1922.] The Future of British Agriculture. 



121 bushels. The decennial average, of course, represents 

 good and bad farmers, good and bad land, good and bad 

 seasons. Between the highest record and the average come the 

 actual normal achievements of good farmers. They not only 

 grumble, but are really disappointed, if they do not exceed 40 

 bushels of wheat or barley, and 50 to 60 bushels of oats. It 

 is not impossible to raise the general average towards the 

 actual achievements of good farmers, and, with the aid of 

 science, to approximate to the record. Tf money is lost or 

 balanced on the average yield, it would almost certainly be 

 made on either of the higher yields. 



To what causes are the differences between these three yields 

 to be attributed? To the human agency, to favourable climatic 

 and soil conditions, to the use of the best and most prolific 

 varieties of seed, and to the adequate nutrition of the plant. 

 We must not underrate the importance of the human agency. 

 The personal equation counts for much. Good farmers are not 

 in the majority. We want more men of energy, capacity, 

 enterprise and education, men who will build up their practical 

 experience on the foundation of a scientific training. We hope 

 to get men of this stamp from Oxford and Cambridge. Capital 

 is, of course, a necessity; the industry is often, for want of it, 

 starved. Its provision is one of the economic problems. 



There remain the natural limitations of climate and soil, the 

 use of the best and most prolific seeds, and the adequate nutrition 

 of plant life. It is here that science has helped, is helping, and 

 will help still more. 



Climatic conditions, especially rainfall, cannot be controlled 

 by human agencies. It is this fact which mainly distinguishes 

 agriculture from other industries. Farmers are at the mercy of 

 the weather. They must adapt themselves to local conditions, 

 humour their climate, grow the crops which it favours, avoid 

 those which it resents. Speaking broadly, this is the only safe 

 rule. On this principle the farming of this country is differen- 

 tiated. The wet climate of the West favours leaf -production ; 

 the drier climate of the East favours grain production. "Rut to 

 some slight extent, climatic conditions can be modified. Thev 

 can be modified by drainage, or to a less degree by the right use 

 of artificial fertilisers. Thus phosphates help to mitigate the 

 disadvantages of cold and wet, while, if the climate is too dry, 

 potassic fertilisers promote the continued growth of the plants. 

 To some extent, also, mechanical science helps farmers to steal 

 a march on the weather. The preparation of a seed bed. com- 



