Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-14

of this the farmer cannot afford 10 take his
ease and reap what is in sight. He must
demand of the soil, and compel it to yield
to the demand by the use of fertilizers,
and the employment of all approved
agencies to that end. He should have q
thorough knowledge of the whole art and
science of agriculture in aE its varied
branches. he must know the very beet
methods of developing from seed and soil
the maximum of value; be able to de-
termine the defects of soil, and supply
what food the plant may need. Hence he
should be an agricultural chemist, and
upon the Importance of this branch OF
scientific education the orator dwells with
much urgency. Il determines faults and
points out remedies it settles doubts as
to the needs and extent of irrigation it
acouaints us with the fittest food for each
of the useful plants it informs us as to
the physical conditions of the soil in short
the time has gone by when agricultural
chemistry is regarded as an innovation,
best friend. The application Mr.. Scott
makes of these truths is to impress upon
the farming people of the country the ad-
vantages offered them by the educational
systems of the State, and especially those
Of the State University, the doors of which
stand wide open inviting all to partake Of
its benefits. By the course of collegiate
education it offers freely to the children of
farmers, the possibilities OF agricultural
chemistry are enlarged and brought into
practice upon the farms of California. A
collegiate course, he holds, better fits one
for the performance of all the duties of
life. 1t is popular error to suppose that
it fills the student with impracticable no.
tions if there is such development, the
fault will be found to be inherent in the
individual. The speaker then continues in
defense OF higher education, and the grow
ing need for it as the State progresses. and
then passes to the consideration of what
constitutes the practical man. He holds
that he is practical in the true sense, who,
possessing fair abilities, by observation and
the study of science and art, is enabled to
utilize the forces and materials Of nature so
as to secure the maximum of results at the
minimum of cost. The achievements of
success are attained, he declares, for the
most part by those who understand the
relation of things, and hence seldom err
in their deductions from any given
state OF facts. Not the least forci-
BILE part of the address, is that wherein
the orator urges upon parents the necessity
of given to their children trades and pro-
fessions fitted to their talents and capaci.
ties, and here he again refers to the use-
fulness of our University in determining
this question of adaptability. The entire
effort may be reckoned warm defense of
university courses as a means for fitting
youth for the practical details of life. In
this defense We note that he makes no ref
erence whatever to q classical course, but
dwells wholly upon the value of mechanical
and scientific instruction. 1t is scarcely
needed that these truths should require
defense, but SO long as there is abroad the
idea that a university course is antag-
onistic to practical engagement in the
walks of agriculture and mechanics, it is
well that such expositions of the true re.
lation of knowledge to labor should be
made. Mr.. Scott's protest and appeal,
therefore, are wise, and should command
thoughtful reflection on the parts of me-
chanios and agriculturists of the land.
The means for higher education are theirs,
the institutions of the State are theirs,
and if they neglect the advantages offered
their children, the fault must also be etheirs'