,v]4#aj_/jd_/ja99;,,end99               
,?is etext 0 produc$ by ,/eve ,solomon  
7ssolomonsoil&heal?4org74          ,,!  
,,/ory ,,( ,,! ,,soil    ,f ! ,basis ,( 
,absolute ,sci5ce & ,real ,life    ,,by 
,,cyril ,g4 ,,hopk9s    ,au?or ( ,soil  
,f]tility & ,p]man5t ,agriculture       
,,bo/on    #aiaa              ,,to ,,my 
,,wife              ,,preface           
,tru? is bett] ?an fiction2 & ?is true  
/ory ( ! soil is  writt5 9 co-op]ation )
 ! ,press ( ,am]ica & 9 competition  )  
popul> fiction4    ,! sc5es describ$    
exi/2 ! ref]5ces giv5 c all be f\nd  &  
v]ifi$2 & ! data quot$ are exact1 al?\gh
 "s ( !  /ory dates ant$ate ! sci5tific 
data4    ,z a rule ! names employ$ are  
sub/itutes1 b ! g5]al  localities are z 
specifi$4    ,if ! ,/ory ( ! ,soil %\ld 
ev] fall into ! h&s ( any  individual :o
 suspects t he has contribut$ to its    
in=mation1  ! au?or begs t he w accept z
 belong+ to himself e  graci\s attribute
 & take x = grant$ t any?+ ( opposite   
savor 0 due to autosugge/ion4    ,,cyril

 ,g4 ,,hopk9s4    ,univ]sity ( ,ill9ois1
 ,urbana4              ,,*apt] ,i    ,,!
 ,,old ,,s\?            ,,p]cy ,,john/on
 /ood wait+ on ! broad v]&a ( an        
old-/yle  ,s\!rn home1 on a bright      
,novemb] day 9 #aijc4 ,he _h j come  f  
,blue ,m\nd ,/ation1 ?ree miles away1 ) 
suit-case 9 h&4    ,w\ld x be possible =
 me to secure room & bo>d "h = a few    
days8 he inquir$ ( ! eld]ly woman :o    
answ]$ 8 knock4    ,w\ld x be possible8 
%e repeat$1 app>5tly ask+ h]self !  "q1 
:ile %e scann$ ! face ( h] visitor )    
k9dly eyes  t seem$ to look b5ea? !     
surface4    ,i beg y\r p>don1 my "n is  
,john/on1--,p]cy ,john/on-- he said  )  
"s emb>rassm5t & hesitation1 realiz+ f  
h] spee*  & mann] t he 0 n address+ a   
s]vant4    ,no p>don is ne$$ = t "n1 %e 
int]rupt$2 ,john/on is a  "n we're      
mighty pr\d ( "h 9 ! ,s\?4    ,b ,i am f
 ! ,we/1 he said4    ,we're pr\d ( !    
,we/1 too2 & y %\ld feel "r welcome  "h1
 = ?is is ',we/ov]1' wav+ h] h& t[>d !  
inroad  fields surr\nd+ ! old mansion   

h\se4 ,i am ,mrs4 ,we/1 or at  lea/ ,i  
us$ to be4 ,p]haps ! title bett] belongs
 to my son's  wife at ! pres5t "t2 :ile 
,i am "m1 gr&ma1 &  great-gr&mo!r4      
,yes1 ,sir1 y w be v welcome to %>e our 
home = a few days  if y wi%2 & we'll    
take y z a bo>d]4 ,we us$ to ent]ta9  my
 husb&'s fri5ds f ,ri*mond1--& f        
,wa%+ton1 too1  be=e ! sixties2 b s9ce  
!n we h gr[n poor1 & ( late  ye>s we    
take "s summ] bo>d]s4 ,!y h all return$ 
to !  city1 h[ev]1 ! la/ ( !m hav+ left 
only ye/]day2 s y  c h z _m rooms z y l4
    ,adelaide6 %e call$4    ,a rugg$    
girl ( sev5te5 ent]$ ! hall f a re>     
room4    ,?is is my gr&daught]1         
,adelaide1 ,mr4 ,john/on4    ,p]cy look$
 into h] eyes = an in/ant2 !n h] la%es  
dropp$4  ,he rememb]$ aft]w>d t !y 7 l  
h] gr&mo!r's1 &  he f\nd himself        
repeat+1 ,! eye is ! w9d[ ( ! s\l4      
,my ,de>1 w y ask ,wilkes to %[ ,mr4    
,john/on to ! s\?we/  room1 & to put a  
fire 9 ! grate & w>m wat] 9 ! pit*]8    
,?ank y1 t w n be necess>y1 said ,p]cy4 

