Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 234]

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Yet, certain things must be done to keep up our grounds and protect them from depredations of cows, that are permitted to roam at lnrge here, and have the past season been a source of great annoyance anv much damage to the grounds, an.d the trees and shrubbery thereon. We submit the report of Prof. Burrill. and approve his recommendations of improvements and repairs of the grounds, buildings, drives, walks and fences. We would recommend that a suitable man be employed to do tne labor and repairs on buildings and grounds, and be subject to and under the control of the Professor of Horticulture. Your committee would ask for an appropriation of five hundred dollars for improvements and repairs most needed, the same to be expended under their direction. The committee have authorized the purchase of 43 hardy trees for the main grounds; eighteen varieties, which could not be obtained here, will be set out this spring. The deed conveying to us the ground for continuing the street from Main Building to the Drill Ground is not yet delivered, but the arrangements are all complete, and we hope to obtain it in a few days. The improvements and repairs in time past have been made when and where it seemed best and most needed, considering the funds at our disposal, and your committee propose to pursue that course in the future, unless especially instructed by you. All of which is respectfully submitted. D. GARDNER, R. B. MASON, A. McLEAN.

The report was approved, and the recommendations were concurred in. The Farm committee then submitted the following report:

To the Hon. Board of Trustees of the^llinois Industrial University: Your committee beg leave to submit the following recommendations from the Professor of Agriculture, in regard to experiments for the coming season, with their approval:

AGEICULTUBAL EXPERIMENTS FOR 1880.

Most, if not all, the plans named below have been discussed with the chairman of the Farm Committee of the Board; several of them having been presented at the last meeting. They are re-named for convenience in reference: First—The purchase of two or three high grade or pure bred steers, of the Devon, Hereford, Holstein and Ayrshire breeds of cattle, with which to try an experiment showing their comparative merits in fattening. From some correspondence, it is believed fairly satisfactory animals can be obtained. Serond—-The feeding of grade Short-horn steers of different ages and for different lengths of time; re-trying experiments showing comparative profits. Third—Growing upon the farm, and securing the growing on different classes of lands in vicinity, different varieties of sorghum, preparatory to chemical and other work in manufacture of syrup and sugar. To carry this out would involve an expenditure of possibly $250. It is believed the promise of success in sugar making from some varieties of sorghum is such as to make it very desirable to make these experiments. Fourth—Cultivation of different varieties of sugar beets, more with reference to chemical analysis than actual work in sugar making. In both these, the active cooperation of the Chemical department is assured. Fifth—The formal commencement of what is designed to be a long continued experiment to show the effect of rotation of crops, contrasted with continuous corn growing with and without manuring, and also the effect of clover and grass in a rotation. A commencement was made last year, and we are fortunate in having a piece of land more than usually well adapted for such a test. Sixth—Experiments with several varieties of grain; with manures; with sweet corn, as a variety for cattle feeding; with pumpkins, etc., are proposed, but need no special action. Seventh—It is very desirable to have a few plats of different varieties of grass and clover for illustration. I find many, farmers' sons do not know so common a grass as "orchard grass." It is desirable to have such plats comparatively near the building. The southern part of the ground just north of the Nurseries is suggested. Eighth—On. the score of appearance, convenience in cleaning and feeding, and especially for convenience in trying experiments, a small new piggery is very desirable. The total cost of a convenient and not unsightly building could be brought within $100. Ninth—Attention is again called to the desirability of a few sheep on the farm. Respectfully submitted. G. E. MORROW, Professor of Agriculture.

The report was approved, and its recommendations concurred in. The report of Head Farmer E. A. Lawrence was referred to the Farm committee, with power to act. The President appointed the following committees: On Rules and Regulations of Students' Government—Messrs. Millard, Mason and McLean. On Revision of By-Laws—Messrs. Mason, Millard and McLean.