New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-09
ECHOES OF MR. HILLS WARNING.


The recent address by James ]. Hill at the
Minnesota State Fair directing attention to
the problems the United States will he called
upon 10 solve not many decades in the future
has attracted wide interest and much com
ment Among others, Secretary Wilson Of the
Department of Agriculture has taken note OF
the points made by the railroad builder and
while agreeing with him I'm the main as 10 his
facts and figures. is somewhat more opti-
mistic In his conclusions. Secretary Wilson
prOnouhces Mr.. Hills article a complete and
statesmanllke paper and agrees with him as
TO the necessity Of outstanding our resources
and directing attention to utilizing the soil as
the most trustworthy and permanent source Of
our wealth. Mr. Wilson. however, goes fur
Their and thinks the farmers Of the future will
be able not only TO supply subsistence for the
two hundred million Americans who fifty years
hence will constitute this nation. but they will
also, in a great measure. be able 10 supply
substitutes for coal and oil. whose exhaustion
as Mr.. Hill shows, is merely a question OF
time Secretary Wilson looks 10 free alcohol
as the probable fuel of the future, and indI-
Gates what his department is doing by way
OF developing IT'S possibilities As TO the ap-
preaching exhaustion OF iron. DIR. Galloway
chief OF the bureau Of animal industry, offers
the suggestion that future generations will
draw on the soil, with its inexhaustible clay
and stone. for building materials. and chiefly
make use of reinforced concrete construction.
This is certainly an interesting answer 10
one OF Mr.. Hills questions: How, In view of
the destruction OF our forests and the exhaus-
ton of iron. can we house the millions OF the
future? Secretary Wilson. moreover, thinks tho
farmers themselves. when put 10 the test viii!
see that trees shall not become extinct. and as
the government is aiding efficiently in this dlrec-
ton, the outlook 10 wood, IL not for fuel
at least for other purposes may not be so
bad, though it is evident the present waste
go on much longer If a reasonable regard for
the immediate future IS 20 prevail.
As 10 the problem OF increasing the fertility
of the soil. and consequently its productivity
Secretary Wilson speaks encOura gingly. and he
saws that the recent immense crops which
hive contributed SO largely 10 the Astounding
prosperity OF the country have been Influenced
by the movement for better that Is more scien-
tific farming. AS practically all the great farm
ing states now have agricultural colleges and
stations this movement is likely TO increase
rapidly. and the farmer will thus be able to
respond 10 the demands made upon him.
SIR William Crookes. In his presidential ad-
dress in 1898. pointed out the probability OF a
wheat famine unless the worlds Yield an acre
ran he increased by fertilizers from its pres
Ont average output OF - I bushels AS evidence
OF the way I'm which the increased demand for
wheat is being met by the use OF fertilizers IL
NAV be stated that the chief fertilizer used for
wheat growing. nitrate OF soda, is exported
from the ntre beds in Chill. and that this a1-