The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-09
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS.

~ NE OF the events OF the summer for which we
must make due and ample preparation IS the
convention OF representatives. OF American
agricultural colleges and experiment stations, W hch
is to assemble in this city July 5. The meeting
will bring to California many OF the most eminent
agricultural scientists the country, and their study
OF the rural industries OF our State cannot fail to be
OF great value not only to themselves but to US.
The days when agriculture consisted wholly in the
application OF labor the soil have long gone by At
the present time no other occupation OF engages
SO much scientific research and experiment. Every
thing connected with rural industry has become more
or less subject OF keenest investigation. The soil
itself is submitted to chemical analysis and the ma
ture OF every plant is analysed determine what kind
OF soil is best adapted to it and what fertilizers are
required in particular localities enable thrive.
From the ground up therefore, TO the highest accom-
pshment in the cultivation OF trees and vines, the
whole scheme OF agriculture has been revised and
reordered in the light OF science.
The members OF the Association OF American Agri-
cultural Colleges represent the highest skill the world
has yet attained in the study OF science applied to
the cultivation OF the soil MUCH in the way OF ex-
pertinent and investigation has OF been carried
on in European countries and great results have been
attained there but in other land has much study
and such extensive experiment been made as in the
l ned states. with us not only mas every Sldle It's
agricultural college and experimental farm, but our
farming population is more intelligent more progress
sve than that OF any other nation, and a conse-
quence our agriculture is far in advance OF the
rest OF the world.
The rural industries OF California have been built
up by men from all States in the Union and from
nearly all nations We have learned something not
only from the science OF Germany and France, but
from the patient toll OF China and Japan. Neverthe-
less there remains much TO learn, and from the OBJ
servations and criticisms OF trained experts from all
parts OF the Union may derive lessons which will
be OF vast benefit to U.s. il rightly heed them and
make use of them.
Il is gratifying to learn that it is the intention Of
those having in charge the reception OF the coming
visitors to show them something at least OF all the
different sections OF the State They to be enabled
to see how widely varied the resources and rura
industries OF California, and to have opportunities tc
study our fruit districts, vine districts wheat dis
ticts sugar beet districts and grazing districts Tc
rightly prepare for such extensive visits it will
be necessary to provide ample funds, and al
parts OF the State where visits are to be made
will OF course be expected to assist in providing
them To raise the required fund is the mme
date duty OF ali who are interested in our rural in
dustry and in reputation for hospitality, and the
duty should be responded to with promptness anc
with liberality.