Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-07-05
GREETfD THE FARMERS.
Mayor woodcock's Address OF Welcome ON
Behalf of ff1c Citizens of Corvallis.

Mayor woodcock's Address OF Welcome OF
Behalf of ffic Citizens OF Corvallis.
have been requested to express few
words OF welcome on the part of the Citi.
zens' League of Benton county and the
City of Corvallis in token of our sincere
| appreciation of the interest represented
in your visit 10 the State Agricultural
College
] At different periods during the history
OF this school it has been regarded as
local by those whe- have not thought
thoroughly along the important lines
! taught by the scientific and experimental
research made in the school. These
questions, however. are becoming better
understood. It is evident from the large
number of intelligent, representative,
progressive farmers and business men
from different parts of this state, that
more than local iaterest is being felt in
the importance of the State Agric utlural
College at this time. 1t is natu'r al and
correct for US to regard those who have
gone before as having wisely laid the
proper foundation stones upon which is
being established this the best and most
progressive government in the world to-
day. Upon this point it is significant
and convincing that the congress of the
United States builded we'll when they set
apart to each of the several states large
tracts of public lands to be sold and the
proceeds thereof retained as an irreduci :
BILE fund-the interest accumulating
thereon to be used in maintaining state
agricultural colleges in the different
states where instruction in agriculture
and the mechanic arts should be the I'M
portant ano leading instructions follow
ed by subsequent legislation establishing
experiment stations in connection with
these colleges, and large appropriations
provided by congress to pay the expenses
thereof To say that national legislators
OF that day were mistaken in these lines
is to accuse them OF being incompetent
and enacting unwise legisl alton. But
such was not the case. While practical
farming performed In an intelligent way
without the aid of scientific research is
very substantial and necessary, vet
scientific principles, we are compelled to
admit, are founded upon truth. 1t
seems, therefore, that this same scientific
truth and investigation along those lines
coupled with the practical aud expert
mental is becoming as essential when
applied to farming as it is to the other
pursuits in life.
1t is evident that those who were in-
strumental long ago in providing the
means from the general government by
which these agricultural colleges and ex-
perimentaf stations shall be maintained
were at that time able to look into the
distant future and fersee the conditions
as transpiring at this time. At that
time those who lad not made special
study-of those subjects regarded the pro-
ceedings along those lines with apparent
Indifference, because the lands all over
our country were comparatively new, pro-
ducing large and never failing crops.
Conditions have changed. By constant
cropping year after year for generation
| the soil became depleted. 1t required
different treatment. The const ant yearly
cropping under the same continuous
methods exhausts the soil of important
elements which it is necessary to restore.
The agricultural college and station sup
plies this important Information. By
careful experiments and analysis we are
able to learn through these schools what
elements have been taken from the soil
| by old methods and what treatment is
necessary to restore the soil to its normal
condition.
The experience and observations of
| the results of the agricultural industries
in cur state is abundant preof of these
changing conditions.
For many years after the early settle
ment of this country it was only neces-
sary to plow and sow by Indifferent
methods in order to reap an abundant
and profitable harvest, but by constantly
withdrawing the natural elements of the
soil it was found difficult and after an
other short time impossible to obtain the
same fattering results. Different meth
DDS of cultivation in due time we're intro
duced with apparent success. But this
was only temporary, for with the best
methods as generally practiced for the
last ten years it is evident that the yield
of grain and other products have be-
ceme much less and more difficult and
/ the soil less productive for other pur-
poses. With these conditions confront
ing us we turn to the agricultural college
and experiment station to learn the
cause and suggest the remedy, which
must come to us through scientific inyes-
tigation These subjects, the best meth
DDS in producing and protecting the fruit
and other products of the soil as well as
the best kinds, breeds and grades oil
stock adapted to our industrial condi
! tions, the best and most economic feeds
and the best methods OF feeding them
are very important questions confronting
us at this time, because all of the indus
Il tries common to man are effected by the
! rise and fall of agricultural pursuits
They are the underlying support for all
business Hence it is that We constantly
! find LAWYERS. doctors ministers. rner-