineer
J. A. 'v'iills H. H. Kyser
J . C. Thomason
(12) We further recommend t hat the following appropriations be made for .
1896- 97.
Appropriations for 1896- 97 :
1862 1890 1887 State
T·j.C::-'~ ·1 Original Horrill rtatch Agricultural
,..,) (_~~.Jvf _::;'L t Endowment Endowment Fund Fund Total
President $2,000 $1,000 $3,000
Mathematics 1, 000 800 1,800
Bot .& Geology 1,000 $800 1,800
Civil Engr. 1,000 800 1,800
English 1500 1,500
t.:hemistry 1,000 800 1,800
'1echanic Arts 1,500 $300 1,800
Biol ogy & Horti. 1000 500 1,500
Entomology & Asst.
Horticulture 1000 1,000
History & Latin 1 , 800 1, 800
od . Languages &
English 1,500 1,500
Elect . Engr. 1, 800 1,800
Physi ol. & Vet .
Science 500 500 800 1,800
C omrnandant 300 300
As st. chem . 1st 800 800 1, 600
II II 2nd 500 500 1,000
II " 3rd 250 250 200
Pharmacy 1,250 1,250
12
Appropriation
O rigin~l .
Endowment
1862
Asst. l'1ech .Arts
1st
2nd
Farm Superintendent
Asst. Horticulturist
and supplies
Asst. Phys. Lab
Treasurer
Commulation for
House Rent
Pres. & 7 Profs.
Chern, Math
Bot & Geo1L1.
Engin. Eng .
History & Lat.
Mech.Arts .
Commulation for
House Rent
Profs .
Vet. cience &
Horticulture
Biology
Three Scholar-ships
1 subfresh.
l 'Lbro . Ex. Stati on
1000
1400
1 Secy . Pres . 750
Five scholarships
1 Eng . , 1 Math.
1 Mech. Arts
1 Ci vil Engin.&
nath 1 Chern . ,1250
Five Scholarships
1 Bot . , 1 Elec. Eng .
1 Agr., 1 Vet. Sc.
1 Latin
Asst . Librarian
Instructor Gym
Night vfatchrnan
Rent for Dorm. '
Clerk of Treas.
Record of Trustees
500
5000
180
240
450
_ 250
200
17820
Morrill
Endowment
.1890
.1,250
850
500
200
10,750
f or 1896-7
Hatch State
Fund Agricultural
1887 Fund
300 300
300 300
500
'I
. 600
885Q
-Tot-al
1250
850
6fl~
600
500
,1500
1600
600
750
1250
. 500
500 .
180
240
450
250
200
41,170
13
Origianl · l"lorrill Hat ch Fund State Total
.E.ndowment Endowment 1887 Agr i cultural
1862 1890 Fund
Li brary 509 500 $ 1,000
Prtg . & Advtg. 350 650 1, 000
Coal 200 - 100 100 400
Stationary 150 100 250
Postage 300 300
Labor (College) 400 400
Commencement 300 300
Grounds & Repairs 200 200
General Expense 500 100 600
Military 100 100
Sup . & Lab o~ ",'f' '"1 _, (r)('1
; . \ ..... - - ~ Ex. Station 1 , 700 300. 2,000
Sup .
, Horticulture 500 5QO
Go-Operative
Soil Tests 200 200
Sup .• & Labor
(Mech) 100 600 1,309
Sup . & Labor
(Chern) , 600 400 1 , 000 ,
Equip . & Blec .
~ngr. 400 400
, ·Tr ustees Espense 100 100 200
Physics 100 200
Equip .. Physics
& Vet . Sc. 200 200 400
Equip. ' B,iology .200 l OP ' 300
Zquip . Botany & . ,
Gardner ;200 300 . .500
Equip . .Pharmacy, 400
Traveling Expen . 150 100 250
Lectures & C.
Building 500 . 75,0 1,250
Insurance 800 800
Contingent 200 100 50 350 .
Amount 4,500 1,700 ,6, J50 ' . . 2,250 .14,.600
Amt • . brot. f or 'd 17 ~ 870 10 2750 8 ~ 850 3,750 411170
T o~al 22 2320 . 12, 450 15 200Q 6, 000 55,770
Adopted .
14
l'.r . Armstr ong from Fi nance Committee made follow · "g report :
To the Board of Trustees :
A & ~1 College
Your Committee on Fi nance , to whom was referred the Report of t he Treasurer of
the A & M College , beg leave to repor t , - That we have examined the same and so
far as we are able to determine , find it correct .
