THE SOIL AS RELATED TO PLANTS. 101 



the compost is applied to the land."* However, 

 if the real value reaches one-half of the com- 

 puted value it is of too great value to be thrown 

 away. 



(2) SHAMEFUL WASTE. The way in which 

 this valuable fertilizer is allowed to stand ex- 

 posed to the weather, allowing by far the most 

 valuable elements of plant-food to be leached 

 out and drained away down the hillside, only to 

 pollute the water accessible to the stock or to 

 contaminate the air, and to serve as a breeding- 

 place for flies and disease germs, is shameful 

 waste if not criminal carelessness. 



Many farmers allow this fertilizer to be 

 hauled away to increase the yield of the crops 

 of a more thrifty neighbor, or even burn it to 

 get it out of the way. And this in the face of 

 the fact that there is no more vital problem in 

 the world to-day than that of maintaining or 

 improving the fertility of the soil. As popula- 

 tion increases this question assumes momentous 

 importance. Already in the " old world " it is 

 found that the soil is not able to supply a sub- 

 sistence for the population. All the food, cloth- 

 ing, and shelter for all animals, including man, 

 must come directly or indirectly from the soil. 

 When this soil is exhausted through the care- 

 lessness of man, where will this same man 

 appease his hunger or obtain a sustenance? 



* Roberts' Fertility of the Land, p. 143. 



