ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 23 



is the most important one that has been presented to the So- 

 ciety for their consideration. It should have been the first 

 question submitted for discussion, for the whole science of agri- 

 culture and horticulture rests upon the proper comprehension 

 of this fundamental principle." 



Liebig says : "There is no profession which can be compared 

 in importance with that" of agriculture, for to it belongs the pro- 

 duction of food for man and animals ; on it depends the welfare 

 and developments of the whole human species, the riches of 

 States, and all commerce." 



There is no other profession in which the application of cor- 

 rect principles is productive of more beneficial effects or of 

 greater and more decided influence. 



The general object of agriculture is to produce, in the most 

 advantageous manner, certain qualities, or a maximum size in 

 certain parts or organs of particular plants. The special objects 

 of agriculture are to secure an abnormal development and pro- 

 duction of certain parts of plants or of certain vegetable matters 

 which are employed as food for man and animals and for the 

 purpose of industry. 



The mechanical organization and chemical constituents of 

 soils, the particular kinds of soils required for the different 

 orders of trees, and an absolute knowledge of the elements they 

 feed on, are the great vital questions to be determined ques- 

 tions upon which the success or failure of agriculturists and 

 horticulturists depends. 



The condition of development of every part of a plant de- 

 pends on the amount and nature of the food afforded it by the 

 soil on which it grows. A tree can be developed on the most 

 sterile soil as well as on the richest, the only difference being 

 in its hight, branches, blossoms and fruit. The rules of a ra- 

 tional system of agriculture should therefore enable us to give 

 each plant what it requires for the attainment of the object in 

 view. To accomplish this we must call to our aid the knowledge 

 of the physiologist and the agricultural chemist for a solution of 

 these questions. 



Nature has, in her great wisdom, given to man a countless 

 number of soils, differing in mechanical construction, and qual- 



