Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-09-12

| may safely say that the producNVeneSS OF
| California cannot be commanded without
such system that ii is necessary to en-
able us to control droughts inplaces where
irrigation is not generally needed. Many
| systems will spring up, and in the future
| the waters of Lake Tahoe will undoubtedly
| be distributed throughout the Sacramento
I valley and the Bay counties. There will
| be local systems of reservoirs, wells and
| canals, and systems more general, of which
| | need not speak. but there will also be
special problems demanding solution, as
/ we may even now see in the valuable work
| heretofore done in this young State Many
| wells, streams and lakes will be found TO
| contain material in solution which will be
| found upon precipitation to he either very
| injurious or beneficial 10 the soil At certain
! times, rs the case may be, and must there
! fore be studied | can only suggest the
| problem, and reaSsert the proposition that
| Il comprehensive State system of agricult-
ure requires systematic irrigation.
have now outlined the numerous prob
lens, upon the solution of which depends
the future prosperity of California. Each
one of them presses upon us with nearly
equal force, and the people of this State
must see to ii that they all receive the re-
quired degree of consideration. Without q
solution, our system of agriculture must
continue 10 be fragmentary, and 10 large
extent accidental, both in methods and
results. With a Just solution will come
degree of prosperity that will place Cali
fornia in the van of all the States
| started with the proposition that it j.
our duty as nteigent, forehanded people
to establish a system of agriculture adapted
10 the wants of Il great people, and COM
mensurate with the capable opportunities
Of ra4n J, IL, .,fr,
grcsSivc development for all time To come
| then briefly enumerated the several
difficulties that lie in the way of such an
achievement and which must he sur
mounted before we can accomplish much
in the desired direction.
And | come now to the question of ways
and means. What can be done to sur
mount the abeve-namcd difficulties? In
general, | answer that in the natural course
of things a progressive people such rs ours,
will surmount the difficulties named. and
many more, as a matter of CourSc-within
the next thousand years.
But who among you IS willing to leave
the grand cOnsummation to the influences
of the general drift towards high develop
ment? Certainly not the men who, within
a period of thirty-five years, have built Il
great State For such men To discern a de-
sired end is TO act. No, delay is not for us :;
rapid execution is both our duty and To our
taste. What, then. is needed to enable us
to overcome our difficulties and establish
the desired system of agriculture?
First of all we need ledge-accurate
knowledge, knowledge that can be tried
without distrust 1t is but little use to tell
us that \. Il. succeeded in producing some
thing in a given place. What were the
conditions of his success? What was the
nature of the sOil2 The climate? What
were the conditions of moisture and cult
walton?
In short, we need experimental work of
the highest order; practical experiments
by individuals and by the State Wemust
have experimental work in the different
soils and climates. This knowledge accu-
rately aScertained must be gathered up,
sifted and preserved by the highest scientific
ability. 1t must he examined, tested until
there can be no doubt that absolute facts
have been obtained.
OF such knowledge there is but little
there must he more and from the highest
authority Obtainable. In most instances
the experiments of individuals have been
useful only TO those who conducted them.
Without such knowledge about the sew
eral matters already discussed. improve
mentS i'll agricultural methods must be
slow and exceedingly expensive. Indeed.
any kind of rational progress without such
knowledge is practically impossible. If we
are to make the progress desired the State
and nation must eXpend their money freely.
though wisely.
| cannot let this occasion pass without
calling your attention to the meagcr, and
to my thinking. parSimOnious appropra-
ton by the Legislature of this State for the
benefit of the State Agricultural Society.
In view of the acknowledged great good
that this Association has accomplished for
the State at large, in stimulating and foster
ing every vital interest and resource within
our boundaries: in quickening and en-
couraging the inventive genious of our
citizens and mechanics; in directing the
minds of our agriculturiStS breeders. arti-
sans and miners to better and improved
methods; III the reCOgnitions and suhstan-
tial reward of progress and improvement
in every direction, | must be allowed to
say that the pittance of some s. 500 per
year, ofttimeS grudgingly allowed by our
legislators, is totally and ridiculOusiv in
adequate for the bare necessities of the
case.
The Legislature of State is legally, as
well as III popular estimation, supposed to
be the true voice of the people, but may
be allowed to say, without intending any
personal offense, that in this particular
matter our Legislature is not the proper
mouthpiece of the people, and misreprc-
SentS the real sentiments of the people of
California. Ifyou will forgive the seeming
egotism, | have mingled with the people
representing every section, locality and in
terest in the State, and | know from per-
sonal knowledge whereof | speak. The
strange timidity of our legislators in deal
ir1,r
associations is in no wise justified by a
large majority of the people who send them
to the Capital of the State as their repre-
SentatiyeS. | venture the assertion boldly |
that the Legislature might quadruple the |
present appropriation, and more nearly |
represent their constituents than they do |
now, from the simple fact that all classes |
have positive and correct conviction that |
q larger return is made to the State for the |
money expended in this than in any other !
direction, and consequently it is tax that |
they willingly and cheerfully bear.
The President and Board of Directors |
feel that they have a right to ask for larger |
annual appropriations for the benefit of the |
State Agricultural Societies, not only on the |
ground that the highest good of the State !
demands it, but also upon the personal |
ground that they are the largest individual |
to this public fund for the |
advancement of public and State interests. |
| do not say it for myself, but for nv |
brother Directors that they do more work |
and at greater personal sacrifice for the |
public good than any other body of men of |
which | have any personal knowledge. |
suggest that 1t Is no mean tax that a mem |
Der pays when he cheerfully travels from |
Los Angeles county, or some other equally !
remote, at his own expense and to the neg |
lect of important private enterprises, to |
attend the frequent meetings of our State !
Board; and vet this is the mere recital of |!
fact. Have the members of this Board, |
then, a right to demand that the State
shall be equally liberal? Please bear
in mind that We are not beggars asking
aims for sweet charity's sake" but as
of public trust confided
to us, asking for the means to discharge
our duties according to the expectations
and requirements of the people.
Grain-shipperS and others seeking true in
formation in regard to the true amount of
the different crops of each year, will do
well to put themselves in communication
with the Secretary of this Board before
coming to a conclusion as to the actual
amount raised each year. The bull and
bear elements, that often work great hard
ship with many a well-regulated house,
have no standing with this Society. The
bulls we keep on exhibition at the Park
and the bears keep respectful distance in |
the mountains. Therefore, l say, without
fear of contradiction, this Society is the
place to get true information of all the
crop products of this State. Pardon me if
[ have drifted away from experimental
farming or. as the Rev Henry Ward |