2 INTRODUCTION 



and tne proplcni. of feeding o\ir people will become the more serious. 

 Shall it be importation of food or shall it be home production? It 

 is to be noted that there is already a small importation of potatoes. 

 Relatively Low Yields. The United States is far from being 

 the leading nation in yields per acre, as is shown by the following 



10-year averages : 



Average Yield Per Acre (Bushels) 



These facts place a responsibility upon every American farmer. 

 The crop production problem is a national one. The farming of 

 virgin soils is now practically a thing of the past, and soil depletion 

 cannot long continue. 



What is the reason for the higher crop yields in European farm- 

 ing? Theirs is an agriculture older than ours. Let us consider the 

 answers of the agricultural leaders of some of the Old Countries in 

 reply to the question as to why their average yields per acre of 

 wheat and other cereal crops have almost doubled in the last 

 80 or 100 years. 



From England: "The factors at work in the increase have been . . . 

 better cultivation and tillage. . . . The great factor has been the introduction 

 of fertilizers and purchased feeding stuffs." 



From Germany: "In general I assume that of the 100 per cent increase 

 in the yield can be attributed: To artificial fertilizers, 50 per cent; . . . better 

 tillage of the soil, 25 per cent; to the use of better seed, 15 per cent; to the better 

 crop rotation, 10 per cent." 



From France: "... we submit in the following figures ... the rela- 

 tive importance of the different factors (increase in production taken as 100) : 

 (Extensive Agriculture) . Effect of fertilizers, 70 per cent ; effect of preparation 

 of the land, 15 to 20 per cent; effect of selection of seed and improved varieties, 

 5 to 10 per cent." 1 



It is to be observed that 85 to 90 per cent of the 100 per cent 

 increase in their crop yields has been the result of better soil man- 

 agement. Here is a lesson from Europe for us. 



Our National Problem. Shall we wait yet awhile before con- 

 sidering seriously the better management of our soils? Have we 



1 European Practice and American Theory Concerning Soil Fertility. 

 Illinois Circular No. 142, 1910. 



