54 Conservation Reader 



We must conclude, then, that if it were not for the vast 

 fields with their deep, rich soil, where the farmers are able 

 to grow much more than they need for themselves, it would 

 not be possible for the people of New England to become 

 wealthy by working at other things than farming. The 

 articles which they are making add to their own comfort 

 and pleasure as well as to that of the farmers, but they have 

 to have the products of the soil to keep alive. 



If the farmers of the Mississippi Valley and of all the other 

 valleys that help support the city people are careful of their 

 soil and keep up its fertihty, our country will remain pros- 

 perous. But we are sorry to say that the farmers have not 

 always been careful. Many have wanted to make more 

 than they should from their lands. The plant food with 

 which Nature has filled the soil has been taken away year 

 after year faster than she has been able to renew it. Many 

 fields do not produce the crops they once did. The smaller 

 the yield becomes, the higher the prices the produce brings. 

 This makes it more difl&cult for the workers in the cities to 

 live comfortably. The less abundant the supply of food 

 becomes, the less prosperous is the country. 



There are countries, such as England, that have neglected 

 agriculture but have, in spite of this, become rich and power- 

 ful through devoting their time to manufacturing articles 

 to sell to other people. Biit those who work in the factories 

 of England have to be fed, and so they must depend upon 

 other countries to supply much of their food. If, for any 

 reason, they were cut off from trade with these countries, 

 not only would their manufacturing be ruined, but they 

 would be in danger of starvation. 



To the first men, who lived entirely upon hunting and 