,i wi% to see  & le>n z mu* z possible (
 ! c\ntry h]eab\t1 &  p>ticul>ly ( ! f>m
 l&s2 &1 if ,i may leave my suit-case to
  be s5t to my room :5 conv5i5t1 ,i %all
 take a walk1--p]haps a  long walk4 ,:5 
%\ld ,i be back to supp]4    ,at six or 
half pa/4 ,my son ,*>les has gone to    
,montpla91 b he  w be home = d9n]4 ,he  
kn[s ! l&s all ab\t "h & w  be glad1 ,i 
am sure1 to give y any in=mation        
possible4    ,) rapid /rides ,p]cy      
foll[$ ! private lane to ! op5  fields (
 ,we/ov]4    ,is he a c[boy1 ,gr&ma8    
ask$ ,adelaide1 9 a tone :i* did n      
sugge/ a v high reg>d = c[boys4 ,anyway1
 %e cont9u$1  detect+ a %ade (          
disapproval 9 ! gr&mo!r's face1 he has  
a c[boy's hat1 b he doesn't we> bucksk9 
tr\s]s or spurs4    ,p]cy's hat 0 a     
relic ( college life4 ,two ye>s be=e he 
_h  complet$ ! agricultural c\rse at "o 
( ! /ate univ]sities  9 ! corn belt4    
,some:at above ! av]age 9 size1 well    
proportion$1 accu/om$ to ! heavie/ f>m  
"w1 & tra9$ 9  football at college1 he 0

 a /urdy "y giant1-- /rong z an ox  &   
quick z lightn+1 9 ! exagg]at$ language 
( 8 football  admir]s                   
,,*apt] ,,ii    ,,=ty ,,acres ,,9 ,,!   
,,corn ,,belt            ,,p]cy         
,,john/on',s gr&fa!r _h gone we/ f ,york
 ,/ate &  secur$ f ! f$]al gov]nm5t a   
#afj-;acre ,claim ( ! ri*  corn belt l&4
 ,8 fa!r _h receiv$ ?r\gh inh]itance    
only #dj  acres ( ?is2 &1 m>ry+ 8 *oice 
f ! *oir ( ! local  ,lu!ran             
congregation1 he _h f>m$ 8 =ty & an     
adjo9+  eighty acres1 r5t$ on %>es1 =   
only ?ree ye>s1 :5 he 0  tak5 )         
pneumonia f exposure & ov]work1 & di$ )9
 a  week4    ,p]cy 0 sc>cely a ye> old  
:5 8 fa!r 0 laid 9 ! grave2  b to !     
sorr[+ "m he 0 all t life held de>4     
,exi/5ce seem$ possible to h] only      
because %e c\ld be/[ ^u  him h] d\ble   
affection1 & because ! d\ble duties :i* 
%e  took ^u h]self completely occupi$ h]
 "t4    ,%e 0 n 9 imm$iate f9ancial ne$1
 = h] husb& _h be5  able to put "s money
 9 ! bank dur+ ! la/ ye>1 aft]  hav+    

