Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 179]

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179 The propositions made in Prof. Burrill's report in regard to sale of trees were approved, also his recommendations in regard to tree planting were adopted. The request of Mr. Parsons for certain fixtures for the book-keeping room was postponed to the June meeting. The location of the experimental pig stable was referred to Mr. Gardner and Professor Miles. The purchase of certain herd books for the Agricultural Department was ordered. Authority was given to sell two Jersey heifers. Mr. Gardner was appointed a committee to rent certain lands and collect rentals. The following resolution, presented by Mr. Flagg, was adopted:

Resolved, That the Board of Trustees have witnessed, with much gratification, the calesthenic exercises of the young ladies, under the instruction of Miss Allen, and that they strongly recommend that all the female pupils participate in these exercises.

An amount of 12.50 for piano rent for use of class in calisthenics, was ordered to be paid. Adjourned.

FARM D E P A R T M E N T . DR. J. M. GREGORY, Regent Illinois Industrial University: The following statement of transactions in the Farm Department for the quarter ending February 29,1876, is respectfully presented. The financial condition of the department is as follows : Balance due as per books of Business Agent $317 76 Receipts from sales of cattle, hay, hogs, etc 1,950 89 Total resources $2,268 65 Expenditures: Paid for wind-mill $550 00 Paid for stock cutter 441 70 Barn improvements, (materials) 54 03 Current expenses, (salaries and labor) 1,061 11 $2,106 89 Balance due the department $161 76 During the next quarter, sales may be made as follows: 33 fat steers ; 50 fat hogs ; 75 tons of h a y ; 250 bushels of rye; 250 bushels of oats; 400 bushels of wheat; 2,000 bushels of corn. One or two Jersey heifers may also be spared, and 40 or 50 Berkshire and Poland-China pigs. It is proposed to purchase one more car load of stock cattle for summer feeding. Considerable progress is being made in the collection of suitable specimens for an Agricultural Museum. Samples of corn have been procured from the different States and the Canadian Provinces to illustrate the influence of climate on varieties. The collection thus far promises to be of great interest and it is believed that no other collection will present so wide a range of localities and varieties. Quite a number of models have been made to illustrate the history of the plow. Hand huskers have been collected in considerable variety and it is hoped the collection may be still further extended. Samples of grains and other objects of interest have also been secured, thus forming a nucleus for an Agricultural Museum that should be made a prominent feature of the University. For the preservation of the specimens on hand cases with glass doors are needed. I would recommend that cases be made on the west and south sides of the agricultural class room and also on the east side as far as the chimney. Estimates of the eost of the cases will be submitted. 5' Out of the appropriation of $400, already made by the Board of Trustees for experimental purposes, I recommend the purchase of two Fairbanks scales, graduated on. the metric system, at a cost of about $60; a set of standard thermometers, for soil experiments," at a cost of about $50, and the erection of a plain board building, with board roof, for experimental pig feeding at a cost of $150 to $175. For convenience of reference in the library the 14th and 15th volumes of the American Short Horn Herd Book ; the 2nd and 3rd volumes of the Jersey Cattle Register, and the four volumes of the Short Horn Record are very much needed. The library is not well provided with the standard works on agriculture and the students are thus unable to avail themselves of an important means of instruction. M. MILES, Superintendent of Farm .Department. My class exercises the present term embraces a course of lectures (daily), to a class of sixteen, on the general principles of farm management. Have missed one exercise on account of "no fire" to warm the room.