338 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



ILLINOIS SYSTEM OF PERMANENT FERTILITY. 



By Cyril G. Hopkins, University of Illinois. 



If the Illinois system of maintaining soil fertility is found- 

 ed upon truth, it will stand all fair and honest tests, and false* 

 attacks against it must ultimately fail. It must be remembered 

 that the productive power of the soil is the basic support of all 

 prosperity. All classes of people are interested in the food sup- 

 ply, and they have both the need and the right to know the truth 

 about fertilizers. 



Respect for truth is inherent in the human mind, and ulti- 

 mately truth always wins against error. No enterprise support- 

 ed by honest people can succeed permanently if it rests upon al^ 

 false foundation. This is just as applicable to the fertilizer in- 

 dustry as to the banking business. Under the caption, *'The Illi- 

 nois Idea," by L. E. Stockard, Federal Chemical Co., the follow- 

 ing statement is made in KENTUCKY FARMING, October, 



''During the past fifteen years the farmers of Illinois have 

 depended on phosphorus alone as a fertilizer." 



It is inconceivable that any permanent benefit can come to 

 anybody or to any interest, from this statement. Concerning 

 Mr. Stockard, it is sufficient to say that he is mistaken, but, con- 

 cerning the statement itself, a quarter million Illinois farmers 

 will agree that it is entirely fal^e, for it represents neither thei 

 past or present practice or teaching of Illinois. 



''Five elements require careful consideration if lands are 

 to be kept fertile. These are potassium, magnesium, calcium, 

 phosphorus, and nitrogen, and every landowner ought to be as 

 well acquainted with these five elements as he is with his five^* 

 nearest neighbors." This quotation is taken from Circular 167 

 of the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station,^ 

 It is in full harmony with the teaching of that institution during 



