CONSERVATION NATURAL RESOURCES 339 



ests grow, and without reforestation, the present century 

 will see the end of our timber. 



The mines. The mines of coal, oil, and gas are in- 

 capable of restoration. The wealth of these resources can 

 be used only once. When fuel becomes scarce, as far as 

 we can now foresee, man will suffer as he would if the 

 air were gradually withdrawn. One has only casually to 

 observe to note the great waste of coal, oil, and gas that 

 is continually going on unchecked. 



The soil. Our greatest source of wealth is the land 

 the soil. How are we caring for it? The last census 

 shows that the average annual product per acre of the 

 whole country was $11.38, a little more than a respectable 

 rental in some places, where the land is well cared for. 

 We are robbing the soil in order to get the largest re- 

 turns in the shortest time. We have done this in two 

 ways by single cropping and by neglect of fertilization. 

 We need the intelligent treatment of smaller areas, rais- 

 ing the productivity to three or four times the present 

 rate. Thirty-six per cent of our people live directly by 

 agriculture, and the rest depend upon it. We shall have 

 200 million people here by 1950. How shall they be 



clothed and wherewithal shall they be fed? 



Time was when the son of the farmer could go West, 

 when his father's farm was run down, now all this is 

 changed. The son of the farmer, if he follows his 

 father's vocation, must make his living dn his father's 

 farm. This can be done, if the father exercises wisdom. 

 No wise use of the soil exhausts its fertility. 



Ignorance and selfishness. And, finally, the great- 



