The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-20

given amount Of material, and in general the
economic use OF materials, as TO give the struct-
ure the necessary strength without the waste at
tending the use OF super6uous material
Five hours per week, for eight weeks, is de-
voted to the calculation of the size of parts sof
machinery to the manner of arranging shops,
the means OF transmitting power over both short
and long distances, and to the solution of the
miscellaneous problems constantly arising before
the mechanical engineer.
Ten hours per week. for thirty-fve weeks is
given to machine design and experimental work
in engineering. Throughout the senior year the
students devote two hours daily to practical
work. They design some machine in detail, first
ing shapes and sizes of the different parts, and
finally making complete working drawings, just
as such work would be done by an engineer in
the active pursuit.of his profession Under the
head or experimental work students determine
the efficiency. of steam engines, boilers and
pumps, or'make some original investigation con-
corning the strength of materials some other
subject OF Importance to the engineer.
What becomes of all the work2 you ask. 1t
goes to the mechanical museum, at the colleg O.;
and here, also, are placed the best workmanship
OF classes In the carpenter and machineshops,
the foundry and the model-room--the best diplo.
ma student can have
There is also the school of industrial art, en-
braciug object-drawing in outline, light, and
shade. and color drawing Of plans, elevations and
=
modelling In clay, plaster stone and iron-in
casting-and decorative designing. The speci-
mems saw OF scroll and carved work, drawings
for and by designs were very perfect, and skill
fully done-the work chiefly of young ladies,
who largely compose this department, the walls
of which the students have embossed with their
trophies. Here architecture, drawing and sculp-
ture are incrusted in the solidity of the Dorie,
the elegance of the Ionic and the sumptuous
beauty of the Corinthian order.
What an elegant ministry to society, not by
the professional brush of the painter, but by the
fingers and palm Of the hand of our own loved
ones, whom we have led along from infancy to
womanhood, that now in its development needs
but touch the intellectual to find an expression
of beauty in decorative art
The laboratory has its compliment It sug-
gested to me that philosophy and theology had
recently had tussel, and stood off as mani
fest destiny. The pungent fumes of the chemi-
calls led me to believe that here, too, practical
nstruction-probably application-has been re-
ceived by the student of the properties and uses
of chemicals, their force and agency, to arrest,
or retard, or stimulate him as the fruitage Of
science.
The geological cabinet, museum and library
are adjuncts to the course of instruction. Every
''ology" embraced in the school of science, nee
essary to the orthodox American. is taught and
illustrated. In fact, the student can't escape
rich harvest If he will only SOW his hours with
study. As an aid to botany, as well az other
studies large, we'll stocked greenhouse, with
plants, bushes and scions of superior stock, is
another special feature here. Tests and expert
ments are made of plants, many of which pos
seSs medicinal properties, and their use, charac-
teristics, propagation and conditions become the
study for practical knowledge in agriculture.
The symmetrical shaped, and cone tipped ever
green hedges, fringing the many winding walks
and drives. with lawns so thickly matted with
blue grass that the step becomes elastic, makes
this feature an inviting one to the student, who
seldom leaves the grounds for recreation. Under
the management of practical florist, who has
acres to draw from of pine, spruce, Ar larch,
birch, hemlock and other trees of the setting
made by some wise head when the first building
of the college was built, and with rare flowers
the product Of their greenhouse the grounds
will present spot of unrivaled beauty.
Aside from the six large college buildings,
viz: The university hall containing the
chapel, two society halls, museums. library and
recitation rooms; a boys dormitory with
for ninety students; a
building used for young ladies' dormitory a
dining-hall and the art department.; chem
ical and physical laboratory; Agricultural
Hall, containing recitation rooms, An agricultural
and the agricultural experiment labora-
tories; a mechanics hail. including ma
chine shop, forge shop, foundry, wood working
shop, with commodious draughting and recita-
ton rooms, there is the boiler and eas-house,
where al the heat is generated, and all the gas
made for every building and room the
grounds.
In addition to these buildings there is another
Military Hall. The instruction in military
tactics under Professor Stahl, through the or
ganization of company OF students differed
among themselves is an important factor in
young mans lfe The training and exercise he
gets is not only conducive TO health, but he
quires methods of order and precision He
learns what it is to be prompt, and the value of
time in being prompt. The rough corners are
dressed off, and the ''go-as-you please" style is
changed. and dropped for the dignifed manner
~ and manly bearing of the gentleman. The
military salute" is the usual method of recogni-
ton among them It's rest to get into an at
mosphere where you meet the absence of such
salusations as Hello, "How are you," "Mornin',
john" The stranger would think he'd run in
bell, he would see those same boys in their work
ing suits, going to shop, foundry forge or lathe,
and then he'd conclude he was lost.
l mingled pretty freely with the boys. They
took pride in saying there was no swearing, no
drinking, no idlng among the students. They
seem to have eyes to see, ears to hear and
mouths to speak only as they are taught by their
preceptors. And mouths to eat they have. and
for this great privilege they pay, at the boarding
hall, on the grounds, only 81 90 per week, less
than some of rs have paid for a single meal and
not whit better than they have set before them
twenty-one times every week for that sum, each
meal par excellence.
To few men in Indiana is the State indebted
for Purdue University. The law permits each
county to be represented there by two represent
atives free from tuition and other incidental ex-
penses. thus enabling the young man to receive
an education--the practical part only of which
have outlned-for less than $125 per year.
When I consider the advantages that await
our sons and daughters at this institution,
supposing always the present or its equal, corps
of instructors-hard to find believe-will ever
be part of it, / do not marvel at an increase of
fifty at this term; and as it becomes known
throughout our land, only. will marvel then if
there shall be found room for the thousand or
more who shall yearly knock for admission to
Purdue University. Because feel that the peo-
pie of Indiana do not know as much as they
should of this college, l have written this letter
without the knowledge of any one, and because
further, from a sense Of duty that prompts me,
as we'll as the pride feel rs father whose son
is student in Purdue University.
OLIVER NJ WILSON