Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 175]

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175

The decision in regard to both of these structures given now would permit full and matured plans for the J u n e meeting, and action then would be time enough for the actual beginning of the work. Shall the small house be ordered south of and adjoining the main building ? Shall the present greenhouse be moved ? Shall the planting of common trees be continued, and shall others be purchased? Some kinds from the home forests have died ; these may be replaced from the same source.

ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS.

The changes consequent upon moving the main portions of the school work to the new building, lessening the importance of and interest in the old building and grounds induces me to recommend the abandonment of the floral display in these beds. The premises being almost deserted during the long summer vacation serious depredations are made by people of low class who make the place a rendezvous, and by rowdy boys Incited to mischief by the opportunity presented. Beds are tramped, flowers plucked, plants stolen and carried away, and other annoyances of similar kind. Anticipating the sanction of tke Trustees the beds have been sown with blue-grass because i t was considered hazardous to wait until after the meeting for such sowing. This grass will, however, give little or no trouble should the ground be cultivated as heretofore. The same attention to floriculture transferred to the new grounds will have much better effect and be free in the main from the evils mentioned. Considerable labor and expense have been laid out upon the grounds upon which the new building stands, but the appearance is not yet what it should be. No one, so far as I know, has been specially charged with this work. There has been an understanding that a committee had the direction of affairs, but just who constitute that committee I cannot say, neither do I know the duties and powers of it or them. Sometimes the work has been ordered by one, sometimes by another, and it would seem, sometimes not ordered at all. If a committee can have meetings and full consultations, their plans will probably be better than those of a single individual, but even then the execution of these plans should be in the hands of one person. Certainly the best results cannot be expected from the individual and independent orders and acts of several authorities. If the general plans can be formed and a special appropriation be made for it, one m a n ought to be able to manage the rest. Probably the first question to settle is the amount of money to be expended. It is not how much will do, for any amount, small or great, will answer, according to the style adopted. To keep the grounds in as good condition as the old ones have usually been, will require, upon an average, about $50 a month for six months in the year'for labor, and as much more for plants and materials, new walks, fences, large trees*, etc., extra. This will permit, besides keeping the walks, trees and grass in good order, a considerable floral display, but will exclude the formation of many or large beds, the introduction of any but the more common or less expensive bedding and flowering plants, and most of the other objects and materials.used,by landscape gardeners. This sum ($600) is estimated for our average seasons, but will vary with the conditions of the summer. From two to ten times the amount could be advantageously employed. Without a seeming, and certainly without a real extravagance, $500 might be carefully expended in fitting the bed before the front door, the erection of a small fountain with water supply from the tanks in the building, vases and fittings for choice plants, etc. There is a well near the front gate east of the walk. For this, and may be for the one east of the building, an ornamental inclosure or cover would add to the attractiveness of the grounds, besides being of real use. Two cisterns also in front might be fitted as aquaria, and at no great cost be made pleasant and instructive features. A good general collection of roses, arranged in a tasteful manner in a special bed of large size, would, perhaps, be still more appropriate and desirable. And so of many other things it would be easy to mention. But all these and similar adornments cost money and labor, both for the beginning and for the after care. The question returns and will return as often as an attempt is made to settle what shall be done: '•How much money can be spared ?" In the above estimate for plants and materials ($300 00) the outlay of money directly for them is not contemplated, but the probable cost to the University with the stock on hand and to be obtained by exchange, with the greenhouse kept in use for other purposes as well. Instead of paying the money directly for most of the plants used, it would be paid for the labor of growing them as heretofore. These things appear to me important— 1. Fixing as near as may be the expenditure. 2. Determining in a general way the work to be undertaken, by a special committee or by the Board in session, but in any case to be done at once and for the year. 3. Placing some one and one alone in charge. For the same reason as given above these grounds have been resown with blue grass, in front, end with timothy, in the rear, within the last two weeks. This was done upon the authority of the Business Agent, the Head Farmer and myself, and I hope it may meet with approval. The drain tile laid in the ditch in the rear is stopped with silt, commencing it is believed at the bridge. Will it not be advisable to refer this to the Professor of Agriculture, with instructions to repair as needed. The drain seems to be in good order above the bridge, but in times of heavy rain there is much surface washing. If a larger tile was laid this might be avoided, and would be, doubtless, the best in the end ; but a very shallow open drain seeded with grass would also, I think, answer the purpose. In this case nothing but a slight depression of the surface, so as not to interfere with travel and cultivation, is all that would seem needful or tolerable.

ORCHARD AND NURSERY AND FRUIT PLANTATIONS.

Nothing has been done upon these grounds during the winter, except arrangements for the sale of nursery stock. The older apple-trees were " c u t " last fall with the " tree digger," in an excellent manner and will be largely disposed of during the spring sales. Some of this stock will be sold to customers who come for it, but the greater part is taken by Mr. J. C. Staggs, who has been engaged in taking orders during the winter, as is customary among nurserymen. Last year, he disposed of about $400 worth and paid for it, as the money was collected by him. The same arrangement is made again, and all things considered, it is believed the best that could or can be done, though not what could be wished. His orders now are greater than those of last year. I