No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 367 



In the oceans, we must look for the fertilitv removed from the con- 

 tinents, where the sediments accumulate to form fresh rock strata 

 and deposits containiiijj;' the mineral elements once in solution. That 

 the soil removed is gradually replenished through the disintegra- 

 tion of (he underlying rock, forming fresh supplies, is fortunate for 

 the husbandman. It is estimated that the soil is carried away on 

 an average, over the globe, at the rate of one foot in from three to 

 five thousand years, ranging according to the rain fall, the steepness 

 of slope and the texture of the rock, from one foot iti five hundred 

 years to one foot in ten thousand years, and even less in some dis- 

 tricts. 



Besides the losses sustained through natural agencies, there is a 

 constant drain on the soil in farming operations, through the re- 

 moval of crops. It is calculated that in the ordinary rotation, if 

 all products were disposed of without restoring any to the fields, 

 there would be a loss of seven dollars worth of plant food from each 

 acre, if it had to be replaced from outside sources. The vast amount 

 of agricultural products exported during many years past, has ex- 

 hausted many fertile fields, which together with the loss sustained 

 between what is removed and restored, must eventually result in 

 diminished crop yields, regardless of the natural productiveness of 

 the deepest and most fertile soils. The natural resources now re- 

 ceiving the attention of thoughtful and scientific men, are not di- 

 rected to this most serious i)roblem — soil depletion — yet it is the 

 greatest problem facing this nation now and is becoming more seri- 

 ous year after year. 



Pennsylvania has natural advantages, in its variety of soils, cli- 

 matic conditions, and a population demanding more farm products 

 than can be supplied from its farms, so that agriculture should be 

 the most profitable enterprise within its borders, and the demands 

 for farms should increase and steadily enhance in values; yet with 

 few exceptions, prices obtained for improved land often do not cover 

 the cost of the improvements, and there is no struggle to obtain farm 

 property. On the other hand, operations are curtailed, farms aban- 

 doned and farm labor almost unobtainable, because the business 

 does not afford sufficient income to permit wages paid in other less 

 arduous pursuits, with more recreation, less isolation and shorter 

 days. The cost of restoring lost fertility, the necessity of resorting 

 to commercial feeds and fertilizers to secure crops, is a severe tax 

 upon nearly all sections of this State, and becoming more so yearly, 

 and extending the same requirements into sections where soils were 

 claimed to be inexhaustible. 



This State is fortunate in having a great variety of soils, as 

 equally a great variety of rock, suitable for all purposes, includ'ng 

 the making of good roads. While the trap rock is considered the 

 best material, and where it can be obtained without long transporta- 

 tion and long hauls, it should be used, but it is questionable whether 

 the people should be taxed to obtain this material for road construe 

 tion, where good material is abundant and closp' at hand. Whenever 

 thf' Devonian formation exist will be found the TTaniiltnn shale, far 

 famed as composing the good section along the Delaware River wesT 

 from Port Jervis, the hard Chemung sandstone, and the Catskill all 

 with a variety of suitable material for roads. We have three varie- 

 ties of limestone, about four of red shale, the Clinton, Mauch Chunk, 



