Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 214]

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University has practical merit. A detailed statement of this experiment in feeding will find its appropriate place in your published reports. The same class of experiments will be continued. The Dairy House and Farm Cottage ordered by you in June, are finished and occupied. A report on their construction will be given elsewhere. The Dairy House has begun to be a source of profit, and will give us opportunity for careful observation and experiment which will not be neglected. It may properly be added to the list of laboratories which are already notable features of our industrial work. The Piggery as ordered last year was to be made of wood,—but finding that we had an abundant supply of old bricks which could be put in place at still less cost, and to better purpose, change of material was made, which will doubtless meet your approval. The Annual Agricultural Institute will be held at the University in the last week of January, from the 24th to the 27th inclusive. The programme promises to maintain the interest of former years. The usual appropriation of $100 is asked to defray necessary expenses. Prof. Morrow asks that the apparatus used in conducting experiments on sorghumsugar, consisting of a crushing mill, evaporating pan, etc., hitherto furnished at the expense of the Agricultural Department, be transferred to the department of Chemistry. It seems quite proper that all the expense of that investigation should be borne by the department which has conducted it. I cordially concur in the expression of thanks which Professor Morrow desires me to express through you to the chairman of the Farm Committee, Mr. Scott, whose counsels and co-operation have so materially aided in the management of the farm affairs.

HOETICULTUEAL, D EPAETMENT.

For an account of the work in this department, I refer you to the report of Prof, Burrill, herewith submitted. I call your attention to his suggestions concerning the employment of assistance in this department for the coming year. In this connection, I desire to express my opinion that this University ought to possess a Plant House which shall be larger, more varied in its capacity, and in all respects of equipment and maintenance more nearly on the plane of the other laboratories of the University. Such a house should give opportunity for variety of temperature, moisture and exposure which do not now exist. Its botanical range should be greatly enlarged. At the same time the room for propagation of plants for sale might be attended, so that this department may have a chance to make itself self-supporting which does not now exist. Prof. Burrill desires to know your wishes as to whether this department of the work of the Green House should be made more prominent than heretofore. The Architectural and Mechanical Departments have been fully occupied since commencement with the repairs and improvements ordered by you. The Architectural shop has been charged with the structure of the new buildings, and the wood-work has been done by it. The farm cottage, placed south of the barn on the Experimental farm, and on the cemetery road, is of brick, 24 by 30 feet, with attic and a good cellar. The walls, windows, doors and frame work are made with material from the old dormitory. The house has three rooms with pantry and closets on the ground floor, and two rooms in the attic. The Dairy House is 15 feet by 30; its floor is depressed three feet below the surface of the ground to secure greater evenness of temperature. It stands near the farm house and north of the barn, which will shelter it considerably from the summer's sun. It has been constructed chiefly of old material. The Boiler House is 31 by 80 feet—and 14 feet in height of wall. Its north end forms the south side of the quadrangle of the main building. Its floor is depressed four feet below the surface, and is covered with concrete. The first six feet of its walls are of rough rubble laid in cement: the remainder of the walls is of old brick surfaced with new. The roof is of matched flooring covered with metallic shingles. The interior is divided equally by a partition. The north end contains two Root boilers, which furnish steam for the main building through a six inch pipe. The capacity of the two boilers is 75 horse power each. Space remains for a third boiler, when it shall be removed from the Chemical building. The room also contains a small high pressure boiler, and the steam-pump, heater, etc. The south end has an estimated capacity of receiving 250 tons of coal. The boiler flues are taken about 60 feet under ground to the chimney, which is placed south of the east wing of the main building, and as near as the foundations would permit. The foundation is twelve feet square, and is ten feet below the surface of the ground. With the first ten feet of the chimney above ground the foundation is of rough stone masonry laid in cement. The remainder of the chimney is of brick, and is circular above the octagonal stone base. The work has been excellently done. The scaffolding was placed inside the chimney and when removed the interior surface was smoothly plastered with lime and salt. The draft proves to be all that could be desired. The season was so far advanced before this work was done that it was not thought best to attempt the removal of the boiler from the Chemical building, which is therefore deferred to the future. One of the boilers in the new house is new, taking the place of a condemned boiler from the basement of the main building. Thus far one of the boilers supplies abundant steam, and it is hoped that the second boiler in reserve will give us such power of warming the building in extreme cold weather as has never before been enjoyed. The area of the quadrangle has been neatly graded, and such walks and approaches have been made about the boiler house as are required for delivery of coal and other purposes. All the exterior wood and iron work of the main building has been thoroughly painted. The best lead and oil was purchased, and the work has been done under constant and