Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 203]

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The sales of Short-horns and Jerseys are as follows: December 1—Short-horn bull calf 1—Jersey " " January 1—Short-horn " " February 1—Jersey " " March 1—Short-horn ' ' yearling July— 1—Jersey bull for beef November 4—Cows " 1-Short-horn bull calf 1— " yearling heifer Total $50 00 44 00 50 00 30 00 75 00 2140 148 20 60 00 40 00 $518 60

The item of department credits, Horticultural Department, $415 35, is made as follows: $200 is-charged (by agreement) for services of Head * armer in this department in superintending the work, making sales, etc., and the balance is for work of men and teams. By reference to my report to Prof. Burrill, it will be seen that there is a small balance of profits to the credit of this department in the year's work. For an account of the expenses of the year, see paper marked "0." The item for fence-wire and posts was for the Griggs Farm, for the fence. Aside from the items of repairs here shown, there has been 140 rods of fence made over. The cash expense comes under the head of hardware, which was for barbs, wire, staples, nails, etc. Under the head of repairs, there was a well dug at the stock farm house, costing, with pump, brick, etc., $45. The total cost of repairs in cash and labor is $158 38. We had always been troubled for water for the house on the stock farm, having previously dug two wells that had failed. In the last one dug we had 7 feet of water at the dryest time. For balance sheet, see paper marked "D." For cost of permanent improvements, see paper marked "E." The paving of barn yard was done one year ago this month. I am satisfied with the outlay, and would recommend that two more car loads of stone chips be purchased, to continue this work. The tile draining was done partly with the tile left over from last year. This accounts for the small cost. We have but little more of this to do till outlets can be obtained on the lands of others. I discovered, early in the summer, that we were likely to be short of water on the stock farm for the stock there kept, and asked leave of Mr. Gardner to construct another syphon. His reply was: "Go ahead; I like to see the water run." I estimated the cost at $75. We went to work and put it in, the length of pipe being 1,000 feet. This would run about two days and then stop, and required about 15 minutes time to take the air out from the summit. In October we took most of the pipe up, and added 200 feet to it, and laid it around, instead of over the hill. It is now perfect and runs continuously, and I think at this time would supply 500 head of cattle. The last expense amounted to $35, and the whole to $119.28. I think it worth $500 more than a well with wind mill, and costs much less. The well from which the water is taken is practicably inexhaustable. The syphon put in last year, during a part of August and September, on account of the water failing in the well, was useless. Since the rains it is doing good service, and has not required a minute's time in six or more weeks. For inventory of salable property see paper marked "F." Cattle and hogs are put in about the same as last year. Timothy hay is counted worth $8—50 tons was sold for that price, to be taken from the barn at no expense to us. The balance could be sold for more. Last year corn was counted worth 25 cents, this being 10 cents below the price of May corn in Chicago. It is now 34 cents, and 13 cents below the price of May corn. Oats at 28 cents; I have been offered 31% cents. Last year, by instruction from Mr. Pickrell, I put the blooded stock in at cost, with the cost of keep added, and whatever was received from sales, etc., was deducted. I have done the same this year. See paper "G." As far as profits go, the same feed and care given to steers would have produced a better showing. I think it will be apparent to all why this account is kept as it is. Beferring again to the balance sheet "D," the item of teams and tools is made by deducting $100 from the last year's inventory for loss on teams, and $50 for loss on tools, and adding $16 for a new plow added to tools. It is the aim to supply the place of H11 small tools that may fail, to keep all in good repair, and it is thought that facts can be best shown by estimating the loss on the whole rather than to undertake a new enumeration each year. With the teams the same is true. We have the same teams as one year ago— in fact nearly the same as nine years ago. Last year teams were shrunk $50; this year $100. I ask for leave to dispose of a team now about 25 years old and to purchase something to fill the place. My idea would be to get a good pair of mares that we could breed from when thought desirable. For detailed account of teams and tools see inventory book accompanying this report. The balance, $4,507.53, shows the profits of the farm for the year. The balance, $4,791.65, shows the accumulated balance, and is verified by comparison with the books of the Business Agent. I herewith present (as published in the Champaign County Gazette) the result of an experiment in corn-growing: