Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-27


To begin with. there is the egg stage
containing the germ OF life. which I'M
der proper conditions has great pOssibili-
ties for future development. The egg
stage OF the insect corresponds exactly
10 the store OF natural riches with
which the United states was originally
endowed BY a wise and all-generous
providence. When the egg matches the
larva stage OF the insect is reached,
and may properly be said TO correspond
with the pioneering epoch The larva
stage IS the growing, developing. and at
the same time. the destructive stage in
the insects life for then IL feeds ON
the leaves OF its host plant, and there
by Injuries and retards growth and de-
veiopment In the same way, during
the pioneering epoch in the United
3D. States our fOrefathers lived on the
riches OF the land. destroyed the for
ests. exhausted our soils, and exploit
ed in so far as possible all other nat
- ural resources for their immediate ben
eft and with no thought OF the morrow.
Presently. our insect changes into the
pupa stage which corresponds 10 the
trsnsitory era in its life history In
the same way the agricultural indus
tries OF our country are now passing
through a transitory era. and the early
practices of the pioneers are Of neces-
sity being abandoned by reason of the
exhaustion, for instance. Of our forests
and the development OF our railroads
Depreciation in the fertility OF our soils
is forcing upon us better methods or
cultivation. the use Of supplemental
fertilizers. the establishment of crop
rotations. AMI the reorganization of our
agriculture and Industrial practices in
general
After passing through the stages
mentioned. the insect attains its full
maturity and reaches what is known
as the adult or perfected stage At
this time II is supposed TO be fully capa-
BILE OF taking care of itself and pro-
viding for the perpetuation of the
species. In other words. 1t has reach
ed the stage of the gravest response
bilities. and upon its sagacity depends
: the future OF the race In a similar
manner our agriculture may be said
10 be now attraction the attention OF
national leaders VINO see in the manage
ment we accord our lands and the care
We bestow upon our natural resources.
the possibilities of a continuous growth
and expansion of our nation Those
endowed with discerning powers appre-
cizte the dangerous situation we are
now confronting, and realize that unless
there is a true awakening and a sense
OF national responsibility with refer
encs TO the conservation of our agri-
culture and the industries correlated
Herewith. that the future can only he
viewed with uncertainty and alarm.
This naturally brings US to consid-
Grafton of America as an example OF
natures generosity and Of the dangers
now confronted by reason of this fact.
Those who have given consideration to
this subject realize that waste Is the
primal curse by which we are afflicted
Destruction always arrests progress.
Beset as We are by natures prodigality
which has made living easy. il is not
surprising that carelessness should have
become a very part OF our nature, and
that. as a result. a spirit of indiffer-
ence should have been developed TO
threaten our future welfare Destruc-
tiOn and waste foster unwholesome and
degrading sentiments and thereby OPP
pose thrift which calls for the exercise
OF seIf-deniaI-the most wholesome af-
Fiction that an individual or a nation
can contract, for without sacrifices
there develops a spirit OF contempt for
things which make for progress and
advancement. Whenever a spirit OF
seIf-centeredness finds lodgment in the
human mind. there is a tendency to
slothfulness. and presently ignorance,
the most dangerous Of all things which
can A4LACN Us Il 6A AAAt MGAlAls anu AAAN
course OF the individual or the national
life is headed for destruction. Con-
ceft is probably more rampant in the
mind Of the ignorant person than any
one else. and out Of conceit develops
self-aduIation. and presently an un-
wholesome spirit Of atheism will make
its appearance. Atheism breeds con-
temut for education and research, which
together constitute the sole means at
mans command for advancing himself
in a measure commensurate with the
needs OF the age in which he lives
All OF the above influences are more
o. less al work in the state and in the
nation They are all Developments
which have naturally occurred by rea-
son Of the superabundance OF our nat
uraI gifts. and the ease with which IL
has been possible 10 live in the past
without giving due consideration to the
future. As a result. we are now face to
face with the most serious situation in
the history of the United States. and
ind ourselves lamentably unprepared in
the arts and sciences to meet the condi-
lions which have suddenly been thrust
upon US by the outbreak of war in
Europe Here we see the picture Of
great nation Of 100. 100000 people IN
able to supply itself with $4,000 tons Of
dy estuffs. though IL possesses every
thing needed with which TO manuiaC-
ture them in the greatest perfection.
Our agriculture and other Industries are
threatened because We are unable 10 OBJ
tain $4,000 tons of potash, though we
have vast areas OF kelp on the Pacific
coast which IL properly harvested and
handled are capable of furnishing us
with a million tons of potash salts an
nuaIIy. Those who have a contempt for
education and for research cannot find
much satisfaction in such a situation,
and must indeed now deplore the fact
that we have neglected to properly I'M
Cerstanc, appreciate and exploit our nat
uraI resources. 1t seems incredible that
enc of the main Industries of a great
republic should be distraught because IL
can no longer pay a tribute Of sl3.60o.-
600 annually to Germany for potaah
salts. Similarly. we have been import
ing annually 100000 tons OF nitrate of
soda worth S1s.0OO,000; yet there are
unlimited amounts of nitrogen resting
over every acre OF our land. which we
are capable Of drawing out OF the air
and making available for plant produc-
ton with numerous varieties Of legumes.
Our streams are running riot to the
sea. whereas. IL damned and the cleo
IL A %