Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 168]

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THE SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

This subject, referred by you to the Regent and Faculty at your last meeting, was carefully considered by them. Their report was transmitted to the Executive Committee, a s you directed. Seven former students and two new ones appeared in this term who might nave been counted as members of this school; all of them have been fully occupied with other subjects, in the absence of instruction in tnat specialty. Instruction in Calisthenics has been continued during the term under the satisfactory leadership of Mrs. M. S„ Scovell, a graduate of the University, who has also discharged some of the duties of a Preceptress.

ACCOMMODATION OF STUDENTS.

The uninhabitable condition of the large Dormitory, requiring those formerly housed within i s walls to seek accommodation elsewhere, caused some anxiety lest students might And it difficult to secure suitable lodgings. Notice was published asking the citizens of Urbana and Champaign to inform the Business Agent of their willingness to take students into their houses, and a very general response was made. After the term was fairly opened it appeared that only about one-fourth of the rooms offered had been occupied. Two cottages, owned by the University, were refitted, and the rooms in them were offered at low rates; most of them were taken, and yet there -have always been one or more vacant. The number of houses open to students in the immediate vicinity of the University has been somewhat increased. It is believed that fair accommodation, as much as may be required, may always be found. The demand will bring forth an adequate supply.. If :these views are correct, large public dormitories are not necessary t o our success. Such buildings have always conditions of evil which seem to me greatly to over-balance any compensating good. It is true that the lodgings which students find are not always all th it could be desired, yet they are homes; students are scattered; certain safeguards are about them, and restraints upon them which can be found only in private families. As to the disposition to be made of the Dormitory building, I shall not presume t o advise farther then to remind yoa that in its present condition it is a constant menace, and that some mischievous or malicious person may save; you the trouble of farther debate.

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

I transmit to you the annual and final report of Mr. E. L. Lawrence, the retiring headfarmer, with the aocompanying documents. Mr. Lawrence's administration of the farm appears to have been eminently successful financially and worthy of generous acknowledgment. I respectfully suggest that as Prof. Morrow is expected to occupy the farm-house, a definite arrangement in detail be made with him as to the terms of the occupancy and of the use which he may be expected to make of the proceeds of the farm. I know that Prof. Morrow particularly desires that such a definite understanding should be had. Prof. Morrow asks that authority be given for holding the usual Agricultural Institute at the University, in the last part of January; that a sum not exceeding $100 may be used! to pay expenses of advertising the meeting, and expenses of persons invited to assist; that young men. farmers and others interested, may be permitted to attend, during J a n uary, the lectures of the College of Agriculture, and to use the Library, without examination or fee. He asks that authority may be given him, with the concurrence of the Regent and the Farm Committee, to employ a suitable man as foreman of the farm, and that an appropriation be made for his payment. A foreman will be needed before the next meeting of the Board. He renews the suggestion that a laborer's cottage should be built in the vicinity of the farm-house, at an early date. Some repairs are needed on the farm-house itself. Some fifty cows, pure and grade Short-horns and Jerseys, are now on the farm, some of which will be in milk before your next meeting. Prof. Morrow believes that he could render good service, pecuniarily and experimentally, if permitted to engage in butter making. The Professor is known in the dairying circles of this State and Wisconsin as a person of information and authority on this subject, and the suggestion is worthy of serious consideration. In all the above requests of Prof. Morrow, I concur. Mr. Lawrence presents an account for extra services during the year 1874. Being entirely ignorant of the facts, I submit it to you without comment. The Agricultural and Chemical departments have conducted a series of experiments upon the growth of sorghum and the extraction of sugar, which have been crowned with notable success, and they must result in great benefit to this industry, and reflect credit upon the University. The account of this work was received with satisfaction by a recent convention of sugar-growers and makers at Springfield, by whom steps will be taken for extending and perfecting scientific knowledge on this subject. The success already achieved here, leads the convention to designate this as the place at which they wish farther work to be done. Prof. Burrill's report on the condition of the Horticultural Department, is transmitted. I concur in its recommendations.