Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 177]

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The Museum also needs material in the department of Geology; particularly in specimens of the rocks and fossils of the State of Illinois. I had hoped that assistance in this direction could be secured from the very considerable quantities of duplicates in the hands of the State Geologist. I am satisfied that but little help may be expected from this quarter, and that we must rely in this respect upon our own resources, with such means as the Legislature may be willing to give us. I hope to open correspondence with parties in various sections of the State, which will result in service to the Museum. In the colleges of the University, other than that of Natural Science, already discussed, the work has been steadily maintained at the creditable standards previously secured, and need not be specially detailed. The attendance remains fairly good, the ["whole number of students thus far this year being 378. The last few weeks have brought us an unusual amount of sickness, in the epidemics of mumps, measles, and sore throats, but we have escaped any serious trouble. Some dissatisfaction exists among the students on account of the action taken concerning the property in the University printing office, and I understand that your attention will be asked in the matter. While I desire that the young men have a full hearing, I trust that the subject may be so settled as ^shall serve the .permanent good order and sound government of the University. Agreeably to instructions given at your last meeting, a bill has been prepared and presented to the Legislature now in session at Springfield, asking for the assistance needed to carry on the work of the University as now organized, for the next two years. The bill has been acted upon favorably by the committee on appropriations of the House, and waits the farther stages of legislation necessary to its passage. The sums asked are mostly such as the State has regularly appropriated, except an item for the deficit caused by the depreciation in interest. Whether the aggregate be extravagant when compared with the resources of the great State of Illinois, I will not presume to say more than this: that if the University could have the value of one fair ear of corn from each four acres of land on which corn or other grain was raised last year, the total receipts would be more than the year's appropriation asked by this bill. I present to you Prof. Morrow's report upon the farm. I would ask attention to his recommendation concerning the purchase of the nucleus of the flock of sheep. The lack of sheep has always elicited unfavorable comment, and a beginning may be made at a small outlay. The care and skill shown in the management of the iive stock results in constant and regular improvement as valuable in its educational benefits for the agricultural departments, as in the pecuniary advantages which must necessarily follow. A great variety of breeds does not seem advisable, but, on the State agricultural farm, the animals kept should be fair representatives of some choice varieties. In presenting the report of the Horticultural Department, I ask attention to Prof. Burrill's suggestions concerning the orchard. In the early days of this enterprise a large number of varieties of apples were transplanted into the tract assigned for that purpose. It was understood that much of this planting would be experimental, and that doubtless some sorts would entirely fail. In many instances this has followed. If any part of the experiment is yet incomplete, time should be taken to finish it, but trees which have died or are decided to be worthless should be removed, and the land they occupy turned over to more profitable purposes. At present the Horticultural Department has more land than it can profitably handle, and certain parts of the orchard should be cleared and given to farm crops. I regret to report that Mr. N. S. Spencer, our very efficient foreman of the carpenter shop, has tendered his resignation, to take effect at the end of the present term. Mr. Spencer is himself one of the best specimens of the products of this institution, and his absence will be a serious loss to us. Authority is asked to fill the vacancy until the end of the present college year. The detail of Lieut. Wm. T. Wood, of the 18th Infantry, U. S. A., will expire on the 1st of July next. Notice has been received from the General of the Army that Lieut. Charles McClure, of the 18th Infantry, U. S. A., has been detailed to relieve Lieut. Wood, at the time mentioned. There is every reason to expect that the assignment of Lieut. McClure, who comes from Carlinville, in this State, will bring a useful and efficient office to the University. Meanwhile it should be said of Lieut. Wood that he took command of the University Battalion under circumsrances of very peculiar difficulty, and that he has acquitted himself throughout with great good judgment and efficiency. I concur in his request for an appropriation of $30 for the purchase of a new flag for the Battalion. I ask that authority be given for the publication of the Catalogue in an edition consisting of 4,000 copies. The roof of the Mechanical buiiding leaks badly, and an appropriation of $50 is needed for.its repair. I ask that the balance of State appropriation for the laboratories be assigned to the Physical Laboratory. I recommend that $150 be assigned from the appropriations for eapinets, for provision for laboratory work in that department, and that authority be given to expend the balnce for the Museum of Natural History. Mr. Henry L. Gay offers the University a large and beautiful architectural model, now in the Exposition Building at Chicago, if the University will remove it and give it a place in its premises. A place can be assigned for it in the Engineering Museum. I would suggest that the Regent be authorized to accept the donation, and to remove it, if it be found that the expense will not exceed $100. Respectfully submitted. S. H. PEABODY, Regent.