Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 229]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

WHEREAS, This object is exactly similar to t h a t of the "Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations," except t h a t this Association seeks to promote t h e interests of the mechanical parts of the A. and M. colleges, while the former aims to advance the interests of t h e agricultural side, and WHEREAS, The expenses of this last named Association are paid by t h e colleges represented; therefore be it Besolved, T h a t this Association does not see any reason for any discrimination; and be it further Besolved, T h a t the Secretary be instructed to send a letter, in t h e name of t h e Council, to each Board of Control, addressed to the presidents of the colleges, requesting an expression of opinion on the question as to whether the Board would be disposed to pay the necessary expenses incurred by its representative in attending meetings of this Association. In accordance with the above, gentlemen, we very respectfully await your reply, and, in the interest of modern technical education, sincerely trust t h a t it may be in the affirmative. Respectfully yours, on behalf of the Council,

A. J. W I E C H A R D T , Secretary.

The subjoined communication from Professor Morrow is presented for such action as seems to you wise:

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, May 11, 1892.

Dr. T. J. Burrill, Acting Begent, D E A R SIR : Acceptance of the leave of absence for thirty days granted me will prevent my making the usual quarterly report immediately preceding t h e June meeting of the Board of Trustees. A t this date the work on the farms is as well advanced as could be expected in view of the unusually unfavorable weather. With favorable weather from this date, I anticipate little loss from t h e late planting, necessary for the corn crop. The most discouraging feature of the outlook is the almost unprecedently bad condition of the cattle market. The purpose is to reduce somewhat the herds on the farms during the present season. The conclusion is more and more firmly fixed t h a t our hope of any considerable increase in the number of students in the College of Agriculture must come from an increased interest in the shorter courses offered in this college. Even were such an increase secured, it would remain true t h a t a considerable part of the time and thought of the professor of agriculture may most wisely be given to the work of the Experiment Station, and to lecturing or addresses at agricultural meetings of various kinds in the state. Part of the work of instruction here can well be done by a competent assistant. Mr. F. D. Gardner, the Assistant Agriculturist of t h e Experiment Station, could do this work well. I t would be manifestly improper, if this arrangement should be made, t h a t all his salary should be paid from the Station funds. If the present policy, which I think wise, of having the professor of agriculture also act as an agriculturist to t h e Station, be continued, it would be equitable that a considerable part of his salary should be paid from the Station funds. I would respectfully recommend t h a t Mr. F. D. Gardner be appointed assistant in agriculture in the College of Agriculture, and t h a t such portion of his present salary as may be thought proper be paid from the University funds. I have no doubt the Board of Direction of the Experiment Station would recommend t h a t at least an equal amount of the salary of the professor of agriculture be paid as agriculturist of the Station, in addition to the nominal sum now paid.