Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 161]

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The work of Mr. Scovell in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, both in his special class and in the analyses made in the laboratory, is adding to the breadth and enhancing the value of the agricultural instruction. Mr. Scovell gives promise of great usefulness in this department. The work of Mr. Hayes in the Greenhouse and Horticultural classes also deserves mention. He has, during this term, a class of six young ladies taking lessons in the management of house plants. He is providing also an ample supply of bedding plants for the grounds, and a surplus for sale. The Arboretum and Botanical garden will also receive special attention this spring. The report from Prof. Burrill calls your attention to some wants in the Horticultural department, and asks an appropriation for trees, and so forth. The work of Dr. Prentice in teaching the principles of Veterinary Science, including the anatomy and physiology of the domestic animals, is by no means the least important work done in the College of Agriculture. The students trained under him will not only be better prepared for the business of stock husbandry, so important in this State, but many of them will be able to serve as Veterinary surgeons and physicians. In the clinic of diseased animals treated at our Veterinary stables and elsewhere during the fall and winter terms, there have been 65 cases. These cases have been examined and prescribed for in the presence of the classes. The interest felt in this department of instruction may call for its further development into a full School of Veterinary Science at no distant day. The report of E. L. Lawrence, Head Farmer, shows a prosperous condition of the farms under his efficient management. The drainage effected the past year has reclaimed about 60 acres of land, at a cost of about $30.00 per acre. Additional drainage is contemplated the coming season.

THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEEEING.

This College, embracing the Schools of Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Mining Engineers, and of Architecture, is under the chief charge of Prof. S. H. Peabody, who represents both Mechanical and Mining Engineering, Prof. N. C. Kicker, Architect, and Prof. J B. Webb, C.vil Engineer, now in Europe on leave. I know of no more competent or earnest instructors than these in their several departments. They are ably supported in their work by I. O. Baker, Asst. in Engineering and Physics; J. 0. Lewellyn, Asst. in Architecture, and foreman of Wood Working Shops; E. A. Kimball, the excellent foreman of the Machine Shops, and by C. W. Clark. Asst. in Civil Engineering. The present Senior Class shows four students in Mining Engineering, and we may expect to see this department of our work increase. The vast coal fields and other mining interests of our State, certainly demand its vigorous development. The new laboratory now fitted up with its smelting and assay furnaces, will, when supplied with its stamp, furnish ample facilities for metallurgical study. It will be necessary, as I have stated in former reports, to fill either the Chair of Physics, or that of Mining Engineering, to make our teaching force in this department equal to its needs. The work, it is true, is all done, and done well, by the present force, but it is done by overworking our men, who are allowed too little time for study and preparation. I call attention again to the ceiling and other improvements needed in the shops, and to apparatus required in the Physical Laboratory. The communication from Prof. Peabody will tell you the immediate wants of the Physical Laboratory. A large and much needed improvement might be made in the rooms devoted to Physics, by moving the partition wall between the Physical Laboratory and Lecture room about fifteen feet to the south, and making the central room the lecture room. The Laboratory would then afford ample room for work, and be well lighted. This change would involve only the expense of taking down and reconstructing the partition, and the supply of one additional door. In time, and as soon as convenient, new cases will be required. I earnestly recommend this change, and as it ought to be made daring the summer, plans and estimates ought to be prepared, for which an order of the Board is asked.

COLLEGE OF NATUEAL SCIENCES.

This College, as now organized, includes the School of Chemistry, the School of Natural History and the School of Domestic Science. These schools are under the chief charge of Prof. Weber, Prof. Burrill, Prof. Taft, and Miss L. C. Allen. They have as assistants M. A. Scovell, W. D. Budy, Geo. A. Wild, with some temporary assistants in the Chemical Laboratory. The work is being prosecuted with a success which speaks more than words can for the ability and fidelity of the several instructors in charge. The School of Chemistry is deriving already large benefit from its new and spacious Laboratory. The number of students in Chemistry has greatly increased, and the work das been done with unusual despatch and success. The communication from Prof. Weber will bring to your notice some of the current wants in the Chemical Laboratory. In the School of Natural History, a large increase has been made during the year in its cabinets and material of instruction. Through the energy of Mr. Wild, and with the aid of classes taught by him in Taxidermy and Osteology, there have been added to the collections during the year 205 specimens, collected by him in the Rocky Mountain region, embracing 65 new species, and including all the western ruminants, such as the bison, elk, mountain sheep, deer and antelope, and also many of the rodents and smaller carnivors. These specimens include both skins and skeletons. Something of the value of his work may be seen from the prices of the following specimens prepared by him and his classes: