for railroad cars, and hard-wood lumber for many other useful purposes, that ought to be grown near the place of manufacture. To bring these useful trees within the bounds of culture and to utilize them, is one of the objects of this industrial institu: on. To teach the people of the State how to add these products of the forest to th r otr crops, and thus add millions of dollars annually to the wealth of the State, to give labor a wider range and a more comprehensive field for its employment, are objects worthy of such an institution. Thousands of acres of timber can be planted in shelter belts, to check the winds that comes down from the north, with its polar cold, destroying the plants that the genial summer, fanned with the breath of the tropics, has made to flourish on our open plains. Wall in these prairies of central and northern Illinois with belts of conifers and decideous trees and we shall have one of the best of climates; gen 1 and equable, and with the best soil in the Union, with a ge graphical position midway between the two oceans, over which must pass a large part of the commerce of the world, and if we are not laggards in the world's progress we may reap from such surroundings a rich reward. The Committee have divided these thirty species of useful forest trees into three classes, according to their supposed value for the demands of commerce and for domesti use. In the first class they include the European Larch, Austrian Pine and Norway S ruce, native trees of Europe, and the Osage Orange, native of the Southwestern States. In the second and third class, White Willow, a native of Europe; Black Spruce and Norway Pine, natives of the more Northern States. Thus making up the list with four European, three of other States and twenty-three species from the forests of Illinois. Our other native trees of minor importance will find a place in the arboretum, where those of other sections of this Continent and of Europe may be tested side by side. It is probable that among them may be found many of value. The ten acres reserved for a commercial garden and grounds-for the testing of new varieties of plants-for comparing and further testing of old ones for the proving of new modes of culture and the testing of new implements, cannot fail of proving useful, especially to those students who remain at the University during the spring and summer occupied in some "industrial avocation." As the larger part of this plot of ground will be devoted to a market garden it is hoped that it will prove to be a paying investment. We recommend the planting of an osage hedge around the two hundred acres embraced in the plat. We recommend that so much of lot Y as is suitable for the purpose be planted to an experimental orchard of the apple; two trees of each variety; the rows to run North and South, twenty-four feet wide, and the trees twenty-five in the rows; the trees in each tenth row to consist of Norway spruce. In this connection we also recommend that the offer of A. M. Lawyer for duplicates of his collection of varieties, be accepted, and the proper order drawn for the amount. We also recommend that there be an additional experimental orchard of twenty acres, to be located on the stock farm, (Busy farm), for the testing of varieties of the peach, pear, plum, cherry, quince, apricot, nectarine-two trees of each variety, to be planted in rows sixteen by sixteen feet, with every tenth row running North and South to be planted with Norway spruce. Pears to be both standard and dwarf; one half of the dwarf pears to be planted eight feet in the row, thus: 8 by 16 feet. The relative value of standard quince stock to be tested with same varieties, both as regards market value and quality. Cherries to be tried on Morello, Mazzard and Mahaleb stocks. The whole to be surrounded with a double row of Norway spruce, set eight feet apart. The site selected to be the highest point, or points, best adapted to the purpose. Also, one acre of vineyard, two plants of a variety, and so planted as to test the relative value of different modes of training and pruning. Also, that lot B of the plat, containing one acre, be devoted to the testing of new varieties of the small fruits. It is probable that at some future time it may be found advisable to extend the plantation of small fruits for market, for the purpose of giving employment to those students who may, in accordance with the law, desire to remain in the University. We also recommend the formation of an arboretum, to be located North of the new street that is located East and West on the forty acre tract, to contain about ten acres, and marked on the plat "W." So far as practicable to make the same ornamental, on the ground plan of a park, for the use of the University, and the citizens of Urbana and Champaign. Shelter belt of two rows of trees, the one sixteen feet inside of the hedge and the other eight feet therefrom, and trees eight feet in the rows, as follows: From 1 to 2, 80 rods European Larch. Y, enclosure for apples, about 43 acres. " Z, one acre for gardener's residence. &, two acres for Superintendent's house and outbuildings. Avenue 1 to 12, 80 feet. The White Pine, Austrian Pine, Norway Spruce and Hemlock to be planted 8 by 8 feet; all others 4 by 4 feet. The former requiring 680 trees to the acre, and the latter 2,720. The above distances to be varied to some extent by way of experiment, to ascertain, by actual trial, the most proper distances for the planting of the several species. ESTIMATE OF FUNDS REQUIRED. Trees, Nuts and Seeds for Forest Grounds $2,000 1,200 500 2,000 18 8,000 500 2,000 We would recommend that the Legislature of the State be asked to make an appropriation of eleven thousand dollars a year, for two years, for the above purpose. B. PULLEN, M. D. DUNLAP, W. C. FLAGG. Dr. W. Kile, of Paris, Edgar county, having been appointed by the Governor to the place made vacant by the death of Mr. Geo. Harding, appeared in his seat, and the usual oath was administered to him by Judge Cunningham. The treasurer, J. W. Bunn, read statement of sale of scrip, and the manner in which the funds have been invested. Referred to committee on Finance. On motion of Mr. Burchard, the account of balance left in the hands of the Regent was referred to the auditing committee, and he further moved that all of the accounts be referred to the same committee. The following resolution was then offered: Resolved, That the committee on Library be instructed to obtain a policy or policies of insurance on the library, instruments, apparatus in the University building, and on all farming implements, and on the buildings in which said implements are housed or stored-to be insured at the full value, or as near thereto as practicable; and the amount sufficient to pay such premiums as may be required is hereby appropriated, and the Regent is instructed to draw a warrant for the same. Carried. Mr. Edwards presented the following resolution : Resolved, That we recognize it as a duty of the Board of Trustee to make this University pre-eminently a practical school of Agriculture and the Mechanic arts. After discussion, Mr. Cunningham moved to amend, by adding after "arts "the following words, "not excluding other scientifical and classical studies." Pending the discussion which followed, the Regent announced that the students were assembled in the Chapel, and a recess was taken to enable the Trustees to inspect them. Upon re-assembling, after further discussion, the yeas and nays being called, it was passed as amended by the following vote: Yeas-Allen, Blackburn, Brown of Chicago, Brown of Pulaski, |