Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 143]

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143

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

To the Regent of the Illinois Industrial University: The financial condition of the Department of Agriculture at the present date is shown by t h e report of Head Farmer Lawrence, which is herewith submitted. It is as follows: Balance due the Department on account from March l, 1871 to date $12 70 Property subject to sale (estimated) 11,085 00 Total $11,097 70 If from this is deducted the amount of the inventory of Dec. 1,1874, charged against the Department, 6,241 46 There remains the sum of $4,856 44 That can soon be made available for the future development of the Department. It is estimated that the proceeds of the crops in the Experimental Department will be sufficient to meet the ordinary current expenses of this department for the year. Alterations are being made in the internal arrangements of the Experimental barn, so as to give increased accommodations for animals and secure a greater economy of labor in the care of them. The labor has been entirely performed by the ordinary farm force, which if paid for at current rates would amount to $103. There has likewise been expended, for lumber £95 05 and for hardware $32 41. It is estimated that lumber to the amount of $45, and hardware to the amount of $15 will be still required to complete the contemplated changes. Attention is respectfully called to the present inconvenient relations of the Horticultural and Experimental Departments in the boundaries assigned them on the experimental farm. It is believed that changes could readily be made that would be mutually advantageous. I present herewith a plan for the reconstruction of the stock farm, which is believed to be necessary for the economical management of stock. Provision should also be made for conducting a series of experiments for the promotion of agriculture. A foreman of the Experimental Farm is very much needed, as it is impossible for the present head farmer to perform the duties now devolving upon him. Some kind of power is required at the Experimental Farm for grinding and cutting feed, and threshing grain, &c. A windmill will undoubtedly be found to be most economical. The estimated cost of a suitable mill and machinery for grinding would be about $550. The farm buildings need painting, as they are very much weathered and need protection. It is believed that the receipts of the farm will be sufficient to defray all expenses connected with the above recommendations, and authority is asked to proceed with them as far as the income from the farm will admit. Respectfully submitted. M. MILES, Professor of Agriculture..

The report was received. The workings of the student's government was deemed satisfactory and the system approved. The Business Agent was authorized to dispose of all duplicate volumes in the Library. The Librarian was instructed to make out a catalogue of Library for the next annual report.

BUSINESS AGENT. To HON. EMORY COBB, President of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: Sin—As Business Agent of the University, I have the honor to make the following report: Paper A. is a statement of the appropriations made March 10, and since ; the latter are given in red ink. Collections made by me are given in connection with the the respective appropriations. At the bottom of the sheet is a statement of the State appropriations. Paper B. is a list of warrants drawn since June 8,—from 666 to 713, inclusive, have not been audited. Four of the appropriations have been overdrawn, or will be, if the above-named warrants are allowed. In case of Fuel and Lights, it was necessary, in order to put the heating apparatus in order, and to lay in a stock of coal at low prices. The blank books required by the Recording Secretary and Business Agent and, a little extra advertising causes the stationery and printing account to be overdrawn. The purchase of larger stock of lumber than used, some 6,000 feet; $125 00 worth of tools, and $40 worth of oil, with the non-collection of a $165 account, which is good, causes the Architectural Department to overrun. The amount overdrawn might be collected, if thought best, from the department in the next six months. The carpenter shop has been at work on the Veterinary building most of the season, This is about completed. The doors and sash were made at the University shop. It is now at work upon the library tables and civil engineering case and counter authorized by the Board. Re-appropriations should be made for these. The machine shop has done custom work when offered during the summer, which was not more than half of the time.» The steam p u m p started bv the Shop Practice Class, was completed at a cost of $107 ; it is considered worth $280. The entire salary of the foreman has been taken from the earnings of the shop during the summer. I suppose not more than half of it should be so taken during term time.