Rock Island Argus., 1909-02-20

potassium for Z,bOU years, but phOS-
phorus enough for a 100 bushel crop
for only 130 years. In Illinois the
land contains enough phosphorus for
only 20 years, on the basis of a 100
bushel crop to the acre, and nitrogen
for such a crop for only AZ years. The
average crust of the earth contains no
nitrogen, and II is found only in the
-humus, or vegetable matter that COW
ers the earth And if in Illinois the
nitrogen for a 100 bushel crop of corn
is taken out, and the stocks are taken
off of the land, the nitrogen will be
sufficient for a 100 bushel crop for
only SO years.
The scientist described the condie
tiOns in the different types of Illinois
land, including the peaty swamp land.
the worn hill lands, and the lands in
what is termed Egypt.
He discussed the rotation of crops.
by which clover or some other legume
air, where the supply is unlimited.
and place 1t in the soil.
Is Good Investment.
He gave statistics to show the ac-
tual results of scientifically adding 10
the soil the elements that are required
and are being taken from it, and dem
onstrated that there can be no better
investment than the upbuilding of land
by these methods. The increase in
crops in very short time will amount
to enough to pay for the chemicals
necessary to doctor" the ground for
500 years.
The east has learned the cost Of
wearing out the soil, and in Virginia
Today land can be had for less than
the cost of the building on it, or
with the farm thrown in." as some
one put it. Of all the farm land east
of the Blue Ridge mountains, three
| foHrths has been abandoned, because
| it has been worn out And these dis
tricts can never restore the land with
| out the aid of outside money. for the
land itself will not now work out its
own redemption.
| And in 40 years. DR.. Hopkins de-
clared, Illinois will if it goes on as
now, have so worn out its lands that
Ethe land will not be able to work out
its own restoration.
| shows Actual Results.
DR.. Hopkins gave reports of expert
ments at the different Illinois agricul-
tural experiment fields, showing that
by scientifically treating the land ia
Mclean county, worth $3.50 an acre, by
applying phosphorus, the corn crops
since 1902 had increased, after ro-
tation, as much as 19 bushels to an
acre. Any one crop in four years will
Fay the cost of the phosphorus for
the entire period.
Needs More Money.
| The speaker made an earnest plea
for influence to secure a larger appro
priation for the work of studying the
| Illinois lands. The state is doing more
than any other, but is still not DOING
enough He outlined the work in de
tail, and showed exactly how it is be
ing conducted. He compared its value
with other work for which large appro
priations are made. while the agricul
tural work is given but $25,000 year
This sum is less than quarter of one
per cent of the taxes paid on Illinois
lands yearly So far the detailed sur
vey of the land has been made in rs
counties, and with the present fund!
DR.. Hopkins estimates that it will TAX
40 years to complete the work. Blu
in 40 years some of the lands will bt
beyond redemption without none.
from outside" ne declared. 'Tt mus
be done while we are prosperous" II,
added.
That the United States is wasting ;
rich supply of phosphorus in his opin
ion. He showed that enormous guam
titles are being exported to German.
and other countries, and then whel
; the application of this element to TIT
lands here would produce enormou
| revenues in the corn belt.
In Whiteside county the farmer
bought Is cars of potassium at S1,00
/ car to put on their land. 1t cos
: $1.50 an acre, and they got back So 70
, their s1.50, in increased crops.
. When DR.. Hopkins urged the S10O
lOUU uOW dohSu
extension of the work, he was givel
enthusiastic applause. 1t is safe t
say that he converted every one o
his hearers to the theory of scientifi
farming, and the extension of the worl
of the agricultural experiment fields il
the state
Incidentally DR.. Hopkins gave t
manufacturers of agricultural implo
ments in Rock Island and Moline
good tip. He told them that there
: no machine on the market for apply
ing these chemicals to the soil tha
: is as good and efficient as one tina
any farmer can make himself alon
the lines suggested by the agriculture
station.
Enjoy Fine Dinner.
The meeting was one of the bes
lever held by the club, and NOR
largely attended than any prev
Gus meeting. Miss Alma Philbroo
entertained the club with solo, an
: several patriotic songs were sung