The evening times., 1899-12-04

ing from the soil directly; that about three
fourths OF our exports TO foreign countries con,s
l from the soil, and that the SIX hundred milhor
dollars balance of trade coming to the United
! states during each Of the last two fiscal yezn
mas been, to great extent. the price Of farm
products, il Is somewhat remarkable that sc
very little attention is given TO the education
OF half the people Of the nation and their prepare
tien for their future life work.
The beautiful valleys Of the mountain and
| Pacific Coast States are being injured to a con.
siderable extent by the injudfcious of irri-
eating waters. The pasture lands of the public
domain west OF the Missouri River are being rapid
~ DESTROYED by iniudicious grazing. The wheat
| growing ARA OF the country, where crops are
grown continuously, are refusing to yield they
did when first brought under cultivation; and
| from the Bakotas 10 the Pacific we find systems
| Of following in operation and crops Of wheat
being taken once in two years. indicating the
rapid destruction of the plant food in the soil"
Frequent applications are made TO the
department for expert help which it is un-
able to furnish or to find. The Civil Serv-
has advertised throughout the country for
soil physicists, through whose assistance
| the department could cooperate with the
people in repairing the damage which ig-
norance and iniudicious management have
caused to farming lands. Such persons, ex-
cept in rare instances, are not to be dis
covered. A similar dearth Of educated tai
ent is noticeable in connection with the
science Of animal husbandry. This is so
tnadequately taught in the schools, as a
rule, that the department Is compelled to
teach this branch to the men whom it
selects for employment in it: and when
they become useful and proficient private
institutions absorb them, being able to out
bid the Government for their services.
Secretary Wilson's plan for the allevia-
tion Of the evil he complains of appears to
us to be a sensible one. He has arranged
with the Civil Service Commission to keep
a register of the graduates OF the land
grant colleges-those endowed by Congress
for the education of farmers-and from this
registration the scientific divisions OF the
department will select young men as as
sistants. This arrangement will enable the
appointees to pursue postgraduate course
under the best direction and with the most
perfect facilities in the United States. and
they will be paid small salaries, sufficient
TO cover their expenses, to boot.
Mr.. Wilson deservessthe good will and
thanks of all friends of thorough technical
education for this step toward the solution
OF difficult problem. He has. We think.
shown way by which the executive de-
partments OF the General Government can
foster and promote the aims and efforts of
schools devoted to scientific education. II
a certain kind of training is sure of recog-
milton. and the people who have 1t are as
sured Of some chance to put their learning
and experience to good use, then. in respect
Of agriculture ard many ether things. the
youth of a country in which the chances
for success are growing annually Less, by
reason Of competition and on account Of
other considerations, will seek technical
education in directions such as Secretary
Wilson suggests and the, schools will fur
nish the facilities.
In connection with the advancement Of
agriculture. commerce and every other ra-
tional activity in which the nation has a
direct interest. either as domestic or .
foreign question, the President and Con-
gress will be more than wise to encourage
scientific education. While the Agrieul-
tural Department opens the doors Of its
patronage to graduates of the farmers
colleges, the Geological Survey should be
allowed to offer a career to many alumni
of the Columbia School OF Mines and the
Institute Of Technology,
rather than 10 be considered a dumping
ground for the young sons or favorites OF |
Senators and members of Congress. In the |
same way the State Department ought to |
have the privilege of reinforcing the |
diplomatic and consular Service from the |
ranks of those who have been graduated |
from the Columbian School. of Diplomacy.
This is an era OF specialized education, |
which. in the complex state of our civiiiza-
ion. is a necessity. II should be encour-
iged and as far as the Government can ac-
,omplish il ii should have the reasonable
prospect of public reward.