Land Problems and National Welfare 



temporary journal. 



** Most prosperous of all years is the place 

 to which 1909 is entitled in agriculture. The 

 value of farm products was $8,760,000,000 (or 

 ;f 1,752,000,000), a gain of $869,000,000 over 

 the preceding year." (^f 173,800,000.) 



" The sum is one that challenges the American 

 imagination ; these virtually nine billions pene- 

 trate into every form of commerce, art, industry, 

 society. 



"It is their fructifying magic that bulges bank 

 balances, that makes possible daring exploits 

 in the realms of development and general 

 expansion. 



" It is their influence that supports the money 

 markets of the country, that keeps international 

 trade on the right side of the ledger, that largely 

 provides employment for millions of factory 

 operatives and an army of domestic and foreign 

 salesmen. 



" In the case of cotton, the agricultural product 

 of a single section lays a tribute upon farthest 

 civilization and heathendom. 



" It is the motive power that drives hundreds of 

 wheels in England." 



In the United States it is clear that, in spite 

 of the vast industrial development, the supreme 

 importance of land is fully recognised. 



The mention of cotton again raises forcibly 

 the question of the sources of supply : every ounce 



218 



