276 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



against those sweet potatoes. They knew there was a black 

 man who, by reason of his knowledge of the chemistry of 

 the soil and improved methods of agriculture, had added 

 something to the wealth, the usefulness and happiness of the 

 community in which he liv r cd. The putting of one negro 

 like that, my friends, persistently into a community, will in 

 the end produce the result of solving what we now term this 

 race problem. 



My friends, may I add this, not immediately upon my 

 subject, — but remember, no matter what life you lead here, 

 that we have before our country in the south perhaps the 

 most tremendous and serious problem that is confronting 

 the country, — a problem which will not be solved until it 

 is solved in justice and righteousness to all parties con- 

 cerned. My friends, remember that you have a part of the 

 responsibility in this matter. This is not alone the negro's 

 problem, this is not alone the south's problem ; it is the 

 nation's problem, because the nation was responsible in a 

 large degree for its creation. Probably no member of your 

 race, whether in Massachusetts or in Georgia, can harm the 

 weakest or meanest member of my race without the bluest 

 blood in your civilization being degraded. Remember, as 

 Ave come up, your race comes up ; as we go down, your race 

 goes down. We are bound together; we cannot separate 

 ourselves one from the other, if we would. 



The Chair. It is customary, after every lecture, to have 

 a discussion. You have heard to-day some truths, and home 

 truths, that you may like to discuss. The discussion is 

 thrown open to any one in the hall. If any one would like 

 to ask Dr. Washington any questions, we have still a few 

 moments at our disposal. 



Question. How many scholars do you have in your 

 school ? 



Dr. Washington. We have about twelve hundred. 



Question. What are their ages? 



Dr. Washington. We do not admit any under fourteen. 

 Their average age, I should say, was eighteen and a half. 

 A few are about forty years old, but not very many. 



