Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 208]

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Wide circulation has been given to announcement of the facilities offered to students of agriculture during the Winter term, and it is hoped a considerable number may avail themselves of these facilities. Arrangements are in progress for the usual Farmers' Institute, or Agricultural Lecture Course, which it is purposed to hold from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 1884. I take pleasure in acknowledging the hearty interest and frequent assistance given by yourself and the chairman of the farm committee of the Board of Trustees. Respectfully submitted, G. E. MORROW, Professor of Agriculture.

On motion, Mr. Eastman of Iowa was requested to appear before the Board, in order to submit proposition for lease or purchase of Nebraska lands. This offer was as follows: 1st. To lease for 5 or 10 years, on same plan as adopted by the State of Iowa. 2d. The sum of $8 per acre, 25 per cent, cash; £ in 2 years, \ in three years and \ in 4 years with 7 per cent, interest payable annually. On motion of Mr. Bennett, the propositions were rejected. Prof. Burrill submitted the following report from Horticultural Department, which was read and received:

ABSTRACT OF REPORT FROM HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

The work of the season has been made as complete as the funds permitted, and besides the remunerative labor, considerable attention was paid to cleaning up the old nursery site and to the trees in the forest-tree plantation and orchard. From the latter many dead and dying trees have been removed, though numerous unsound ones still remain. The fruit this year from the experimental orchard gives further evidence of the fact that so far as quality is concerned we have a number of varieties, not known in the ordinary orchards of the country, which are of high rank. But there is yet no evidence that there is any one kind among.them all superior or even equal to the best kinds of commonly planted, when productiveness, season of maturing, hardiness, etc., are considered. It appears pretty clear also that the use of evergreen shelter belts distributed through the orchard is not of marked value. At least no difference can be made out as to the bad effects of cold on account of the shelter thus offered. A considerable number of observations upon the so-called annular rings of growth have been made on the trees of the orchard and forest-tree plantation. In some cases these rings are less in number than the known number of years attained by the trees, in fewer instances there are more rings than the number of years elapsed. An attempt is also made to compare the growth with the meteorological characteristics of the seasons since the trees were planted. The grapes (fruit) were nearly all killed by the frost in May, and the products from the small fruits generally were reduced at least one-half by the same cause. These plantations are now apparently in good order for fruitfulness another year. All added information upon the blight of pear and apple trees confirms the previously reported conclusions that bacteria are the direct and active agents in this disease. Attention has been paid to the question as to whether any want of or excess of nutritive substances in the soil has any connection with the development of the malady. As far as proof can be attained within the time, the possibility of saving trees, by cutting away infected parts, has been demonstrated. Examinations need to be made at least once every two weeks during the growing season, and especially careful in July and August. A photograph recently made, presented herewith, shows a pear tree thus saved after many of the larger limbs had been infected one year from inoculations. Another tree of the same kind, similarly diseased, but not pruned, is now entirely dead. When examinations are made, the chief attention is given to the appearance of the bark where blight first appears. It will not answer to depend upon the discoloration of the leaves, for this takes place later, often by weeks or months. Care is especially taken to really remove all the parts infected and to prevent contamination by the pruning implements. Wounds are covered by linseed-oil paint. Mr. Gustave Klingenspor entered upon the duties of gardener last January, having been employed for one year. 1 recommend that he be reemployed at same salary, with the understanding that his term of service may terminate at any time after three months' notice has been given by either party. The green house and its contents are now in better condition than for some time past—due mostly to Mr. Klingenspor's work and suggestions. A new water neater was purchased of J. D. Carmody, of Evansville, Ind. This gives excellent satisfaction as far as tried.