Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 402]

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History University of Illinois

(Agricultural and animal) and the professor of Botany could cooperate with such a professorship without further details—In short the said farm should be but one grand Museum for the farmer and the gardener to which all around and every passing traveler should feel impelled to call—and bid freely welcome— Hence all parts of the premises should at all times be freely accessible from the front gate and from no other point—except that a ride way around the outside of the whole would be desirable— As to set and formal lectures as many ought to be given as is needed—But if in connexion with a College probably most of the lectures would be given by inviting the students during their hours of recreation to call and see the actual practical operation of all peculiar and interesting modes processes arts machines animals etc—and after a little I presume they would not object to a free walk into the fruit yard—a part of which at least should be devoted exclusively to their benefit and free use— But not to pursue this further— How shall such a professor be supported—f I am of the opinion that he would be able to support himself after littleLet him purchase the farm himself and put the buildings fences etc on it according to his own notion—While he was doing this and arranging his affairs he would have to struggle hard with much to do and little to show but his bills of expense— But when this was done I am inclined to think that the above farm managed as it ought to be would afford an abundant living for a family over and above all expenses, experiments etc. For first the experiments should all be on a small and cheap scale until they promised an income—then and then only should they be enlarged—and a mans good judgment on this point would be among the first proofs of his practical fitness for his place— And this is the reason also why I would put no public funds into the professors hands (certainly none beyond the original outfit) to squander in day dreaming and absurb speculations. I would have every new experiment bear directly on his own private purse so that it might be made economically as well as carefully— You may say this would defeat all experimenting But I think not