Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1878 [PAGE 77]

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77

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.:

The report of Prof. Morrow, herewith presented, will show the most interesting facts in connection with the college of agriculture. I would ask attention to both his and Mr. Lawrence's suggestions in regard to experiments. The farmers' institute, held in January was well attended, and seemed to be highly appreciated by those who attended its sessions. T h e desire was quite frequently expressed to have it repeated another year. ISTo compensation was promised or expected by the gentlemen who gave us lectures, but it seems just that their traveling expenses shall be refunded. I communicate herewith a list of these lecturers, with a statement of their expenses. The new experiment in elementary shop practice has been so successful that the thought has occurred to Professors Robinson and Ricker, of holding a summer session of two months, in the city of Chicago, as a means of more thoroughly advertising their respective schools. T h e great success of the mechanic arts school at the Massachusetts institute of technology, has aroused much interest in the subject over the entire country. W e have an application from Peoria, to take part in such a summer session in that city. The plan of the proposed summer session in Chicago contemplates a course of lessons in wood working, and another course in working in iron and brass. The aim of these lessons is to teach the use of all the tools necessary to produce all the varieties of forms in wood and iron ever required in ordinary structures or manufactures. In learning this use of tools, the pupil also learns to produce the forms themselves, and thus he gains in the quickest and most effective way the very alphabet of the mechanic arts. The plan has already been presented to the notice of some of the most competent judges of such matters in Chicago, and has met their warm approval. Room is offered for the school, free of rent in the exposition building. I t is proposed to charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of advertising, materials, tools and instruction. I t is asked of the trustees that they shall authorize the experiment to be made and perhaps allow the use of such tools as may be spared from the shops, the professors being responsible for their safe return in good condition. It will be necessary to provide many tools that the shop cannot supply, such as vices, lathes and sets of bench tools. The expense of these must be covered by the fees to be charged. The classes will necessarily be limited to about sixteen each, but two classes can be taught each day, one occupying three hours in the forenoon, and the other three hours in the afternoon. If authorized by the board, further inquiries will be made, and if sufficient encouragement is obtained, the necessary preparations will be made to open the school about the 20th of June. In conclusion, I respectfully refer to your consideration the petition of the professors named.

HORTICULTURAL.

The report of Prof. Burrill, to which attention is asked, gives a statement of the progress and some of the wants of the horticultural