A POLICY 297 



try and the possibility of producing these food requirements most 

 economically. 



On the following pages the reviewer has attempted to classify 

 the various items presented by the correspondents, none of whom 

 developed a comprehensive program. Consequently, the " Ten- 

 tative outline of an American Agricultural Policy " inserted be- 

 low may be considered to include the items just stated and in 

 addition some fields which the correspondents have omitted and 

 which in the opinion of the reviewer are essential in a compre- 

 hensive agricultural policy. 



AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL POLICY 

 TENTATIVE OUTLINE 



Inasmuch as no one person is responsible for the complete out- 

 line of an agricultural policy and since the problem was pre- 

 sented in this correspondence from several viewpoints, I have 

 endeavored to classify the items under a few commonplace head- 

 ings. I have attempted to set forth as fairly as possible the con- 

 sensus of opinion on the several items. The resulting outline is 

 somewhat detailed and may seem to some too comprehensive. 

 It is clear, however, that no matter how short and simple may 

 be the final statement of policy, it will be necessary first to 

 consider the problem in its ramifications in order to balance 

 conclusions and escape contradictions and narrow temporalities. 

 At best the outline is tentative merely and will at least serve for 

 purposes of discussion. 



I. Fundamental Principles 



1. Economically, an agricultural policy should be approached 

 from the point of view of maintaining the supply of food 

 and other raw materials of agriculture for the nation or 

 for the world. 



2. Nationally, two possible policies may be pursued: 



(a) To make the nation self-sufficing with regard to food 

 and other agricultural raw materials, that is to pursue 

 an agricultural policy which will maintain the balance 



