286 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



We certainly don't need them, because they are a source of surplus 

 at this time and complicate the problem of the small operation. 



To my mind, in any kind of a program to improve the appearance 

 of the landscape, both rural and urban, land use plans are basic. I 

 hope we will reach the condition in the States where no suburb or 

 development will take place without reference to a sound land use 

 plan. 



I think most of you recall that shortly after World War I, Sir Dud- 

 ley Stamp organized a land use survey of England, using secondary 

 school students. I have been assured that the plan which was de- 

 veloped was a very important factor in feeding Great Britain when 

 she was under blockade in the Second World War. 



I think it is the height of folly to go ahead with developments, both 

 rural and urban, while ignoring land use capability. 



Another thing I would like to mention very briefly is the impor- 

 tance of local leadership and coordination of effort between rural 

 and urban sources. There has been some apprehension because of 

 reapportionment. We can take a bit of comfort there, I think, be- 

 cause, in my experience in the last 25 years, some of the most effec- 

 tive concern for the landscape, both rural and urban, has come 

 from city people. So I don't think that aspect of the situation is 

 hopeless. 



Dr. DARLING. The agriculture of the past was diverse on the in- 

 dividual farms, because it had to supply the needs of food, plenishing 

 and clothing a local population. This diversity was ecologically 

 sound, though the process of reaching it was not thought out to that 

 end. 



Diversity makes pattern and variety of color at any moment of the 

 year, which will live. Plants find tolerance in agriculturally diversi- 

 fied landscape and plagues and pests are much less likely to occur 

 there. 



I want to make four points in this presentation. This old-style 

 diversity of landscape is disappearing as new lands develop which 

 will do any one part of that agriculture better than an area which is 

 not naturally fitted to it. Highways and fast trucking have been 

 powerful factors in cutting down diversity and you can grow any 

 single crop cheaper than you can produce it in small diverse farms. 

 This trend isn't likely to be diverted, and the most hopeful action 

 in monocultural districts would seem to be with the individual com- 



