IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE 3 



civilization must be uprooted before the fruits 

 of their labours are spurned. 



The question of food has gradually become 

 a world problem. Whether a nation is unable 

 to be self-supporting, or derives a greater 

 portion of its wealth from a surplus pro- 

 duction, poured into the markets of neighbours 

 less fortunately placed, agricultural statistics 

 for an individual country can no longer be 

 based on the probable home demand and home 

 supply. Old and densely populated countries 

 are daily depending more and more for their 

 sustenance on newer lands whose vast and 

 fertile plains have until recently been un- 

 touched. 



But, under whatever circumstances, each 

 country possesses an agricultural industry 

 which it is of the utmost importance should 

 be prosperous and thriving. Agriculture 

 directly or indirectly is the main bulwark of 

 national efficiency. The cumulative effect of 

 a prosperous agricultural community is enor- 

 mous. The capital involved is usually bigger 

 by many times than a country's national 

 debt. If dependent only on the smoke of 

 towns and roar of factories, a nation's wealth 



