Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1892-1893 [PAGE 18]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-

its establishment was based upon this idea. No change was now sought in its character or in its relations, but a name better expressive to the public mind of that character and relation was desired; the Industrial University became the University of Illinois. For the year during which the change of name occurred there were 51 per cent of the students in technical courses: during this last year there are nearly 65 per cent in these courses. During the sims session of the legislature a bill was passed transferring the State Laboratory of Natural History from the Illinois State Normal University to the University of Illinois. This Laboratory was created by law for the purpose o making a natural history survey of the E state, with the publication of the results in series of bulletins and reports; and for the allied purpose of furnishing specimens illustrative of the flora and fauna of the state to the public schools, and to the state museum. For these purposes direct appropriations are made by the legislature from session to session. A large amount of material has been collected and extended publications have been made in both the forms above mentioned. The Laboratary makes a large exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition. By an act approved March 2, 1S87. the national government appropriated $15,000 per annum to each state for the purpose of establishing and maintaining, in connection with the colleges founded upon the congressional act of 1862, an agricultural experiment station "to aid in acquiring and diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects connected with agriculture, and to promote scientific investigation and experiment respecting the principles and applications of agricultural science." Under this provision the station for Illinois was placed under the direction of the trustees of the University and its grounds were located on the University farm. At least one bulletin of result? is published every three months, and they are for gratuitous distribution. Editions of 13,000 copies are now issued. For the more complete endowment of the state institutions founded upon the act of 1862, the congress of the United States made further appropriations by a supplementary law passed in 1890. Under this enactment each such college or university received the first year $15,000, the second $16,000, and" likewise thereafter $1,000 per annum additional to the amount of the preceding year. The annual increase is to continue until the amount reaches $25,000, which sum is then to be paid yearly thereafter. Putting the congressional aids together there is made an exceedingly encouraging example for the state authorities to imitate. It cannot be said that the Illinois legislature has in the past contributed