The record-union., 1895-01-18
ADVICE TO qILLERS OF THE SOIL.
1t is rendered by Professor Emory
E. Smith.
a Paper Read at Yesterdays Session
of the American Pomolog-
tcaI Association.

Professor Emory E. Smith Of the Stan
ford University read paper yesterday
afternoon before the American Pomolog-
icaI Convention on H Horticultural Laws"
1t included great variety of subjects,
however, some of which were outside
the scope of the title, but on the whole
contained many timely suggestions to
farmers. The following extracts are
taken from the Professors remarks:
The period of financial depression
through which our country has been
passing has been brought about largely
by over-speculation on the part of the
people and by corrupt and insufficient
legislation. The country is also unset
tied by the readjusting of the wage
basis in all lines OF trade, brought about
naturally by changed commercial condl-
tions. Lessons are being learned, some
OF which will not be forgotten IN CEN
tury. The veil OF sel1-satlsiaction ana
security which has obscured our vision
is being cleft by adversely and Internal
strife. The tree of state has grown to
beautiful proportions. Its broad foliage
has given shelter and rest to mighty
Nation which has plucked fruits from Its
branches without thought for the NOR
Tow. But can this tree, 80 great and
beautiful, continue to thrive upon un-
healthy roots in impoverished soil? Or
can it thrive under the unsl1illed and ne
glectiuI huSbandman?
The farmer OF the United States IS the
root, which, finding food in plenty in
virgin soil, developed the great branches,
manufactures and commerce. But lax
laws have encouraged speculation which
has robbed the soil OF its virtue; the pro-
fessional politician has proven an I'M
skilltui and vicious cultiVator, and the
splendid national editice founded by the
sweat Of the farmers brow totters to-day.
Getaced and wrapped in the tolls OF char
latans and tricksters. The bland conf
deuce and irresoluuon OF the farmer has
come nigh to being his undoing, but
there Is yet time to retrieve In q meas
ure lost opportunities.
W hlther does the ship of State drift?
Who can answer the question? Upon
the farmer largely rests the responsibility
OF deciding whether the American ma
ton, freighted with your home and mine,
shall repose a bleaching skeleton upon
the shores of time, or whether it shall
outride the storm and again enter the
Larbor Of peace and plenty.
HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE.
Before proceeding to Systematically
consider existing laws, and those whicn
are Immediately desirable, wish to call
attention 10 the popular fallacy of regard
ing horticulture as branch OF, or as sub
servienJ 10, agriculture. Agriculture was
originally, in truth, supplementary to
horticulture, ana each is at the present
time an independent and distinct busi-
ness, although the words farms and
farmers may with propriety be applied to
either. The garden from which our great
horticultural industries have sprung had
It's origin by primitive man collecting, in
a limited space, fruits and nuts which
constituted his food, The idea being sug-
gested perhaps by the springiug up of
seeds cast away IN the neIghborEood OF
his habitatiOn.
Agriculture, embracing cereals, pulses,
flesh, etc., had its origin in munger
food" man being forced upon the failure
OF the natural supply from climatic or
other causes to subsist upon whatever
could be found, the use Of flesh being
prouably suggested by the preying OF
animals upon each other, and the use OF
seeds probably by the birds OF the air.
The requirements OF horticulture and
agriculture in matters Of law are In some
cases widely different, though not antag-
OnlStIC; III Inc general government the
great principles dealt with are largely
Identical and VIII be so considered. For
the sake of convenience the subject has
Ieen divided into four division: l United
States Laws, State Laws, County Laws
and Community Laws.
UNITED STATES LAws-EDUCATIoN.
II horticulture. as in every profession
and industry, education IS the foundation
,
nearly arrived Tor the Government school
system 10 participate in direct LOrticuIt-
ural education, and looking to that end it
suould be borne in mind that the practi-
eel necessities OF man must at times take
precedence Of the purely intellectual.
otherwise the latter will eventually be
restricted by physical limitations. Where
one student can obtain a thorough eduCa-
tIon at a university, thousand 60 out
into the busy world from the public
a., G. -. -
or mankind to teach IN these schools i
curriculum OF foreign languages, political
economy, etc, giving its children pro-
1essiOnal education. when through such
system he cities are COngested with i'm
practical youthful energy and the Coun-
try IS infested with and taxed to support
half-witied professionals, while useful
trades are deserted and broad acres lie
untitled? The first aim OF Government
education should be TO make intelligent
self-supgOrtng citizens. Every county
in the | nited States should have its in
dustrial school, and il is practical and de-
sirable TO establish by law one public
school in each county where elementary
horticulture and agriculture can be
taught
BOTANICAL GARDENS.
The Government is particularly remiss
in the matter Of botanical gardens, the
necessity and usefulness OF which has
been recognized by nearly every civil
lied Government. \ law should be
passed establishing several such gar
dons with ample suppOrJ-one in the
Northeast, one Ii the South, one in the
Central States and one in the Pacific
States. In addition thereto the gardens
St Washington should be DEVELOPED bv
ample appropriation. These gardens
supplemented by the experimental sta
tioDs, would form an admirable system.
If the appropriations for d few warships
were transferred to botanical gardens
the money would do civilization in
fimitely more good.
For years [ have advocated the orna-
mentatiOn Of school grounds as a great
underlying educational principle, bur all
means in that direction have failed and
in my opinion nothing but a mandatory
law VIII accomplish this desirable end.
The great political humbug,
"TARIFF TINKERING,"
Is rife with evil to tilIers of the soil
markets are unsettled and produce be-
comes of uncertain value. General Ham
Geek was laughed at when he claimed
that the tariff was local issue, but such
is tho fact, and no amount OF "tinkerinp''
at the present national policy will settle
the prices OF our products or make orr
rural industries secure. The whole CiIes-
ton will have TO be arbitrated upon y
local nom political basis, the needs OF the
chief industries Of each State receivino
lust consideration.
SPECULATION IN FOOD PRODUCTS.
1t is to be sincerely hoped that law
will shortly be formulated ana passed.
absolutely prohibiting speculation in
food products. This is one OF the worst
evils with which the farmer has TO con-
tend. 1t is gambling in its most harmful