The aim is to give due attention to the improvement of the mind, morals and muscles. In order to do this, farming, blacksmithing, carpentry, laundering, sewing, housekeeping and cooking are diligently taught. Great attention is given to the raising of stock, such as horses, mules, cows, hogs and fowl, and to the improving of the breed of these animals. A good curriculum is fully provided in the literary departments. The course runs from the primary up to and including the normal course. The school just closed the third year. Everywhere, in the buildings, the general bearing of the pupils, the class-room work, all say there is a marvelous advancement shown. Everything here is in its infancy, but from the appearance of things, the stranger would think it had required ten years to do what has been done here in just three years. The workers to do this work number six teachers. They are cultured, competent, Christian men and women. Pupils who are anxious to secure an education here, but too poor to pay in cash, have an opportunity to help themselves; such pupils contract to work one year. They are allowed $10.00 per month for such labor; a night school is provided free for them. The money so earned is placed to their credit for the second year; every advantage of the school is opened to them. Many avail themselves of this opportunity. On the closing day large crowds, colored and white, came from far and near. There were three sessions, morning, afternoon and evening. The morning was given up to the dedicatory services, which consisted of a sermon by Rev. G. V. Clark of Charleston, S. C., with singing and other exercises. The sermon, which was practical and full of food for thought, was enjoyed by an appreciative audience. The afternoon session was a long one but varied, the three departments being presented in papers by Profs. Martin, Watkins and Mrs. Davis. Volunteer speeches were made by friends and patrons of the school. At the evening session the over-crowded house listened attentively to excellent recitations, dialogues, and an exercise in calisthenics which was admirably rendered; the singing showed skillful preparation and reflected great credit upon the teachers and pupils. * * * * * SKYLAND INSTITUTE (MOUNTAIN WHITE), BLOWING ROCK, N. C. BY MRS. ELLEN R. DORSETT, PRINCIPAL. The closing exercises of Skyland Institute, at Blowing Rock, N. C., have each year to be carefully planned with regard to our small audience room, and so we have not one great day, but three days of interest. The first of these was Wednesday, May 25th, when public examinations took place. We were gratified to have among our visitors, parents who had never before visited our school, also summer visitors, interested in educational matters, who gave us words of cheer.