UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 288]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871
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280 we have succeeded in nearly the same way. I have been connected with the institution only about a year, but have had much to do with the students on the farm, running a large farm almost exclusively by their aid. Last year we tile-drained considerable, and much of that has been done by the fathers of these students when they have returned home and explained its benefits. The result abroad, also, has been similar with regard to deep plowing. And I claim that these are the influences, to a very great extent, that are to go out from these colleges. We are not only to continue to send them out, but they are to be teachers, and they are doing it, to my knowledge. I have received quite a number of applications from the boys, for some of the wheat which they helped to raise. In these, and many other ways, they will scatter the information they have received at our colleges, and in that way help to inspire a proper appreciation of our efforts. Pres. Folwell—We find difficulty in furnishing work. I should like to know what kind of trade or manufacturing business I could start, to employ the young men. If I had an employment for 100 young men, at which they could earn their living, it would be of great service to those whose means are limited. The practical question is, what we shall do. Mr. Roberts—In my experience during the last year, our boys have constructed fence. I let it to them by the job. We make all our fences in that way. Our students milk forty odd cows, and they take care of the cows ; and, in addition to that, take care of quite a number of head of blooded stock, in connection with their lectures on stockbreeding. You can tell the students the difference between the harsh and soft feeling of an animal, but he cannot understand it without the examples before him. We plant all our corn by the help of. students. I can get more work out of a squad of forty students, for two hours and a half, than from hired men. In some kinds of work there is a profit; others result in loss. Certain kinds of work can be done— cutting corn, for instance. We cut corn two cents a shock cheaper than we could by outside help. We shall have this year some 5,000 or 6,000 bushels of corn, in all probability. * Our churning is done by the students; in fact, we use them in almost every place. As I came away, almost the last thing was to give some direction about hauling wood for the bakery, and the students cut the wood at so much a cord. Sometimes the students want to work half a day. They come in the morning, and are ready to start at seven o'clock; instead of having a dread of work, they are anxious to do extra jdbs. Most of them are limited somewhat in their means, and when at the first of the month