The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-22
AGRICULTURAL EXPERT
MENT STATIONS.

MENT STATIONS.
SO far as we are aware, compara-
lively little attention, at least when
we consider the expanse Of this con-
tin2nt and the magnitude Of our
agricultural interests, has been pald
hv our people to this great scientl-
tic, practical subject. There is no
need OF our attempting, even II We
were able. to wIite lcarnedly con-
corning it now. 1t belongs almost
exclusively to the domain Of the
chemical professor. But there are
certain common sense suggestions
growing out of it which the most
ignorant %laF|orer may study with
profit. Germany, hat greatest Ct
al modern empires, sets lis an cx-
ample in the work of advancing
agricultural knowledge, as she does
in military c II and political
economy, which We would do well
to ponder. In 1874, she had forty
of these experiment stations. They
were not confined either to a barren
analysis of the soils. Thirteen
were devoted to animal physiology,
twenty to vegetable physiology, five
were employed with the investiga-
tions of chemistry and physics Of
the soil, four looked to grape cul-
ture and the production Of wine,
while others were devoted to agri-
cultural technology. And the best
of all is, these stations are not sine
cures, to keep lazy officials IN idle
ness and ease. They are schools Of
discipline, laboratories Of science,
filled with brain work and practi-
cal, earnest experience. They Gov
er the whole field Of agricultural
research, furnishing instant, eX-
detrimental knowledge to every en-
quirer after truth.
We have been thinking Of late Of
the measure of interest taken BY
the American nation in this and
kindred enterprises. SO far as we
are Informed, that interest is very
small. The Government itself
should establish Experimental Sta
tons IN every Congressional Dis
trict in the land. This country
seems always to have a scientific
hobby. At II time, it is the dis
coyery of the North Pole. Alamo
ther time, it IS the solution of some
difficulty with the starry heavens.
And then, it is the tides and eur
rents Of the atmosphere. Money
has been freely spent to establish
signal stations along the coast. We
have no objection to this. The
vast interests Of commerce. the Sc
curlty of our merchant marine. and
above all, the priceless interests of
human life, require this. But we
should like to see the government
earnestly taking hold Of the bur
"
dens Of the farmer, helping him to
mature his frey crop, ministerine
to his necessities and wants. and
showing him the way to prosperity
and influence, North Carolina has
proven herself wise, just and gen
erous, III dealing with these mat
tiers. She recognizes the potency
OF the soil III the DEVELOPMENT Of
her future. She knows that her
scholars, mechanics and UradesnIen
can never make her rich. They
may give her fame. and bring her t
literary and political power. Buther
bank deposits must be digged out
Of the earth. Hence she has been
prompt, to contribute of her means.
as poor as she IS, to help the cause
of the farmer.
Some plain, sensible reasons NAV
be stated here, going to show the
absolute necessity and the wonder
full thoroughness of these expert
ment stations III the work of the
farm. 1t is said that, in Germany