We have not compared the vouchers with the amounts paid out , as this duty
will be performed by the State Examiner of Public Accounts in a few days.
Adopted .
Resig ati on of Professor L. '_ . underwood, the resident of t he College , announced
to the Board that Professor L. :r-' .• Unden IOod. of the Department of B'· ol oc;y, had
tendered his r ./:! si gnatiol1, and asked that· he Ga~ne be accepted by the Board.
ON MOTION of Mr. Harr i s , t he r esignati on of Frofes~ or 'L'. M. Underwood was accepted.
By }-1r • Duggar , 'RESOLVED : That }f...r. F. S. Earle is hereby appointed Professor of
Biology and Horticult ure of t he ~~periment Station for the College year 1896-7.
Adopted.
By Mr. Armstrong: RESOLVED: 1st, That the President is hereby directed to omit
the word "Adju.rJ.ct" applied to the Professor of Modern Languages and of Pharmacy
and also th-e 'work~ "Assistant" applied to the Professors of Agriculture and Horticulture
as printed in ·the . catalogue; it being provided that in-~g these officers
the title of Professor, no change is thereby made in their salary . 2nd, The Chair
of Modern Languages and English shallhareafter be ' named "Modern Languages II , . it
being provided that the officer holding said Chair, shall also render assistance
in instruction in English. .3rd, That the Instructors and Assistants, J. T. Anderson,
B. H. Crenshaw, C. L. Hair and R. J. Trarrnnel are hereby re-elected for the
year 1896-7 ~ 4th, That the President, be authorized to .employ· an Etomologist,- who
shall also assist in Horticulture at a salary not to exceed $l~OOO.Adopted.
Memorial of the Y. M. C. A. of the A & M College
We, the undersigned, respectfully 'petition the Trustees of the A & M College for
room and furnishings for the: Y. M. C.· A. for the following reasons:
1st, It i-s absolutely neces,sary to ha-ve a convenient, attractive and suitable
room for successful Y. M. C. A. work.
2nd,Our present hall is inaccessable, undesirable and unsuitable; hence we have
been compelled to hold our gospel and other meetings in a church •
.3rd. We need a permanent home for the organization, where we can keep our small
library of missionary bo.oks and papers, our biblical and other religious works, and
our literature treating upon the problems of association and christian work.
4th, The general spirit in the College, is, if we may judge by the expression of
the students, that if the Y. M. C. A. had suitable and convehient -quarters, the
majority of the students who are not members of this organization, would join,
that they might have access to the room and to the books and papers owned by the
Association.
15
5th, The University of Alabama and other state institutions furnish suitable reoms
for the exclusive use of the Y. M. C. A. '
pth, This College furnishes suitable society halls for intellectual training.
7th, It furnishes gymnasium with suitable apparatus for physical development.
8th, It appropri ates money for an annual hop for mere social enjoyment.
9th, A good flourishing and deep spirited Y. M. C. A. will do more to build up
the institution and to draw tee best class of young men to its halls than ·any other
one thing; for inquiries are often made as to the condition of the Y. M. C. A. and
the religious influence exerted upon the students at State institutions.
10th, Through' the influence of the Y. M. C. A. there have been held within the
last two years, three Coll ege revivals, which resulted in the .conversion of sixty
or .more 'students, the reclamation of about forty others, and the strengthening ,and
building up on .mariy christian workers. Also, under the influence of the Associa;..
tion, several students have been called to the ministry, and four have volunteered
their services to foreign mission fields.
11th, A l ive, well established Y. M'. C. A. will do more to raise the moral tone
and to build broad and strong character than all the literary societies, gymnasiums,
and hops, though the first two are greatly to ije desired and supported.
12th, We have not had ·the desired and we think the deserved support of the Trustees
although .we have been recognized by them as a desirable institution of the College.
This doubtless has resulted from our own reluctance in asking' for what we greatly ,
need.
But since much has been spent in other directions, and ~since we are now in
absolute need of help,
We therefore respectfully petition your honorable body for a convenient, attractive,
and commodious room on the first ' floor of the College building and f or the
appropriation of the small sum of $100, which will serve to furnish it with an organ
and suitable furniture, believing that you will see the reasonableness of our request
and will grant it, knowing that · it will result in great and permanent good
to the institution and inestimable advantage to the stUdents.
, Vei:y respectfully,
Signed: W. J. Beeson
S. F. Slaton
John Purifoy, Jr.
