The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-08-02

'The present high cost of living would
indicate that the production of food
products is not keeping pace with con-
sumption. Today there is but little
new agricultural territory, -to-~be de.
veloped in the United States, and the
increase in farm products for the fu
ture must come, in large measure,
from land already under cultivation
said Professor G.. l. Christie, superin
tendent Of agricultural extension work
at Purdue university. before the re
cent convention of the National Fer
tilizer association at Hot Springs, Va.
1.-THE New Agriculture" was the sub
ject Of his address.
agriculture is the great business
and industry of the state and country,
and the farms must be brought to a
high state of productivity to meet the
demands of the rapidly increasing pop
ulation. It is a problem Of industrial
efficiency as we'll as that of social CO.
operation" continued Professor Chris
tie comfortable homes, the best of
schools, community churches, commu-
nifty centers, good roads and more
permanent and satisfying social life
must be provided for. This can only
be done when the landowners and their
families are willing to remain on the
farm and expend their energy and
money in the building up and main
tanning of rural institutions,
1.-THE large and rapidly increasing
population makes an unprecedented
demand upon the farmers for food
strlffs. A study of statistics shows that
the population Of the United States has
practically doubled every twenty five
years. A few years ago new states
and territories were being occupied and
an increased supply of farm products
placed upon the market. This acquir-
ing and developing of new lands did
much to keep production ahead Of con-
sumption and meet the needs Of an in
creasing populati ton, . continued Profes-
sor Christie.
''The average yield of wheat in the
United States for the past ten years
was 14.S bushels per acre. A few years
ago the yield Of wheat in England and
in Germany was really lower than
that found in the United States.
Through fertilization and better crop
system these countries have been able
to gradually increase the average yield
of the wheat crop until at this time it
ranges about thirty-s bushels per
acre. On the farm Of Purdue univer-
sity, where conditions are similar to
those of large area of wheat lands
through good rotation of crops and
proper fertilization the average yield
Of wheat for the past thirty years has
reached twenty eight bushels per acre."
Professor Christie then told how 238
farmers in Indiana grew five acres of
corn each last year from which an av-
erage yield Of 724 bushels per acre was
obtained, or just about double the av-
erage yield Of the state. The average
cost of producing an acre of corn in
Indiana is $19.16 or 37.1O. cents bush
ell. The 23S farmers who raised 72.4
bushels per acre did so at an average
cost Of 1882 per acre, or 1876 cents
per bushel, showing clearly that the
high yields are not only profitable be-
cause of the total value, but because
there is a greater net profit on each
bushel produced. Professor Christie
explained the Importance and develop
ment Of the county agent movement
throughout the country at considerable
length and pointed out how the county
agent works in connection with other
agencies to bring about better schools.
better churches, better roads and rec
ognition of the country's greatest bus.
ness and industry griculture