510 Canadian Record of Science. 



entirely, directly or indirectly, on the soil. The rapidly 

 increasing demands of our own country are met, and more 

 than met, so far as mere quantity is concerned, for a great 

 surplus is annually sent abroad. For twenty years, agricul- 

 tural products have constituted three-quarters of all the 

 exports from the United States. And it is manifest that 

 this superabundance of soil products will continue despite 

 all possible increase in population, at least well into the 

 next century. But the wisdom and economy of our present 

 systems of production and disposition is a very different 

 matter. A steady draft continues upon the important ele- 

 ments of fertility, with no adequate system of restitution 

 or recuperation for the soil. Every crop removed from the 

 land diminishes its store of plant food, ai d this reduces its 

 productive power. The three most important elements of 

 plant food are nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid. The 

 effect upon the soil depends upon the disposition of the 

 products embodying these. Fortunately very large parts 

 remain upon or are returned to the land ; on the other hand, 

 there are vast losses from waste, besides the portions sent 

 to foreign lands. 



With our rapidly increasing population and a constantly 

 increasing fertility of soil, we have presented to us ques- 

 tions of the gravest importance. By the wasteful processes 

 prevailing, we are expending our very substance aud daily 

 adding to a burden under which generations to come will 

 stagger. These considerations should increase our regard 

 for the business of farming and our interest in it. We 

 should all rejoice at the revival of agricultural studies and 

 the increasing number of able men who are making them 

 their life's work. Let me cordially invite continued con- 

 tributions to the proceedings of this section — upon foods, 

 fabrics, forestry, industrial education and other topics close- 

 ly related to our material welfare. 



International Congress op Geologists. 



Vice-President Gilbert, in Section E (Geology and Geo- 

 graphy) dealt with " The Work of the International Con- 

 gress of Geologists." His address may be condensed as 

 follows : — 



