Nov. 27, 1920.

From: Commanding Officer, Camp Bragg, N.C.

To: Commanding General, 4th Corps Area, Ft. McPherson, Ga.

Subject: Authority to Establish Courses in Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Dairy Management.

1. Request is made for authority to establish courses in animal husbandry, agriculture and dairy management in the Vocational Schools of this camp.

2. If the army can establish and successfully maintain these courses at Camp Bragg the army will become a distinct factor in the general community advancement of this part of North Carolina. Agriculture and animal husbandry are very backward in this vicinity. For the army to lead this state in agricultural development will mean a greater popularity for the service and will unquestionably stimulate recruiting.

3. There is a practical impossibility to obtain fresh meat (except that supplied by the Government), fresh vegetables, butter, milk, and eggs in this vicinity to supply the needs of organizations and individuals of this command. This need is very great. Young soldiers require these articles in their daily diet. The women and children of the garrison are greatly in need of them. I am informed by reliable members of this community (Fayetteville) that the supply of these articles is always inadequate. I am informed by local health authorities, and by the surgeon of this command, that local dairy products are not safe from a sanitary standpoint. These animal husbandry, dairying and agricultural courses conducted on a productive basis, as authorized by existing regulations, will provide for this command these essential articles of diet. The needs of this camp are a model dairy, a model chicken ranch, a model hog ranch, truck gardens, a farm for raising all feed for the necessary animals. The large veterinary hospital at this post is isolated from the rest of the camp and will afford ideal housing and corrals for cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens. There is ample farm land suitable for raising all forage and vegetables needed.

4. There are on the reservation several large peach orchards and grape vine tracts which can be developed both instructionally and productively.

5. The members of this command are largely recruited from Southern agricultural districts to which they will normally return upon discharge. Instruction in agriculture, dairying, and animal husbandry will not only appeal to them because of their past environment but will also serve to stimulate production in their communities of origin on their return thereto.

6. In the event that this request is approved, it is further requested that the agricultural, animal husbandry and dairying equipment in the Vocational Schools at Camp Lee, Va., be transferred to this camp. I am informed by a representative of the War Plans Division of the General Staff now at this camp that this equipment is not now being adequately used at Camp Lee, that the upkeep of this equipment is a profitless expense to that camp and to the 3rd Corps Area, and that only four students are making use of an equipment valued at more than $30,000.

7. In the event that these two requests are approved, it is further requested that sufficient funds be allotted to this camp for the purpose of employing instructors in the courses requested.

8. These requests are made in pursuance of my very earnest desire to make this camp of the greatest possible value to its garrison, to the army, and to this community. An active, progressive, and well co-ordinated policy of expansion is essential to bring this camp, with its great natural resources, to its greatest degree of service and thus to justify its previous acquisition and subsequent retention. In this connection it is firmly believed that the establishment of the courses requested will be the source of much favorable support of the army in Congress. Prompt action in this matter is requested.

A. J. BOWLEY,
Colonel, 5th Field Artillery,
Commanding.

AJB-j.