Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-20
A GOOD PLAN.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STATION AT
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
Any Quantity of Reasons in Favor of
the Enterprise-Its Value to Southern
California.

There seems to be no good argument
that can be advanced against the prop
osition of having the federal government
start an agricultural experimental sta
ton at the Soldiers Home, near Santa
Monica, and numerous reasons, anyone
of which is in itself almost sufficient, in
favor of the plan.
1t is stated that the managers of the
home will donate all the land and water
needed if the department OF agriculture
will carry on the work.
The value of such station to South
ern California can hardly be overesti-
mated. The experimental work
done IN other parts of the
union has but little value
to the ranchers of this section, because
here all the conditions of agricultural
and horticultural work are essentially
different from those existing in any
other section. There will constantly be
new questions arising concerning the
peculiar products of Southern Califor-
MIA which cannot be solved elsewhere.
The orange, fig, prune, olive, grape
lemon, lime, cannot be studied else
where, and no one will deny that their
study by experts will result in valuable
practical benefit to growers. The fruits
and vegetables common to all parts of
the country are grown here under totally
different conditions, at different seasons,
and by different methods existing else
where. The knowledge of strawberry
culture received by experience on New
York state strawberry farm would be of
little benefit to the grower of the same
fruit along the foothills in the Cahuen-
ga, or in the upper San Gabriel valley.
The same fact applies to the culture of
grain, vegetables, fruits, in fact all pro-
ducts of the soil in ''our Italy"
The art of irrigation as applied to diff
ferent products is another matter which
needs investigation, and which could
not be better studied than at station
where its effects as applied to all the
varieties of vegetation being observed,
could be noted.
Another feature favorable to the plan
is the fact that the home itself would
furnish market for the surplus pro-
ducts grown at the station, and the labor
would be furnished by the veterans, who
would thus be enabled to acquire little
money at a pleasant occupation.
Not the least feature of the plan is it's
esthetic possibilities. 1t is known to be
the intention Of the board of managers,
as we'll as that of the energetic local
member, Major George II. Bonebrake. to
make the 600 acres surrounding the
home, park for Los Angeles, a park
which shall become famous for its ex-
ceptional beauty and the completeness
of its exposition of all beautiful things
that grow.
An experimental station as a part of
such park would be a remarkable at
traction to simply the seeker for
beauty and matters of interest, and of
absorbing interest to students.
If it is possible for the managers to
set apart the necessary land and water,
the HERALD hopes the department OF
agriculture will establish the station.
The project is one which will need push
ing by those who are influential with
the powers that be. To those who in
terest themselves in advancing the plan
the people will be thankful.