Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1872 [PAGE 76]

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as intending to take this course, but nearly all the students are receiving instructions in some of its classes. The English and other modern languages are much more largely pursued than the ancient and are taught with a gratifying success. I append a report from Prof. Baker on the classes in English Literature, giving an account of the important work being done in that most useful department of study. This report urges the importance of a printing press, to give a more practical value and character to this work, and conveys the pleasant information that a press has been promised us, by a member of the board. The instruction in ancient languages has now been committed to very competent hands, and the sciences of nature are receiving a degree of attention not often given to them in colleges. Historical Science, from its importance to the intelligent citizen and statesman, has been assigned a liberal place in the course, and has been pursued in part by a large number of students.

LIBRARY.

There have been expended during the year in the purchase of new books, $5, 420.67. The number of bVand volumes now in the library is 7,307. Besides these are valuable collections of unbound books andphamplets. The library, instead of being locked away in some remote hall, to be opened only once or twice a week to permit the drawing and return of books, occupies the most central and accessible of all our rooms. The spacious library hall is fitted up with reading tables and seats> and is warmed by steam and lighted with gas, With the first hour of our work it is thrown open to all who wish to read. Librarians are constantly in attendance till the closing evening hour, and every facility is furnished the student who wishes to consult its volumes. I t is in constant use and furnishes one of the most potential of the educational influences presented by the University..

T H E LECTURE COURSES AND FARMERS' INSTITUTE.

Five public courses of lectures, for the benefit of farmers and fruit-growers have been given during the year. The first was at the University, in January, and lasted one week. The others were held respectively at Dixon, at Avon, at Pontiac and at PittsfLeld. The attendance at most of these Farmers' Institutes, as they were called, was in most cases larger than at any former series, and the expressions of public appreciation were frequent and gratifying. The number of applications for such institutes the coming year will be larger than we can meet.

The report of the Eegent was referred to the standing committees, as the different parts may concern them; so much thereof as relates to the fitting up of the old University building to the exclusive use of female students, was referred to a special committee, to be appointed by the chair. Messrs. Piekard, Cunningham, Slade, Blackburn and Wright were so appointed. The oath of office was then administered to the new member, Mr. E. B. Harrington, of Pontiac. The reports of Mr. E. L. Lawrence, the Farni Superintendent, and Prof. T. J. Burrill, of the Horticultural Department, were read and referred to the committees of their respective departments. EEPOET OF THE FAEM SUPEEINTEKDE^T.

To the Regent of the Illinois Industrial University: I entered upon the duties of Head Farmer on the stock farm of the University on the 1st day of March, 1871, and now, at the close of my first year's service, I herewith present my report of the transactions of the year. Immediately on my arrival on the farm, an invoice of property likely to be disposed of was made, as follows: 5 fat hogs $80 00 12 stock hogs, 2, 640 lbs., 7c 184 80 4 breeding sows 72 70 4 pigs 28 00 60 steers 3,475 00 425 bushels corn, 40c 170 00