J. ii. KiIig
Warren H:McBryde
Officers of the College Y. 1-1. C. A. '
By Mr. Culver, RESOLVED:' That the President of the College be authorised to purchase
an organ and chairs for the use of the Y. M. C. A. of the College, if funds
not otherwise appropriated are available for said purpose. Adopted.
16
Mr. Armstrong read· letters from Messers Rich and Williams, and telegram from Mr.
Haralson, expressing regrets at their inability to be present with the Board at
its present session.
p ~ 1 ,
Communication from the Alumni Association, The President read the following communication
from the Alumni· Associati9n:
Aul:).urn;. Alabama"
June 7, 1896
. Dr. W. L. · Broun
President, .A & M College
Dear Sir:
In the name of the Alumni Association, I extend through you to the Board of Trustees
an earnest invitation to attend, if possible, our public exercises this morning.
Mr. Clarence Ousley of Galveston, Te~s delivers our annual orat.ion.
,Very respectful ly,
Charles C. Thach, President
Alumni Association
ON MOTION 0 f Mr. Harris, the acting secretary of the Board of Trustees was requested
to return thanks of the Board to the Alumni Association for invitation to
.be prese t at .their exercises .today, and to express regret that the .duties, devolving
upon the Board of Trustees which could not be delayed, would prevent their
accepting.
The following Committees were announced by the President of the Board for 1896-7:
Committees:
On Finance.
C. C. -Harris, Armstrong, and Bilbro.
On Agriculture
Culver, Gilchrist and .Duggar
. On I>1echanic Arts
Bilbro, Swan and Rich
On Revision of Laws
Haralson, Turner, and Bilbro
On College Land and Grounds
~~illiams, Armstrqng ,and Swan
On Claims
Rich,. W:i,lliams, and Culver
On Course of Study
Turner, . Duggar, and Swan
On Visitors to Experiment ~tation
Culver, Gilchrist, and Armstrong
Executive Committee
Governor Oates, Armstrong, Haralson, and Williams
ON MOTION of Mr. Harris, the _Board adjourned., Sine die. j l
Report ~ of Professor of Agriculture
Dr; W,. L. -Broun .
President
A & }II College
Sir:
17
I respectfully submit the following report _of the Agricultural Department of College
and Experiment Station for the past two years and of its present condition.
The department was placed in charge of the writer' January lst~ 1896, a brief· statement
of the work prior to that date 'is based on the .records turned over to me by
my p~edec~ssor Col. A. J. Bondurant. )
Prior to the present year, the ordhards and gardens were embraced within the Agricultural
Department; the complete separation of the .two will doubtless be 'of great
advantage to both departments.
Class Instruction
During the session 1894-5, 149 students received instruction tn Ag~iculture; during
the session 1895-96, the number was 104. J.
Some changes have recently been made in the order of topics; th~ object being to
correlate the studies of this department with those of the other departme~. of the
College, taking up first such matters as require rio previous knowledge of the natural
sciences and advancing to parts of the subject that are largely~he application of
chemical and biological facts to the growth of useful plants and animal life. In
an ideal arrangement of studies the relation "of chemistry and botany to a'griculture
is much the same as that of pure mathematics to engineering.
The subjects treated in the ~hird te~ in the F~eshman class :~re the breeds of horses,
cattle, sh~ep, and hogs. For the third term of the sophomore year, a course in .
dairying embracing the theory-cand practice is planned.
In the second term of the sophomore year, the following sUbjects are studied:
Soils, Chemical and physical properties, defects and means 'of improvement, the control
of water, including means of conserving moisture in times of drought, terracing,
urtderdrainage, and open rand hillside ditches ; objects, and 'methods of cultivation;
agricultural implements, rotation of crops; and improvements of plants by
crossing, selection, and culture. .
The third term of the sophomore year is devoted to the staple ~rops produced in
tlabama, to forage plants adapted to the South,and to plants valuable for the renovation
of soils.
The more important -crops are treated with reference to varieties, soil and fertilizer
requirements, mj;bhods of planting and cultivating, and uses.
18
In the junior year, the sUP0ects of feeding animals and l of ~ f.arm '~agement are
studied.
Among the topics included under the 1atten.heading are ~ittere.et systems of farming
and stock growing, farm equipments and buildings, soils and silage, care of farm
manure, composting, choice and methods of applyirig commercial fertilizers . for different
crops and soils, and economical methods of improving exhausted soils.
