Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-11
Practical knowledge for Farmers.


Theory and practice in farming often run
counter to each other. Theory is good, as it
is the result Of thought and reason, but prac-
tice is better because It is the result of actual
experiment. General practice, however,
sometimes has neither good theory nor expert
ment to support It. but is in opposition to
both. BY this we mean that it is often found
that farmers Of q whole section are following
certain practices merely because their fathers
did. when both reason and experiment would
teach them better. As rule, farmers are
among the most conservative people we have,
and this arises from the fact that they are
more isolated from each other and from the
centers Of population than the generality Of
tradespeople and mechanics. Hence we find
them following, more than any other classes,
in the footsteps Of their forefathers, or
running IN the grooves of those
that have gone before them. For
these reasons the practices of the farmers
generally are slower in changing and agficult-
ural improvements are. generally behind
those Of other industries. Before the begin
ming Of the present century the agriculture
Of the world had remained almost stationary
since the historic period. Thousands Of years
had passed away ard great advancement had
been made in many Of the arts and sciences,
but the art and science Of agriculture had re-
manned unchanged The innovations and
improvements in agricultural practices since
that time are traceable to the organization Of
agricultural associations more than to any
other or all other causes. These associations
have seemed to bring farmers together face to
face, to excite in them desire to improve
and spirit OF emulation. The fairs which
have been intreduced have been from the be-
ginning up to the present time among the
most efficient mems yet discovered for i'm
parting practical Information, not only to
farmers, but to all other classes Of producers.
Since the original introduction Of fairs they
have changed very much in character. They
were originally more Of the nature of markets
than of fairs as they are now conducted. We
find the original style Of fairs still in existence
among the least enlightened and least civil
lied nations. Even among the wandering
and savage tribes of Africa they have their
stated days for meeting and exchange of goods
and the common necesssries of life. On these
days they also have their rude games and
amusemsnts, such as running, wrestling.
jumping, practicing with bow and arrow,
etc From these rudimental beginnings
our present County, District State Ma
tional and Worlds Fairs have grown up.
While the markets of the few tribes brought
together from twenty to fifty people, and
served as practical schools for this number,
the fairs of the present day bring together
from one thousand to million of people at
the same time. While the lessons that could
be learned from the original exhibitions of the
productions of primitive skill were limited in
number and of the simplest order, those which
are now brought out are unlimited as to
number and variety, and involve the highest
and best application of all that is known of
the arts and sciences. Some of the best and
most valuable improvements Of agricultural
and mining machinery have grown out Of
necessities arising in the pursuance of these
Industries in California within the last twenty
years. Indeed, the world has advanced more
in practical knowledge in many of the arts
and sciences within the last twenty years