Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 265]

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257 Dr. Miles—There is one point that has been admitted. In conducting these field and feeding experiments, we should pursue the same system, as far as possible, that is ordinarily practiced on a farm. But it is impossible to make your experiments exact and conform fully to all the practical usages. Professor Hilgard—I am glad to see, from the remarks of Dr. Miles, that there is no difference between his views and my own, except he does not call science what I call it. The practical experiments are altogether scientific ; that is, they are made on a scientific basis. What I wish to object to was making the experiments without controlling, as far as possible, the circumstances, and among these referring to positions, soil and so forth. Dr. Miles—I must be allowed to make a few more remarks. I do not undervalue scientific investigation. I believe we should have in each of our colleges proper apparatus and a man to conduct experi. ments for the promotion of science. The distinction I would make between science and practice might be illustrated still further. In feeding stock, for instance, we want to get at the money value; we want to know what corn is worth in dollars and cents. In the scientific experiment, which has to do with the explanation of these results, we want to know the elements that enter into the constitution of these things and in what proportion they are combined. There are two lines of inquiry. We must conduct practical experiments with the accuracy of scientific experiments, applying the same methods. The scientific man, if he understands practical matters, is more capable of improving a practical experiment, than a man who does not understand scientific matters. But the scientific man who makes experiments in the art, is not familiar with the details in many cases, and he is looking at results, while in the act we want to get values in dollars and cents. The meeting then adjourned to 7-J o'clock P . M.

7:30 O'CLOCK P. M.

Met pursuant to adjournment. The Chairman—The discussion now in order is the question of the relation of the industrial school or scientific schools to each other, and the institutions of the country. The discussion is ai ranged to be opened by Professor Gilman, of the Sheffield Scientific School.

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