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Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1868
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114 courses of liberal education who would otherwise remain in ignorance. It is worth our most earnest efforts to give permanency to these examinations. On the second day of March, as ordered by you, the building being in readiness in all its interior arrangements, the University was opened for students and the work of instruction was at once begun. About fifty students appeared the first morning, and the number has been daily increasing through the week which has now elapsed till we have now in attendance sixty-eight students, two others having been called home, one by sickness and one by business. Several applicants have delayed their entrance till other engagements are fulfilled, while a large number have notified us of their intention to be present in the autumn Considering the season, our attendance is large—much larger indeed than is often seen in the opening of such Institutions. Considering the untried character of many of our plans, the number is full large enough for the most successful economical inauguration and trial of these plans. FINANCES, The finances of the University will demand a close and constant attention. Our safety and ultimate success will depend on the financial soundness of the enterprise. The reports of the Treasurer and Finance Committee will furnish you the more material facts in regard to the present condition of the finances. I must refer to them for a statement also of the amount of our permanent funds, and the character and productiveness of the same. The entire expenditures for the year, for all purposes, have been $34,142 63. The several items of this expenditure will be shown by the warrant statement accompanying this report. A classified statement will also be handed in with this report exhibiting the expenditures under the proper heads The necessity of making a considerable addition to the working Faculty at the opening of the next academic year will compel a close inquiry into the probable income for the year. I suggest also the inquiry whether $5000 of the proceeds of Champaign County Bonds, converted, may not and ought not to be at once reinvested. The receipts from students, and the interest due the 1st of May from the $100,000 of Champaign County Bonds will furnish all the funds necessary to meet the current expenditures of the Institution till the next installment of interest is received, THE FARM AND GARDEN. The Head Farmer appointed by you, Jonathan Periam, Esq., of Chicago, entered upon service the first of January, and has been actively employed, and with great fidelity, in the preliminary work and other preparations for the season. His report, which I herewith communicate, will furnish you with a statement of the present condition and proposed treatment of the lands. The attention of the Board should be given early to devising plans for the necessary barns, tool-houses and other farm and garden buildings. These buildings when erected should be model structures, and therefore the most careful and extensive inquiry will be needed to secure this result. MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT. The proper development of the Mechanical Department will demand some suitable buildings, with perhaps a supply of motive power in the shape of a steam engine. Parts of the buildings erected for this .department may be rented, with some portions of the motive power, to representatives of several of the more prom-
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