Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-07
SOIL CONSERVATION
The BIG QUESTION
SECRETARY WILSON POINTS OUT
NEED OF IMPROVING FARM
METHODS.
YIELD MUST BE INCREASED
TO PROVIDE FOOD SUPPLY
Impoundins Of Waste Waters Will Help
in Arid Sections Of country-Con-
servation Congress to Adopt ResoIu-
tions Favorable to Ideas Of Roosevelt
and Pinchot.

ST. Paul. Sept. 7.-Delegates to the
conservation congress got down to
business today. Chairman Pardee, OF
the resolutions committee, called that
body to order today before the con-
gress resumed its sessions. The mem
bership Of the committee is said to in
dicate the platform will be strongly
along the lines Of national control as
favored by Roosevelt and Pinchot. Ad-
dresses by j. J. Hill, Senator Bever-
idge, and Secretary Of Agriculture Will
son We're on today's program.
An Ovation For Pinchot.
There was a dramatic incident In
connection with the convention today
when Clifford Pinchot received a great
ovation. The former forester the OBJ
ject Of a wild demonstration, stood
with tears streaming from his eyes un-
til the outburst Of cheers had subsided
and the spectators We're again In their
seats. Just what Senator Beverldge
was trying to say complimentary to
Pinchot was drowned in the roar that
rose the moment the trend Of his re-
marks became apparent.
Clifford Pinchot," said the speaker,
and the outburst started. 1t grew until
every one was yelling and the whole
house was on it's feet waving hats and
handkerchiefs Senator Beveridge had
no sooner retired when cries Of "Pin-
chot, Pinchot" rang thru the house. He
was dragged forward by President
Baker. His voice shook as he ex-
pressed his thanks
Wilson on Conservation.
"The most important feature of farm
conservation is the soil The farmer
prospers while the soil responds to his
work and yields good crops; he ceases
to do well when the soil refuses to re-
spond to his labor.
During the short history Of our
country we have had new soils to draw
upon when exhaustion resulted from
the robbing process and much of the
nations prosperity is the equivalent Of
what the soil has lost. Our people
have been we'll fed and until recently
they have been cheaply fed. This has
been due in part no doubt. to. the occu-
,ancy Of land easily obtainable as
soon as the older refused to yield
.bundantly and Is one of the prime
causes of farm desertion that is now
attracting so much attention.
Population Outstrips Production.
Manufacturers increased and pros
pered greatly during the last half CEN
tury because food was cheaper in our
country than in any one with which
we competed. Food is cheap no longer.
Population has increased faster than
production from the soil. A new soil
given to all who desired. was the basis
r;{ 1n 0i1 nf
our older settlements were robbed and
neglected in the east and in the south;
they had little or no attention. Rail-
ways were pushed into the Mississippi
valley where the glaciated soils were
SO rich, so easily cultivated, and sup
posed to be inexlnustible. The gov
ernment policy of giving farms to the
ueople has exhausted the supply In the
regions where rainfall usually assures
good crops. The mountain ranges hold
the snow and some valley lands are
icing irrigated which yield abundantly,
but only a small per cent OF land west
Of the one hundredth meridian is being
irrigated So we have found our limi-
tations. Bread and meat are so dear
that employers of labor are under the
necessity Of increasing compensation
that people may live.
"Since the civil war heavy exporta-
tions from the farm have paid foreign
debts and kept the balance Of trade in
our favor Expectations from the farm
are steadily falling off. both of meats
and breadstuffs. We grow more crops
every year, but not enough to feed our
Increasing population and keep up our
exports.
Must Look to tho Soil.
sAt thirteen stations in seven states
We have parties Of scientists studying
methods Of plant management on our
dry lands. If our growth in population
Is to continue we must look to the SOIL
and conserve moisture which Is the
transportation system of the plant.
without adding water beyond what
falls from the clouds it is practical to
greatly increase crop fields by better
oil management and adding fertilizing
material that we permit to go to for
eign countries. We furnish nitrogenous
mill feeds to thrifty foreigners who
know their value to feed their cattleto
make meats and dairy products ana
keep up the fertility OF their SOILS
These should be fed on the farm that
grow the grain from which they are
made New lands are not to be hao
for the asking in the thirty-inch rain
Nall districts of the country. If we are
to prosper as a people we must give
close attention to our soils and con-
terve their fertility by all the means
h our power.
sEomething Is being done to increase
he volume Of our crops in all sections
be our country. The cattle fever tick
(bf the south has prevented the pro-
'htable production Of beef IN that Sec
lion of our country Congress has pro-
yided for the determination OF The pest,
'Sich is being done; 10000 square
les is now free from 1t. This will
' hg into active production within a
years all Of tire southern states,
stures will b prepared. the prime
ment in a system OF rotation OF
p cetten. seed weN WU be fed