Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1890 [PAGE 189]

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192

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

horticulture, under the direction of t h e professors of agriculture and horticulture, and experiments in feeding animals of different ages a n d development, upon the various kinds of food. In common with similar d e p a r t m e n t s in t h e several agricultural colleges of t h e country, it a t t e m p t s t o create positive knowledge t o w a r d s t h e development of an agricultural science. Surveying and drainage are illustrated by field practice, with instruments and by models. Agricultural chemistry is pursued in connection with l a b o r a t o r y practice, in t h e analysis of soils, fertilizers, foods, etc. The college h a s fine collections of soils, seeds, plants, implements, skeletons of domestic animals, charts, and other a p p a r a t u s , including a large number of models of agricultural machinery. Upon the grounds devoted t o the use of the college there are: A very large specimen apple orchard, planted in 1869, and originally containing a b o u t 1,000 varieties—many varieties of pears, cherries, grapes, and small fruits. A forest tree p l a n t a t i o n , embracing the m o s t useful kinds of timber. An arboretum, in which all h a r d y indigenous and exotic trees are planted as fast as they can be secured, and which now cont a i n s nearly 100 varieties. The o r n a m e n t a l grounds which surround t h e University building contain a b o u t twenty acres, and are kept in n e a t and a t t r a c t i v e style. These, with all t h e adjuncts of trees and flowering shrubs, lawns, beds of flowers and foliage plants, walks of different materials and styles of laying out, give illustration t o t h e class-room work in landscape gardening. A greenhouse contains a collection of plants of g r e a t value for t h e classes in floriculture and landscape gardening, besides furnishing students with practice in greenhouse management. The cabinet contains a series of colored plaster-casts of fruits prepared a t the University; models of fruits and flowers by Auzoux, of Paris; collections of seeds of native and exotic plants; of specimens of native and foreign woods; of beneficial and injurious insects, and specimens showing their work; numerous dry and alcoholic specimens and preparations; maps, charts, diag r a m s , drawings, etc. The college has a supply of compound microscopes and appar a t u s , and students have o p p o r t u n i t y t o learn their use, and t o make practical investigations with them. The herbarium is rich in specimens of useful and noxious plants, including m a n y of t h e fungous parasites which cause disease t o cultivated crops.

AGRICULTURAL COURSE.

Bequiredfor the degree of B. S., in College of Agriculture,

FIRST YEAR.

1. Elements of Agriculture: Chemistry; Trigonometry; Shop practice (optional).