Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 1866 [Begin page 140] State Agricultural College Feb 28 1866 Regular meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. Present Messrs Gage, Carpenter, Rich, Hosford, Abbot and the Secretary. On motion of Mr Carpenter, Mr Gage was chosen President pro.tem. The records of the last meeting were read and approved. [Com. on Employees] Resolved that President Abbot and Mr Hosford be added to the Committee on Officers and Employes [Com. on Farm] Resolved that Sanford Howard be a member of the committee on Farm Management in place of A.S. Welch, resigned The Report of the Committee on Officers and Employes was accepted and adopted. The Report is as follows: - [Steward Foreman] "Soon after the last meeting of the Board, Mr. Rockwell Steward of the Boarding Hall, and Mr Stowe Foreman of the Farm, resigned their places. The place of Steward has been filled by the appointment subject to the approval of the Board, of Mr. E.A. Sheldon at a Salary of $ 450.00 and himself and family found. Mr. E.W. Mills was in like manner appointed Foreman of the Farm at a salary of $ 400. a year, but he subsequently resigned. The Committee recommend the appoint ment of Mr E.A. Sheldon to be steward of the Boarding Hall, with at a salary at the rate of $ 450 per annum, with board of himself and family. J. Gage, Chairman The Report of Professor Prentiss, giving plans for conduct of the Horticultural Depart- ment was accepted. The Board adjourned until tomorrow [Experiments] Resolved that Dr. Kedzie make ex- periments in volatile products of manures and repeat the experiments of 1864 in hoed crops. [End page 140] [Begin page 141] [Experiments] Resolved that Professor Prentiss make experiments proposed in a paper before the Board : and also experiment to test the results of planting at various depths. Resolved that Dr. Miles make experiments with manures as proposed in a paper before the Board [Scales] Resolved that Dr. Miles be author- ized to purchase a platform scale at a cost not to exceed fifty dollars [Experiments] Resolved that Dr Miles and the Secretary prepare a plan of experiments in feeding animals. [ R ] [Manure] Resolved, that all the manure made on the Farm proper, including that made at the Horse Barn – excepting twelve loads, to be used for hot-beds, & also what may be wanted for experimental purposes – be used on the Farm; & that all the manure made upon the Horticultural Department of the Farm, including twelve loads of horse-stuble manure, be used under the di- rection of the Professor Horticulture; & that any ad- ditional quantity of manure needed for the Horticultural Department may be obtained by purchase, under the direction of the Faculty or the Board of Agriculture – [ R ] [Experiments] Resolved, that each officer conducting ex- periments by direction of the Board, make a detailed report of the proposed operations, in ad- vance, to the Faculty of the College. [Laborers] Resolved, that the Farm Superintendent be authorised to emply two hired laborers, in ad- dition to the Foreman, during the present school-year, and an additional man until the next meeting of the Board. [Lawn] Resolved, that the land on the College lawn ^ be levelled, & in the coming autumn laid down to grass, without any crop being put on it the present year, & that the drain be finished. [Funds] Resolved, that Four Thousand Dollars be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the Treasurer of the Board. [Farm Report] The Report of Dr Miles to the Faculty, on the management of the Farm, was submtited to the Board, & their action on the different portions will be found minutted in the Record of Reports in [End page 141] [Begin page 142] the Secretary.s Office at the College. [Garden Report] The Report of Professor [illegible in original] to the Faculty, on the the management of the Horticultural Department, was submitted to the Board, & their action on the different portions will be foun minuted in the Record of Re- ports in the Secretary.s Office at the College. [Accounts] The following accounts were allowed: Justus Gage, expenses attending Nov. meeting of the Board & expenses as Chairman of Committee on Employees - $49.15 David Carpenter, expenses of Nov. meeting of Board - 25.85 Thos. Rich " " " " 17.50 The Board then adjourned. Sanford Howard Secretary. [End page 142] [Begin page 143] State Agricultural College, May 23. 1866. Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. Present. His Excellence A.H. Crapo, governor of the State, Messrs [illegible in original], Gage, Prutzman, Carpenter, Rich, Hosford, Abbot, & the Secretary. Doings of last meeting, so far as recorded, read & approved. [ R ] [Forfeitures] Resolved, that the Board approve the following Rule adopted by the Faculty of the College March 19th last, amended so as to read: "The Students, leaving College without regular dismission by the Faculty, shall forfeit their unsettled accounts of labor." [Funds] Resolved, that the sum of Four Thousand Dollars be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the Treasurer of the College Board. [Tax Title] Resolved, that President Abbot investigate the tax title of J.W. Waterman to a portion of the College Farm. Mr Gage, on behalf of the Committee of the Board on Officers & Employes, submitted the following Report: [Allen, Foreman] On the resignation of R.W. Mills, A.F. Allen a graduete of this Institution, was engaged as Foreman of the Farm, subject to the approvel of the Board, on a salary of $400 per year – he to be furnished with provisions & house-rent for himself & family, - he to board the Farm & garden hands, & to have the ser- vices of one hired girl – his services to commence on the 14th of March. We further report that Mr Allen has been on duty since the 14th of March, with satisfaction to the Officers of the College. J. Gage, Chairman. The Report was accepted & adopted. [Dr Miles: Museum] Resolved that a committee of three be appointed to examine into the condition of that portion of the Museum belonging to the Dr Miles, & also to con- sider Dr Miles's proposition to sell the same. Messrs Gage, Abbot, & Hosford were ap- pointed a committee in conforming to the above Resolution. Adjourned to meet at 7 o'clk this evening. [End page 143 [Begin page 144] Met according to adjournment. [B. Hall Wagon] Resolved, that the Rule by which the Steward of of the Boarding-Hall has had the use of the one-horse wagon half a day, on Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays, be so modified as to give him the use of the wagon the whole of those days. [Stump Puller] Resolved, that Judge Wells be authorized to purchase of N. & J. Parrish, a stump-machine for the College Farm, at a sum not exceeding $130, with the priv- ilege of using the Machine on – four sections of land. [Drain Marsh] Resolved, that Dr Miles be authorized to [illegible in original] ditches so as to drain about fifty acres of the [illegible in original] Marsh, lying between Long Point & the town line. [Horse Rake] Resolved, that Dr Miles be authorized to pur- chase a Horse Rake for the use of the College Farm. Adjourned till tomorrow morning. May 24th May 24 th. The Board met according to adjourmet. A Resolution to authorize Dr Miles to expend ___ Dollars in the excavation of ditch on the south side of the College Farm, was hired on the [Table?]. [Gift of H.G. Wells] Resolved, that the thanks of this Board be tendered to the Hon. H G. Wells for his valuable & beautiful oil-paining of Fruit, the work of Miss Cornelia F. Cook, of Kalamazoo, presented by him to the State Agricultural College. The Committee appointed to examine that part of the Museum belonging to Dr Miles & to consider his proposition in regard to the sale of the same, reported, through Mr Gage, the following: [Dr Miles: Museum] Resolved, that the College purchase of Dr Miles his Museum of Natural History, provided the whole shall be by him put up & every speciman properly labelled with the name of species, locality, etc.; & that the college therefor sell & convey to Dr Miles the following described lands, to wit: - the S E ¼ of S.E. ¼ of Sec. 12; E ½ of N.E. ¼ of Sec. 12; N.W. ¼ of N.E. ¼ of Sec. 12, all in the township of Lansing, county Ingham. the consideration of said land estimated at Twelve Hundred Dollars, provided that he & his representatives assumed the responsibilities of drainage. The Report was accepted & adopted. [End page 144] [Begin page 145] [Museum] Resolved, that the President of the College be authorized to purchase bottles & alcohol to put up the specimens of Natural History purchased of Dr Miles & belonging to the College. [Laborers] Resolved, that Dr Miles be allowed to employ on the Farm, in addition to the Foreman, two men, until the next meeting of the Board. [Grades] Resolved, that Dr Miles be directed to dis- pose of any of the grade cattle on the College Farm as soon as the same can be sold to advantage. [Accounts] Accounts were allowed as follows: Aug H.G. Wells, expenses attending meetings of Board Nov 12 '65 - $24.75 Chas. Rich " " " " " Feb. '66 - 16.50 A.C. Prutzman " " " " " Nov '65 - 25.20 Justus Gage " " " " " Feb. 66 - 22.00 D. Carpenter " " " " " --------- 16.95 O Hosford " " " " " --------- 12.00 The Board then adjourned. Sanford Howard, Secretary. [End page 145] [Begin page 146] State Agricultural College, August 29. 