Sometimes promptly and generally in the long run profit 

 will replace loss for those who adopt practices which follow 

 the principle that crops should be adapted to the natural 

 characteristics of the land. The cards are stacked against 

 those who attempt to modify the land to fit a particular 

 crop. 

 [2] Rotation of Crops. 



Those lands which are set aside primarily for cultivation 

 any degree of which is a violation, necessary to maintain a 

 high standard of living, of Nature's original arrangements 

 should not be employed too exclusively for the production 

 of a single crop. This principle is now expressed in the best 

 farming practice. Uninterrupted cultivation promotes ero- 

 sion and loss of the top soil is a drain on the farmer's capital 

 assets. As has been explained in some detail, soils utilized 

 under a system of continuous single crops, especially clean- 

 tilled crops such as corn, cotton, and tobacco, lose much more 

 soil and moisture than do soils devoted to crop rotation. 

 For the purpose of soil and moisture conservation, therefore, 

 as well as for replenishment of the humus supply and added 

 fertility through the growing of legumes, the economy of each 

 farm should be so designed as to permit the rotation of crops 

 on the largest possible part of the area generally devoted to 

 cultivation. By crop rotation another step is taken toward 

 conformity to Nature's basic requirements. 



Forces generated by the World War appear to have so 

 changed economic conditions that a new agricultural econ- 

 omy must be developed in the United States. In that con- 

 nection there will be required wise judgment and skillful 

 management of agricultural factors conservation as well 

 as exploitation; conservation of water assets as well as soil 

 assets. 



On any basis of calculation the time is past when farm 

 management without judgment and skill can succeed. 

 Overdevelopment of single-crop agriculture under conditions 

 of large export which is not likely to be regained for many 

 years has so increased production relative to demand as to 

 prevent in all probability a return to former profitable price 



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