During the third term of the past year practical instruction was given to the
sophomores on the farm. L
Experiment Station
Permanent improvements in the past two years have consisted chiefly in the con-
_struction ·of 6~0 yar4s of fen~ing, and in the repair of 'old fences. The loss or
one mule in , June 195, and the · exchange of an old mule in part for a pair of mules
and the loss of the Holstein bull attacked by tuberculosis are the most important
events connected with the livestock.
The record shows that in 1895, the number of plots devoted to experiment work with
the fam. crops was as follows: "
.
Varieties of wheat
"
"
II
• II
com
Clotton
" II cowpeas
Fertilizers for com
Varieties Qf ,tobacco
Fertilizers for tobacco
Forage plants .
·Tot,al
6
20
r2Q '
12
4
40
4
12
121
Beside.s which there was grown an assortment of v..egetables and fruits.
j .'
The number of plots on 'the fam. in }l'JB.Y 1896 omitting all that fall below the size
recommend~d by the American Association at ~gricultural Coll eges and Esperiment .
Stations is as follows:
Varieties of cotton
Fertilizers .for cotton
Distance,_ for , cQtton
Old vs. new 'c:ol tomtseed
Seed from different latitudes
'Met.hods of cul ti vat ion
Subsoiling for cotton
Rotation 'for cotton
Total no. ot plots in ~otton
"
40
29
l4
6 _
:3
5
. 3 '
--2
105
Varieties of corn
Fertilizers for corn
Kernels from tip and middle ear
Seed from different latitudes '
Rotation for corn
Methods of harvesting 'fodder &
Distance for corn
Subsoiling for corn
Total number of plots in corn
Varieties .of wheat
Varieties ' of rice
No .• o,f plots forward ,
Fertilizers for oats .
Rotation for oats
Treatment for smut
Subs oiling for oats
Thickness for so~g oats
Total number plots in oats
c.
18
14
9 ·.
6
3 .
4
6 -rl
6
2
36
5
2
J
-2
49
Plants for forage and soil improvements 36.
Varietiesa! cowpeas
Fertilizers for co\ipeas
Cutting vs. plowing under cowpeas
Varieties of peanuts
Varieties of tobacco .
Fertilizers for fobacc.o
Sweet potatoes, subsoiling and
vines vs. · slips
Sugar cane vs. sorghum for syrup
Summary:
Total numQer plots
" " "
" " " II " "
" " "
in
"
"
" II
cotton
corn
oats
cowpeas
other ' plants
for forage and soil improvements
' Tota~number of plots in miscellaneous
plants
Total number large p10ts on farm in
. tobacco
- Total number large plots on farm
16
9
5
3
16
2
5
2
104
63
49
33
36
18
18
321
19
'!
Plots. of the larger class occupy about 21 acres, in addition there are more than
250 smaller plots, making a total of nearly 600 plots :
The total average in cultivated crops May 25, 1896, is estimated as follows:
Oats
Corn
Cotton
45
22
7
20
Wheat I
Rye "-
Tobacco, sugar cane, etc.
Forage plants and miscellaneous crops
Cowpeas planted before May 25
l~
2
2
-11
6
~
In addition to the above cowpeaswi1l soon be planted on about 60 acres of the
land now in corn and oats. . '- '"
In forming a plan for the Agricultural Department of the station, tne . economical
improvments of exhausted soils was selected as the principal work. Other important
lines of work-already begun, are a study of the cotton plant of certaiIi·.promising
forage plants, and of crops which may be substituted in part for conl, in feeding
hogs on farms, not well suited to corn growing. Ther~ is pressing and immediate
need to further study to fertilizer re~uirements of the numer6us classes of soils
in Alabama.
To this end, weighed lots of fertilizers were sent to 27 localities _in 1895 and
to localities in 1896. 'i'he aggreg!'l-te number of lots required for the tests new:,~
underway is 270.
Nu,m:erous line of work have been undertaken, but subordinated to ' soil improvements
cotton culture and the raising of food crops for hog~.
Recommendations
The following table contains an estimate made as low as practicable; .ofthe amounts
needed by the Agricultural Department for the next 12 months raJid also for c6mpa,:rison,
an estimate in round numbers made before books were closed, of 'tlie< amoUnts
spent in the past year, when the work was less extensive than that now in hand and
planned for the near future.
Needed in 1896-97 Spent in 1895-96
Labor
Seed & Supplies
Fertilizers
Feedstuffs
Machinery, implements &
Freight & Express
Fencing, alterations in
Miscell~eous expenses
tools
. ,
silos, etc.
Total for farm exclusive of labor and
fertilizer for Horticultural Dept.