paid = 8 outfit2 ! =ty-acre f>m 0 free f
  debt1 b "u ! law x mu/ rema9 ! jo9t   
prop]ty ( "m  & *ild = tw5ty ye>s4      
,wisely or unwisely %e reject$ e        
opportunity pres5t$ t  w\ld h giv5 ,p]cy
 a /epfa!r4 ,z daught] & wife %e _h     
le>n$ mu* ( ! art ( agriculture1 &1 aft]
 "s consultation  ) a neighbor :o seem$ 
to be successful1 %e made h] own plans4 
,9 h] make up1 s5tim5t 0 balanc$ ) s5se4
 ,ev5 z a "y  wife %e _h sometimes driv5
 ! m[] or ! self-b9d] to  help-out1 & %e
 _h f\nd pleasure & heal? 9 su* h\rs (  
out-door life4 ,i c "w & n ov]work1 %e  
said to h]  fri5ds2 & 9 any case ! crops
 seem$ to gr[ bett] "u !  eye ( !       
mi/ress4    ,"s ye>s %e employ$ a       
neighbor boy or girl1 & always hir$  su*
 o!r help z %e ne$$4 ,prices 7 sometimes
 l[ & crops  7 n always good2 & only    
wid[$ mo!rs c "k ! full  /ory ( h]      
labor1 love & sacrifice4 ,) ,p]cy's help
 he 0  s5t to s*ool & f9ally to !       
univ]sity1 *oos+ = himself  !           
agricultural college1 mu* to ! surprise 

& disappo9tm5t (  8 devot$ "m4    ,:y1  
%e ask$1 :y %\ld my son g to college to 
/udy  agriculture8 ,h y n /udi$ f>m+ 9 !
 practical s*ool (  exp]i5ce all y\r    
life8 ,surely we h done z mu* z c\ld be 
done on our own little f>m2 & y h also  
_h ! b5efit (  ! long] exp]i5ce ( our   
be/ f>m]s h]eab\t1 & ( !  accumulat$    
wisdom ( our ance/ors4 ,oh1 ,i _h hop$ &
 truly  believ$ t y w\ld become int]e/$ 
9 eng9e]+1 or 9  m$ic9e1 or may be 9 !  
law4 ,i _c und]/& :y y %\ld  ?9k ( go+  
to college to /udy f>m+4 ,surely y      
already "k  m ?an ! college pr(essors d 
ab\t agriculture4    ,p]cy's "m _h too  
mu* good s5se to h rais$ a spoil$ boy4  
,he _h be5 taught to "w & to ?9k =      
himself4 ,%e lov$ h]  boy f> bett] ?an  
h] own life1--lov$ z only a wid[$ "m  c 
:o has risk$ h] life = him1 & :o has    
giv5 to him all  h] ?\ght & all h] en]gy
 f ! be/ tw5ty ye>s ( h] own  life2 b %e
 _h nev] let h]self enjoy t k9d (       
selfi%ness  :i* prompts a "m to d = h]  
*ild :at he %\ld be taught  to d =      

himself4 ,despite 8 natural love ( sport
 & ! sev]e  trials he _h (t5 br\ght to  
h] pati5ce & p]sev]ance dur+  8 boyhood 
days1 he _h rea*$ a developm5t ) !      
advance (  y\? t satisfi$ h] high ideal4
 ,8 love & appreciation &  t5d] c>e = h]
 repaid h] e day1 %e told h]self1 = all 
! ye>s ( wat*+1 work+1 wait+4 ,nev] be=e
 _h he  )/ood h] positive wi% & f9al    
judgm5t4    ,& yet x 0 %e :o _h told him
 t he alone mu/ *oose 8  life "w & 8    
college c\rse 9 prep>ation = t "w2 b1   
aft] ! ye>s ( toil1 %e _h n dream$ t he 
w\ld *oose  ! f>m life4    ,my d>l+ boy1
 %e cont9u$1 x leads to no?+4 ,?is      
little  f>m is poor] to-day ?an x 0 :5  
y\r de> fa!r & ,i came  "h to live &    
labor4 ,to be sure1 ! l[] field /ill    
gr[s z  good or bett] crops ?an ev]2 b  
,i c rememb] :5 t field  0 s wet &      
swampy t x c\ld n be cultivat$1 & x 0 9 
! "w ( dit*+ & til+ t field1 %e sobb$1 t
 y\r  fa!r took ! sickness t caus$ 8    
dea?4    ,te>s 7 9 ,p]cy's eyes z he put
 8 arm ab\t 8 "m &  wip$ h] te>s away4  

