Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-17

country. lnlS IS n matter of vas
Importance to us. Let us solve this
problem and our wonderful climate
and productions can we'll be relic;
upon to attract the thousands of in.
telliSent men and women who are
alone wanted to place this country
in the very vanguard.
The exhaustion of the soil by over
production is said to be one of the
greatest vices in the American farm.
ing system. 1t is we'll known by all
that the production Of crops, so far
as we can see, is chemical process
in which the earth yields up certain
constituents, which, in their proper
combination, make the crop. The
phenomenon of growth is mystery
"a part of the great mystery of life;
that is ever present, but ever eludes
our efforts to solve it. But it's con-
ditions, thanks to the chemical
science, are capable of being known.
A vast deal is now known of these
conditions. Nothing is better known
than, that every crop takes from the
soil certain amount of its crop pro-
ducing constituents; just so much.
in fact, as it contained in the crop
itself. II we take from a given area
of land thousand bushels of wheat,
we take from it certain amount of
wheat.prodncing elements, and the
land is just that much poorer. 1t is
clear. then, in reason, aud too true,
unfortunately, in experience, that
our land will very soon be exhausted
| by production, unless tie drain is
supplied by some proper method.
In many of the Eastern States of the
Union, the soil has been completely
exhausted and can only be restored
by careful, laborious and expensive
processes. Years ago, this was true
in many parts OF my native State of
Indiana, and one generation had to
pay back to Mother Earth, that of
which it's predecessor had foolishly
robbed her.
In the Southern States this is
painfully apparent. Constant CROP
ping, without rest or change, has
exhausted soil of almost fabulous
richness. This to-day is the greatest
misfortune of tho unhappy South.
Give constant good crops to her,
and heEpaLiticaL and social troubles.
w0u'1 neal "a sH4ss1l IS fof tns most
part. But the conquered South has
but littl, on which to recuperate
when she finds that the soil has lost
its fertility.
This reckless system of over-pro.
duction is rapidly impoverishing the
soil of the great prairie States. AL
ready its baneful effects are badly
felt in the golden fields of California
and in the Willamette valley of Ore
gon, and unless q change is made
it will be but few years, when men
in the wonderful wheat-producing
regions of Eastern Washington and
Oregon and in Lewis county, will
wonder why the earth no longer
yields her increase. l am unable 10
give statistics, but l venture the as
sertion that the census of 1880 will
amaze and startle the grain-produc-
ing world, as well it may. 1t should
be, and is, by good farmers consid-
cred worse than folly to take from
the soil more than we return to it,
it is robbery both of the present and
future generations. In many parts
of the country, farmers buy large
quantities of commercial fertilizers.
Their proximity to the great markets
iustlties the outlay. Here in Lewis
county, we may we'll be exempted
from this heavy expense, by pru-
dence, Ill preserving and using all
! the fertilizlng substances of our
! farlnes and allowing our fields their
needed rest and practicing an intel
ligent system of rotation in crops.
These things done, and the visor
OF our soil will be preserved. But it
must be remembered that it is as
truo here Us elsewhere, that /" An
ounce of prevention is better than
an pound Of cure" 1t is almost as
hard to restore worn out Land as it is
to regain a lost reputation. Either
may be kept good with the greatest
ease. The remarkable fertility OF
our soil is the greatest temptation to
the farmer to adopt the needless
practice of over-production. 1t is
the common error of this Coast.
STOCK AND DAIRY.
Western Washington is admirably
adapted to stock-erowing and dairy
ing purposes. The climate is high
ly propitious for these branches OF
industry. Dairying is rapidly be-
coming one of our leading indus
tries. With all the wonders of oul
wheat-producing aud exporting the
production of our dairies is nearly
equal to it in value, aud in time will
surpass it perhaps. Butter and
cheese are now regarded as indls
pensable almost, as bread and pota