THE VALUE OF LAND 589 



the minimal figures given in Table 120, the land becomes practically 

 valueless for business or investment purposes. 



Agriculture is often referred to as the most independent occupa- 

 tion; and in the struggle against poverty, in countries with in- 

 creasing population and failing resources, it is certainly true that, 

 after men in most other lines of occupation have literally starved 

 out, the farmer will continue to eke out an existence. In fact, he 

 may still have bread and potatoes, milk and butter, eggs and 

 poultry, and even vegetables, fruits, sirup, and honey, for the 

 support of his own family, long after he has practically ceased to 

 buy or sell in support of a dependent urban population. Thus, 

 the city is the first to feel the country' s poverty; and for their own 

 preservation the men of the town or city must contribute their 

 influence toward the development of systems of permanent agri- 

 culture. 



Bankers, merchants, grain dealers, physicians, editors, teachers, 

 and ministers, as well as educated landowners, because they have 

 trained minds and are able with moderate study to acquire a cor- 

 rect and adequate understanding of the fundamental principles 

 of soil improvement, must exert their influence over those who 

 are less able to secure such positive knowledge but who may own 

 or control much of the land, lest the lands generally become so 

 impoverished that they will support only the agricultural people, 

 who, of course, have the first right to the food they produce. 



Under such conditions, land may have no value as a source of 

 profit, and still be invaluable as a means of existence. Because a 

 given amount of grain will support about five times as many 

 people as will the meat or milk that can be made from it, grain-fed 

 animals are not maintained in the poorest countries; and, when 

 human labor becomes worth little more than the cost of exist- 

 ence, it is substituted for the labor of beasts of burden; and 

 whatever domestic animals are kept must be supported upon 

 uncultivated lands or upon refuse products not usable as human 

 food. 



