Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 94]

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94

DECEMBER 16, 1874. The Board assembled at 9 o'clock. Prof. Webb's request for sundry needs in the Engineering Department, was referred to the Regent and Business Agent, with power to act, an4 an appropriation of $20 was granted. Mr. D. Gardner made a report in regard to certain bills to the amount of $140 72, due Mr. Peacock, of Champaign ; in accordance with his recommendation the bill was audited and ordered to be paid. The request of Judge Cunningham, for exchange of securities, not granted. The account of Judge Cunningham for services, was referred to Mr. Gardner to settle. The report of Head Farmer Lawrence was read and accepted. He was authorized to sell certain blooded stock recommended in his report.

To EMORY COBB, ESQ., President of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University : SIR—I herewith present a statement of the operations of the Agricultural Department for the nine months ending November 30, 1874. In doing this I find it necessary to pass over a report made Sept. 1, as at that time the crops were in such a state that it was necessary to make estimates, rather than to state facts, which could not be ascertained, and go back to the annual report of March 1. It may be well, in passing, to state where the difference is which makes this statement of profits vary from the estimated profits of the last report. In the report of September I estimated 68 steers to be worth $4,000. To make this amount, I allowed that 35 head then ready for market would bring 6% cents a pound in Chicago. The second week in September the cattle were ready and the price satisfactory, but as our county fair was in operation, I could not leave. The week after, desiring to go to the State fair, the cattle were neglected, and the next week the market broke and has not-yet recovered. I sold, October 2, for 6 cents. This accounts for $110 of the difference. The remainder, $127 44 will have to be accounted for by the crop of corn not coming up to my expectations. I am able to report a balance of profits on every crop raised, a^WtmiBvery operation except a loss of about $80 in grass seed sown, all of which was lost. This loss does not show itself in this repoit, but will have more of an influence on next year. For an account of the expenses of the year, see paper marked " B . " The item of " Cost of labor and board, §2,445 84." seems large, but nearly half that amount comes oack in " Credits from other departments." For statements in detail of expenses, see vouchers on file in the Business Agent's office and numbered from 1 to inclusive. For an account of sales and credits see paper marked " B." The credit from other departments has not all been audited by the Board, only that made up to Sept. 1. The items to make this amount will be laid before you. In the report of September 1, permanent improvements were accounted for to the amount of $568 34. At that time a voucher for $59 80 was overlooked, this was for lumber. It is now added. For a description of improvements since added see paper marked " C " All the improvements have been made on the Experimental Farm. It will be seen that $75 is allowed for seeding pasture. Ordinarily this should come under the head of current expenses, but as there was no grass on the Experimental Farm, from which a profit could be made this year, a fair statement of the the year's profit could not be made by leaving this out. It must be classed the same as the fencing. The pasture was seeded in the spring to timothy and clover, which failed, in September timothy and rye were sown. Nine hundred dollars is charged for care and keeping of the blooded stock. This is in accordance with an agreement made three years ago. That this stock was to be kept and the wages of one man allowed to care for them, and the department was to have credit for what they consumed, &c. $12 was paid for advertising the Ayrshires for sale, and about $6 for halters and bull rings. The receipts from the stock has been as follows : From sale of Devon calf $40 00 Short-horn cow 200 00 " Ayrshires 250 00 From premiums 66 00 '' Bull service, cash 36 50 credits 150 00 Total $742 50 Of this amount $592 50 has been received and paid over, but is charged back to the department in the account shown on the paper marked " A " and the amount of $150 is shown in the inventoryon one side and charged back with the other.