12 INTENSIVE FARMING 



creasing total population and a much more 

 rapidly increasing urban population. A study of 

 our foreign trade relations presents significant 

 facts for consideration in this connection. We 

 have been heavy exporters of grains and bread 

 stuffs, but within the last decade there has been 

 a rapid decline in this respect. In fact, we have 

 ceased to be an important exporting nation. 

 Yet with all this there has been no diminution 

 of the annual harvest, the decline in exports 

 is not to be accounted for by decreased harvest 

 but rather as a result of increased home con- 

 sumption. We will soon cease to be exporters 

 of bread stuffs, all that our fields produce under 

 present cultural practices will be required to 

 feed our own population. 



After this condition has been reached, what 

 then? Shall we decrease the individual ration 

 in order to provide for the increase in popu- 

 lation as has been done in China? Or shall 

 we regulate the increase in population to con- 

 form to the present producing power of the 

 land? Or shall we demand a more bountiful 

 harvest from our arable areas? 



Few will willingly restrict their menu either 

 in variety or quantity in order that an increased 

 population may be fed. The increased attention 

 given to the problems of eugenics indicates that 



