Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1873 [PAGE 76]

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breadth, to allow the keeping of a few head of cattle, for the sake of consuming on the place the coarser grains raised. I t has been suggested, that if the fine stocks can be removed to the experimental farm, they would be much more accessible to the classes for study, and to visitors, who desire to see them.

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT.

We have now occupied the Mechanical Building for a little over a year; and it is already quite well supplied with machinery, both in the iron working and wood working departments. The machine shop has proved itself a very valuable addition to the practiced teaching force of the University, and a large amount of valuable work has been performed. It is believed that with the experience already gained, its future management can be made still more effective and economical. The mechanical engineers trained here can scarcely fail to be men of practical character, and we have been glad to find that young men who have served their apprenticeship elsewhere, are in increasing numbers induced to come here, that they may add the knowledge of scientific principles to the skill that they have gained elsewhere. Instead of remaining simply common mechanics, they become masters of mechanical science and skillful engineers, competent to the care of great manufacturing enterprises. If the wood working department can be put in similar relation to the school of architecture that the machine shop holds to the mechanical engineers, I shall hope for equal benefits to be derived from its instruction. The field work of the classes in civil engineering has been increased, and perhaps no engineering school in the country now affords a larger amount of field practice to its students than our own. I am gratified to add, that students from all of these schools have found practical employment during their vacations in their professions, and have in many cases received the highest commendation of their employers.

CHEMICAL LABORATORY.

I t grows more and more evident that the Institution must at an early day be provided with a laboratory, dedicated to the great and growing classes in this department of science. Our present laboratory has been crowded, and is wholly inadequate for such an institution as this.

LIBRARY AND CABINET.

There has been added to the library 1,120 bound volumes, besides a large number of pamphlets. I t now contains about 8,427 volumes, or 8,760 volumes including duplicates. In proportion to its size it is rich in works of natural science, and in agriculture and the arts. I t is also well supplied with works of American and English history and literature. The scientific character of the Institution will, however, imperatively demand constant additions of fresh books in all the branches of science and the arts. There are now received at the library 84 periodicals, of which 21 are agricultural, 3 horticultural, 33 scientific, 27 are literary and miscellaneous. They embrace some of the best journals of Chemistry, Natural History, Engineering, Architecture and other arts, published in England,France and Germany. The library is largely used by the srudents,and has proved a most valuable aid in their education. The cabinets have received some valuable additions during the year, both by purchase and donation. But as we are soon to enter upon the occupancy of more ample and convenient cabinet rooms, it seems desirable that large additions shall be made as early as the funds of the Institution will allow, or the generosity of its friends may afford. Natural History cannot be successfully taught without abundant means for illustration. Geology, Mineralogy, (and all the branches of) Zoology and Botany ought to be so represented by natural specimens and artificial preparations, that the students in these branches might havethe clearer knowledge which comes from sight, and, by a personal observation, gain definite and truthful deas of the objects and materials of their studies.

THE N E W BUILDING.

At the date of the last annual meeting there had been expended upon the erection of the new University the sum of $75,000, provided by the State. And it was expected that the Legislature then in session would grant tihe remaining $75,000 virtually promised in the law. They finally adjourned without such appropriation, and the executive committee, in accordance with the opinions freely expressed by the board of trustees, and with the advice of the architect, deemed it wise and prudent to provide temporarily the means for the continuance of the work, by the sale of the Champaign county bonds, the contractor having expressed the right to go on with the work under the contract, thus waving any right he might be supposed to have under the new circumstances of the case, to closelsaid contract. Operations were resumed in May, and continued until December. The building is now fully inclosed and a large part of the plastering is done, and much of the flooring is down. The architect estimates that the work can be completed for $12,000 or $13,000. In the mouth of