Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-08

such a state OF tnf.igs can, 1t ID true, De oniy
If short durs lion, even in the most proauc'
tive regiorA, and where cultures and methoos
involving large permanent investments pre-
vsil--as is the case in the vineyards, orcnaros
and irrigated lands of California-ordinary
business prudence leads men to foreSee, ana
endsavor to provide against, the inevitable
and disastrous consequences OF irfatiohal anu
exhaustive cultivation.
at ia thus that, compared with other and
much older States, California has more vital
and immediate interest in progressive and
rational acriculture-the more as her varied
climate and soils present endless and most
attractive opportunities for varied cultures and
industries. 1t is thus that the experiment
station work carried on SO far by the agEicult'
ursl Department of the University, although
yery limited in its means, has nevertheless
att acted consids rable attention. and has been
able to throw light on many important prac-
teal questions, SIS may be seen from the three
reports of work thus far published: Beside
a general investigation of the soils OF the
State OF the nature and remedies tor the
alkali' with which some regions sre tfi'cted ;
of the nature aud effects OF waters serving
or intended to serve for irrigation analysis
OF fruits. materials for sugar-makinZ, OF
grapes. wines and musts; there have been
made on the grounds Of the University ex.
tended culture experiments on the effects ct
various fertilizers aud msthods of culture on
the cereal ard forage crops, while at the same
time very large number OF new varieties OF
these have been introduced from Europe and
elsewhere, their adaptation tested, and
seed of the more promising kinds distributed
over the State. The same course has been
pursued in regard to other culture plants. and
the garden of economic PLANTS shows In &C
tual cultivation, for experiment as well as Tor
demonstration to CLASSES, most OF the I'M
portant cultivated plants capable of outdoor
culture in the coast climate. The propa2at-
ing houses, so far as their capacity allows,
show the same for plants requiring protec.
ton but here, unfortunately, the limit oil
accommodation is already reached, and the
space falls far short OF the needs OF the de-
partment, though a great deal of interesting
material is on hand. During the last two
wears large number of species OF forest
trees, from the East, Europe, Asia and Aus
tralia, have been grown from imported seed,
and some of these, with other plants, have
been distributed to Intelligent persons in
various parts OF the State for trial. The
University grounds are being utilized for the
purposes of an illustrative and experimental
arboretum, in which the adaptation OF forest
trees to the climate and practical purposes
will be tested. The investigation Of noxions
and beneficial insects. and Of the means for
REFRESHING insects and other pests-such as the
ground squirrel, for which an efficacious anti
dots has been found is also in active pro-
gress.
at is perhaps needless to discuss the util'
ity of these Investigations toward the pro-
gress OF agriculture and knowledge OF the
resources of the State, which will be farther
bxrf En N N
an agricultural map of the State, to be issued
this wear by the Census Office. The utility
would be greatly increased by the establish
ment of other experiment stations, located IN
representative localities in the several CHI
matte and soil regions of the State, where
local questions could be best investigated and
in cooperation with the central
station at the University. To some extent
this function has been performed by the intel
Iigent farmers in the various sections. But
experimental work is Of necessity expensive.
and especially SO where great variety OF op-
erations ia carried on on email scale, as is
the case at the University. The pecUniary
benefits to be expected as their ultimate out
come will be altogether outside OF the expert
mental grounds and at the present time,
the demand upon the department for intor-
nation, investigation and experiment has
completely outrnn its resources and the pro-
visions made therefor by previous Legisla-
lures. After gradual expansion OF opera
tons to o reasonably satisfactory extent in
1881, the exhaustion of funds has rendered
necessary a material and discouraging con-
traction during the present season, it being
impossible to supply the deficit out of the
diminished income of the University.
Under these circumstances, and in view
of the impending session of the Legislature,
it seems proper 10 make public statement
of the facts. for the information of all those
interested il agricultural progress, and in or.
der to elicit from them an expression of
opinion regarding the desirabilitY of continu-
ing, and if possible, expanding still further,
the work Of investigation of the agricultural
capabilities and resources of the State. 1t
has thus far been carried on under the stress
of inadequate means and appliances, largely
by voluntary or un6erpaid services. 1t can
not be indefinitely continued in this manner,
especially since the increasing interest of the
agricultural population is steadily increasing
the strain, both upon the means of the de-
partment and upon the physical endurance
OF those engaged in the work. l therefore
desire to elicit an expression of opinion upon
the subject, SO that, If acceptable, the expert
ment station work may hsreafter-whether by
legislative appropriation or private endow.
placed upon footing more ade-
quately commensurate with its magnitude
and intrinsic importance. Very respectfully,
Z. W. HnGARD,
Prof. of Agriculture University of California. ="
Governor Perkins has responded to the
foregoing as follows:
"E. W. Hilgsrd, Professor of Agriculture.
University of California-Desr Sir: [ have
the honor to acknowledge receipt Of your ex-
ceedingIy valuable and interesting commune
cation relative to increasing the usefulness Of
the Department of Agriculture of our Uni
yersity. Prominent among your many sug-
gestions, and in which, to my mind, lies the
formation of the future success of the agri-
cultural interests of California, as stated by
you, The needsof detailed knowledge Of
the agricultural features and special adapta-
tons of the State and its several agricultural
subdivisions, the experimental investigation
of the Humorous practical problems that meet
the farmers at every turn, and upon the solu-
ton of which so often depends the question
of profit or loss, success or failure. To make
vour department successful and enable il TO
carry cut the intentions of its promoters and
the desires Of the cultivators of our soils, it
is absolutely necessary that aid of substsn-
tial and lasting character should be given 1t.
The struggle to render this department. of
such utility, am sorry 70 say, mas, IL great
measure, rested in the lack of proper legisla-
tive action and an apparent apathy on the
part Of those who were most to be benefited.
1t will afford me pleasure in my closing mes
sage to the Legislature TO bring this subject
before that honorable body. In the mesn-
time, if I can in any manner be of assistance
in aiding your endeavors in promoting the
usefulness of your department, my services
are at your command Yours, respectfully,
"GEoRGE G. PERKINS, Governor"
To get an expression of the farmers of the
State and to bring that expression home to
the law-making power of the State, petition
has been presentation general circulation and
to be presented to the Legislature when as
sembled in 1888. The following is copy of
that petition.
$40 the Honorable, The Senate and Assem-
bly, of the State of California: Your petit
TONERS would respectfully direct the attention
of your honorable bodies to the following
facts, to wit That the College of Agricult-
ure, under the direction of the Professor of
i. W. Higard, has, in addition
to its educational work, rendered most val
liable services to the agricultural interests of
the State By the investigation of agricultural
and rOathoda and the conditions