CHAPTER I 

 INTRODUCTION 



Farmers in the United States are beginning to appreciate 

 the fact that they are not raising as much per acre on their 

 ground as do European farmers. This subject is being 

 brought constantly to their attention by government bulletins, 

 the agricultural press, farmers' institutions, etc. The early 

 settlers on the soil found a virgin fertility which they did 

 not stop to think would some day be exhausted; and they 

 and their successors did little or nothing to compensate the 

 soil for what they took out. We have now come to the point 

 where the subject deserves our serious consideration. We 

 must not only recognize the fact, but must act. The difference 

 in productivity, however, is not due entirely to low soil 

 fertility, but may be influenced by culture and by the time, 

 method, and rate of seeding. Unquestionably each of these 

 factors influence the yield to a considerable extent. 



When crop prices were low in the United States, the 

 excuse was often given that European farmers could farm 

 better because their farm produce commanded prices which 

 made intensive agriculture profitable with them but not with 

 us. This may have been true twenty years ago, but during 

 the last five years wheat, oats, and especially corn, have 

 brought good prices, in some cases higher than the prices 

 in Europe. 



Present food prices for farm products are an incentive to 

 better farming; if they continue wonderful strides should be 



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