UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882 [PAGE 228]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1882
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222

In this connection I may refer to a suggestion which the President of the State Board of Agriculture has twice made in his annual report. It is that the Regent and Professor of Agriculture of this University be requested to prepare a text-book in elementary Agriculture for use in the Public Schools of the State. A useful treatise of this sort might be prepared. Its adoption would be problematical, peril ips doubtful. The preparation of such a boo v can hardly be deemed part of ihe duty of the officers mentioned, even if it should appear that they were or ought to be specially qualified for its execution. It would seem necessary, before such work is undertaken, that it should be done with your permission, and with a distinct understanding as to the proprietary interests which might exist in such a work when completed.

THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEEKING.

This College is under the special direction of Professors Ricker and Baker, and the Regent as Professor of Mechanical Engineering. By faithful and quiet, but persistent effort Professor Ricker has so developed the school of Architecture that it now ranks with the similar school- in Cornell University, Columbia College, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which are the recognized leaders, if not the only practical schools that teach this specialty in the United States. Its position was conceded by Professor Wm. A. Ware, who may be counted the first of American architectural instructors, after a critical examination of the methods and results of this school, given at a visit in the late vacation. If the course in Architecture should be criticized at all. it would be by saying that it is too full, and too absorbing in its interest—a condition of things which may easily be condoned, and were worthy of imitation in other quarters. Professor Ricker has be«'n fortunate for the last three years in the support of a foreman, Mr. N. S. Spencer, who has been inspired with similar vi ws of the architect's perfection. Inspection of like work done in other shops of instruction has convinced me that the product of our wood shop has no superior in the precision which is attained by the studentsunder the careful supervision they receive. Professor Baker's work in civil engineering has the same stamp of accurate and clean finish. With easy command of his students, and critical study on his own part, Professor Baker is making, year by year, a valuable record. The late unexampled increase of railroad building has led many students to seek this course, and often to seek some short and easy side-track, by which, with a little experience in the theory of instruments and a. minimum of hard work, they could get as they supposed in the Professor's good book, as next in order for a call for assistants in engineering works among the western plains and mountains. While appreciating the eagerness with which young men are looking for paying employment, and anxious to help those who are worthy of aid, Professor Baker h a s had my approval in his desire to send out only such to represent this school, as could do* so with credit—such credit as many of our men are actually earning in the field. The new instrument for higher geodetic work, a Troughten and Simm's twelve inch theodolite, ordered by you last summer, has been very lately received. We have been fortunate in securing it at a cost much less than our lowest estimate. Such examinationsas its brief time of possession allows, indicates that it is every way satisfactory, and a. most valuable addition to our engineering facilities. The efficient aid of Professor Cecil H. Peabody has added life to the instruction in mechanical engineering, while affairs at the shop have been directed by Mr. E. A. Kimball witti his well-known faithful care. The class of new students has again to be reported as an increase upon any previous number, so large, indeed, as to make proper attention to them difficult under the present arrangements. This subject has been treated in a special report, to which I ask your attention. Mr. Jerome Sondericker has improved upon the good quality of his work of last year in engineering and other exact drawing. We shall do well to retain his services as long a s possible. In addition to his drawing he has assisted Professor Shattuck in mathematics, Professor Burrill in landscape gardening, and has done service in th t Physical laboratory. The schools of Engineering and Architecture find their chief corner-stone in the pure mathematics, in which instruction has ever been ably given by Professor Shattuck. This department is not one in which any public display can ever be made, nor is it one with which the popular mind will warmly sympathize. But every scholar knows its value, as the vertebral column of an engineering course, and as affording much of the bone and sinew of any valuable instruction. For this work an abler teacher than the present incumbent is rarely found; a proposition rigorously demonstrated by the excellent results, secured.

THE COLLEGE OF NATUEAL SCIENCE.

The botanical and microscopical work continues its excellent and steady progress under Professor Burrill, who is ever surrounded by an eager company of workers. The new instrument which you ordered for the special researches of the Professor, is received, and is worthy of high praise, It fully illustrates the improvements of the compound microscope, made within late years, and is fitted with all the best devices for precision. We shall look confidently for a good report of its work under Prof. Burrill's manipulation. Mr. Rolfe has given good assistance to Prof. Burrill in the subjects of botany and entomology. The quality of the work done in the Chemical department, under Professors Weber and Scovell, has not materially changed since the new laboratory was opened. A serious criticism rests against the Chemical courses, in one respect. If one examine the records of the University he will find that of the whole number of students who go to the laboratory, about one-fourth take chemistry one term; one-fourth, two terms; one-