The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-24
mails can be vastly increased, and thus this
source of food supply is not likely soon to
be exhausted

mails can be vastly increased, and thus this
source OF food supply Is not likely soon to
be exhausted.
SCIENTIFIC CULTIVATION.
In the second place. the product of the
fields by direct cultivation can be in
creased TO an almost indefinite extent by
scientific cultivation and fertilization. The
great lessons which experimental agricul-
ture has taught so far have been the utility
OF good culture and the necessity of proper
fertilization. The field must be fed just the
same as the man or steer in order TO secure
its best results. Impoverished fields al
ways show either ignorance on the part OF
the farmer or inability to supply proper
food for the soil. Agricultural chemistry
has pointed out the sources of soil exhaus-
ton. 1t has shown that valuable plant
foods are removed by the crops, and how
much of them is taken away by rains and
winds Scientific agriculture shows the way
to avoid these losses and even TO restore
exhausted fields to their former state OF
fertility.
Agricultural statistics show that the av-
erage yield of wheat per acre in the United
States is a little less than thirteen bushels.
and that of Indian corn little less than
twenty-seven bushels. Already the results
of the studies of the needs of the soil and
of the crop have led to the production of
not less than forty bushels OF wheat per
acre on fields which, without proper treat
ment, yielded less than ten. The yield of
Indian corn has been, with but slight ex-
pense after the nature of the soil has been
understood, increased from thirty bushels
- afcvbf ha1s
These are only illustrations of what the
possibilities of agriculture may be in the
future.
The conservation of plant food and its re-
turn to the soil is not only duty of the
farmer but a necessity of agriculture. 1t is
not necessary that the farmer should ere
ate elements of soil fertility. He is only
asked TO preserve that which nature has
given him and if, by improper methods
these elements have been removed from
his fields, to see that they are restored and
preserved.
SPECIALIZATION
In the third place, the possibilities of
agriculture in the future will show a wiser
selection of localities in the production of
crops. Heretofore agriculture has been, we
may say, of a general nature. In the future
it will be specialized. The facilities of
transportation have now become so great
as 10 demand that that product which is
peculiarly suited to the soil and climate be
produced and exchanged for other products
better suited to other localities.
This does not mean that diversified farm
ing should be given up, but it means that
that diversity should be specialized. There
is scarcely a farm in the United States
fruit trees, but to grow peaches or apples
for market in localities not suited thereto
will only lead to bankruptcy. Where fruits
are to be produced for commercial purposes
localities must be selected best suited TO
their production. Thus the peach orchards,
apple orchards and pear orchards of the
country will gradually be collected into
areas where soil and climate are most pro-
p;tious. The same remark may be applied
TO the production of cereals of all kinds
and to small fruits and vegetables.
OF course proximity to large cities ana
large markets alters to a certain extent
natural conditions, for in that case the
proximity of the fields has much to do with
the profit of the farm. There are hundreds
OF localities IN the United States as well
or better suited to the production of vege-
tables than the farms of Long island or The
sandy fields of New Jersey, but because
these farms are near large markets it is
found extremely profitable TO produce upon
them great variety of food products. But
aside from these local conditions the gen.
oral principle holds true that the great
staple products of the country will be pro-
duced more and more in circumscribed
areas. Particularly is this true of sugar,
which is one of the prime articles of hui
man food. The sugar beet is particularly
affected by soil and climate, and therefore
It's successful production will be confined
10 areas specially suited to it. 1t has been
found that as rule the irrigated lands of
the arid regions we'll suited to the pro-
duction of beets of high content of sugar,
and it is more than likely that the near
future will see a large portion of the sugar
consumed in the United States produced
upon lands which are now untitled for lack
of water.
To sum up the subject it may be said in
regard to the possibilities of American
agriculture that the scientific farmer of
the future Will be ready TO meet all de-
inanos which may be made upon him by
increased population ana multiplication of
industries. II. W. WILEY,
Chief United States Department of Agri-
culture.