The San Francisco call., 1904-07-25
Need of Immediate
Action Clearly
Perceived.
Other Places Stand
Ready to Meet
Situation.
BY W. a. BEARD.

duction garden located near that city
a few months ago by the United
States Department of Agriculture may
be lost to this portion OF California
through the failure of the people of
the locality to subscribe sufficient
money TO pay for the land.
This announcement arouses renewed
interest in the garden and another eff
fort is being made to raise the neces-
sary funds. There has been some
criticism Of the attitude of the depart
ment IN the matter of requiring that
land be donated for the purpose, but
il seems that several other localities
in the State where the garden might
be satisfactorily located stand ready
TO donate the necessary land, and the
understanding OF the department at
the time the Chico site was selected
VAS that equally favorable terms
would be offered there. Whatever may
be the merits, however, Of the conten-
ton that the Government should buy
the land and pay for it, the fact is
that the Government does not regard
it il that light and the land must be
donated il the institution is to remain
at Chico.
A new effort will be made to raise
the money, aided by the Sacramento
Valley Development Association. Rapid
work will be necessary. is the depart
ment has fixed August 1 as the time
when the matter must be settled, and
only one week remains in which to Sc
cure subscriptions amounting TO $4,000.
EXTENT OF THE GARDEN.
The tract selected comprises eighty
acres lying about two miles southeast
OF Chico. near Butte Creek. Il is as
fine q body Of land as can be found in
the State for the successful cultiva-
ton of the widest possible variety of
plants. The greater portion Of ii is
rich, deep loan, which is bordered on
the north by d stretch of what is desig-
mated slough" land, and is heavily
timbered, forming a windb break Upon
this tract work has already begun and
many valuable plants are now grow
ing there.
The plant introduction garden as {
separate institution is new, though the
work 10 be carried on there has long
been carried on by the Department o.
Agriculture. As its name indicates, II
is the place where seeds and plant:
imported from foreign countries vii
be introduced and tested. The mis-
take has been made Of calling it Z
seed farm" and in the minds of some
IL has been confOuuded with the annu-
al distribution of seeds through oul
representatives in Congress. These
gardens, however, Will not be used tc
produce seeds for Congressman TO give
away 10 their constituents, but viii
serve a vastly more important pur-
pose.
The work of introducing plants and
seeds from foreign countries has beer
carried on by the department for &
great many years and many of oul
most valuable products have come tC
US through this work. There are few
I products OF farm or orchard but have
in some measure been benefited by the
work OF the Department of Agricul-
ture. while many of the commones
grains and grasses as well as fruit!
and grapes are direct importation.
brought to US through the very worl
that viii henceforth be carried on a
the Chico garden.
WORK Is IMPORTANT.
This garden is the result of th'
growth in Importance Of this brancl
Of the work Of the department. Here
4 tofOre new intrOductiOns have beer
handled in the department green
houses and grounds at Washington
During recent years ii has been th'
custom 70 delegate to nurserymen anC
seedsmen much Of the work of tryint
/ out new importations, but heir worl
has not proved satisfa ctory. Private
I
instances found i impossible to giv'
to the work Of the department that de
gree Of time and attention necessar,
to anything like satisfactory result
and the result has been the decision
to establish a farm where this ma,
all be performed under the direction
/ of capable experts in the employ o
; the department.
The selection of site at Chico fo
rvur h
the Government is itself the stronges
Endorsement ever given 10 the section
Of California in which it has been 10
Gated.
The site was not selected until ever,
portion OF California that was believe,
: TO offer anything like suitable advan
tages was carefully examined. Severa
ton Of various districts. This wa
. conducted by experts who enjoye,
the fullest confidence of the depart
ment officials. One of these was Pro
fessor A. V. Stubenrauch, Of the Uni
versity of California The other wa
p. II. Dorsett who is now in charg
of the institution. The work of thes
gentlemen was systematic and thor
ough. They found several places wel
adapted, but by a careful grading, il
, which each desired condition wa
given its proper value, Chico wa
found to be slightly in advance of tn
, others.
The result of this careful com
parison Of the Chico district wit
others of the most favored in thi
State IS in effect an official indorse
ment of the claims put forth by il
residents in its behalf. and in view c
this fact it is surprising TO learn tina
subscriptions have been so solw
coming in that there is danger Of tn
: institution being lost.
PRACTICAL BENEFITS.
The great value of the garden, G
course, is in the benefit to agricultur
and horticulture This may be bes
illustrated by calling attention [
benefits which have already accrued {
American farmers through plant In
PRODUCTION. For many years the dc
partment has maintained a staff {
- c--i ..lIltIIIal sarnlnrer-s ,, 1rhn sea re