The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-02-26

preaching our harbors would be no
more alarming than the relentless adj
vance OF day when we shall have nei-
Their sufficient food nor the means to
purchase it for Our population. The
farmers OF our Nation must save it i'll
the future, just as they have built its
greatness in the past-James J. Hill.
Since time began the tlling OF the
soil has been the basic industry Of the
human race. The reason is obvious.
The soil is the only source of food
supply, either directly or indirectly.
Further, it is the only agency that pro-
duces food. as well as other nccessi-
ties OF life, in regular cycles. The til
Ter OF the soil has been the pioneer of
all industry, and all other industries
are dependent upon his ability to pro-
duce more than he needs for his own
use. 1t is Tor this reason that the well
fare OF the Nation as whole depends
upon the welfare OF the farmer, and the
best interests OF the Nation are adj
vanced by setting aside public funds
for the development and conservation
of our greatest natural resource, the
soil. That it is possible tor whole
countries to become depleted of the
soils fertility is clearly shown by such
countries as Egypt, Palestine, Babylon
and portions OF China and India, that
at one time supported the highest type
OF civilization known. To-day some OF
these former garden spots are nearly
barren, and sparscly inhabited by a
non-productivc people. Certain por-
tons OF our own country, a land natu-
rally fairly rich in the elements OF
plant food. and one that has been occu-
pied for short time only, has alredy
felt the effects OF wasted resources.
1t is, therefore, for the veal not only
OF the present but also for the future
generation, who will outnumbcr us
many times, that the basic industry OF
Agriculture should be most carefully
guarded and developed. Although tins
fundamental industry OF Agriculture is
based upon the soil which is station
airy, it is i'll its character far from be-
ing stationary. 1t has developed from
the simplest and crudcst forms OF herd
ing to the highly organized and COM
pick business that we see in isolated
cases today and which serve, or should
serve, to stimulate the rank and file OF
farmer to greater efforts. There Is no
other calling which affords such a great
diversity OF effort, which is adapted to
such a variety OF tcmperamcnts, and
which offers such possibilities to all OF
them, as agriculture On the other
hand, there is no other calling which
has been SO maiigncd, in which there
have been such great differences in re-
turns and which has been SO little ap-
&C. Z. |, 1,
are watching most closely the tillcr OF
the soil and all influences that are
brought to bear upon him see ndlca-
tions that lead them to believe that the
Agriculture just ahead OF us is, as
type. much superior to that which we
are leaving. The reasons Tor this be-
lief may be discussed under the follow
ing definite heads:
First. The Profits Of Agriculture.
In order to "ut any lsincss upon a
sound basis, from any point OF view. il
is essential that that business or enter
prise return 4 reaUnablc profit on tt?
invetmcrt and the effort necessary 10
carry il ON. CD to within a compara-
tivelv Jew years these requirements had
not been met in any great degree bv
agriculture a, a whole There were
number OF reasons Tor tins. One of the
most important ones, perhaps, was
that the demand for the staples OF lie
did not meet the generous supply har-
vested from vast areas pi virgin soil,
and that, up To- lew years ago, We had
not begun tn diversity our crops and IN
consequence had not cultivated de-
mand tor The large variety OF products
that we now cons der necessities Com