172 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUKE. 



those only but recently brought into cultivation. On the first mentioned, when 

 it conimeuced to ripen the straw w'ould present a dull, dingy appearance, and 

 in every such instance the grain would exhibit that same pinched condition 

 -characteristic of every living thing which is required to sub.-i^t upon an insuf- 

 ficient amount of its appropriate food. On fresh land the straw would present 

 a bright golden, glistening yellow, and the grain would confirm the impression 

 ihat this appearance was a sure indication that the conditions for healthy plant 

 growth were much more perfect. We probably possess no class of soil which 

 ■will not ultimately present similar unfavorable conditions wdien we practice alike 

 disregard of nature's requirements. We shall therefore manifest our wisdom 

 .and sagacity by taking tlie proper steps for anticipating thi? growing necessity, 

 Avliich is becoming every year more clamorous, and not Avait until its iron clasp 

 has enclosed us within its constricting folds. 



It has been claimed by some agricultural writers, — and observation and expe- 

 Tience would strongly corroborate this yiew, — that the unaided efforts of nature 

 alone on those soils which have already parted with their stores of plant-food, 

 — which may have been ages in accumulating, — are inadequate to produce 

 above an average of eight or ten bushels of Avheat per acre for a long period, 

 •compi'ising a large number of consecutive crops. On such soils to-day it is quite 

 probable that the general average will not exceed this amount, or its equivalent 

 in other crops. Even for this low average of production, should it be continued 

 successively for 37 years, the computed average duration of life, we would in 

 that time abstract from the soil of its ash constituents, or, as we will al'^o desig- 

 nate them, this gold basis of plant-food, over one thousand pounds per acre ; 

 and on a hundred-acre farm, one hundred thousand pounds, computed at five 

 per cent. When Ave come to retrospect the past history of this class of soils, 

 and know that much of it has already parted Avith more than twice this amount 

 within this specified time, should we not rather wonder that it should not sooner 

 have manifested more of those indubitable signs of impaired vital forces of 

 Nature? But notwithstanding all of this, we will even assume that the soil is 

 25ractically inexhaustible, and that the laboratory of Nature is competent to 

 sustain this low average of crop grow^th for all time : Are Ave, as farmers, pre- 

 pared to accept this as our maximum of production? and shall Ave proclaim to 

 the Avorld that this is the extent of our progression? We trust that there is a 

 more desirable future before us, — one that shall present a more flattering 

 -exhibit of our real capacities and abilities than any test applied has yet revealed. 

 But unless aa'o can feel an undoubted assurance that the Creator has selected the 

 farmers of the Northwest as the chosen ones AAdiom he has supremely blessed 

 by furnishing them immunities and exemptions Avhich he has denied to other 

 2^eople, Ave must realize, sooner or later, that our tenure as siiccessf ul wheat- 

 growers must come to an end, should avc continue to practice the system at 

 present pursued. 



This grave question, then, confronts us : IIow shall Ave be able to supply this 

 deficiency in the amount of pabulum required to grow larger crops? We can 

 see nothing more effectual at present tlian the con\'ersiou of our crops into 

 manure by feeding them to stock upon the farm and return this refu-e back 

 upon the soil, Avhich will constitute an increase of farm capital Avhicli Avill be- 

 come immediately available, and upon Avhich Ave can safely base expectations of 

 largely increased production. Should we sell nothing from them only tho'^e 

 net products, such as horses, cattle, hog^, sheep, aa'ooI, butter, and cheese, 

 thes3 perhaps Avould not absorb to exceed ten per cent of tlie ash constituents of 