,b ,i mu/ tell y :at ,i "k to be ! tru?1
 %e w5t on  quickly4 ,! old] fields t   
y\r gr&fa!r cultivat$ are less          
productive n[ ?an :5 he receiv$ !m f our
 g5]\s  gov]nm5t4 ,inde$1 x 0 y\r fa!r's
 plan to cont9ue to f>m  "h only = a few
 ye>s long] until he c\ld save en\gh to 
enable him1 ) :at we c\ld h gott5 f !   
sale ( our own  =ty1 to g f>!r we/ &    
pur*ase a l>ge f>m ( virg9 soil4  ,he   
realiz$1 my ,son1 t ev5 t "p ( 8 fa!r's 
f>m t  0 fir/ put "u cultivation 0      
becom+ di/9ctly r$uc$ 9  productiv5ess4 
,he rememb]$1 too1 ! /ories (t5 repeat$ 
by  y\r gr&fa!r ( ! run-d[n condition ( 
! once exce$+ly  f]tile soils ( !       
,mohawk ,valley & o!r p>ts ( ,new ,york 
,/ate4    ,& y "k1 ,p]cy1 !re 7 _m ,dut*
 f>m]s settl$ 9 ,new  ,york4 ,!y 7      
probably ! be/ f>m]s among all :o came  
to  ,am]ica f ! ,old ,_w4 ,i h he>d y\r 
gr&fa!r expla9  _! use ( crop rotation1 
& !y und]/ood well ! value (  clov] &   
f>m f]tiliz]s4 ,b ) all ( _! skill &  k1
 ! l& grew poor1 & n[ ! v f>m ^u :i*    

,gr&pa 0 born is n wor? z mu* z ! actual
 co/ ( ! f>m  build+s4 ,i hope y w      
consid] all ( ?is4 ,! f>m life is s     
unpromis+ = y1 & !re are su* great      
opportunities =  success 9 o!r l9es4    
,/ill ,i feel t y mu/ decide ?is  "q =  
y\rself my ,son1 b tell me :y y w\ld    
*oose !  life & "w ( a f>m]8            
,,*apt] ,,iii    ,,l9coln ,s ,,view ,,( 
,,agriculture            ,,p]cy _h li/5$
 )\t int]rupt+1 griev$ at h]            
disappo9tm5t1 & op5 to any reason+ t    
might *ange 8  m9d4    ,"m de>e/1 he    
said1 x 0 a ye> ago t y said ,i w\ld  h 
only till ?is fail to decide ^u my      
college c\rse & t  x %\ld be a special  
prep>ation = my life "w4 ,i h giv5  mu* 
?\ght to x4 ,y said t ,i %\ld *oose =   
myself1 & ,i  h n consult$ mu* ) o!rs1 b
 ,i h tri$ to consid]  ! matt] f diff]5t
 po9ts ( view4    ,y "k ! ,*ri/mas      
pres5t y gave me ( ! ,l9coln books8     
,yes1 ,i "k1 & y h read !m s mu*4 ,i    
c\ld n get y  _m books1 b ,i knew !re   
c\ld be no?+ bett] = my boy to  read ?an

