78 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



of the people. So far as feasible, the products should be those 

 which will make the agricultural productions reach the maximum 

 long-time average value under conditions of free competition among 

 producers and among consumers throughout the civilized world. 

 In estimating the long-time average values of products, weight 

 should be given, however, to the chance of war, if they must 

 be secured from abroad. Furthermore, in figuring the maximum 

 average value, where there are temporary conditions which re- 

 tard the development of an industry, the principal weight should 

 be given to the future. 



In addition to the economic and political conditions which 

 have been considered above, there are ethical questions which 

 should not be lost sight of by the statesman in settling the 

 question of what the farmers of a nation should produce. Many 

 statesmen will feel that the desires of men should be curbed in 

 the interest of human welfare. This may lead them to study 

 physiological and ethical principles with a view to eliminating 

 certain crops or products made from farm crops which are 

 injurious to mankind. 



