us in our exports of all kinds of cereals, and exporting 60 per cent, 

 of all the meat-stuffs imported by Europe. The products of the 

 Nation's farms in 1909 approximated nine billion dollars, but "not- 

 withstanding this fact the price of these products in the early months 

 of 1910 rose to the highest level in the history of the country; and, 

 at the same time, our exports of these products diminished at a con- 

 tinuous and alarming rate. 



"There is no question whatever that intelligent fertilization and 

 cultivation of the present acreage in the United States would result 

 in doubling the production of 1909; and there is no question but 

 that this result would have enabled the United States to have main- 

 tained its place as the first exporting, food-producing nation. At the 

 same time, it would have been possible to keep the price of the neces- 

 saries of life down to a more reasonable figure. 



"It seems to me that the most important subject now pressing 

 for consideration is this question of improved agricultural conditions 

 intelligent farming. In my opinion, it overshadows in importance 

 the tariff, the regulation of corporations, and all other questions of 

 public policy. And while these important subjects should not be lost 

 sight of, this great question of conservation, improvement and in- 

 telligent cultivation of the soil of the Nation should be given first 

 place. 



"Comparing the year 1909 with 1899, the acreage of land and 

 keep these figures in your head now devoted to agriculture in the 

 United States increased twenty-three per cent. Production increased 

 thirty-six per cent. On the face of it, that looks favorable ; but bear 

 in mind that almost the entire increased production was the product 

 of irrigated land in the West; land reclaimed by irrigation that will 

 produce on the average two bushels to one produced by the best land 

 in the Mississippi Valley. Acreage increased twenty-three (23) per 

 cent.; production thirty-six (36) per cent.; and consumption sixty 

 (60) per cent. 



"The statistics reveal a most serious present economical problem, 

 and it seems to me they foreshadow an economic crisis the importance 

 of which is but faintly appreciated. 



"In this important movement I think the State of New York and 

 this great city should be leaders. The first and most important reason 

 is that no State in the Union needs this improved agriculture so 

 badly as the State of New York; and, secondly, because in a great 

 National movement of this kind the State of New York is and naturally 

 should be a leader. For this reason I have joined in the call for 



