“No doubt you will consider this extremely visionary, and so it is; but unless America can see a vision somewhat like this, a population that is doubling three or four times each century, and an area of depleted soils that is also increasing at a rapid rate will combine to bring our Ship of State into a current against which we may battle in vain; for there is not another New World to bring new wealth, new prosperity, and new life and light after another period of ‘Dark Ages.’

“Whether we shall ever apply any such intelligence to the possible improvement of our own race as we have in the great improvement of our cattle and corn is, of course, an open question; but to some extent you will agree that the grafter and the insane, like the poet, are born and not made.  Of course there are, and always will be, marked variations, mutants, or ‘sports,’ but, nevertheless, natural inheritance is the master key to the improvement of every form of life; and it is an encouraging fact that some of the states, as Indiana, for example, have already adopted laws looking toward the reduction of the reproduction of convicted degenerates.”

CHAPTER XVI

PAST SELF REDEMPTION

“But I have rambled far from the subject assigned me,” Percy continued.

“That’s only because I interrupt and ask so many side questions,” replied Mr. Thornton, “but I hope yet to learn more about those ‘suitable conditions’ for nitrogen-fixation and nitrification.  It begins to look as though the nitrogen cycle deviates a good deal from a true circle, and nature seems to need some help from us to make that element circulate as fast as we need it.  I confess, too, that this method appeals to me much more than the twenty-cent-a-pound proposition of the fertilizer agent.”

“Yes, indeed,” added Miss Russell; “and if we had to spend three dollars an acre on this farm our ‘Slough of Despond’ would be worse than the slough, or swamp, Mr. Johnston has told us about.”

“I fear the practical and profitable improvement of an acre of this land is more likely to cost thirty dollars than three,” said Percy.

“Oh, for the land’s sake!” came the ejaculation.

“Yes, ‘for the land’s sake,’” repeated Percy; “and for the sake of those who must depend upon the land for their support for all time hereafter.”

“How ridiculous!  Thirty dollars an acre for the improvement of land that will not bring ten dollars to begin with!”

“It is better to look at the other end of the undertaking,” said Percy.  “Suppose you invest thirty dollars an acre and in a few years make your ten-dollar land produce as much as our two-hundred dollar land!”

“But, Mr. Johnston; do you realize how much money it would require to expend thirty dollars an acre on nine hundred acres?” continued Miss Russell, with stronger accentuation.

“Twenty-seven thousand dollars,” was the simple reply.