1866. Stated time for regular meeting of the State Board of Agri culture. Not a quorum present. Secretary's Office, Lansing, August 30, '66. – Meetings of the Board: Present, Messrs Wells, Prutzman, Carpenter, Hosford, Abbot & the Secretary. Proceedings of that meeting read & approved. The Committee on Accounts made the following Report: The Committee of the Board of Agriculture on Accounts submit the following Report: [Accounts] We have examined the accounts & accompanying vouchers for bills paid by the President of the College since the date of the last published account, [to?] August 22, 1866, being for war rants from No. 478 to 604, inclusive; and recommend that they be allowed by the Board. We recommend also the allowance of bills approved by us, & more on file, viz., To John S. Kerr - $56.25 S.R. Greene - 4.00 Lansing & Sons (Garden) 9.45 " " (Farm & G.) - 10.24 " " 15.65 Grove & Whitney, bills 275.55 F. Wells 57.66 D.W. Buck - 27.50 Cannell & Edmonds - 7.30 Wm Gardner - 17.00 Cannell & Edmonds 7.52 H.G. Wells, (May meet.) 11.00 A.C. Prutzman 23.80 [illegible in original] Committee have referred a bill of John P. Miller to Dr Miles for examination; & a bill of Grove & Whitney of nine items extending back into 1864, drawn against Professor Prentiss, is referred to the Secretary for further comparison with pre- vious bills. We have approved certain bills of the Farm & Garden against the Boarding Hall, & this between the different Departments of the College, without recommendation as to the way they shall appear in the accounts of the College. D. Carpenter. A.C. Prutzman. Committee [End page 146] [Begin page 147] The Report was accepted & adopted. The following Resolutions were passed: Resolved, that the Board hold an extra Session on Tuesday, 13th of November next, at 8 o'clock A.M. at the office of the President of the College. [Outdoor Plans] Resolved, that the Superintendents of the Farm & garden be directed to submit, through the Faculty, & the Board at the November Extra Session, plans for the management of their several departments for the year 1867. [Big Marsh] Resolved, that the Superintendent of the Farm be di- rected to make a written Report to the Board at their Extra Session in November, detailing all that has been done on the Big Marsh, with items & recommendations, if any occur to him. [Wood] Resolved, that Dr Miles be directed to let a contract for cutting 150 cords of wood, the coming winter, for the use of the College. [Funds] Resolved, that the sum of Three Thousand Dollars be drawn from the Treasury of the State into the hands of the Treasurer of the Board. [Stock at Fair] Resolved, that the question of sending Stock to the State Fair, be left with Dr Miles & Secretary Howard, together with all arrangements & care of their exhibition, should an exhibition be determined on. [Well] Resolved, that Dr Kedzie be authorized to have a well dug near his house. [Salaries] Resolved, that the Salary of Professor [illegible in original] be from the first of January, 1865, at the same rate that shall be paid to Dr Miles or Dr Kedzie. Resolved, that the Salary to be paid Geo. T. Fairchild be, from, & after January first, 1865, at the same rate as shall be paid to Dr Miles or Dr Kedzie. [Fairchild] Resolved, that Geo. T. Fairchild be appointed Profes- sor of English Literature. [Abbot] Resolved, that President Abbot's professorship be changed to Professor of Mental Philosophy & Logic. [A.J. Cook] Resolved, that Abbot J. Cook be appointed Instructor in mathematics, with a Salary at the rate of One Thousand Dollars a year his appointment & Salary to date from January first, 1867, or the last Wednesday of February. at the discretion of the President [End page 147] [Begin page 148] [Wm Daniells] Resolved, that Wm. W. Daniells be appointed Assistant in Chemistry for the year 1867, with a salary of Six Hundred Dollars. [Allen, M.S.] Resolved, that the Degree of Master of Science be conferred on Albert T. Allen [Insurance] Resolved, that the President of the College be directed to renew Insurance on the Barn & Cattle-Sheds belonging to the Farm. Resolved, that