Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1912-03-08

and that these European lands have
been cropped for centuries.
'The better results obtained by Eu-
ropean agriculturists frequently are
attributed 10 the intensive methods
Of cultivation employed. To an even
greater degree, however, they are due
to the fact that Europe long ago real
lied the ruinous results of the single
crop policy, and by the adoption of a
wise system of rotation has increased
the yield of all its crops, while, ut the
same time. preserving the fertility of
its soil in undiminished volume.
While intensive methods can be in
troduced here only gradually it
would be possible for American far
mers, without any considerable add
ed effort, to adopt plan of crop ro-
tation that would enormously in.
crease the yield of their acres, and SO
would benefit not only themselves
but every person in the country.
"For example, Germany learned
nearly generation ago the tremen-
dous value of the sugar beet as crop
to be used in rotation with cereals.
and the cultivation of this crop has
been encouraged in all possible WAYS
until Germany now produces half Of
the entire world product of beet SUI
gar. In the United States the cult
Walton Of this crop has increased very
greatly. but 1t is judged solely by its
direct return without any considera-
ton Of the indirect benefits in in
creasing the yield Of other crops, al
though these indirect results are the
more valuable of the two. In fact
the great increase in the acreage yield
Of Germapy's crops has taken place
since the general introduction Of the
sugar beet as 4 crop to be used in ro-
tation one year in four. that is since
{, the early eighties.
! "Conceding the fact, which can be
substantiated by the testimony Of Eu-
ropes foremost agricultural econo-
mists, that the beet sugar industry,
more than any one or all other causes
/ combined, has furnished the inspira-
ton which has resulted in placing Eu-
rope SO far in advance of the United
States in concrete agricultural re-
suits. the question naturally arises
as to why we have not followed more
closely in Europe's footsteps, doubl-
ed the acreage yield of our staple crops
nd ~ ,,H I
instead Of producing but 100000 tons
Of beet sugar at home and importing
$500, 900 tons, the equivalent of what
Europe exports after supplying her
400 ,0o0, 900 inhabitants.
lone Of the great virtues OF the SUI
gar beet for use in rotation with 9TH
er crops, aside from the fact that it
can be grown protitably III the great
majority Of the states Of this country,
is that it is q great normal school Of
agricultural. 1t trains the indiffer-
ent farmer to be an expert farmer.
because of the fact that sugar beets
form the only important agricultural
crop which, unless the price per ton
be exceedingly high, refuses to return
Il profit or even expenses when farm
ed in slip-shod manner. The SUI
perior methods which the ia rmer is
forced to apply to beet culture grad
ually are applied to the production Of
other crops and finally are adopted by
neighbOring farmers, even though
they do not tax up the cultivation Of
this particular crop.
believe, however, that the. AM
erican farmer is gradually awakening
to the value OF the methods which
have put Europe so far ahead OF us
in getting the greatest returns from
the soil. The value of crop rotation
and the use Of the beet is shown by
the fact that ii on land devoted to
wheat, oats, barley, rye and potatoes
in Germany their farmers secured
only our average yield OF these crops,
German farmers would be poorer by
5000. OoO, 900 a year. Deplorable and
nnWelcOme as is the increased cost Of
living cloud. it may still develop Il
silver lining, ii it brings our farmers
to appreciate the need of methods
which will enable them to work thei,
land to its full sutliciency and at the
same time to conserve it's future pro-
ductiveness. There is no reason VIII,
we cannot equal or surpass what Ger.
many has accomplished through the
careful application of crop rotation
Incidentally, by giving more atten
ton to the most valuable Of all rota
ton crops, we can produce our owl
sugar and do more toward the settle
ment of one trust problem than con
gress and the courts have been abb,
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