Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1870 [PAGE 65]

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arms and in the evolutions of the company. 1 need not make any new argument in proof of the importance of this department. It is sufficient that it is the requirement of the laws of Congress and of the State, and must, therefore, receive our attention. It is vital to the usefulness if not to the very existence of {this department, that a drill hall be provided for it at an early day. I hope that, at no distant day, Congress may take this matter in hand, and pass a bill, now in the hands of the Military Committee, to give some efficient aid to the several State Institutions required by the law of Congress itself to give military instructions.

THE WORK OF THIS YEAR. .

No subject connected with the administration of the University affairs has cost me so much solicitude as the improvements to be made this year, under the State appropriation. To secure a careful and economical expenditure of the fund, and to make it as productive as possible in good and valuable betterments, will demand the wisest forecast of the Board, and the most faithful and vigilant efforts of their agents and employees. The expenditures in the Horticultural Department will embrace the completion of the green-house, the erection of the barn mentioned for the garden, the drainage of the gardens, the purchase of team, wagon, plows, cultivators, a lawn mower, roller, and other necessary tools for this department, together with the fencing of Green streets, the planting of the arboretum, fruit gardens, shelter belts, and forest plantations, and the building up and care of the nurseries and orchards already begun. The balance of the library fund I recommend be expended under the charge of the Faculty, as they have already, with great care, made lists of books most needed in their several departments. The Agricultural Committee have already given much and careful attention to the wants of that department. The appropriation for that department was was the largest of all, and scarcely a tenth part of it has yet been expended. Among the most pressing wants to be met by it are the following: First. A house for farmer on experimental farm. Second. An ample barn for same, with fruit rooms, root cellars, corn cribs, and with stables and stalls for the fine stock of all sorts, which the University should possess. This stock should be housed at this barn, at least during the winter, to bring it within reach of the students of animal husbandry ; and if the main farm shall ever be disposed of, as proposed, the stock may then find a permanent home at this barn. Third. A veterinary stable for the use of the Veterinarian in the illustration of his lectures. This must also be on the experimental grounds, to bring it within easy reach. Fourth. The underdraining of so much of the grounds as may be thought necessary. Fifth. A large barn on stock farm, with all the apartments and conveniences that any good farmer would need on a farm of the size of that. Sixth. Some enlargements and repairs of the present farm house, and the repairing or building of one or two tenant houses.

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