South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-28

nto consideration in planning their
icreage.
Discussing the problem OF land
settlement. the secretary OF agricul-
ture in his annual report says that
with wise foresight and increased
employment of scientific practice.
Under the stimulation OF intelligent
agencies. America can take care OF
and provide for a very much larger
population under even more favor
able circumstances and in greater
prosperity.
Interest in land for homes and
population grows 1t has become
more marked as the area OF public
land suitable and available for agri-
culture has diminished" says the
secretary. 1T is intensified at the
present time by reason Of the sug-
gestion and desire that returned sol
diers and others who may wish 10
secure farms shall have an oppor-
tunitv 10 do so under suitable con-
ditions. 1t finds expression. too, in
discussions OF the number of tenant
farmers and in its meaning and sig
nificance.
still Room For Many.
That there is still room in the
nation for many more people on
farms is clear. The United States
proper contains about l. 900, 900. 900
acres of land. Of which an area Of
100000 900 acres, or so percent,
Is tillable. Approximately $4,000.
600 acres. or 80 percent OF this was
planted in crops in 1918. In other
words. for every 100 acres now till
ed 500 acres may be utilized when
the country is fully settled. OF
course, much of the best land. espe-
cially that most easily brought un-
der cultivation and in reasonably
easy reach of large consuming cen
tiers, is in use. though much Of it,
possibly IS percent, is not yielding
full returns. Extension Of the farm
ed area viii consequently be made
with greater expense for clearing,
preparation, drainage, and irrigation
and for profitable operation Will in
volve marketing arrangements OF
high degree of perfection and the
discriminating selection OF crops
having a relatively high unit value
Two Ways Pointed Out.
Increased production can there
fore be secured in two ways. name
", through the use OF more land
and through the adoption Of i'm
proved processes of cultivation of all
involves the general application OF
the best methods used by the most
skillful farmers and urged by ex-
perienced. practical and scientific
experts. 1t will necessitate seed Sc
lection and Improvement. plant and
animal breeding, soil development
through rotation. the discriminat-
ing use Of fertilizers, the control and
eradication of plant and animal dis
eases, good business practice and
thrift. and many other things. It
means that farming must be profit
able and that society must be will
ing 10 pay the price. Under no other
conditions can farming expand. II
means, too, that only as many will
or need stay on farms as may be
necessary to supply what the con
sumers will take at prices which will
justify production. Many people
speak as if they thought there
should be. no limit TO the number
engaged in agriculture or TO pro
duction of crops. The farmer must
consider his balance just as much
as any other business man The
number of individuals remaining in
the farming industry will, in the
long run, continue 10 adjust itself
roughly to the economic demand and
will increase as it expands or as rel
ative economies are effected"