Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 156]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

154

EEPOET OF HOETICULTUEAL DEPAETMENT.

ILLINOIS INDUSTRIAL UNIVEESITY,

UEBANA, I I I . , December 14, 1878.

Br. J. M. Gregory, Regent Illinois Industrial University: SIE: I respectfully submit the following report of the Horticultural Department for the year ending December 1,1878. I also append a report from Mr. Lawrence, Foreman. T. J. BURRILL, Professor of Botany and Agriculture.

GEEENHOUSE.

The greenhouse and its contents are now in good condition, and give promise of continuing so during the winter, whatever the weather may prove to be. Settlement has been reached between the contractors for the brick work and Mr. Spence, without loss or inconvenience to the University. * During the past summer the iron pipes for the hot water burst in numerous instances at the joints, and gave much trouble and caused considerable expense in refitting and repairing. The cause of this difficulty is still unknown, except that it was due to the force exerted by the swelling of the packing material. The pipes were made by J. Mott, of New York, who has gained the reputation of manufacturing the best in the country; and the packing material is claimed to be the same as that in common use, consisting of iron filings and other substances, causing the former to rust. This pipe and the rust joint was agreed upon in the contract with Mr. Excel, who put in the heating apparatus. The first break occurred after the fire went out in the spring. It has been claimed that the disaster is in part due to the leaking of water from the pipes, but it is the custom of some to withdraw the water entirely during the summer from the same pipe with the same packing in the joints. It has also been suggested that the proportions of the material -msed for packing may have caused the trouble, but it would seem that however slow the rustin , the result would ultimately be the same. An occasional joint has been known to break elsewhere, but no such general difficulty has been heard of. The repair has been made by cutting off the broken part and substituting other pieces, mostly much stronger than the previous ones, and by putting around those not yet cracked, a strong iron band. Advantage has been taken of the disjointing of the pipes to make some changes, which the experience of last year suggested, so that the working of the apparatus is now considerably improved, and it is believed to be durable. Mr. Excel did the work of repairing—the other expenses fall upon the Department. The garden connected with the greenhouse is now in good order for next year's use—its value having been very evident during the past summer, though the management was for the future good rather than for the time.

BUILDINGS AND GEOUNDS.

The lawn mowers, one horse, and one hand machine, aided greatly in keepingthe grass in good order. The appearance during the year, of the lawn and trees, was considerably better than ever before. The latter have made good growth, but they would be improved by receiving, this winter, a top dressing of well decomposed manure. The Maples on Green street were so treated during the summer. The flower beds made a very effective display; some of them were very brilliant during the whole season. The grading around the new Chemical laboratory is completed, having been done under the superintendence of Mr. S. Brown, as directed by Mr. Gardener. The seeding has been delayed until the surface may may be considered permanent by the settling of the earth. As the walks and drives will have to be excavated somewhat, these have also been left for future construction. A bridge over the creek in the aboretum has been constructed, and the roadway graded.

OECHAED.

Very little fruit was obtained from the apple orchard, andbutfew specimens from the small amount produced were perfectly sound. Other orchards in the vicinity, with rare exceptions, did but little if any better, but many others do present a better appearance in the uniformity and healthfulness of the trees. It cannot be expected that a thousand varie-