National Republican., 1883-11-27
BEFORE THE CHANGERS.
Speech Of Hon. George B. LOring, Commits
sionsr Of Agriculture.
Tho Cultivation OF the Soil Deemed
Worthy OF Mans Bcst Faculties.


The commissioner was introduced TO the
grange by Master Woodman, and spoke for an
hour and quarter the interesting address
being most attentively listened to and we'll
received.
Commissioner Loring discussed the oondi-
tion of American agriculture and tho proper
methods of investigating various scientific
problems that belong to It, The rapid growth
of agriculture, and of every other industry in
this country, during tho last twenty-five
years has filed the world with astonishment.
In agriculture especially the growth has been
very surprising, and accounts for that vast
domestic and foreign commerce, out Of which
has grown SO much of our financial success
Taking the single decade between 1870 and
$780, we may learn what can be accomplished
in that period Of time by q people constantly
increasing in numbers and occupying new
lands. In 1870 the amount of cotton pro-
duced was 4,352,000 bales; in 1880, moro
than 100000 bales. In 1870 tho'amount of
Indian corn raised was 760000,000 bushels,
and in 1880 754,000,000 bushels. In 1870
the wheat grown was 2S7,745, 900 bushels, and
in 1880 459, ,667, 900 bushels. In 1870 tho oats
produced amounted to 2S2000,000 bushels,
and in 1880 407, $50 900 bushels. The increase
In agricultural products was 100 per cont. in
ten years; and from 1879 to 1880, in addition
to this vast increase. our cattle export rose
from $13,00oO00 to $14,0O0,0O0; corn export
from $43,000,000 to $50,000,000; wheat from
$167, 100000 to $190,O00,000; flour from $685.
100000 TO $45,000,0 900; cotton from 5000, ,S52,-
900 to $2i5, ,534, 900; beef from $7,000.000 to
$12,000,000 lard from $2s,000,000 to
$35, 100000; and the growth of manu-
factures in that time was equally aston
ishing. The amount of cotton used in
1880 was 739,240,00o pounds; the number
of persons employed was 1S1,62S, and the
80 s,,x, ,,
than 1925, 100000. The wooden manufactures
also increased largely; so of silk, shoe and
leather. iron, and steel. OF the latter, in
1860 the number of tons produced in 1880
was 1885, 900, the capital invested was $780,
971, 200, the number of hands employed 140,-
97S, and the value Of products $296, ,557, 900.
The aggregate annual product of manufactur-
ing and mechanical industries is now more
than $4,000, 100000, of which less than $780,
100000 are exported. The aggregate annual
product of agriculture is $9000,000,00O, of
which less than 10 per cent. is exported. OF
$4,000, 100000 produced by our industries
nearly $13,000000,0 1000 is consumed at home
In accordance with these facts the law of
agriculture in this country. is the
tho local markets and the cultiva-
tion of lands lying near that market. That
law, which is now circumscribed, will ere
long be universal; and the trade of this home
market, not only in crops raised in the i'm
mediate vicinity, but in the staples of the
remoter regions, is immense. New England,
for instance, requires 20,000,000 bushels Of
wheat annually, and raises only 1850, 900;
New York requires 30,O00,000, and grows
about 100000 bushels. OF the demand
for all agricultural products it is very diff
cult to estimate the amount, but for domestic
fruits alone, New York city has a. trade of
more than 100000 annually; Chicago for
an equal amount; and there is no doubt that
the amount produced and consumed
$20O,Oo0,0OO This condition of affairs
in the hands Of free and educated people
provides them not only with general pros
pority, but with that social enjoyment also
upon which their happiness largely depends.
1t removes them from the-isolatian Of farm
life incident to sparsely settled regions, ana
places within their reach the lyceuifi, library,
and easy and convenient intercourse with
their fellow men. The comfort and adorn-
ment OF their homes are increased, and all
this accounts for the tendency of the rural
population in some sections of the country to
abandon the exhausted farms and seek lands
nearer populous market. The effect of all
this, moreover, is to arose the American mind
to unusual activity, and to give especial
force TO the declaration made by the
presiding officer of this meeting in his
opening address, that the agricultural colleges
and experiment stations were especial objects
of caro- with this order. He recognizes.
moreover, that the time for careless and loose
agricultural investigation is over, and that now
the demand is great for careful and accurate
scientific exploration into tho laws and facts
Of farming. Primitive methods of farming
belong to those regions which are remote
from the market; but when this Introductory
work is over. more carefully organized work
begins, and thorough scientific Investigation,
and the establishment of scientific systems is
strongly required. Misapplied labor, q waste
ful and inappropriate use of fertilizers, an
unwise selection of animals, inudicious
choice of crops, unsuccessful manipula-
tion OF tho land-all stand in the
way OF farming as profitable and satisfactory
business. Mismanagement, even when in
dustriously conducted, is as fatal to success
as indolence and idleness. Misdirected zeal
and enthusiasm are more Improbable than
Indifference, because moro extravagant and
expensive and this Is the temptation which
surrounds the farmer who has entered upon
an elaborate system of farming. The busy
and enterprising culuivator. however, who
exercises that Judgment which guides to
success completes his old work before he en-
ters upon tho new, and in doing this he is
governed by the best laws which experience
and wise investigation have provided, leav-
ing the unsuccessful and unfortunate to
every fancy which holds out a hope,
and TO live in expectation of
that prosperity and wealth, which efficiency,
industry, and good Judgement alone can give.
Sound science alone can help him in this
work. pretender is as dangerous to him
ms fire, and flood, and falling market. That
so-called science which calls upon the imagi-
nation for itS facts, and Is satisfied with the
non.essential conclusion drawn from the be-
wildering accumulation of non essential
facts is fatal to many; and while
the development of agriculture has
thus far been largely in the hands
of those who have been practically engaged
IN u, and every great agricultural country
has discovered through its practical men the
best method OF raising crops to which it is
peculiarly adapted, the time has now arrived
when further investigation must be placed in
tho hands of the best investigators those
who labor not to defend theory, but to es-
tablish fact. In those countries where
schoolsIand stations arc we'll managed this
law has been discovered and followed, and to
the accomplished and well educated scientist
alone belongs the work of teaching and ex.
perimonting. In this country we arc supplied
with tho means Of following this example
through the agricultural colleges in many OF
the states, and tharei is opportunitv
therefore for reliable Investigation and
experimentation something moro
than a repetition OF well known facts or
statement OF theories that are of no possible
value. In this work our agricultural colleges
may bo made most useful, and congratulate
your order that your presiding officer has de-
ciarod that; There should be at least one
independent agricultural college amply en-
dowed and literally sustained in every state"
aud that TO aid and encourage tho establish
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