Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 110]

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this special purpose at the last session of the Legislature, I can at present only accumulate as large a reserve of duplicates as possible for distribution to educational institutions. I expect to be able to make a large issue to the public schools in which zoology and botany are taught, during the coming winter, so far as these had not been already supplied by us before our removal here. We have issued from the Laboratory, here, three bulletins of our second volume—one of one hundred and fifteen pages by Professor Burrill, on a family of Illinois fungi; one of sixty-five pages by myself, on the contagious diseases of insects, and a brief paper on new Illinois fishes. A fourth article is now in press, and the manuscript of a fifth is ready for the printer. Elaborate studies are now in progress for the Laboratory by Professor Burrill on the life histories of fungi, and by Mr. Garman and myself on the contagious diseases of insects. Mr. Weed and Mr. Hart are engaged on the life histories of insects—especially the injurious species—and Mr. Garman and I have well under way the manuscript of the second volume of the State Zoological Beport. Bespectfully submitted, . S. A. FORBES, Professor of Zoology and Entomology, and Director of Natural History Laboratory. BEPOBT OF PROF. MORROW. Dr. S. IT. Peabody, Regent: During the past three months affairs on the University farms have, in the main, progressed satisfactorily. The spring opened unusually early; the weather has been exceptionally favorable for' cultivation, and until now, when there is pressing need for rain for growth of crops. We have planted about 115 acres of corn, receiving a good stand, and it is now in good condition. Of oats about 40 acres were sown and, save for present need of rain, promise a good yield. The few acres of wheat sown in trial of varieties, and a few acres of potatoes, are promising well. In general the live stock has done well. In accordance with authorization by Farm Committee of purchase of specimens of Hereford and Holstein-Fresian cattle, I visited herds at Beecher, Aurora, Elgin, Ashkum. and Oilman, in all cases finding breeders interested in the proposed purchase and disposed to name reasonable prices. At a public sale of Holstein-Fresian cattle, at Chicago, from the well-known herd of Thomas B. Wales and Edgar Huidekoper, I purchased two imported heifers, one with a promising bull calf; the other having since given us another fine bull calf. These calves were sired by very noted bulls. The clams I count good specimens of the breed. The prices paid were unexpectedly small. Among Hereford breeders no one manifested more interest in the matter of the University receiving desirable specimens than did G. W. Henry, Esq.. of Chicago, proprietor of the Rossland herd, at Ashkum, 111. A finely-bred and excellent imported young cow with bull calf was purchased from him, and Mr. Henry, as will be seen by accompanying letter, proposes presenting the University another young cow, bred to one of his fine young bulls. At the public sale last month of Short-horn cattle belonging to T. W. Harvey, Esq,, of Chicago, I purchased a very finely bred—nearly pure Bates—young cow with bull calf; and at the sale of 8. E. Prather, Esq., of Springfield, III., last week, I purchased a yearling Short-horn heifer of good pedigree and quality. The Short-horn cattle catalogued for public sale on Friday next include 23 cows, 10 of v them with young calves, and 5 young bulls. They are in good health and condition. There are many indications of interest in the trial of ditching machines on the University farms, on Thursday and Friday next, under the allspices of the State Board of Agriculture, for which we have made such arrangements as seemed practicable.^ Respectfully submitted. G. E. MORROW. REPORT OF DR. McINTOSH. Dr. 8. B. Peabody, Regent: SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my work in Veterinary Science during the winter and spring terms now drawn to a close. Although the class was not large, it was composed of young farmers who exhibited great interest in the subject, and passed good examinations in Veterinary Science and Materia Medica. The excellent instruction which they had received from Professor Rolph, in the fall term, in Animal Anatomy and Physiology, had given a good foundation for the study of Veterinary Science. The lectures of Prof. Morrow on the breeding and management of farm stock enabled them better to understand the transmission of hereditary diseases. If I may judge from the letters of inquiry received from young men in the State, we shall have a large class at the opening of the fall term. I have also to report a successful series of clinics, in which the neighboring farmers and the inhabitants of adjoining cities have accepted the opportunity offered by the University to have their domestic animals operated on, or prescribed for, free of charge. The clinics have been well attended, and have been of much service to the students. The list appended does not include cases examined for which no treatment seemed needful. Other cases in the neighborhood were visited by the students with me, and operations of castration upon animals at the University farm were performed in their presence.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, June 3, 188(5.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, June 5, 1886.