The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-02-03
Some Reasons why our Legislator
l. Should Establish n State Board of
Agriculture.


Agriculture.
Editor Statesman
There is I'M imperative demand
and a necessity for the opening up
of new industries in our state, and
for promptly meeting the necessities
of our ever increasing home de-
mand. Ii should be the aim Of our
people to retain millions of dollars
annually sent out of the state for
products grown i'm other states,
that can be and should be grown
upon our own soil. Our soil and
climate offers every possible induce
ment for many branches of agricul-
tural, horticultural and genealogical
productions, where, at present none
are cultivated, and while in the cul-
ture of the semi-trOpical products,
we should have almost a monopoly
yet, how seldom do we find any
effort made toward their cultivation
The productive power of q state is
the true basis from which we must
estimate its value, as compared with
other states, and if there has never
been any full dev elopment how are
we to estimate? The talent and de-
veloped powers cannot be taken into
consideration. Therefore all the
talk about what we can do, or our
statements in the way of glittering
generalities, amounts to nothing
until we put our statements into the
shape of concrete exemplifications
by the products from actual cultiva-.
ton. From this we, conclude that
the true wealth of an agricultural
country can only be established on
a proper basis by the intelligent Gull
tivation of the soil
Manufactures should receive all
proper encouragement for manufac-
turers. Mechanics and commercial
men, located within or adjacent TO
agricultural communities, must, to a
certain extent be consumers of soil
products, and to that extent they
create a market. That statesman
ship is best that gives an opportunity
to honest labor in a multiplicity of in
dustries.
That state or that county is greatest
where the successful industries
are greatest, and where to the great
est extent both the necessities and
iuXuries of life are produced entirely
within themselves, where there is
something for every man 10 do and
do profitably Texas statesmen ought
to study the capabilities Off exas soil
and climate, and should, by wise
legislation, organize system where
at the present, no system exists, and
so encourage our productive indus
tries asto bring out to the greatest
extent the capabilities of our soil
and climate. Associated effort is
said to be the genius of the age in
which we live, and it is very appar-
ent that without. some legislation
that will create a central bureau for
the better organizing OF our agricnl-
tural industries, we VIII make but
slow progress in the much needed
development OF our state. While on
the other hand, by the we'll directed
efforts of such organizations that
has been used in the prOgT essivc
states of the North, the experience
and discoveries of each intelligent
farmer has been made subservient
to further the interests of all. by the
accumulation and dissemination of
facts and experiences
through the central bureau.
System las been brought out
where confusion existed. and rules
established that gave uniformity
of favorable results never before
attained. or that never could have
been reached without organized
system. AS the poet has expressed
it
Through mutual intercourse and mutual
aid
Great deeds are done ant great diseove-
ries made; a.
The wise, new wisdom ON the wise be-
stow,
But the lone toilers' thoughts come weak
and slow
Ii would be the work of state
board of agriculture TO make a
thorough and systematic organiza-
ton OF the industrial interests of
the whole state; to collect, collate
aud disseminate facts gathered from
practical experiments made and re-
peated.by practical men, and to teach
our people how to avoid unprofit-
able modes, and in what direction to
work for better remuneration for
capital and labor expended Then,
IL view of the great importance to
urfutnre. of the work to be done.
we ask from our legislators The en-
acfnlent of d law creating a state
board of agriculture, 80. ~
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