12 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



But when observation becomes necessary and com- 

 parison essential in national interests, we must no longer 

 ignore, as of no moment, what other nations have felt 

 constrained to do in the common interests of the people ; 

 if we do, we shall become criminally negligent. 

 Universal There is not a country in Europe but has recognised 

 Agricu ture j^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ highest form of universal agriculture 



is as essential to the welicvre of the people as the sun is 

 to the solar system. They have seen that although com- 

 merce and industries are valuable and even necessary 

 factors in building up the prosperity and greatness of a 

 country, the land is even a far greater factor. The land 

 is the source from which life itself springs, and it must 

 therefore form the basis of all human effort. Neglect the 

 land, and the real wealth of a country at once declines. 

 Cultivate it highly, and real abiding wealth increases, 

 full lucrative work is found for the people, prosperity 

 develops and poverty disappears. This is not a theory of 

 economics but a law, and those who care to study the 

 matter for themselves will find that it is a law which 

 knows no change. 



We alone of all nations of the Western world have 

 thought fit to deride that law and to set it at naught. 

 Years ago, in the pride and full plenitude of our com- 

 mercial and industrial success, we cast aside almost 

 scornfully the nation's great agricultural industry, and 

 opened our free trade flood-gates to the world's earth 

 productions. "We will manufacture for the peoples of the 

 earth, and wax fat thereby," said we in our arrogance, 

 " and they shall grow our com: they shall be our hewers 



