The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-24

Through all the years OF the future
this must continue, but the large in
crease IN area of cultivated land is a
thing of the past.
During the past ten years, acreage
of cultivated land increased % per
cent; production increased So per
cent: but consumption increased so
per cent. In other words, population
or consumption increased in 10 years
almost times as fast as acreage and
almost twice as fast as production.
The question is essentially an econ
oH,ic onea question of the gravest
Importance. TO which should be direct
ed the most mature wisdom, the most
conservative Judgment, and the most
sleepless. untiring energy Of the most
constructive, progressive minds OF the
nation.
Not an untrodden Path.
In this economic evolution we are
not following an nntrodden path.
Other nations have been confronted
with the same great question. How
snail we be fed. and wherewithal shall
We be clothed and upon the wisdom
with which the question has been soly-
ed has hung the fate of those nations.
More than a century ago the produc-
ton of wheat in Great Britain had
gone down to about the average OF this
country today: viz. fraction less
than Il bushels per acre.
A Royal Commission was appointed,
which has been in continual. active
existence ever since. The yield Of
wheat was gradually brought up to 80
bu. per acre, and at that figure it is
maintained year after year
The story OF this campaign for inn
proved agriculture in England is ex-
ceedingly interesting, and, in the pres
en-. juncture, of profound Importance
to this country.
The islands of the sea have been
swept clean of their rich stores of qua
no, the accumulation Of ages. Phos-
pilates have been imported by the mill
lions OF dollars worth from the United
States. The battlefelds of Europe
were combed, the catacombs Of Egypt
rifled, and for years the bones Of
three million men were ground up an
nually and used to bring the soil of
England back to its present fertility.
Export Of Phosphate.
Approximately five million dollars
worth of our phosphates are being ex-
ported each year In some way this
should be stopped. In the years to
come this master fertilizer will be
worth more than gold.
believe it is well within the bounds
of conservation to say that before the
middle of the present century the
phosphates which we export annu-
ally, and for which we receive five
million dollars, will be worth five hum
dred million dollars for fertilizing our
own land
The farmer has always been the
state builder. the pioneer. He it is
who has built up and made the nation
what it is. and the general govern
ment and the states can discharge
the obligation itfowes the great agri-
cultural interest in no better way
than in spending money freely in
lettering agricultural conditions.
Situation in France.
France. with her Astounding pros
perity, her marvellous wealth of agri-
cultural resources, which have made
her the creditor nation of the world,
maintains $4,000 rural schools with
agricultural departments in the shape
OF gardens and small fields where sys-
tematic, scientific cultivation and con-
servation of the soil is taught.
I saw In Northern France last sum-
mer, large fields of wheat which would
yield 60 bushels per acre from land
which has been cultivated continuous
ly for 1000 years. II the United
States had the same population per
square mile as France. our people
would number $50, 100000. How would
we feed them?
Since 1873 Belgium has required
every school in the kingdom to main
tain field not less chan 1914 square
rods for the purpos OF instrncting the
pupils in this most important work.
Here is Where Work Should Start.
Here is where this work of edu-
cation should begin, and instruction
OF this character undertaken by our
rural schools, where the farmer boys
and girls attend, would be speedily
and powerfully reflected In improved
methods ON our farms.
The increased value OF corn, wheat,
oats and barley in the United States,
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