Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 99]

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A part of the house—four rooms—southwest of the University building has been offered to a man (with a small family) who is to work on the horticultural grounds. The other four rooms are now occupied by students. With the funds at command it has not been possible for the Horticultural Department to do much in the way of experimental work. There is no difficulty whatever in naming unsolved problems such a horticultural experiment station ought to undertake, and with the means at hand I am sure we could advance knowledge in several of these lines. Just now there is abundant call for tests of new kinds of apples, especially of those from Russia. By top grafting many of these could be fruited within three years, and during this time small trees could be grown. It seems to me wise in this matter to let the Iowa Agricultural College lead, the work being there so well in hand already; but they cannot make tests for our latitude. Cions and trees can now be had from Iowa and we might enter this season upon the tests. There is also an opportunity of making cross-fertilizations of fruit tree blossoms in the hope of getting from seed new varieties of promise. At least work in this line would be in accord with popular demand. As a matter of great scientific and prectical interest experiments in cross-fertilization with a large number of kinds of plants would be highly desirable, but to find results several years would often be required. The work requires skill and much painstaking labor, but except for the expense we can have it creditably done. I cannot regard the mere testing of varieties as the most desirable experimental work, yet this is what is most asked of us. The testing of seeds found in the markets,the growth obtained from those of different qualities, the influence of gathering in different states of maturity, that is, whether fully ripe or not; the effects of fertilizers, of modes of training and treatment, etc., etc.—these, and such as these barely indicate work that may be undertaken. . For this year I should be glad to have an appropriation of two hundred dollars for purely experimental work, provided there is a prospect that the undertaking can be carried forward from year to year. We will do the best we can with or without this appropriation, but -certainly can do more with some aid of this kind. If the expenses can be provided for, much reater undertakings can be suggested. With the prospects we now have the income from horticultural sales will be about the same as for last year. The expense for labor will be somewhat less, Respectfully submitted, T. J. BURRILL.

The following report from the Faculty in the matter of the School of Art, referred to them at last meeting, was read, received, and its recommendation adopted:

URBANA, I I I . , March 8,1886. To the Trustees of the University of Illinois: GENTLEMEN: The Faculty, to whom was referred a communication made by Professor Roos to the President of the Board of Trustees, and by the Trustees referred to yourselves, has considered the same, and begs leave to report as follows: The essential point in Professor Roos' communication appears to lie in the concluding statement, which is: "I respectfully recommend that the students in the course of art and design be granted the privilege of graduating in that course under conditions equivalent to that in other departments in the University." Graduation in this University may now occur in either of two ways: 1. The candidate for graduation may have a degree of B. A.„B. L., or B. S., respectively, according as he has completed some one of the courses of study authorized by the Trustees and Faculty, as leading to such a degree. 2. The candidate for graduation may have completed thirty-six University studies of his own selection, and may have a so-called full certificate "which shall set forth the precise attainments of the party applying for the same in the various branches of learning he may have studied during his attendance in the University." As to graduation with a degree. The theory upon which, in the main, the courses of instruction in the several schools and colleges haye been constructed, appears to be this: That at least one-third of the subjects in each course shall be of such a nature as to bear specifically upon the general objects of the course, the remaining subjects being either of allied character, or for general culture. Your committee, therefore, finds itself confronted with these questions: Will a course of study in which at least one-third of the subjects are technical in the school of art and design, with s.uch other subjects as would naturally be connected therewith, possess such solid qualities', and have such value for education, discipline, and culture, as shall entitle it to be counted equal with the other degree courses of the University? Should the students who have taken such a course thereupon be entitled to either of the Bachelor's degrees now given, or to one of equal significance? Your committee conceives that these questions present the vital issues of this subject, and it feels constrained unanimously to answer both in the negative. As to graduation with a full certificate. It was evidently intended that this certificate should be the evidence of attainments and culture not inferior to those for which degrees were usually given in colleges of highest rank. It is also evident that this intent is not now attained, and that its/attainment can hardly be expected. The options permitted not unfrequently lead the student to choose studies which are easy instead of those which are severe. This fact, which in the early days of the University prevented the certificates from passing current in the community with the significance of diplomas for degrees, led to the demand for, and the conferring of degrees as the evidence of the completion of severe and required courses of study in the several schools.