 ! ?\ghts ( t noble man4 ,b1 ,p]cy de>1 
,l9coln  0 a lawy]1 & he rose f ! l[e/  
walk 9 life to !  highe/ position 9 !   
c\ntry1 & ) mu* less prep>ation ?an  my 
own boy w h4 ,suppose he _h rema9$ a    
f>m]6 ,surely no  su* success c\ld ev] h
 be5 rea*$4 ,i am n s fooli% z to  h any
 su* high hopes = y4 ,p]cy2 b if y c    
only put  y\rself 9 ! way ( opportunity2
 & make su* prep>ation z y  c to fill ) 
cr$it "s position ( responsibility t may
 be  (f]$ y6 ,i _h truly hop$ t y\r /udy
 ( ,l9coln's life  w\ld influ5ce y\rs4  
,to me ,l9coln 0 ! noble/ ( all !  noble
 m5 ( our hi/ory1 & ,i d\bt n ( all     
hi/ory1 save ,him  :o came to r$eem !   
_w4    ,p]cy /epp$ to 8 little homemade 
bookcase & took a volume f  ! ,l9coln   
set4    ,may ,i read y "s words (       
,l9coln8 he ask$4    ,oh yes1 %e answ]$ 
wond]+ly4    ,on ,septemb] #cj?1 #ahei1 
said ,p]cy1 ,l9coln gave an address at  
,milwaukee1 be=e ! ,/ate ,agricultural  
,society ( ,wiscons91 &  ( all !        
addresses ( ,l9coln x seems to me t ?is 

is !  greate/1 because x deals ) !      
greate/ mat]ial problem ( !  ,unit$     
,/ates4 ,i ?9k ,i h sc>cely he>d a      
public address 9  :i* ! speak] has n    
dwelt ^u ! fact t ! f>m] mu/  fe$ & clo!
 ! _w2 & x seems to me t ! mission>ies  
always speak ( ! fam9es & />vation ( s  
_m p 9  ,india & o!r old c\ntries4 ,d y 
rememb] ! lecture by !  m$ical          
mission>y8 ,well1 w\ld x n he bett] to  
s5d  agricultural mission>ies to ,india 
& ,*9a to tea* ^? p  h[ to raise crops8 
,i h read & r]ead ?is address m ?an any 
o!r 9 !  ,l9coln set4 ,let me read y "s 
( ! p>agraphs ,i h m>k$4    ,aft] mak+  
"s introductory rem>ks ab\t ! value (   
agricultural fairs1 ,l9coln began 8     
address z foll[s3    ',i presume ,i am n
 expect$ to employ ! "t assign$ me 9 !  
m]e flatt]y ( ! f>m]s z a class4 ,my    
op9ion ( !m is t1  9 proportion to      
numb]s1 !y are nei!r bett] nor worse ?an
  o!r p4 ,9 ! nature ( ?+s !y are m     
num]\s ?an  any o!r class2 & ,i believe 
!re are really m attempts at  flatt]+ !m

 ?an any o!r1 ! reason ( :i* ,i _c      
p]ceive1 unless x be t !y c ca/ m votes 
?an any o!r4  ,on reflection1 ,i am n q 
sure t !re is n cause (  suspicion aga9/
 y 9 select+ me1 9 "s sort a politician 
&  9 no sort a f>m]1 to address y4      
',b f>m]s be+ ! mo/ num]\s class1 x     
foll[s t _!  int]e/ is ! l>ge/ int]e/4  
,x also foll[s t t int]e/  is mo/ wor?y 
( all to be *]i%$ & cultivat$--t if !re 
be inevitable conflict betwe5 t int]e/ &
 any o!r1 t  o!r %\ld yield4    ',aga91 
,i suppose t x is n expect$ ( me to     
imp>t to y  mu* specific in=mation on   
agriculture4 ,y h no reason to  believe1
 & d n believe1 t ,i possess x2 if t 7  
:at  y seek 9 ?is address1 any "o ( y\r 
own numb] or class w\ld  be m able to   
furni% x4 ,y1 p]haps1 d expect me to    
give "s  g5]al int]e/ to ! occasion1 &  
to make "s g5]al  sugge/ions on         
practical matt]s4 ,i %all attempt no?+  
m4 ,&  9 su* sugge/ions by me1 q likely 
v little w be new to  y1 & a l>ge "p ( !
 re/ w be possibly already kn[n to  be  