the Board hold an Extra Meeting on the morning of the morning of the third day of the State Fair, in the office of the President of the State Agricultural So- ciety, at Adrian. [House Rent] Resolved, that no house rent be charged to the officers occupying the houses belonging to the College, for the year 1866. [Stock] Resolved, that the Superintendent of the Farm be directed to make a Report on the quantity & con- dition of the stock to the Board at their Extra Session in November. [W.W. Tracey] Resolved, that President Abbot be authorized to make an arrangement with student Wm W. Tracy, to act as foreman of the Garden next year, to receive therefor his board, room-rent, washing, & Ten Dollars. The Board then adjourned. Sanford Howard, Secretary. No meeting of the Board was held at Adrian, as provided by the above resolution, for the reason that no quorum was present. Sanford Howard Secretary. [End page 148] [Begin page 149] State Agricultural College, Nov. 14, 1866. Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture Present, Messrs [illegible in original], Gage, Prutzman, Carpenter, Hosford, Abbot & the Secretary. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. [Experiments] The Secretary reported a programme of exper- iments in regard to feeding sheep the coming winter. [Miles: Museum] The President of the College reported that the portion of the Museum purchased by Dr Miles is in proper condition to be made over to the College, & in reference to the same offered the following resolution: Resolved, that a deed be executed to Dr M Miles in [purusance?] of a resolution for the purchase of the Museum, passed by the Board at their meet ing in May last The resolution was adopted. [Reports] The President of the College presented the Report, of the Faculty, which was accepted. Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning Nov. 15th. _ Board met & resumed business. The report of Dr Miles, as Farm Superintendent, comprising plans for the cultivation of the Farm for 1867, on the improvements of Swamp Lands for the present year, & on the condition of the Farm Stock, also Dr Kedzie's Report on Experiments with Manures. & Prof. Prentiss's Report on the Gar- den Department, & on Experiments in the gar- den, were [severely?] read, accepted, & laid on the Table. The President of the College, in behalf of the Committee on Employe's, reported that he had executed the orders of last meeting in reference to the employment of Messrs Daniells, Cook, & Tracy. [Wood Shed] [Ice House] On motion of Mr Hosford, the question of the erection of a Wood-Shed & Ice-House was taken up. & it was agreed that they be built _ Wood-Shed to be 20 X 50 feet, 12 feet posts, the sides & ends to be boarded down [illegible in original] feet from the floor _ the Ice-House to be 20 X 20 feet, 12 feet posts; the roofs of both buildings to be shingled. Messrs, Car- [End page 149] [Begin page 150] penter & Hosford were appointed a Committee to supervise the erection of these buildings. [Estimates] Resolved, that the amount of the appropriation to be asked of the Legislature for the use of the College for the years 1857 to 1868, be $50,000. [Devon Bull] Resolved, that the Secretry & Farm Superintendent be au- thorized to purchase of John Pincombe, of [illegible in original], Canada West, the Devon bull Prince of Wales, for the sum of $400 in United States Currency, payable without interest in one year from the date of the purchase. [Address] Resolved, that the thanks of the Board be tendered to President Fairchild of Oberlin College, for his valuable Address delivered before the Board & the Officers & Students of the College, & that a copy of the address be solicited for publication Resolved, that the thanks of the Board be presented to the Musical Association of Lansing, for their agree- able performances in connection with the com- mencement services. [S.S. Rockwell] Resolved, that S.S. Rockwell be employed as Steward of the Boarding Hall for the coming year, at a salary of $500 per year, exclusive of board of himself & family _ E.A. Sheldon having resigned. [Horses] Resolved, that the Farm Superintendent have power to sell the blind horse & the black horse of the Garden teem. [Account] Resolved, that the account of D.L. Case, in behalf of the Estate of the late J.C. Bailey, of $150. for rent of the Office of the Secretary of the Board for one year, be allowed. Adjourned to meet at the call of the President & Secretary of the Board. Sanford Howard Secretary.