Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-07
SUPPLIES OF POTASH
AND SEEDS REDUCED /.
BY EUROPEAN WAR
Head of Vegetable Growers
Association Warns Farmers
of Necessity of Increasing
Home Product.

'"The European war has cut off entirely
| the supply of potash in the United States.
| There Is at present on hand in this coun-
try only 30 per cent. of the usual stock.
| The same Is true of seeds. If the war
continues for another year, the situation
| as far as potash and seeds are concerned
will become most serious unless the
American agriculturists take the hint and
get down to the production of potash and
seeds themselves. II this could be accom-
plished, we will end our dependence upon
| Europe in fertillzing and planting our
soil'
This was the statement made by r. l.
Watts, president of the Vegetable Grow
ers' Association of America at the sec
ond session of the association now hold
ing its seventh annual convention In Hor-
ticultural Hall.
There Is n striking sentiment among
the delegates not TO take all novel pro-
posals for granted, and to adopt only
those methods which have proved sue
cessful elsewhere or which show some
definite promises of success. A state
mcnt to this effect was made at yes-
terday's session by r. L. Watts, presi-
dent of the association in his annual ad-
dress to the convention Tho same feel
Ing Is shown by Professor Paul Work, of
Cornell. prominent figure at the con-
vention and a recognized authority on
agricultural topics.
VALUE OF COOPERATION.
Speaking OF the value of cooperation
Professor Work said this morning:
There is a lot of talk about co-opera-
ton which takes for granted things that
cannot be done. 1t is big job to get
the products OF the farm to the person
that uses 1t. The work of the middle-
man In this respect has to be done.
When an agricultural community enters
upon cooperation it should begin with
simple activities. To do grading, pack
ing, shipping and selling hundreds of
thousands of dollars worth of products
every year is difficult. 1t Is a complex
proposition and 1t demands experience
not only on the part OF the directors
and managers Of the cooperative asso-
members. They must be absolutely loyal
to the association. If community will
get together for some simple things like
standardizing packages. buying seeds,
fertilizers and supplies, or for nothing
more than holding meetings and ex-
changing experiences and observations.
1t can accomplish a great deal of
good. That gets them acquainted with
each other until they learn to trust each
other. Then they are ready for the big
ger things Of cooperation. A great deal
along the lines of cooperation could be
accomplished in the control of market
facilities, for as a group vegetable grow
ers can exercise a tremendous control
upon this important part of their BUSH
ness"
This mornings session was a popular
open meeting. The subject discussed was
Soil Problems for Vegetable Growers"
The principal speaker was DIR. Jacob Lip
man, director of the New Jersey Agri-
cultural Experiment Station at New
Brunswick, n. j.
DEFECTIVE FERTILIZATION.
Doctor Lipman in his address made 4
severe criticism of the manner in which
the soil of the United States has been
taken care OF and said that a great deal
OF waste, which could be eliminated by
proper methods of fertilization, is
threatening seriously the productive
capacity of the soil of this country.
THE American farmer and market
gardener" said Doctor Lipman, lis coming
to realize for the first time the necessity
of soil study and the fact that the soil
has certain vital needs which he must
satlsIy II II is to continue TO serve him
and bring forth its fruits in their sea
sons In generations past we have
iarmed our lands with the reckless
prodlsality OF drunken spendthrift, ex-
haustlng all and restoring nothing, and
when the farms of one neighborhood
were exhausted, moving on ever west
ward TO new lands of virgin, unbroken
soil.
Millions, probably hundred of millions,
or dollars worth of fertile soil, our great
est national asset. have been used up and
rendered barren by wasteful methods
Now we are beginning to feel the pinch,
and our farmers are turning to soil
study ana soil culture as the only means
Oy winch we can continue 10 feed our
increasing population.
FOR generations American farmers
nave been plowing their land in deem
,nanhels ana cutters without regard TO
"ashlng or drainage. Thousands ~ tons
or our best and most fertile soil have
Deen washed from slOping lands because
ol Improper plowing down into the Mis-
'lssipLl' never to return. In the past
NE nave paid no attention to crop rotation
ana fertilization, but have raised eron
itter crop OF sXhsusting grain on the
me common method OF disposaI of
waste products and straw on our farms
nilheIto mas been to burn them. Land
mat Is burned over seldom Is worth apv-
-hlng In crop production afterward II
,hese ,n', ihree ways hundreds OF millions OF
lollaEs worth OF potential national wealth
nave been wasted In the past. We are
lust awakening to the realization oS tbt
ana looking about for means 10 ston ~
u We are 70 continue to feed our d.
'Ieasing population they must be found"
howard w. Selby, secretary OF ths con
'ehelon' Iishes particularly 10 invite tba
'upllc 10 attend the session Of the 49,
aple growers, particularly on Thursds,,
pc discussed. VIII
PROFESSOR Kings questionnaire. Ubicb
as 10 nave taken place last might g,ss
eIeffed until today. The auegfionnairs
expected to be the most interestinS
uucatonal feature Of the convsDtia,S
II a9ulton 70 the many experts tatir+.
art IN the discussions, and the dsIagatas
NUMBER OF representatives OF N,oT1.',',
oclal ana economic clubs of ~.
le partielpating. These clubs rar,.s
oEns S 0oOelo consumers Of this cit,
a MS afternoon was devot.a