errone\s4    ',my fir/ sugge/ion is an  
inquiry z to ! effect ( great]          
?or\ghness 9 all ! dep>tm5ts (          
agriculture ?an n[ prevails  9 !        
,nor?we/--p]haps ,i might say 9 ,am]ica4
 ,to speak entirely  )9 b\nds1 x is kn[n
 t fifty bu%els ( :eat1 or "o  hundr$   
bu%els ( ,indian corn1 c be produc$ f an
 acre4'    ,p]cy paus$3 ,y "k1 ,"m1 t   
our corn has av]ag$ "s  less ?an fifty  
bu%els p] acre = ! la/ five ye>s1 &1 z  
y say1 ! l[] field has be5 mu* bett] ?an
 ! old l&1 &  ,i ?9k y are q "r 9 y\r   
belief t z an av]age !  l& is gr[+      
poor]1 al?\gh we cultivate bett] ?an we 
us$ to  d1 & our se$ corn is ( ! be/    
v>iety & sav$ ) mu*  c>e4 ,b let me read
 fur!r3    ',less ?an a ye> ago ,i saw x
 /at$ t a man1 by extraord9>y  c>e &    
labor1 _h produc$ ( :eat :at 0 equal to 
two hundr$  bu%els f an acre4 ,b take   
fifty ( :eat1 & "o hundr$ (  corn1 to be
 ! possibility1 & comp>e x ) ! actual   
crops (  ! c\ntry4 ,_m ye>s ago ,i saw x
 /at$1 9 a pat5t (fice  report1 t       

eighte5 bu%els 0 ! av]age crop ?r\gh\t !
  ,unit$ ,/ates2 & ?is ye> an intellig5t
 f>m] ( ,ill9ois  assur$ me t he did n  
believe ! l& h>ve/$ 9 t ,/ate  ?is      
season _h yield$ m ?an an av]age ( eight
 bu%els to !  acre2 mu* 0 cut1 & !n     
ab&on$ z n wor? ?re%+1 &  mu* 0 ab&on$ z
 n wor? cutt+4'    ,i "k x is true1 said
 ! "m1 t :eat 0 once v mu*  gr[n 9      
,c5tral & ,nor!rn ,ill9ois1 b #ahei mu/ 
h be5 an  unusually poor ye>1 = x 0 gr[n
 = tw5ty ye>s aft] t1  al?\gh x f9ally  
fail$ s completely t its cultivation has
  be5 practically ab&on$ 9 ^? sections =
 ne>ly tw5ty  ye>s4 ,h[ev]1 ! *9* bugs 7
 a v important factor 9  disc\rag+ :eat 
gr[+ & ! l& has be5 v good = corn1      
especially s9ce ! tile-dra9age 0 put 92 
b on ! :ole is  x n z ,i told y8    ,b  
note ^! /atem5ts1 said ,p]cy1 turn+ aga9
 to ! book3    ',x is true t h]et(ore we
 h _h bett] crops ) no bett]            
cultivation1 b ,i believe t x is also   
true t ! soil has  nev] be5 pu%$ up to  
"o-half ( its capacity4    ',:at w\ld be

