Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 78]

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PKOCEEDINGS OF BOAKD OF TEUSTEES.

THE TESTING LABORATORY.

81

The new testing machine is now nearly equipped for work. By an inexpensive attachment, we are able to operate a mercury column for testing steam and water gauges up to 250 pounds pressure. While the machine and its adjuncts will be open to all instructors in the college of engineers, as a means of illustrating such subjects in any of their courses as may require such means of demonstration,, it naturally comes under the special care of the professor of mechanical engineering. Frequent inquiries have been made already by outside parties who desire to have tests made. It is proposed, if the authority of the trustees be granted, to undertake such tests, at fixed and reasonable prices, the proceeds to be paid into the University, and used, under the authority of the Trustees, for keeping the apparatus in repair, and possibly of extending the equipment hereafter.

T H E OLD F A R M H O U S E

on the south, or Busey farm, was destroyed by fire on the night of Saturday, December 3d. The fire appears to have been wholly accidental, probably caused by a defect in a chimney. The house was occupied by a workman on the farm, who, with his wife and three children, escaped, but lost furniture and clothing. What may need to be done by way of rebuilding permanently will be a subject of careful consideration, perhaps calling for legislative aid. It appears to be required, by the amount and kind of property that the University has at the south barn, that some person or persons should be always in its vicinity. I can not think it would be prudent to have a place provided in the barn itself where men could use fire and lights. It appears to me desirable that a cheap, temporary house should be made, where one or two of the laborers can stay as a protection to the barn and stock. The cost should not be great, and the lumber conld subsequently be used in a more permanent structure. The hose, cart, etc., ordered at the last meeting, have been obtained and are ready for use. The enclosure in which it is to be kept is not quite finished, but all will be completed within the amount appropriated. Pursuant to your authority, the sidewalk on Green street in front of the new lots has been laid, at a cosi of $51.42. The two bulletins of the agricultural department have been issued, 2,000 copies each; at a cost of $60.40. The fence on west side of north campus has been built, but not painted. Its cost, $224.50, has exceeded the allowance, which was $200, and it yet requires painting at a cost estimated at $50. It may be said that the original estimate for fence to enclose four sides of the campus was $685, and that each of the longer sides is rather more than one-third the whole distance. The conveniences for washing at the machine shops are inadequate. I ask leave to construct a new sink, with water laid on, having room for 20 at once, at a cost not to exceed $30, to be paid out of State appropriations for the shops. Also for leave to procure— For For For For For For For For For From State appropriations for apparatus and material: new desks in projection drawing and architectural rooms case to hold n.odels, mechanical class room case in Profeseor Pickard's room sundry apparatus for physical laboratory From State appropriation for cabinets: continuing the work of labeling fossils, etc expenses in getting geological specimens from Springfield boxes, etc., to contain collections of fungi cases to contain glass models of invertebrates rearranging birds to occupy less room, and for case to contain display of insects $ 7 5 CM> 40 00 15 00 100 00 100 00 15 00 30 00 40 00 60 00

I present the annual report from the farm, with its balance sheet. The year, as is well known, has not been prosperous for farmers, particularly on account of the severe drought of the summer. The crops secured and sales made are not materially different from last year, but a careful economy in making purchases and in expense for labor, has left a considerably better balance than was then shown. I also present the annual report of the horticultural department. Would it not be well that both these reports be brought up to the 1st of January, so that they can be more appropriately included in the general report of the business of the University, which is now expected at the annual meeting in March ? i present the report from the State Laboratory of Natural History, and concur in the request that the current quarterly appropriations be made for the support of that department, together with authority to use the whole of the sum appropriated for that department for books. Respectfully submitted, S. H. PEABODY, Regent.