UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
N A V I G A T I O N D I G I T A L L I B R A R Y
Bookmark and Share



Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 316]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871
This is a reduced-resolution page image for fast online browsing.


Jump to Page:
< Previous Page [Displaying Page 316 of 372] Next Page >
[VIEW ALL PAGE THUMBNAILS]




EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:



308 and do not know what the wishes of the college would be as regards this organization. I have no doubt, however, that they would cooperate with the other institutions, and be glad to in this general organization. I would be very glad, however, to have a separate organization for the purpose of promoting experimentation, for this reason: that it seems to me that if connected with any other interest, the time will be so occupied by delegates at the convention, that we cannot get the full benefit of consultation in regard to the matter of experimentation. Now this matter of conducting experiments for the promotion of the science of agriculture is valuable, and we can only make progress in it by discussion of the subject in detail. It seems to me that we can decide upon a certain number of experiments that we can try in common ; then we can come here a year from now, with the results of those experiments, to compare notes, and endeavor by discussion to get at the cause of those results. We shall then be much better fitted for the trial of experiments in the future. It seems to me that this organization, for the promotion of experiments, for the purpose of improvement in the art and science of agriculture, would not stand in the way of this other organization, which is quite desirable—perhaps, equally desirable. Mr. Parker—It seems to me, that while that question of experimentation is of great importance, and it would be an excellent plan for the Superintendents of the farm and the Professors of agriculture to meet and compare notes; it is of equal, and perhaps greater importance, that the officers of the colleges, who have in charge this general department, and have the appointment of these Professors of Agriculture, and Farm Superintendents, and who need to know if they are working upon the right plans—that those who represent the people in the control of these institutions should have their place of organization and of consultation, because they need to have a general view of the whole subject. It appears to me that it would be extremely beneficial if they could all come together, in one convention, where they could compare the work that they have done. I feel that we need just such an organization. Professor Detmers—I think it is highly necessary that those who are considered practical men, should come to this meeting and find out that they are, after all, to some extent, scientific men themselves; and which is very important, particularly, that we should avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded by these meetings, to disseminate, if we can, among as large an audience as possible, correct views as to agri-