INTRODUCTORY. 



17 



ference of the state in their behalf exists it is not 

 from providential reasons. The ameliorative func- 

 tions only are called into requisition. Whatever 

 tends to stimulate private activity is to be pro- 

 moted, whatever retards development of intensive 

 methods is to be. removed, by government. Indus- 

 trial education, cultural surveys, bureaus of infor- 

 mation, experiment stations, and other aids to 

 private enterprise constitute the chief methods 

 of expressing state interest with regard to these 

 resources. 



The three great resources upon which mankind 

 is most dependent, and which, therefore, demand 

 foremost attention of the state, are the soil as food 

 producer, the water, and the climatic conditions. 

 The utilization of these three prime resources by 

 agriculture forms the foundation of all other in- 

 dustries, or, as Sully puts it, " Tillage and pastur- 

 age are the two breasts of the state." It is true 

 the manufacturer increases the utility of things, 

 but the farmer multiplies commodities ; he is crea- 

 tive, and he therefore above all others can claim a 

 right to first consideration on the part of the state. 



The soil is a valuable resource as far as it is 

 fertile and capable of agricultural production; the 

 fertility, while liable to deterioration, can, with few 

 exceptions, be said to be restorable, and it cer- 

 tainly yields increased returns to intelligent in- 

 creased labor. It ranks, therefore, with those 

 resources which can be left to private enterprise, 



