Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 140]

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140

D E P A R T M E N T OF HORTICULTURE.

To DR. J. M. GREGORY, Regent III. Ind. University : SIR :—I submft the following as the report from the Department of Horticulture for the six months ending September 1, 1875: Nothing new has been attempted, the entire energies being devoted to the preservation of plants on hand, and the prosecution of plans previously done. All kinds of trees and other plants have made a remarkable growth, but the records for the season have not yet been made up. Almost every tree transplanted has lived, and the most of them are now in good condition. The fruit crops have been very light as they have been throughout our section of the country, yet quite a number of varieties of strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apples have borne some fruit. Agreeable to instructions of the Board of Trustees, the south half of the apple orchard has been replowed, so as to level the ground formerly thrown into ridges. The trees have undoubtedly suffered some by so doing, but tne wet season has been very favorable for them. The land was planted with corn. Quite a number of trees from the low and wet places were taken up and those seemingly worth it were transplanted in the old rows where trees were missing. The borers (Chrysobbthus femorata) have done some damage in spite of efforts to prevent them, but though the beetles were more numerous this year than ever before, their attacks have been much less destructive than last year, owing to the vigor of the trees. The forest-tree plantation is in fair condition. The weeds have been excessively hard to keep down, and some of the young trees on the wettest ground have been injured. No planting was done this year. The measurements of growths have not yet been made. The small fruit plantations are in just about the condition of last year, but not what they should be. Here more especially is felt the need of closer and more persistent care and cultivation. An extension of the plantation of varieties of strawberries is the only addition that has been made. The nursery is in a more satisfactory condition, the young trees having made a good season's growth. A collection of seedling forest trees were received from Arthur Bryant, Jr , as a donation, and are doing well. Grafts of apple and pear made by the students during the winter, were set in the spring, the former doing well, the latter not. Several kinds of cions were donated by Mr. B. O. Curtiss, of Paris, 111., and Dr. Hull, of Alton, 111. These were properly grafted and set in the nursery. About twenty kinds of forest trees were set in the arboretum, and are generally living. The ground is seeded with clover. I again recommend the purchase of a large collection of small trees, to be grown some years in nursery, for these grounds. Some of large size should be planted this fall. The greenhouse and ornamental grounds have not been kept quite up to their former state, but are now in pretty good condition. The woodwork in the north half of the greenhouse was found too rotten for repairs and has been removed, and concrete walks substituted, the plants to be set upon the earth without staging. For the financial condition of the Department, I respectfully refer to the report of Businesss Agent. Respectfully submitted, T. J. BURRILL.

SCHOOL OF

ARCHITECTURE.

To the Regent and Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University : GENTLEMEN—I respectiully request t h a t : 1. The former appropriation of $15 per month for expenses of classes in Architectural shop prac tice be continued during the current school year. 2. An appropriation of #25 be made for apparatus needed for class in Heating and Ventilation. 3. An appropriation of 825 be made for a suitable desk and platform for Architectural lectureroom. 4. That the room adjacent to the Architectural room be assigned to the School of Architecture as a lecture and recitation-room. It is now vacant, the Bookkeeping classes taking another room. The room is absolutely necessary, especially for recitations in Geometrical Drawing.

CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION 1876.

I propose to send principally models and drawings In models, one complete of a grand suspension staircase, % or % full size, in pine and waiuut. Also a model of , as they are little known in the Eastern States, or in Europe. In drawings, the best sets made during the next two terms, instead of merely specimens, as affording a better idea of the work done in the school And also briefs of lectures, written out by students and bound up in uniform style. General drawings or photographs will be necessary to properly represent the University at the Exposition. As it is p v obable that I will be expected to prepare most of those required, I would. suggest that the cheapest and most effective way will be to have photographs taken of the buildings instead'' of making perspectives, and the plans and exterior views be drawn in ink and these photographed, as they can then be reduced in size and made very sharp and clear. Then the whole can be neatly bound, forming a nice volume. I believe that l e a n find time to prepare the necessary views and plans, so that the principal cost will be that of making the photographs and binding. I add a list of those most necessary, amounting to twenty-three. Mr. Naughton once offered to make them for $3 each, and would probably do so now. The photographs would cost f 69 and the binding $8 or $10 more if in good style. Several leaves may also be added with photopraphs of Trustees and Faculty.