64 ANNUAL REPORT 



upon the industries of the world. And that our country is larg-'ly 

 controlled by rings and combinations whose policy it is to tax every 

 industry just as much as its degree of prosperity will warrant, and 

 that if their prosperity as a class should be increased it would be 

 followed by increased exactions. 



In this view of the case it does not seem strange that they do not 

 take kindly to the teachings of men brought in from the trades or 

 professions to teach them how to manage the farm. 



Experiments, to satisfy this class, must be managed in each leading 

 department by a man of practical experience and in whom the people 

 have confidence, and they must be on a scale of sufficient magnitude 

 and surrounded by such circumstances as will make them fair and 

 practicable tests. Too much science is not admissible in the common 

 walks of life. - 



If these conditions are not secured as approximated, it will not be 

 strange if some of our farmers should shout humbug! ai.d if some of 

 the more modest professors should think about the pearls and the 

 swine. 



There is probably no branch of business where the old theory of 

 evtry man to his trade comes in with more force than in conducting 

 experiments of whatever nature. An obscure poet has said: 



" Take the wisest man that ever drew the pen. 

 Or raised his voice to be heard by men, 

 He'll tell of things taught in his school, 

 But if y. ugo beyond, l.e tou's a fool." 



Now, sir, we think we discover a great deal of the far beyond in 

 conducting varied experiments, for if precedents are found they can 

 seldom be applied on account of a change of surroundings. The word 

 experiment implies the exploration of new fields, and these fields when 

 entered will be found so expansive as to afford ample room for the best 

 eflForts of your best man, though he be philosopher and sage. If he jumps 

 at conclusions, he will frequently stumble, and if he carefully feels his 

 way, his progress will be so slow as to require from a reasonable pub- 

 lic the exercise of those commendable virtues, patience and charity. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Pearce. Mr. President, I am not in favor so much of what are 

 called experiment stations as fruit and tree stations. There are sta- 

 tions where men will experiment as a business, and after their experi- 

 ments have been made the results have been established beyond a 



