182 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



are probably very generally supplied Avith countless millions 

 of these bacteria, and that there is some reason for believing 

 that they are the media through which the nitrogen of the 

 air is to some extent transferred to the available plant food 

 compounds of the soil, we are inclined to turn aside from the 

 pessimistic prophecy of future limitations of our food supply, 

 to the more optimistic view that man is too creative and has 

 too larsre resources at his command to ever find himself lim- 

 ited in the means of sustenance. Certainly such a hopeful 

 view receives some support from the fact that so many of 

 our soils which have been subject to the devastations of 

 improvident farming have so long retained their power to 

 produce fairly luxuriant crops. I am sure it has occurred 

 to every thinking man that nature must, in some way not 

 yet fully explained, be defending herself against man's waste- 

 ful methods. 



There is especial need, however, that we should hold our- 

 selves in reserve concerning certain phases of the soil bacteria 

 discussion. I greatl}^ fear that on the part of some popular 

 writers hypothesis is being projected into fact, and that from 

 certain data wholly unjustifiable inferences are being de- 

 duced, — a danger which constantly assails us, and from 

 which we have suffered all along the line of the progress of 

 agricultural science. Doubtless some of you have read an 

 article entitled "Inoculating the ground," in the October 

 number of the " Century Magazine.*' Such a presentation 

 of a new line of research is to be deplored. It reacts 

 against the welfare of science, and, it seems to me, ought 

 to be regarded by the distinguished scientists whose work 

 is discussed as most unfortunate. In the first place, the dis- 

 cussion apparently proceeds from the point of view that fer- 

 tility dei)ends solel}' upon the supply of nitrogen to crops, 

 and that when the nitrogen problem is solved we have 

 nothing more to fear in our efforts to feed the human family, 

 — a most unwarranted position. In the second place, these 

 bacteria are jnctured as remedying all soil defects and as 

 being an open sesame to agricultural prosperity and generous 

 farm profits. Listen to the following statements : " Enough 

 germs are sent in each little package to inoculate seeds for 



