The Delta independent., 1920-06-25

conserving the proper soil balance on
the old farms, the family ties were
broken or uprooted and moved to new
ones. This process Of skinning and
moving on rather than perpetuating
one-hundred per cent production by
scientific application of conservation
methods has been carried to such
lengths that there is little If any vir-
gin resource to rob and we shall be
compelled to reconstruct, reclaim and
proceed in an orderly common sense
manner to increase our acre produc-
tion If we are to go forward and not
backward
Half to three-quarters of a century
ago, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Virginia were the support of the
agricultural aristocracy of America.
Vermont had valuable herds of cattle
and that state was such factor in
sheep production that her flocks were
drawn upon for breeding stock from
all parts of the country, from Aus
tralia and other far away lands. New
York still has 100000 acres of aban-
doned farms-farms that once grew
good grains, fruit, livestock and men
who have become more than nation
ally famous in the worlds work. The
speculative spirit after the Civil war
led men to our newer, cheaper lands.
the Dakotas and the cattle kings of
the West were skimming the surface
Of opportunity during the magic period
between 1870 and 1900, they were, by
ruthless competition, setting back
agricultural and livestock conserva-
ton and development east of the Mis-
sissippi. Wheat of the finest quality
was grown upon tracts thousands OF
acres in extent where land cost little
ers out of the running and did the
country as a whole vastly more harm
than good Although winter losses on
cattle upon government ranges fire.
quently went as high as 80 per cent,
even that precarious business was
able to put a check upon cattle pro-
duction on farms throughout the land.
The lower prairies were devoted ITO
corn and oats, the south concentrated
given over to vast wheat fields year
after year. For decades crops with
little rotation were harvested as one
might seine lake without any
thought of where the future hauls
we're coming from.
Before the great war, we were drift
ing into situation in which our meat
-, v,rodunfi0n
seriously threatened by competition
from abroad. Then came the shoulder
to shoulder countrywide drive for in
creased production. 1t was magnifi-
cent demonstration of the mighty
things that could be done by intelli-
gent effort spurred on by true patriot
ism. For short period everyone was
keyed up to high pitch of industry
and conservation Untold wealth was
created, but when the armistice was
signed the expected reaction in prices
did not come.
On the other hand, the interminable
merrygoround of higher wages, larger
costs and wider margins continued in
a delirium Of mad excesses. Every
body wanted to joyride. Men who sac
rificed SO much for their country had
a right to feel that they were entitled
to as good or better jobs than they
left, but the great trouble was that
thousands who formerly were good,
steady workers are now like the fellow
who is looking for regular job with
out work Three great basic prob
lens must now be solved II this great
nation is to reach and maintain the
high standard that is possible. These
are increased production, better trans
portation and proper distribution.
The production problem with the far
mer means more Intelligent prepare
tion, fertilization, rotation and adap-
tation of field crops, the greater use
of purebred sires. With the manufac-
turer 1t means better understanding
and common sense consideration, one
for the other. of the 95 per cent who
work and the per cent who manage.
Better transportation means the
practical application of expert knowl-
edge of the needs of the regions
served. The present trebling OF time
to move livestock and perishable prod
rcts between given points causes un-
told loss to shippers and greatly ag-
gravates the shortage Of rolling stock.
The old-time competitive service with
cooperation and elimination of poll
tics. pull and senseless red tapery is
what is needed. Proper distribution
means an unobstructed flow Of sur
plus to meet deficiency. Three or
four or five sets Of middlemen, in
playing their holdup games. gouge
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