Thus the combined gross earning power of both
land and labor is less than $600 a year; while the
brain work applied to the improvement of the soil
on the same farm brings a net return of more than
$950. Once in three years 50 pounds an acre of
kainit was also applied. This would contain only
5 pounds of potassium, or less than would be required
for one 7-bushel crop of corn.
These are the oldest experiments in the United States
in which organic manures have been re-enforced with
phosphorus, and the only addition suggested for the
profitable improvement of this system is ground limestone
on acid soils. These results only emphasize the
fact that the average farm yields small returns upon
the capital and labor invested, but the statement
may well be repeated that the intelligent improvement
of his soil, in systems of permanent agriculture,
is the most profitable business in which the farmer
and land owner can engage.
The following generous statements are quoted here
only because of the hope and earnest desire that those
who have read the preceding pages may continue their
study of the soil—the foundation of all
agriculture—until they master the subject,
and make their own the existing knowledge of the fundamental
principles of permanent soil fertility.
“Another Great Sermon”
Have you read it? It is “The Story of the
Soil,” by Doctor Cyril G. Hopkins, and not since
the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin has any
writer in the world produced a book of such tremendous
importance to present and future generations.
This sermon is in harmony with 20th century ideals.
H. A. McKEENE, Secretary Illinois State Farmers
Institute.
“The Story of the Soil:” from the
basis of absolute science and real life. This
is an odd book. It has a love story running through
it, and it has an index, not a usual appendix to a
novel. And yet it is not really a novel, but
a scientific book on agriculture. There is just
enough story to entice the less willing reader to absorb
some of the latest results of soil analysis.
The young man of the story visits Virginia and New
England, with a view to purchasing a worn-out farm
and building it up. He finally buys such a farm,
and by the methods carefully explained restores it
to fertility and profit. This requires dialogs
and letters on scientific husbandry, even in the love-making,
and one who reads and digests it will make a better
farmer.—The Independent, New York.
“The Story of the Soil” has proven an
inspiration to many of our California farmers.
We wish for the book a widespread circulation. —California
Cultivator.
I doubt if a dozen people in the country would believe
that it is possible to write a novel about the soil—these
big soil problems handled so ably, so plainly that
any person can understand. Here is a book that
certainly every man in the land should read.—Editor
Charles W. Burkett, of American Agriculturist
and of Ginn & Company’s Country Life Education
Series.
