The record-union., 1897-06-30
HORTICULTURAL COMMISSION.
Suggestions Made by Professors
Wiekson a-nd Woodwork.

Ihe following circular has just DeeA
issued from the University of Calitor-
mia Agricultural Experiment Station;
Boards of Supervisors of certain
counties, contemplating action under
the new law regulating the appoint
ment Of horticultural Commissioners,
have decided TO require higher quadlh-
cations than heretofore for these posi-
tions They have naturally looked 10
the State University for counsel, ana
1t win be Well for US who. as instruc-
tors in horticulture, entomology ana
plant diseases, are the persons in the
university most directly concerned IN
the matter to publicly express our
views
No official statement of the attitude
and policy Of the university can be
made without action by the Academic
Council, approved by the Board OF Re-
gents, so that what follows IS only TO
be considered as an expression of per-
sonal opinions.
While not desiring to say anything
against those who have honestly served
the people in the capacity Of Horticult-
ural Commissioners in the past, still
no one can doubt that the money ex-
pended is sufficient to secure, in most
cases, men with much greater tech
nical knowledge and ability.
We would be the last to contend that
scientific knowledge includes all the re-
uuirements necessary for a Horticult-
urai Commissioner, but there are some
Items Of scientific attainments without
which it is impossible to properly full
fill the functions Of the office.
together with firmness and integrity,
insuring a just, conscientious and i'm
partial enforcement of the laws, are
essential in a good officer. but. in ad-
dition to these. and equally important
are a practical acquaintance with the
various classes of insects and fungi in
juring fruit crops. or liable to injure
them, the ability to understand and
use scientific monographs treating the
same and sufficient skill in micrOscop-
ical and microtomical technique to
make careful and scientifically accurate
observations Of these subjects.
Such attainments are none too high,
since the compensation, 81 per day and
expenses, is as much as is paid our
High School teachers, of whom we de-
mand very high qualifications. The
requirements of these two positions are
very different, and a person we'll fitted
for one may be totally untitled for the
other. but there is no reason why equal
y rigid tests of competency should not
he demanded in both cases. 1t would
seem a matter beyond dispute that as
the salary and responsibility of HOrti-
cultural Commissioners is about the
same as that Of High School teachers
they should be required to present
equally high qualifications.
It is time that the Boards of Super
visors began to realize that their re-
sponsibility to the people is as great
IN this matter as is that of School Di-
rectoIs in the appointment of High
School teachers. According to the law
the responsibility for the appointments
in both cases rests with the local au
thorities. and the university can in no
way assume it. The members of the
faculty of the university have always
stood ready to render every assistance
in their power to raise UP and main
tain high standards for teachers, and
the same can be confidently expected
in regard to the matter of Hortieult-
ural Commissioners.
For the present there is no provision
for the official recommendation of the
university for Horticultural Commits
sioners like that which is given for
High School teachers. nor has any poll
icy been formulated as to requirements
for such recommendations. but should
this arrangement be made it can be
safely said that the university viii
stand for the highest grade Of scholar
ship and attainments as a basis of
practical efficiency.
It may be said with truth that there
are not enough persons available at the
present time possessing sufficiently high
qualifications for this office. This is
only true because the young men in
this State have considered the Office
one dependent on political influence in
stead of on real ability and have not,
considered it one worthy of
the careful thorough training which
they undertake for the profession of
teaching. As soon as the Supervisors
raise the office to the position in which
the School Directors have placed their
High School service, there will be
plenty of competent candidates.
This scarcity of good available men
for these offices is no excuse for not
at once raising the standard. There
are a good many men who are fully
men of ability and expert
ence, who could be obtained for the
salary offered. All the counties viii
not change their policy in the matter
Of Horticultural Commissioners at
once. and there viii undoubtedly be
plenty of trained men as fast as they
are demanded.
California is paying literally for the
protection of her fruit interests and
ean have the best service if the Super
risors will properly raise the standard
f. J. WICKSON.
C. W. WOODWORTH.