Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 11]

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14

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

The U. S. War Department has detailed to be instructor of military tactics at this place, Second Lieut. H. Sargent, 2d Cavalry, and he has reported for duty. Mr. D. H. Barrett, who was appointed second assistant in the chemical laboratory, has resigned to take employment as chemist with the New York, Lake Erie and Western Eailway. I ask authority to employ a proper person in his place. I have to report on the repairs and improvements ordered to be made during the vacation, as follows: The change of stairways at the chemical laboratory is not yet completed; the stone work is done, but the wood work is not yet in place. The iron ventilating tubes, connecting the class rooms of each floor with the main ventilating shafts, are in place, and the plastering has been replaced in the halls. The work in the main shafts is not yet finished. The veranda floor in the south court of main building has been relaid and painted, at cost of $73.19. The sum appropriated was $125. A little work on the brick foundation remains to be done. The repairs on the room in the basement, to fit it for Prof. Burrill's use, are nearly completed, an d will be finished within the appropriation of $150. The blinds in zoological laboratory have been placed for the sum appropriated, $100. The iron railing for balcony in library and stairs leading thereto, are finished. Cost $141.65; appropriation, $150. The vacation gives the only time available for overhauling and refitting the boilers for heating the main building." They were found to be in worse condition than was expected, and repairs were made and new tubes put in place, costing $193.65, for which an appropriation is asked. I ask an appropriation of $30 for repair of band instruments and for purchase of new music for the band. I ask that the usual committee be authorized to purchase books and publications, using the State appropriation of $1,500 as follows: For binding, not to exceed $200. For periodicals, not to exceed $300. For purchase of new books the balance of the appropriation. I recommend the following use of the State appropriation for cabinets: For case of drawers in Prof. Rolfe's room to contain duplicate specimens of geology, $50. For additional work on the herbarium, $100. And that the Regent and the Curator of the Museum have authority to expend the balance of the appropriation for such objects of natural history as may be found desirable. I haye not found opportunity to visit and inspect the University's lands in Minnesota as requested by you at your last meeting. If you still desire that service, the appropriations therefor for expenses should be renewed. Respectfully submitted, S. H. PEABODY.

Professor Morrow submitted his report, which was received and ordered on file:

UNIVERSITY, CHAMPAIGN, 111., September, 1886.

Dr. S. II. Peabody, Regent: During the last three months operations on the University farms have progressed satisfactorily, •with slight exceptions. While more rain would have been desirable, the weather has been fairlyfavorable for the crops, and unusually so for work. The hay crop was an average one in yield, and except a few tons was secured in good condition, amounting to about 225 tons. The oats crop, although somewhat injured by wind storms, gave over 45 bushels per acre by '"machine measure," the crop aggregating a little jver 1,600 bushels. The trial plats of wheat gave good yields. The corn crop promises to be fully equal to that of last year, is in good condition and more t h a n usually well matured. The pastures have kept in good condition, notwithstanding the dry weather. The public sale of Shorthorn cattle, in June last, was largely attended and the prices were moderately satisfactory. The aggregate of sales was a little over $2,500 (most purchasers giving notes). The pure bred cattle gave an average price of $84.28. We are now feeding thirty-six young steers and two or three cows for sale this fall. An excellent Shorthorn bull, of the Rose of Sharon family, has been purchased. A bull calf from one of the Hoi stein-Friesian cows recently purchased, has been exchanged for a well-bred yearling bull of that breed. During the present week we expect to sow about thirty acres to wheat in further trial of a considerable number of varieties. The land will also be seeded to timothy. At the recent county fair specimens of our cattle of various breeds, and of varieties of corn, small grains and grasses were exhibited.