ANNUAL MEETING OHIO STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 29 



rate of increase for any decade since 1850. If the number of farms is taken as 

 a measure, agriculture shows a diminished rate of increase, and in large areas of 

 the country is practically stationary. The small increase in the number of farms 

 has not been offset by a growth in the size of farms, as the average number of 

 acres in farms decreased from 146 in 1900 to 138 in 1910. The increase in the 

 total acreage devoted to agriculture was only 4.2% in ten years. However, im- 

 proved land acreage makes a somewhat better showing, the increase from 1900 

 to 1910 amounting to 15.2%. Yet this percentage of increase was only about two- 

 thirds of the growth in population; which shows that the number of acres under 

 cultivation has not kept pace with the increase in the number of people. The 

 inadequate increase in the number of farms and in the amount of improved land 

 has not been compensated for by a per acre increase in the production of staples. 

 From 1899 to 1909, the average production of oats decreased from 31.9 to 28.6 

 bushels ; the per acre production of 'wheat increased slightly, 12.5 bushels in 

 1899 to 15.4 in 1909; and the per acre production of corn fell from 28.1 to 25.9 

 in the same "period. Should such a ratio continue, it will be but a few years before 

 we are dependent on the bounty of other countries for much of our food supply. 

 We are aghast when we contemplate the possibility of this country, with its vast 

 domain, losing eight or ten years hence, not only its ability to supply foreign 

 countries with food, but its enviable position as a self-supporting country. . How- 

 ever, it is not likely that we shall ever be cornpelled to beg food from other 

 nations. The quick comprehension and the ready adaptability of the American 

 people will prevent such an unfortunate situation, but the responsibility of correct- 

 ing conditions lies upon us of this generation. The national government, through 

 the Department of Agriculture, and- the states through their agricultural colleges, 

 are accomplishing much, but we are not moving fast enough. Some of the older 

 countries, particularly France and Germany, have been through the same experi- 

 ence. Years ago they recognized the imperative need of using scientific methods 

 in farming, and both France and Germany are now far in advance of the United 

 States in the successful application of modern scientific methods of cultivating 

 the soil. In the United States the average yield of wheat per acre is about 15 

 bushels ; in Germany it is about 28 bushels ; in France, 20 bushels. The farms 

 of the United States produce, on the average about 30 bushels of oats per acre ; 

 those of Germany, 46 bushels. 



1. The statistics as to the per acre production of potatoes are peculiarly 

 striking. In 1909 France produced 190 bushels of potatoes per acre, Germany 

 226 bushels, Russia 135 bushels, Belgium 286 bushels, in 1911 the United States 

 produced but 80 bushels, of potatoes per acre. 



There is absolutely no reason why we should lag behind any of the countries 

 of Europe in the per acre production of foodstuffs. By the use of proper methods 

 the volume of the farm products of this country easily can be doubled. 



2. In Germany and France, co-operative societies, formed among the agri- 

 cultural classes, have done much to promote scientific farming and the general 

 interest of farmers by enabling them to advantageously buy and sell products and 

 merchandise. In Germany the local societies have united into branch societies, 

 circuit and district societies and these form the basis of the two general German 

 Agricultural Organizations the Imperial Union of Agricultural Societies and the 

 General Union of Agricultural Societies. In 1905 these two organizations were 

 united for all administration purposes, and is known as the Imperial Agricultural 

 Organization. This organization, in 1909 embraced 67 circuit unions, 18,333 local 

 societies, and a membership of J, 575,000. 



The local societies are divided into 12,584 savings and loan societies, 2,128 

 co-operative purchasing societies, 1,960 dairy societies and approximately 1.591 

 societies devoted to various other objects. In 1907 the total assets of the savings 