$1,000
350 __ ;.J
300 - . '
250
,200
150"
200
$2,500
'.
~ $1,125_
410
305
155
110
·100
l20(Btiilding repair
and water)
,170 Li ve·stock
200 Soil tests
95 Including furniture,
fixtures,
~~~ ' and apparatus
$2,.790
Supplementary Estimates: Ii
Soil· 'l'est
Livestock
Student Labor
Irrigation
Dairy
Class Instruction
, 150.00
100.00,
$100.00 '
21
The estimate of $2500 is believed to be as-low as is consistent with efficient· work.
The items ;In ·'the supplementarY estimate are also important but less urgent .than
those of the main estimate. The reasons for suggesting these supplementary figures
a're mentioned below. . . " '
Attention is called to the dilapidated condition of the green house connected with
the residence of the qgricul~urist and not covered, by any- item in this estimate. '
One line of experimental work which it seems desirable to begin in ,the near future
is to learn whether irrigation of branch b6ttoms is practicable and ' profitable on
farms having suitable small' streams "Or art~~ian wells. '
, J"
An appropriation of $100 would enable a start to be made in irrigation, supplying
pond-water to a small area here 'and 'conducting the remaining part. of the experiment
on $om~ farm ;having a larger water supply.-
The Jersey bul~pow our sole dependence for breeding, is reported by the Farm
Superintendent as an-extremely uncertain breeder, I think it 'would be well to ex~
change him with boot, for a more certain breeder)" and' orie hot so ' closely related
to the rest of the herd. An appropriation of $100 .would ~nable QS to cover this ·
expense and at the same time permit the purchase of several brood sows to increase
dne number of breeds of hogs, now represented here.only by the Essex. If pork, production
is to receive the attention which its importance merits; a st'oc'k of good
sows is absolu~ely necessary for the purchase of pigs for use in experiments is
practically prohibited under the 'present disposition of fann products by which arrangements
purchase money coming from funds of the Agricultural Department of the '
Station goes into the general funds 'of the-College as soon as the same animals are
sold. ' ~
Dairy
The conduct of experiments in dairying in ' a satisfactory manner requires the major
part' of the time of ' an intelligent person. Unless' provision is made for skilled
help for at least a part of the year, it is scarcely possible to do any amount of
valuable eXperimenting in the dairy. However; practical instruction of students
in dairying should be an important part of the~ course in Agriculture. ' JI am anXious
TO Teach students to handle milk and make butter-dur1D.g the fall term. But for .
some time past all the milk has been sold as ' sweet milk at a price which is at
least 50% more profitable than butter making; this milk poute and the fact that
we have but 6 mildh cows prevent the operation of the dairy and deprive students
of instnction in this branch. In view of revenue, it seems advisable to cling to '
the milk route and to make other provisions for 'a small supply of milk for students
to manufacture into butter during the fall term. . 1
22
The most economical plan I can suggest is the following:
The sanding out of a vehicle during the fall ,term to neighbors living near the .
Coll ege f or the collection of mild; this ;fpj.llc. to be made into butter and all t.be'
butter returned to those furnishing milk. No charge whatever being made. This
would involve some expense for the hire of. extra labor, for the purchase of· ice
in early fall, etc. Of course this e&pens~ of say, $100, would be prope.rly ' ~
chargable to the College and not against the Station.
Should you desire to develope the dairy more fully, any appropriation that you
might make could be advantagsnsly used. . . f '
.lst, In.-·the purchase of a.dditiopal cows, which', .. if t n.oroughbre.d, would al/39 serve
as .~pecimens .. of the milk ~r$leds not now~ represellt~d in. the College. herd.' •
. .
2nd, In' the pur~ha~e of a $75 separator, ~mail enough t ol be 'taken to Fa~ers Institute
and fairs and operated for the instruction of the public, and
: i ' ~":""'1 4' * .... _ •
3rp., In: the ~:rnployment of a dairyman for at least·· three or feur months· of the!.
year to attend to details of dairy experiments to do any other work assigned, and
when !lecessary, conduct short ses.siens ot::.,a ,trav~l:ing dairy, _school.
) • _, J '. ; t f ~::.. _1 ..... ' .~ :) t... . ~ .J
Since 'I have been requested py.you to: make r ecommenda.tions relative to the, working
force of the Agricultural Department, I submit the following:
, .
