for the accommodation of the pupils who desire to attend. In 16 schools the seating facilities were not sufficient for the number of pupils enrolled. In all of these rooms the light comes from both sides, and in several it comes from both sides and the rear. In no instance is the light received either from the left only or from left and rear only. In at least 20 of the rooms the total amount of window space is insufficient, according to the rule that the total amount of window space should equal or exceed one-fifth of the total amount of floor space. The average amount of blackboard provided per room is 48 square feet, enough to accommodate five pupils at the board at a time. Very few schools have as much board space as they need. In at least 10 schools the amount provided is wholly inadequate. With a single exception, the blackboard is placed from 30 to 42 inches above the floor. The average for all rooms is about 36 inches. In 20 rooms there is provided some sort of decoration, mostly unframed pictures and posters. The walls of more than one-half were originally white, but age and use have reduced most of them to about the same condition, variously described as cream, buff, or drab. In general, nearly all of the schools are in a more or less dilapidated condition. All the buildings are frame. Most of them were originally as well put up as the schools for white children, but they have not been kept up. Consequently they are out of repair. Few of them have been painted. Their general appearance is one of neglect. Twenty-eight of the 30 schools are equipped with double nonadjustable desks; one has single desks, and one, being a church, has pews. All of the buildings are heated by stoves, these being in 26 cases nonjacketed. Only one building has a cloak room, while none has a teacher's room. At 19 schools there is either a well, a spring, or a cistern on the school property; 11 have no water supply. All of the schools have outside toilets. At 14 schools these were in an insanitary condition, and at 10 they were improperly placed. Twenty-one schools had globes, maps, and charts of some sort, although these are in many cases old and poor. Nine schools have none at all. The county furnishes the books for all pupils in the colored schools. Not very good care is taken of them by the pupils; consequently, there was usually found an insufficient number of books, and those found presented a very ragged appearance. The total acreage of the school grounds is 24. All but 2 schools have at least a fair plat of ground, 7 of the lots are fenced, 16 are level, 12 are rolling or hilly, 6 have trees, 3 have flower beds, and 1 has a vegetable garden. Practically no attention is paid to beautifying the surroundings of the schools. None of the schools has any play apparatus of any sort, and practically no provisions are made for the recreative life of the pupils. The school grounds are not usually very well adapted for playing games. Only three are provided with American flags. The county has invested $10,750 in the 23 school buildings which it owns. The average value per building is about $470. The following table gives the number of schools owned, the total value, and the average value per school by election districts: |