The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1948-01-01

prosperity and stability of strong
nations, today as in the past,
rests upon the wise use and
care of the land. and that the
period of the historic greatness
of earlier civilization ended with
the exhaustion of their soils.
Not many years ago an eco
nomic philosophy prevailed in
our land, that believed that in
duStrial prosperity, if properly
foStered, could sustain agricul-
tural and national stability, only
to fail and to learn again, that
in order to maintain a healthy
economic structure as a whole,
it is necessary first and all the
time to keep its agricultural
foundation intact and strong
And, this unhappy experience
also contributed to the estab-
lishment of the SCS and other
agricultural programs. We got
them somewhat suddenly, be-
cause their establishment was
too long delayed.
The history of this nation, up
to the present, has been one OF
abundance, abundance OF land,
abundance of opportunities and
liberty, abundance of food and
goods. It is generally true that
where there is abundance, there
is lack of appreciation and care
lesSnesS. It is only when scar
city or need appear that people
begin to feel in their hearts a
true appreciation of the things
that are no longer easily to be
had.
So, we shall henceforth have
greater appreciation and feel
more concern for our soil, be
less WaSteful with food, measure
our opportunities more carefully.
And even the liberty of the in
dividual which is the foundation
of the American democratic
way of life, is now challenged
in the present world struggle
for supremacy between the de-
mocracieS and the dictator
states.
It is in conformity with his
tory to prophecy that that side
will eventually prevail that has
the greatest wealth of soil re-
sources. Even today, the out
come of the present struggle for
western Europe between the
United States and it's allies on
one side and the Communist
relationships on the other, is
largely "a matter of our capacity
to grow food. Only because of
the productive capacity of Amer
lean soil can tine liberty and
democracy in certain western
European countries be saved
this winter. Already the pre-
liminary foreign-aid plan, enac-
ted by the congress this week,
and depending for it's success
on the productive capacity OF
American soils, has defeated the
| Communist revolutionary at
tempts in Italy and France.
Only the wise and careful use
of our soil and the preservation,
restoration, or reclamation of
all the fertile land remaining in
this country will keep America
strong for the struggle that is
now thrust upon us.
What was always true is now
freely and frequently and pub
licly stated, namely that sue
cesSful American agricultural
production may well decide the
future of civilization, and of
democracy as we know it. Sec
rotary of Agriculture Clinton P.
Anderson, while I cannot just
now quote his exsct words, has
recently repeatedly said that
Americas agricultural policy is
now directly geared to world
conditions ana the cause of
world civilization.
The American farmers and
rancherS, of course, are con-
cerned with saving their own
! land for themselves and their
/ children. But, if in addition
they have caught the VISION Of
what soil conservation means to
the future OF the United States,
then we may expect to attain
the ultimate purpose OF soil
conservation, which is to keep
the nation prosperous an d
strong.
What is the situation with
reference to our land resources?
What has happened to our
land? What are the known
facts?
Good land in it's natural state
is covered and protected by
grass and forests. This holds
the land in place. When land is
cultivated and this natural pro-
tectiye cover is removed, il is
often left bare and becomes
subject to erosion, tnat is, re-
moVal by running water or
strong winds.
Grass and forest lands, as
well as crop-land, may also be-
come subject to accelerated elo-
sion, when the natural cover is
thinned out by oVer-grazing,
over-cutting, or burning. line
croplands, on which we depend
for most of our food and cIoun-
ing, have suffered most from
erosion.
Men who have made a life
time study of this subject, tell
-