XXX 



POWER AND THE FOOD SUPPLY 



POWER controls our modern world, and since the 

 dawn of history it has been the dominating influence 

 in the transition from savagery to civilization. 

 The human race has always required power for 

 three great essential purposes: tilling the soil to grow food and 

 raw materials; changing the shape of materials to adapt them 

 for use; and carrying men and products from place to place. 

 In other words, power is required for agriculture, manufactur- 

 ing and transportation. 



The tiller of the soil in all ages has surpassed his contempora- 

 ries in the arts and commerce, in adapting animal power to 

 human needs. He is thus the last to feel the need of a change 

 to mechanical power, and so has escaped the final stage in 

 the industrial revolution. But he is now about to complete 

 the cycle. He has come to the point where the methods of 

 the past will no longer suffice if he is to keep pace with the other 

 factors in the world of industry. 



Agriculture the production of foodstuffs cannot be 

 concentrated physically. The farmer's workshop is broad, 

 and his power needs as great at one corner as at another. 

 The power plant for his work must be portable; if possible, self- 

 propelling. Until the present generation nothing so met his 

 requirements as the animal muscle. Man made his first step 

 toward civilization when he took a crooked stick and began to 

 till the soil, using the force of his own muscles. Later he 

 conquered and enslaved to his purpose the power of the ox. 



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