Refe r ring t~ a res~lu:tion of the·. Trust~es ' as re.port ed to my by yeurself ,limiting
the term of the Superintendent of the Farm t o July 1, 1896, I earnestly request a
reconsider.tltion of this vital matter. Mr ~ Culver has faithfully and intelligently
discharged the duties a~signe9. hlim. ,If his posit,ion we:r:-e vac.ated~d. no , proviSion
made for furnishing an intelligent. assista.rtt -, t~ the Agric,ulturist, b:l.1-t little . exper.
imentation. coul<;i _ be carried on, and the , ~ant of time -for preparatiQn wbuldinjur~
o!lsly effe~t·Ji.· he charact~r o$uinstruction -in ,the College • .
. -'
_While work is .. being dene on exp~riment plots, _continuous an(i intelligent ~upeF-vis~
on is ~equired,; usually _ tt;,e abs,ence of the experimenter stops, the w-o:rk Qr _ '
end~ng~:r,sJ the entire experiment. The Agri~ult-urist is .kept. away fromr the field
the g.reater part Q! the . time by lectures and ,practical instructi-9n of stud.ent~ , '
attendan,ce. on meeti!fgs of faculty and' station c ~>unciJ. , by the clerical ' w~ rk ,of ,.
entering rec-oras for nearly ~ 60G plpts, ~d by the large corre·spondence. - The ' ..
Teacher of Agriculture, if he would keep his classes posted on Agricultural pro":: <gress,
and the experimenter, if he would keep his experiments pl anned wisely,
must take time to study current Agricultural ,Literature, now so voluminous and
rich. This is possible only when the Agriculturist is properly assisted.
; • I. ..~ i·,)
The, Agri~ultural Department of Colleges ~d , Statj;o~ ,1nMis~issippi employ, four .
wcrkers,in T~xa~ four, in Michigan 6, in both. LouisiaBa' and Ohio 7, whil e ATabama
has , only two. -A competent Ass~ stant, by whatever name called, .'. ~eems . te me an
absoli!lte .. nece~sity. \.r, I" th~ref9~e~ earnestly recpmmend :that ~fr. T. U. , CuJ,.ver_be
continued in his present ,position. ·
• ~. w'
In reality ther4 is now under.- an .enlarged plan 5uffi9ient wor~ to profitably
employ even more help. If a seholarsh~p canijot!be apsiened to the Agricultural ,
Departm4[lnt, as was done in 1893-4, a few hours 'work daily from ' undergraduate
c ~tladents )wQuld be . usefully e~ployed.,,- I ,- th~refore ~uggest an appropriation of
'150 for student labor.
2.3
I have asked fO,r an appropriation : of $.300 for soil tests and local experiments which
in my opinion should constitute one of the main features of experiment work in
Alabama wpere the s.oils a.re so diverse. and where the station ..ram is unfayozeable
to certain kinds of experimentation.
In the Colle~e , the Agricultural Department is supplied with very few ·appliances
for interesting students in Agriculture; there is pressing need of $100 for the
purchase of tllustrative material constantly needed in class instruction.
Respectfully submit.ted,
J. F. Duggar
Acting Professor of Agriculture
Library of the A ~ M College
Auburn, Alabama
June · ~, 1897
The Bo?rd 9f Trustees of the A & M Coll ege met in Library of the College at 10
o'clock A. M. Monday, June 14, A. D. 1897.
Present: Mr. John 0:. Turner, Superintendent of Education ex-officio
+st Distriet - Mr. T. H. Frazier
2nd " - Mr. J. G. Gilchrist
.3rd " - Mr. J. F. Culver
3rd " -- Mr. H. Clay Armstrong
4th " - Mr. Johnathan Haralson
5th " - Mr. Thomas Will iams
6th " - Mr ~ \i . C. Whitaker
7th " - Mr~ Jas. A. Bilbro
8th " - Mr. TancredBetts
.'- 9th " - 14r. R. H. Duggar
A.maj9rity of the Board being present, ON MOTION of Mr. Armstrong, the Board
organized by electing Mr. Haralson President • .
Mr. Bilbro offered the following resolution, RESOLVED: That H. Clay Armstrong be
and he is hereby appointed Secretary of the Board of Trustees to keep the minutes
of the pr oceedings and to have record of the same made under his ,supervision and
direction as heretofore. Adopted.
The President of the A & M College made report as foll ows:
To the Trustees of the A & M College:
Auburn, ·Alabama
June 1.3, 1897
I nave t he honor to report that the last session has been in many respects very
gratifying to the friends of the College and in the number of matticulates, the
most prosperous in its history--the total number being .361.
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