Williams, Ira 1973-05-15,25
Dr. Ira Williams, professor of agriculture at Texas Tech, discusses his career, the gin engineering program instituted at Tech, cotton farming practices and problems in both.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ira Williams
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 15 and 25, 1973
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour 40 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Gives background,
Born : 1908 in Dallas,
Agriculture studied at Texas Tech (1926),
Experiences in Texas Panhandle told,
Received additional schooling at Texas A & M,
Comments on Agriculture Adjustment Acts,
Employed by Soil Conservation Service,
Tells of problems with terraces,
Taught at Louisiana State University,
Position in North Carolina taken,
Talks about tenant farming.
Tape 1, Side 2: Came to Texas Tech to teach,
Committees served on listed,
Agricultural developments discussed,
Talks about feed lots,
Research funding recalled,
Describes new cotton processes,
Development in agriculture department traced,
Remembers outstanding students,
Research activities revealed.
Tape 2, Side 1: Cotton gin engineering program instituted at Texas Tech (1957),
Talks about J. R. Jones,
Content of course has changed,
Ginning lab is at the experiment station,
Further discusses Mr. Jones and the burr extractor,
Explains Mr. Jones’ reasons for leaving Texas Tech,
Continues discussion of ginning lab,
Comments on ginning engineers’ salaries and duties,
Gin engineering program offered little to the student,
Aircraft crop dusting and spraying is an "improper use of grassland",
Mentions theory on mesquite trees,
Rainmaking discussed,
Describes Texas sweep, sandfighter and Farmall,
Lists committees he’s been on.
Tape 2, Side 2: Made a study on Texas Tech irrigation wells,
Dr. Thomas’ opinions on gin engineering program,
Discusses experience with Dean W. L. Stangel,
Comments on other agriculture administrators.
Range Dates: 1908-1973
Bulk Dates: 1926-1973
Access Information
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Transcript:
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