There is danger that the blacks will lose the trades, which were their best heritage from slavery, unless industrial education is pushed. Well-trained young women must go out to reconstruct the homes. In addition to the work done by the school directly for its pupils in class-room and industrial-training shop, it reaches out continually into the home life of its graduates and ex-students. Its graduate missionaries visit in many homes, inspiring interest in land purchase, home building, school-term extension, thrift, temperance, and good citizenship. Its monthly paper, the _Southern Workman_, deals in a spirit of free inquiry and broad humanity with the race question in its many phases, and publishes in its columns articles of value from leading men and women of both the Negro and white races. Its Summer Conference, held in the vacation season, calls together for earnest discussion some of the best thinkers, white and colored, in the country; and the Virginia Teachers' Institute, assembling each summer on the school grounds, keeps the school in touch with the educational system of the State in which it works. Its aim is, and has been from its beginning, to lay firm and broad the foundation of character upon which all true civilization is built. CHAPTER XXX. STATE SCHOOLS AND CALHOUN SETTLEMENT--VIRGINIA NORMAL AND COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. [Illustration: STATE NORMAL INSTITUTE, PETERSBURG, VA.] This is an institution supported by the State of Virginia for the education of the colored youth. The aim of the institution is to impart knowledge, discipline the mind and train the hand and heart, so that those who leave its walls shall be better prepared for the diversified duties of life. In the Normal course of three years, the training has special reference to preparing the student to become a successful teacher. It is to this department that most of the students naturally find their way. This course is comprehensive and endeavors to give all that is essential to fit their graduates to teach any of the public schools of Virginia. Although the course covers a wide field, they endeavor to so drill the student in the branches taught that his knowledge is thorough, and not a mere smattering. Considerable time is given to actual teaching of little children under the supervision of the Model School teacher. [Illustration: JAMES HUGO JOHNSTON.] The college course is designed to give a higher and broader culture to those of their youth who are able to remain longer in school, or desire to pursue the professions. This course covers four years. The school is young, and quality, not quantity or number, being their standard of success, they have thus far labored to prepare thoroughly those who have taken the college studies before admitting them to this department. Their curriculum will compare favorably with the best. The advantages here offered for obtaining a college education at small cost are unparalleled.