Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-17
EXPERT .DEPLORES
|. us. CONSER VATI0N
Says Recent Rush to Canada Is
Result of WaStefuI
Exploitation
SHOULD ACT AS A WARNING
SpiIIman Thinks That American
Farmers Should Maintain
Productivity of Soil

management, brought into the depart
ment of agriculture by Secretary Will
son a little more than eight years
ago, and now chief of an important
branch of the department which has
done much toward bridging the chasm
between science and practical farming.
Mr.. Spillman thinks that the stream of
migration which is flowing over the
northern borders should act as warn
ing to the farmers of America and
show them the need of restoring and
maintaining the productivity of the
soil From his standpoint, this is the
most important phase of the whole
conservation problem.
HAS BECOME STAMPEDE
Some of the American emigrants are
taking up the lands in Manitoba, AL
berta and Saskatchewan where there
is almost a stampede to establish
farms on the virgin soil, in the belief
that the fertility of the land is 'in-
exhaustible." Similar claims were
made a few years ago about the
prairies of the west and middle west.
Experience has proved however, that
no soil is inexhaustible unless cared for
under an approved system of farm
management.
"This country has been prodigal in
the utilization of all it's natural re-
sources, especially the soil, and we are
now paying the penalty" said Mr..
Spillman a few days ago before leav-
ing Washington for a field trip. In
MANY of the older communities soil
fertility is greatly reduced. The de-
probation of the soil due to primitive
methods of farming means a reduced
income for the farmer because of re-
duced capacity of the land, and an in
crease in the cost of food because of
low yields. Many of our farmers, in
stead of staying at home and adopt
ing methods of renovating their worn
out soils, find it easier to sell the old
farm and pack up and move on.
1--WE are facing a new situation. NO
longer does the Improvement OF land
in the west meet the loss due to the
abandonment of older lands in the east
combined with the increased demand
for the products of the farm. That
the same process of soil exhaustion
which caused the decrease of agricul-
turaI population and abandonment OF
farms in the east is now going on in
the west and middle west is evidenced
by the decreased yields per acre on
land which a decade or so ago was
considered the richest in the coun-
try. -,
''There is a solution to the problem
which confronts us, and l am confl-
dustrious and competent enough to
work it out on the ground. Abandon
ing or selling the farm to move to
Canada does not help matters in this
direction. Abuse of the soil must stop.
The period of exploitive farming is
passed. Single cropping and failure to
fertilize the land properly Will con-
tinue as the causes of the non-suc-
cess of some farmers, but not as many
as in the years past.
"The per acre yield of land must be
increased by improved farming sys-
TENS which will include the rotation
of crops and the wise use of natural
and commercial fertilizers. Intelligent
farmers now recognize the Importance
of the effect of live stock on the Ter
tility of the soil. Glover, peas, al
falfa and other leguminous crops must
be planted to restore nitrogen to the
soil and humus. Legumlnous Crops
have a wonderful effect on fertility.
Corn planted after alfalfa In Kansas
and Nebraska compared with corn
grown after non-leguminous crops, has
shown an increase of rs per cent, dc-
cording to a recent investigation of the
department of agriculture. The yleld
of corn has been increased so per cent
more by sowing clover between crops.
POSSIBILITIES ARE GREAT
countless cases might be cited to
show the results which are secured ny
really scientific farming. | think now
of a farm in the middle west that
eight years ago was producing only
eight bushels of wheat and twenty
five bushels of corn to the acre. The
owner of this farm was converted by a
representative of the department to
the use of improved methods of con-
serving and building up soil fertility
and at the present time, and depend
ing wholly upon the natural resources
of the farm, he is getting twenty-five
bushels of wheat and fifty to sixty
bushels of corn to the acre. Another
instance is the case of a farmer in
New York state who lived in region
where potato growing had been the
source of farm revenue for two or
three generations. Poor methods had
been used and the soil had run down
until the yields were not over tofly
bushels of potatoes to the acre, ana
these of a poor quality. A representa-
tive of the office of farm management
induced this farmer to get good SEED
potatoes, enough to plant four acres,
and then showed him how to till them.
The four acres produced 25O bushels an
acre of good potatoes.
1--WE make a special point OF hunting
up farmers who have already appned
scientific methods to their farming, and
then telling others about their methods,
because in doing this we know that
our recommendation are entirely prac-
tical. We find also that farmers are
more ready to listen to accounts of the
experience of another farmer than
thew are to suggestions which have not
been tried.
''The situation is hopeful. The main
thing that is needed is a sutficient
number. of teachers who not only under
stand the problems concerning the
farmer but understand the proper
methods to pursue in building up the
soil. There is a nationwide effort at
the present time both by the govern
ment and by the states directed toward
the restoration of soil fertility. Prog
ress is being made and the farmers in
many parts of the country are increas-
ing their profits steadily through the
application of correct farming methods
to take the place of the old system of
mining the SOIL"