Agricultural Research in N. H. 11 



New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, Synthetic foods of the 

 future might even be divorced, if not entirely, at least partially, from land use. 



Through experimental work with forage plants, we are certainly develop- 

 ing more prolific, weather- and disease-resistant and more nutritious natural 

 feeds for farm animals. Similarly ,through scientific methods of breeding, 

 we are obtaining in New Hampshire more palatable vegetables which are 

 better adapted to local soils and climate. Because of this knowledge, vege- 

 tables are more easily grown, and in at least one instance, have three times as 

 much vitamin content as the plants previously cultivated. In the New Hamp- 

 shire climate, it is necessary to preserve fruits and vegetables for winter use. 

 At the Station, we have carried on extensive experimental work in methods 

 of preservation. This work is just about to give us some very important 

 information. With the new processes of preservation in operation (such as 

 deep-freeze units) this knowledge doubtless will tend to help increase the 

 health and longevity of New Hampshire people. 



The cause of a deficiency disease of ruminants, which has engendered 

 widespread and inestimable losses in New Hampshire since colonial times, 

 has now been identified and a practical cure worked out. The consist- 

 ent loss of appetite with consequent stunting of growth, wasting away, and 

 frequent death of some of the animals investigated have been traced to a lack 

 of cobalt — even the very small amount required — in our New Hampshire 

 soils. The trouble is easily corrected in the feed given ruminants at an al- 

 most negligible cost. 



If you have followed my argument that America has taken the lead in 

 trying to refute the Malthusian doctrine that the human population of this 

 world cannot be fed, and has set the pace in methods of production and effi- 

 ciency of production to continually replenish the world's larder, let me add 

 to it by reminding you that no country under the sun has ever produced half 

 as much per person engaged in farming as have the farmers in America. Ma- 

 chinery, ingenuity, and research have made this possible. 



Finally, we need to disillusion our minds of the idea that all progress 

 in this respect has been accomplished. My prophecy at the moment is that 

 we stand tiptoe on the threshhold of phenomenal improvements in agricul- 

 ture through research; better production of crops, better fertilization, better 

 use of soils, better feeding of domestic animals and, particularly, better nu- 

 trition for the human race; the kind of nutrition that will contribute unmis- 

 takably to good health and longevity. 



No deadline in research is evident any more than is an end to human 

 wants. 



M. G. E. 



