Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-10-14

PART i.
The United States was once regarded
as the granary OF Europe, and the teem-
ing population of the "old world felt
comparatively secure. so far as an ade-
ouate supply OF food was concerned.
SO long as the respective governments
remained at peace with this country. IL
Vas a period in our history when all
felt secure as to the permanency or ma
lures generosity, and there was much
eating and drinking without thought Tor
tomorrow. Within the past generation
however Il became apparent TO some
of our leading savants that the increas-
ing consumption Of wheat per capita
and the remarkable growth Of pOpula-
ton would presently prevent the United
States from exporting the ''stan OF life.
unless some method OF maintaining and
increasing the yield per acre were de-
vised. The realization OF this fact was
a severe shock 10 people, both at home
and abroad. Great surprise was eN-
pressed that this condition could pertain
In a country OF such extensive area and
so newly reclaimed from a primeval con-
dition Was il possible that the limit
less prairies OF yesterday had been re-
claimed and cropped by man so COM
pletely within a single century as 10 IN
dictate the near approach to maximum
production of this essential cereal Care
full Investigation demonstrated that the
claims of economists have been conserv-
atively stated. and not grossly eNagger-
ated as was so long cOntended by many
well disposed but badly Informed per-
sons. In view Of the existing conditions
IL is not surprising that national in
terest has been aroused in the conserva-
ton OF our resources. especially with
regard to agriculture. for 1t seems al
most incredible that lands easily capa-
bic one or two generations ago OF yield
ing as much as 40 bushels OF wheat per
acre have now been reduced TO a condi-
ton where the crop harvested frequently
does not exceed Il to Is bushels.
II appears. therefore. that the move
ment for conservation is not due TO the
opinion OF a few alarmists, but 10 re-
ularkable change in the economic stu
alton. and TO the fact that the produc-
ing powers OF many soils have been re-
duced to a point. where new methods
of practice must be instituted IN order
TO make their cultivation profitable, ana
to maintain yields which will insure
sufncient supply Of the great variety OF
food and raw materials required 10 main
tain our present population and foster
Industry in q country Of such vast po-
tentiaifties as the United States.
since our agricultural resources are so
varied II will be we'll 10 consider what
nav properly be included under the cap
ton OF this paper. Briefly. IL VIII IN
cIude the soil and all that relates to III
the relation OF an agricultural survey TO
the development Of a system of rational
agricultural practice; the crops wnich
NAV he grown successfully; the live stock
which feed upon the grasses and forage
crops produced in a given environment;
the timber which may be grown on
lands not adapted 10 cultivation; ana the
protection of our crops from losses que
10 the attack Of predaceous insects ana
our plants and animals from destructive
diseases Finally. we must not over
look the unreasonable loss Of human
energy with its consequent discourage
ments which resuIth from many Of the
practices now i'm vogue on our farms,
and which tends steadily to sap the
virility Of the nation.
OF the tones enumerated in the fore
going brief summary, the soil Is by Tar
the most important. because all cosmlc
economy is dependent on IT. The earth
was barren chaos Of rock and chasm
in the days before the great transform
ing agencies OF nature disintegrated II
suficiently TO permit Of the growth OF
upright trees and plants. Time was,
therefore. when no life could exist upon
the earth. much less man with his more
varied needs than those OF other ami
mails The soil Is the ultimate source OF
ali the materials out Of which our COM
pick manufactures are maintained 1t
supplies Us with food and clothing. and
il determines the wealth and efficiency OF
nations. we owe more TO the soil than
to any other natural agency, for II II
became barren or sterile, or II IL is de-
stroyed By erosion. man and many other
forms Of life must speedily become non
existant upon the earth II is fitting
subject, therefore. for serious thought,
and il is remarkable. considering its
fundamental character. that so little is
known OF many OF its most important
functions and how man may utilize them
10 mis- hest advantage
THE FALL TURNIP CROP.
J. A. 2. DonaldsonvilIe. Ga. writes:
I have purchased a piece OF piney woods