STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 165 



gathered from the virgin soil great crops without the exercise of much 

 intelligence or forethought. But already we see signs of decreasing 

 vigor in the overtaxed soil, and that means without timely aid, the 

 speedy decay of agriculture. Human greed may destroy, but alone, 

 it will not lead to intelligent success. Farmers may conceal the fact 

 of soil impoverishment, that they may sell and move to fresher lands, 

 there to re})eat their efforts at destruction, but such men cannot build 

 up agriculture, and they are enemies of the human race. 



To the patriotic man, who has brains enough to scorn present suc- 

 cess at the cost of future ruin, and who desires prolonged prosperity 

 for himself and others, comes the question: How can I so use the soil, 

 that I may gain subsistence, and yet prevent its impoverishment? 



Do we consider this matter? Do we understand the subject? We 

 know, in a general way, that to preserve the vigor of soil, we must give 

 it rest; comparative rest, by alternation of crops, and positive rest by 

 fallowing. But do our people fully appreciate the fact that this matter 

 of soil rest lies at the base of all permanent prosperity? 



If we are to have rest by rotation of crops, what change of crops 

 can we have that will not impoverish the owner, while impoverish- 

 ment of soil is prevented? 



The answer involves the further subject of markets, and to whom 

 can we go for practical information? The General Government does 

 something in this direction in a vague way, by showing some of the 

 probabilities as to marketable crops, but does not help us in this 

 matter. 



The University of California has published important information 

 relative to the preservation of soils, but the information reaches but 

 few people. But whether we are ignorant or wise, the fact remains, 

 that there can be no brilliant or even prosperous future to a State 

 that does not practice soil rest systematically. 



Again: It is admitted that shallow tillage leads to heavy washing 

 and gullied fields; that deep plowing prevents this ruinous evil. It 

 is also true that much of our soil is not productive for one or two 

 years after deep plowing. 



I do not state the reason, but the fact: and call your attention to 

 the further fact that the subject of deep plowing has not received 

 just attention. Ought not some competent person to be charged with 

 the duty of giving these points exhaustive consideration? Can we 

 reasonably expect to develop a true system of agriculture while we 

 ignore these grave matters? 



Again, how are we to recuperate the millions of acres already im- 

 poverished? We cannot do it by concealing or denying the facts. 

 We have had quite enough of concealment, and now we must face 

 facts. Our business is to build up, and we cannot do it by a wretched 

 subterfuge. 



The impoverished soil must have rest, and if we do not give it the 

 soil itself will take the needed rest by refusing to yield crops. As an 

 aid to rest comes in the practice of fertilization. But what do we 

 know about fertilization, and where can we get manures? These 

 questions have been considered somewhat at the State University, 

 and that body has given valuable hints. They have told us how to 

 use the ash of spent tan bark, and the lime refuse from sugar works, 

 but these manures are not within the reach of many. We must settle 

 down to the conviction that millions of acres of California land must 

 be manured. And we must see to it that some one be found to dis- 



