Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-29
FERT|EzE WITH BRAINS,
SAYS SOIL EXPERT NIECE
In Clever Address to ConServ-
alton Congress MCGEE Sug-
geSts Brains to Aid Farming
sy Associated rrsss.)

KANSAS CITY. Mo-, Sept. 27.-"Fer-
HIKING with brains" was the sugges-
lion for more productivity in farms
made by W. J. MCGEE. OF the bureau OF
SOILS of the department Of agriculture.
before the national conservation con-
gress today.
During the ten years ending in 1910.
ae said, -the farm area increased only
u per cent and the acreage of improved
arms only I5-2 per cent. while the acre
salue OF farm lands increased loS.1 per
cent. and the aggregate value no less
than i174 per cent. This increase Is
connected with the high cost OF living,
especially in cities. though thes advance
n prices has thus far benefited trans
oortation and trade rather than the prl-
mary producers; in 1900 we paid our ran
WAYS s, 6So0oa000. and in 1910 about H.
5O.OOO.O0O 90 per cent OF which was
frsirhtarel. an advance of 81 per cent;
considered as a tax on improved lanu
siustifably. In that the cost OF trans
portation limits production) this was
4 per acre in 1900. and S5.16 in lslO, an
Increase Of a per cent, or as per capita
tax. IL was s71.74 in Isvg, and 80 IN IsIO'
an Increase OF 3 per cent-all Of which
ratios Of increase are far higher than
that of farm prices for farm products
..Howsomever the factors Of our re-
cent growth are arranged. 1t Is clear
hat primary production. fallen behind
Surfing recent decades, must be brought
uu-which can best be done by feruiiz-
ing the acres with brains. and so con-
trolling natural forces and materials as
10 Increase production both per acre ana
ser worker. II cannot be too strongly
emphasized that if there be anything IN
the lessons of past human progress or
IN modern science. this is feasible; dur
nr the generations natural productivity
has been multiplied; and today the sun
power with which the farmer plays Is
over ]. 7OO-horsepower per acre Tor each
crop, that the farmer has larger com
1and over natural forces than any other
lndustTian.
This vast inuterior. Of which the like
s not 20 be found on earth. is the bread
basket and meat hamper Of the country,
and the career Of the nation Is destined
to Se shaped largely by the teeming
crops OF its acres in foodstuffs ana
clothing wares, and yet more largely
By that richer crop produced through
lnion OF men and earth
Yet this contamination VIII not come
without foresight and effort; the re-
sources must be developed conservative
lugated: sunpower must be better dl-
rected and water supply better used;
the spirit OF free citizenship must be
fostered and the franchise exercised fui-
": tendencies OF communities against
public welfare must be counteractedi
transportation must be cheapened oy
regulation and by proper use OF the
inest natural system Of waterways on
earth; statesmen in sympathy with the
people must be developed in lieu OF
pseudo statesmen serving special privi-
lages; laws must be enacted and exc
cuted in behalf Of all the people, and
special and class legislation must be
shocked; public utilities must be con-
rolled in the public interest and their
Sonduct kept open TO the public; cor
oorations must be given opportunity sec
md only to individuals. nor must paru-
san issues be allowed to delude the I'M
zary-these are among the requisites Tor
ne continued welfare OF this interior
and for the perpetuity of this nation
The duty and the responsibility devolve
directly on the people; and ii is the aim
II conservation to fan and keep afiame
the moral light behind the material
movement"