THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



is approximately $1000 as compared with $580 in Germany, 



$570 in France, and $235 in Japan. 



The standard of intelligence of the people on the farm in 



any country is directly related to the income derived from farm- 



ing as compared with that derived from other occupations. If 



farming is allowed to 

 become unprofitable in 

 comparison with other 

 occupations, the busi- 

 ness will be given over 

 to less efficient per- 

 sons than are now on 

 the farm. Everyone, 

 whether in the country 

 or in the city, is inter- 

 ested in having the 

 ^^^^1 ^P^A American farm yield an 



Ifew _^lml income large enough to 



IfelJPy keep on the farm a fair 



share of the best people 

 \. t born there. 



iffck^l \Jj 6. Intensive agricul- 



ture helps society but 



V|k hurts the farmer. In- 



tensive agriculture is 



FIG. 5. Justin Smith Merrill (1810-1898) favorable to society at 



Author of the Morrill Act, passed by Congress in large, but it is UnfaVOr- 

 1862, appropriating land to promote education in 11 f .^ neon l e on 

 agriculture, mechanic arts, and the natural sciences 



in every state in the Union. This is the most influ- the farm. It is CSSCn- 

 ential single piece oMWation upon agricultural 



hand farming and 



is adapted only to con- 

 ditions where land is dear and labor is cheap. 



Extensive agriculture develops the highest form of rural 

 civilization, because it gives an income above the physical needs 

 of the family. It is the kind of agriculture that uses much 

 machinery and raises much live stock, and these two conditions 



