The names and number of persons employed by the Iowa Agricultural College are as follows: A. S. WELCH, LL. D., PRESIDENT, Professor of Phychology and Philosophy of Science. Salary, $3,100. To conduct sabbath exercises two-thirds of school year. GEN. J. L. GEDDES, M. PH., VICE-PRESIDENT, Professor of Military Tactics and Engineering, Treasurer and Instructor in Salary, $1,800. Salary as Treasurer ($400), to be paid by the State. W. H. WYNN, A. M., PH. D., Professor of English Literature, and Science of Language. Salary, $1,700. To conduct sabbath exercises one-third of the school year. Prosessor of Mechanical Engineering and Superintendent of the Workshop. Professor of Mathematics and Political Economy, and Secretary of Board of Trustees. S. A. KNAPP, LL. D., Salary, $1,800. Salary as Secretary ($200), to be paid by the State. Professor of Practical and Experimental Agriculture, Superintendent of the D. S. FAIRCHILD, M. D., Salary, $2,100. Salary as Manager of Boarding Department ($300), paid from receipts of department. Professor of Pathology, Histology, and Therapeutics, and Chairman of Sani tary Committee. Salary, $500. Teacher of Instrumental and Vocal Music. Allowed the tution charged students; also a room, board, fires and lights, and incidentals during the school year for assisting in keeping order in ladies' hall. A house upon the College grounds is set aside for occupancy by the Secretary; also one for the use of the Superintendent of the Workshop. The Professor of Agriculture occupies the farm house and has the use of the furniture and utensils thereunto belonging. 6. "Said committees shall specially examine and report as to the sufficiency of the means of fire escape, in case of fire, and also as to the protection against fire." We are of opinion that the outside doors of the main building and all of the doors of buildings or rooms used as class or lecture-rooms, should either slide or open outward; this accomplished we would regard the means of escape adequate. For protection against fire, there are two large tanks constantly filled with water, in the atttic story of the main building, having hose attachments. All the various departments of this important institution were opened to our inspection. President and Mrs. Welch and their able corps of assistants were very courteous during our entire visit; they made our tour of the buildings at once pleasant and instructive by their very entertaining explanations of the methods of instruction in the different courses, at the same time affording the most ample opportunities for observation as regards the legitimate and economical use of materials furnished and the general management. We were escorted through the apartments of the main building including the chapel, where appropriate religious services are conducted every Sunday during sessions. Here, by the way, was the only glimpse we caught of anything, in doors or out, which savored in the least of the "stiffness" of "the olden times," and this consisted simply in the "long row" of high straight-back chairs upon the rostrum; passing from the chapel we were conducted into General Geddes' office, where we met that gentleman who was "busy as a bee" with his books and vouchers, solving the financial problem of a noble institution; turn we now to the spacious library upon whose shelves about six thousand carefully selected volumes are always accessible to students; from the library we "looked aloft," or, more strictly, ascended an easy flight of stairs to the fourth floor, where we were shown the museum in which are specimens of nearly all the birds to be found in the State, mounted in the best style of the taxidermist, this work having been mainly done by students. Here, also, are entomological, zoological and geological specimens in great numbers, all properly classified, and we were told that the Professor of Zoology takes his classes to this large room for lectures; descending, we leave the main building, and were shown the department of physics and the extensive philosophical and other apparatus therewith connected; passed through the chemical labratory where are desks for about one hundred students; spent a half-hour in the mechanical department and the methods of instruction in the machinist's and joiner's branches of this very important part of our industrial system, were explained. We were shown the "iron problems" which the students are required to solve at the vise and lathe, and told that in this course they are also taught to sharpen and use carpenter's and joiner's tools. This is in exact accordance with the congressional law which expressly states that the "leading object shall be to teach the branches of learning related to agriculture and the mechanic arts." We were conducted to the botanical hall, where the student is aided in the pursuit of knowledge by living and preserved specimens and also by microscopes which reveal to him the invisible in nature; were conducted to the horticultural rooms where our olfactories were regaled with the fragrance of the plants that fill the greenhouse; saw Professor Budd's collection of specimens of Iowa wood, which is instructive and valuable, illustrating, as it does, the uses to which Iowa timber may be applied as "finishing" lumber and cabinet shop stock. Strolled through the vineyard and Russian orchard, and returning watched the process of grafting and were reminded of the great value of this very simple discovery. We passed from the horticultural to the agricultural department where we were shown by its chief, Professor Knapp, almost innumerable samples of wheat, rye, barley, oats, potatoes, and grass, from Canada, Australia, China, Japan and other parts of the civilized world. Professors Budd and Knapp have brought nearly all of the habitable parts of the earth under tribute to them for specimens and samples in their special line of work. We were invited to the stock-yards, where we saw the magnificient herd of Short-Horns, Devons and imported Holsteins, all in fine condition. Our attention was drawn to the flock of eighty South-Down sheep which is led by, probably, the best buck (imported) in the State; we also saw a good herd of Poland-China swine. These yards with their superb herds and flocks, and the stable with its noticeably fine horses and colts (around all of which premises nothing seems to be allowed to go to waste), are performing a conspicuous part in the College work and will.bring good returns, too, in this institution which is so fully in sympathy with all the substantial interests of the State. Passing from the stables and stock-yards out across the lawn, which has been greatly beautified during President Welch's thirteen years continuous service, with groups of thrifty elms, ash, maple, birch, larch, Scotch and Austrain pine, fir and many other varieties, all planted by his direction and many with his own hands, we come to the building where Mrs. Welch presides over the class in domestic economy with such charming grace and womanly dignity. Here the lady stu dents are trained and taught by experiment and familiar lecture the principles and details of this too much neglected science. If the young ladies shall not become better women and mothers for their instruction here we are sure it will not be the fault of this teacher. Additional facilities are greatly needed by this institution to enable it to do its legitimate work. More boarding cottages are imperatively demanded to meet the immediate necessities. Four professors need residences that they may be on the field of service all the time. Ordinary prudence would suggest safety for valuable papers and important accounts. Contemplated experiments with cream and milk cannot be prosecuted successfully unless cold storage and a creamery shall be provided, the little cellar now used for the purpose being wholly inadequate. Your committee are of the opinion that the best interests of the State would be promoted by appropriating the full amount recommended by the Faculty and Board of Trustees. Respectfully submitted, Des Moines, Iowa, February 3, 1882. H. G. PARKER, On the part of the Senate. F. A. DUNCAN, On the part of the House. |