The record-union., 1893-02-04

prosperity, and where abounds the wealth
OF soll and consequent variety OF products,
as does California: and wherein the text
books used in our public schools are ed
tied and published under direction OF the
State Government, we are at a loss to un-
derstand why there is not separate
treatise on soil culture among the studies
prescribed for use in the schools of this
State.
There should be such study directly
upon soil cultivation and products OF Cal
llornla in daily use in our schools, that
the rudiments of this great industry may
become lnstilled in the minds OF our
coming men and women.
In horticulture alone there is years of
study Tor the eX pert. SO in other branches
OF this, California's greatest interest, there
Is TO be found ample room for study and at
the same time to tamiliarize and interest
the student in a subject upon which the
future welfare of our State depends.
we are pleased to note the reference IN
your 1irst biennial message to the great
value and necessity of crop statistics. 1t
has been our desire and ambition for
many years that such funds as would be
necessary for the carrying out of uniform
system of crop statistics would be made
available by our State Legislature. But
at each session that the bill was intro
duced 1t has failed Of passage, opposed at
times by the very element that would be
the most benefited, We are still anxious
for the passage of such law, as we have
every facility for its successful working
but the funds. 1t should be well under
stood by this time that our working eX-
penses must be earned at the annual fair,
as no funds are provided for this depart
ment, other than for premiums by the
State.
We claim it costs the State less TO main
tain this institution. that does more prac-
tical good in developing her resources,
than any other branch of State Govern
ment.
The condition in this State requires
that more attention must be given 10 ag-
rlculture in its various branches. Fortu-
nate in soil and climate for the produc-
ton of all kinds and character of soil
products, we must, in measure, rely
upon them To give us return. What else
have we to furnish the necessary funds
TO supply our commercial wants? We
certainly cannot compete in manufac-
turing sense with other countries, by
reason of scarcity of fuel and population.
Our hope therefore lies in the successful
cultivation of the soil and development
OF markets for our produce.
GOOD ROADS.
This subject is now attracting consid-
cradle attention and creating some inter-
est throughout the nation. 1t is one that
Will bear agitation, as the system of road
building now in use throughout a greater
portion OF the rural districts of the land
is expensive, inefficient and uniformly
bad.
There is little doubt that sufficient
money has been wasted on our system of
roads to have built them originally of
rock, paved and macadamized, such as
are common to Romans, and that have
lasted six hundred years.
We lack stability in construction. The
old method of scraping up a crown and
leyellng, so common in oad-building in
this country, is a waste of both time and
money. The new road law in this State
went into effect with the new year 1t
does away with the old-time road over
seer, and delegates the Supervisor to at
tend TO all road work within his district.
This law is an experiment, and we look
upon 1t with apprehension, as the average
supervisor cannot afford to give road
work sufficient attention for the remu-
neration allowed under the law. The
pay for services rendered is but mileage
fee of 10 cents, and limits the amount ne
shall receive in any one year to $500,
which amount, if he received it all, would
require him to travel 5000 miles per year,
and if he did it would be necessary for
him to have no other occupation. or live
upon the $500 per annum. This law will
certainly be imperative as far as good
roads are concerned.
The mo vement on foot to organize a
National League for promoting good
roads, by having representation from
each State, mas some merit. While
it is not expected that they can ar
range for general system of road
work that would be applicable to
all, as different localities would re-
quire different methods, but it would
have the effect of agitating the question
throughout the whole United States. and
awaken spirit of enterprise that prob
ably would improve the present condi-
ton of our highways.
Expenditures for local Improvement,
when properly used, is the best method
of developing the interests of any local
lty. In no better way can a community
attract the Investment of capital than by
presenting improved roads for travel to
and from the market for their products.
1t bespeaks enterprise and energy of the
property owners, which fact in itself
would attract investments.
SO much depends upon good roads. and
the farming community is the greatest
party at interest, although trades people
OF cities and towns are benefited.
The marketing of products, as they are
in demand, is matter of much import
ance to the producer. With good roads
that are passable the year through. he
would not be compelled to get his pro-
duce, whatever it may be, in town or to
the line OF railroad until he is ready to
dispose of it, thereby avoiding the eX-
pense of storage and insurance, or the
prices of an overcrOwded market
Upwards OF 81 100000 is annually eX-
pended upon road work in this State. a
great proportion of which is used to no
purpose, and we venture the assertion
that an expenditure of like amount in
addition any one year would give US fine
macadam roads that would be permanent
reduce their yearly cost for repair to a fig
ure nominal as compared with the pres
ent amount of money used.
Good roads are great benefit in many
ways. In their construction at a time OF
year when other demands for labor are
few, would give employment to many.
No better means are available for the
quick development of a county, or to i'm
prove the market for good horses. 1t is
to be hoped concerted action will be had
soon in this State, pointing to a general
improvement OF our roadways.
FINANCIAL.
The amount of aid given this society by
the State for the fiscal year of 1892 was
$50, 900. OF this amount we have paid out
in premiums ST., PSI 70 and for care of
state buildings 81, 100. The general ex-
penses, as well as building and improve
mentS and salaries, must be earned and
paid from the resources of the insti-
tuition.
our attempt to provide additional at
fractions this year, whereby the ex-
hibitor would be benefited by an in
creased attendance. as we'll as Offering ad-
ditional encouragement for agricultural
displays, caused the expense account to
exceed that of 1891 by about $500,
while the receipts increased less
than $1,000. This result may be
ascribed to several causes. Low prices in
every farm product, save fruit, made
money scarce during the period the State