Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-08-05

velopment of civilization, and science
has begun to take serious account of this
fact. DR.. G. F. Marbut, of the department
of agriculture has just returned from Europe
where he made a study of soils. He en-
phasizes the need for this country to know
the exact soil conditions in other parts of
the world.
The amount of lime or organic matter in
the soil Of some distant country may not
seem to concern this country to any great ex-
tent, yet this one factor may vitality affect
the future of our export trade in some agri-
cultural staple.
The Importance of knowing about soil
conditions Of other parts of the world is
greater now than it was few years ago and
such information will constantly become
more significant. Considerable areas in
Europe and South America are still used for
grazing by nomadic peoples who have not
reached a settled agricultural stage. Guilt
walton of the plains Of Rumania was begun
only about SO years ago. And enormous
stretches of land in Uruguay, Argentina, and
southern Brazil, similar in soil conditions to
our corn belt, are not under cultivation.
When South American lands are planted in
tific methods come into general use in these
sections the United States may find that it
has some new and powerful competitors in
world trade. The South American countries
will most likely grow corn if their soil con-
ditions are suitable. If the Argentine plant
er is likely to become a dangerous competi-
tor of the corn belt farmer in this country
we should know the probabilities and be
ready.
Some p of Europe, too, may go into
corn raising more extensively in the future.
As Europe becomes more prosperous and the
people consume more meat there will be a
greater demand for corn to feed stock.
Europe may buy more grain from this coun-
try then, but if it can pc raised there cheaply
and in quantities the United States may be
asked for smaller instead Of larger ship
ments. knowledge of European soil condi-
lions will help agricultural experts to
prophesy about these matters with some de-
gree of accuracy.
Europe's Corn Belt
Thus, part of Rumania has belt of black
soil somewhat like the corn land of the CEN
trail Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas. This is
significant when you consider that Rumania
is now the great corn exporting country of
Europe. DR.. Marbut had thought it pos
sble that with cheap labor in Europe there
might be large area in Rumania capable of
producing corn as cheaply as this country
does, If Rumania should adopt our methods
Of farming. After spending some time in
Rumania and studying the soil, however, he
thinks it unlikely that that country will be-
come corn growing rival of the United
States. They have no land that is the exact
equivalent of our great corn belt
This is one instance in which scientific
study of soil has made it possible to forecast
agricultural probabilities in a general way.
DR.. Marbut believes that we should learn
what can from European experience and
research ana apply the conclusions to our
own problems.
1l--. problems are numerous for we nave
a greater variety of soils than any other
country on earth and we raise wide range
of agricultural products. We think of a
kind of soil as being peculiar to one region.
Yet again and again striking similarities oc-
cur. The soil of the fertile Hungarian plains
is reproduced -. strip of land running
through parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Ne
braska, Iowa and Kansas.
The famous sod of Ireland is on soil vert
like that along the cOas. washington and
Oregon. Moist climate and heavy rainfall Of
tt west coast region are favorable for
grass. The land is heavily timbered, but
where the trees are cut out there are some
fine grass fields. Ireland, of course, was
cleared hundreds Of years ago, perhaps 1000
years, and rainfall is better distributed
there. But this country may yet produce
grass to rival the emerald sod Of Erin.
The Kentucky bluegrass that we think OF
as typically American grows on limestone soil
very much like that of northern France. The
French soil is somewhat shallower, DR.. Mar