216 THE FARMER OF TO-MORROW 



number of theories have been put forth, which, 

 no matter whether they stand or fall under the 

 attack of further research, are of prime interest 

 and importance to the farmer of to-day and 

 the farmer of to-morrow. It is in this phase 

 of research that the Bureau of Soils is now 

 expending its energies. The work has not yet 

 reached a point where they are willing to as- 

 sert definitely just what part these important 

 factors play in soil fertility. With the in- 

 veterate caution of true scientists, these men 

 are as yet more given to postulates than to 

 definite conclusions as to the results of their 

 work in this field. 



To begin with, early in the course of their 

 work, the Americans succeed in laying low, for 

 all time, the fallacy that a chemical analysis of 

 a soil, as to its mineral constituents, is of value 

 in determining its cropping abilities. 



The farmer in the field has not learned this 

 truth yet, but the experiment stations of the 

 world have united in accepting it. Regardless 

 of whether one views the mineral element as 

 something definite and limited as to quantity 

 or not, the statement that any particular soil 

 contains so many pounds of the various ele- 

 ments to the acre 12 inches deep is not worth 



