Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1873 [PAGE 92]

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labors are counted as profits. For this reason I have made these statements on that basis, that they might compare with similar statements on private farms.* I t will also be seen that there is a difference of $17 84 between the losses and gains on the various crops (as shown by the sheet of "Loss and Grain,") and the actual gains of the year. I have made up this sheet from my books and from the estimates of profits, and it has not been "doctored" to make them come out even. The profits on the crop of hogs was materially diminished by the loss of twenty-six by cholera, and I should have had no balance to report, had I not been successful in selling at the right time. Most of the sales were made at four cents, whereas later in the season they brought but three cents per pound. On account of the drouth for the two past seasons, we have made but little progress in seeding. There has been over one hundred acres seeded to timothy and clover, of which only about fifteen acres has made a stand. Ten acres of this was with rye, and the remainder was seeded last spring and pastured. This failure has interfered, materially, with following out the system of rotation of crops, laid down. The manure made on the place has been hauled out as fast as made. Nine acres has been well manused since last August. That part that was manured last fall was plowed. Some two acres has been covered during the winter, to be plowed in this spring. Of the $1,500 by vote of the Board of Trustees loaned the farm for the purchase of cattle, $1,481 was used ; and although stock cattle have been very high, and fat cattle very low, the investment proved to be a good one, as we found a much better market for our corn crop than could have been found elsewhere. I would suggest the propriety of making purchase of a car load of young steers, to take the place of those recently sold. The farm is now well stocked with tools and machinery, and but little will be required for the comng year. The teams on the farm are not as good as could be desired—there being but one team worthy of the name. The pair of mules are able to do good service. As the five horses we have are "advanced in years," we might look for an "early dissolution," were it not for the fact that, as a whole, they seem much better than they did two years ago. I think that an investment for a pair of Norman or Percheron mares (thoroughbred), to breed from, would be a good one, and would also add to the attractions of the farm, and would show that we mean to lead in farm enterprises, instead of following our more enterprising neighbors. Our five noble sheep were all killed by dogs. I can't find words to express my feelings in the matter, and so will drop it. "You know how it is yourself." The thoroughbred cattle are doing well. The bulls have made good gams, and are fine animals, as also are the heifers. Two have been added to their number during the year. Every cold or rainy day we are reminded of the fact that a new dwelling house is much needed on the farm. The present house sets in the ground; underneath is the best place in the world to generate bad air. "Were it simply a matter of inconvenience, I would not say a word, but when I realize that the health and lives of my family are put in jeopardy, I deem it a matter of vast importance. To successiully manage the farm, as now stocked and machined, the manager should be and must be a machinist, engineer and mechanic, as well as a financier and farmer, and should also be a scholar; and with the salary at present allowed, in order to make a good showing of "personal accounts," he should be a pensioner. All of which is respectfully submitted. E. L. LA WHENCE, Head Farmer Stock Farm 1.1. V. CARE AND FEED OF F I N E STOCK CATTLE.

ILLINOIS INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY,

In account with Stock Farm: March 1, '73 To wages of herdsman, 12 months, at $22 50 ' ' 52 weeks board, at $3 75 4 ' 7 tons hay, fed to July 1st, at $12 44 12 tons hay, fed to March 13, at $9 4 * 80 bushel bats, at 25 cents 44 12,600 pounds meal fed to Sept. 1, at 60 cents.. 4 ' 16,800 pounds meal fed to March 1, at 50 cents. '444 5 months pasture, 5 heifers, at $1 50 2 halters, at 80 cents 4 ' 4 halters, at 75 cents 44 5 bull rings 44 transportation of cattle in Canada 44 record of "Baron Unus" in A. H. B Total

$270 195 84 108 20 75 84 37 1 3 4 31 1 00 00 00 00 00 60 00 50 60 00 20 15 00