CHAPTER XXVI. 



WHAT IF EVERY ONE SHOULD DO SO ? 



reader cannot help but see that the whole drift 

 of some sixteen chapters before this one has been 

 towards growing larger crops. By draining we are 

 certain of an increased average production, where 

 draining is needed. Tillage helps make more fer- 

 tility available after we get through draining, and 

 hence we get larger returns from our fields. If we save all our 

 manure instead of wasting half or more, that means more plant 

 food, and if properly used, as has also been urged, larger crops 

 will be the result. Clover growing is to get still more fertility 

 from subsoil and air, to grow more crops. Now, many will say: 

 Suppose every one did all this and by doing their very best in 

 every line managed to grow 200 bushels of potatoes per acre in- 

 stead of 100, twenty-five to thirty of wheat, instead of thirteen to 

 eighteen, and other crops in proportion, would not prices be so 

 low from the great overproduction that we would not be any bet- 

 ter oif? It will doubtless surprise some, but almost invariably 

 when the writer has been urging improved methods at our insti- 

 tutes, which would tend to increase our crops and income, the 

 first man to get up would ask the above question. There is a 

 general feeling that overproduction has brought prices too low 

 now, and to grow larger crops would only increase the trouble. 



Well, I am entirely ready to admit that if every one should do 

 as above stated, all at once, farmers would be no better off. There 

 would not be a demand for the greatly increased supply. But it 

 is just as true that every one will not do this. Perhaps not one 

 reader of this book in 100 will start out to do this thing and stick 

 to it persistently, year after year, until he accomplishes the end 

 sought. The careful study of statistics shows but very slow im- 

 provement on the average in yield per acre. It is not likely it 

 will be greatly increased by what one man can say. Again, a 

 great increase cannot be made all at once. The process of bring- 

 ing up a farm is necessarily slow. 



Now, have you not known farmers who, during these years 

 of low prices and overproduction, have grown large crops and 

 made money right along ? I have, and I never heard them com- 

 plain that times were particularly hard. For individual farmers, 

 this way has worked all right in the past. I will admit that if 

 there had been too many of this kind, it would have tended to 

 make matters worse, but I believe there is no possible danger in 

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