292 SOILS 



culture, work and influence assist in the production 

 of remunerative crops ; followed it as every resource is 

 brought into use the manures of the farm, the artificial 

 plant foods of the commercial factory, the nitrogen of the 

 leguminous plant ; followed it as old lands are redeemed 

 and restored to life and productivity; followed it as all 

 agencies and factors that improve and maintain are set at 

 work that the greatest good may result. 



And yet the true philosophy of farming and soil man- 

 agement is expressed in the few simple words of Lock- 

 hardt : "Good farming consists in taking large crops from 

 the land, while at the same time you leave the soil in 

 better condition for succeeding crops." 



The true philosophy of farming is correct handling of 

 the soil that abundant vegetation may be produced. 



A story is related of a celebrated English general who 

 had charge of his country's troops in a colonial land, and 

 who was criticised for the attention he gave to the grow- 

 ing of crops in that country. 



"General, it seems to the War Department that the 

 thing that most concerns you is the growing of forage for 

 bullocks." 



"Yes, sir," the general replied ; "that's the principal 

 thing in carrying on a successful warfare in India or any 

 other country. If we have the forage we shall have the 

 bullocks ; if we have the bullocks we shall be able to 

 support the men ; and if our men be well supported we 

 shall have no trouble in conquering the enemy." 



The goal of soil treatment: better crops. It is indeed 

 a worthy goal that we have to so treat and handle our 

 soils that we may grow better crops ; to ally ourselves 

 with the movement of increasing the food supply of the 

 world ; to join hands in the service, that higher living may 

 be possible. Or to accept, in truth and in fact, as a part 



