30 Fertilizers 



which is not in a high state of fertility will not produce 

 large yields. 



Many soils, especially those in the eastern and south- 

 ern sections of our country, which were not originally 

 very fertile, and which have been cropped for a long 

 tune, show abundant evidence of the need of fertility from 

 sources outside of the farm, in order that maximum crops 

 may be produced. The aim should be, therefore, to make 

 the conditions of soil better, and, if possible, so perfect 

 as to guarantee against any lack of food during the grow- 

 ing period, and thus make the conditions of climate and 

 season, rather than the soil, the measure of the crop. 

 That is, as far as practicable, the yield that it is possible 

 to obtain in a given locality should be the aim of the 

 farmers in that locality. In order to make the conditions 

 of soil perfect in this respect, the fertility elements must be 

 added, though indirect manuring, in the form of better 

 cultivation and better use of the waste products of the 

 farm, are also to be encouraged. 



A greater demand for special crops. 



In the second place, farming to-day consists of much 

 more than the simple production of the staple crops. 

 Changed conditions are shown very clearly in the increased 

 demand for medicinal plants, nuts, nursery stock, mar- 

 ket-garden products, fruits, and special poultry, dairy and 

 swine products. Not so many years ago the staple 

 crops already described were practically the only ones 

 raised and sold from the farm. 



For example, the growing of vegetables and fruits 

 was limited. They were regarded as luxuries, and the 

 area given to them was, on most farms, only sufficient 

 to meet the needs of the home. These were not regarded 