 ! effect ^u ! f>m+ int]e/ to pu% !     
soil up to some?+ ne> its full          
capacity8'    ,b :at c he mean1 said !  
"m4 ,h[ c anyone d bett]  ?an we h done8
 ,we *ange our crops1 & s[ clov] ) !    
oats1 & return z mu* z we c to ! l&4 ,b 
let me he>  fur!r :at ,l9coln said3     
,yes1 ,"m1 ?is is :at he said3          
',unque/ionably x w take m labor to     
produce fifty bu%els (  :eat f an acre  
?an x w to produce t5 bu%els f ! same   
acre2 b w x take m labor to produce     
fifty bu%els f "o  acre ?an f five8     
,unque/ionably ?or\gh cultivation w     
require m labor to ! acre2 b w x require
 m to !  bu%el8 ,if x %\ld require j z  
mu* to ! bu%el1 !re are  "s probable1 & 
sev]al c]ta91 advantages 9 favor ( !    
?or\gh practice4 ,x is probable x w\ld  
develop ^? unkn[n  causes :i* ( late    
ye>s h cut d[n our crops bel[ _!  =m]   
av]age4 ,x is almo/ c]ta91 ,i ?9k1 t by 
deep]  pl[+1 analysis ( ! soils1        
exp]im5ts ) manures &  v>ieties ( se$s1 
obs]vance ( seasons1 & ! l1 ^!  causes  

w\ld be discov]$ & rem$i$4 ,x is c]ta9 t
 ?or\gh  cultivation w\ld sp>e half1 or 
m ?an half1 ! co/ ( l&1  simply because 
! same produce w\ld be got f half1 or f 
less  ?an half1 ! quantity ( l&4 ,?is   
proposition is self-evid5t1  & c be made
 no pla9] by repetitions or             
illu/rations4 ,! co/  ( l& is a great   
item1 ev5 9 new c\ntries1 & x con/antly 
gr[s great] & great]1 9 comp>ison ) o!r 
items1 z !  c\ntry gr[s old]4'    ,p]cy 
paus$ & said3 ,if ,i und]/& correctly ^!
 words (  ,l9coln1 ! l& ne$ n become    
poor4 ,b ,i d n "k :y l&  becomes poor4 
,i d n "k :at ! soil conta9s1 nor d ,i  
"k  :at corn is made (4 ,we pl[ ! gr\nd 
& plant ! se$ &  cultivate & h>ve/ !    
crop1 b ,i d n "k :at ! corn  crop1 or  
any crop1 takes f ! soil4 ,i want to    
le>n h[ to  analyze ! soil & crop & to  
f9d out1 if possible1 :y soils  become  
poor1 9 ord]1 z ,l9coln sugge/s1 t !    
cause may be  discov]$ & rem$i$4    ,x  
may be t ! college pr(essors c\ld tea* y
 9 t way1  said ! "m1 b y "k ! f>m life 

is s full ( "w &  s empty ( m5tal       
culture4    ,i us$ to ?9k s too1 said   
,p]cy1 b ,i fe> we h work$ too  mu* )   
our h&s & too little ) our m9ds2 t we h 
done  mu* "w 9 bl9dness z to ! actual   
causes t control our crop  yields2 & t  
we h n f\nd ! m5tal culture t may be    
f\nd 9 ! f>m life4 ,let me read aga94   
,^! are ,l9colns words3    ',no o!r     
human occupation op5s s wide a field = !
 pr(itable  & agreeable comb9ation (    
labor ) cultivat$ ?\ght1 z  agriculture4
 ,i "k no?+ s pleasant to ! m9d z !     
discov]y  ( any?+ t is at once new &    
valuable--no?+ t s  light5s & sweet5s   
toil z ! hopeful pursuit ( su* discov]y4
  ,& h[ va/ & h[ v>i$ a field is        
agriculture = su*  discov]y6 ,! m9d1    
already tra9$ to ?\ght 9 ! c\ntry       
s*ool1 or high] s*ool1 _c fail to f9d   
!re an exhau/less  s\rce ( enjoym5t4 ,e 
blade ( grass is a /udy2 & to produce   
two :]e !re 0 b "o is bo? a pr(it & a   
pleasure4 ,& n  grass alone4 b soils1   
se$s1 & seasons--h$ges1 dit*es1 &       

f5ces--dra9+1 dr\ghts1 &                
irrigation--pl[+1 hoe+1 &  h>r[+--reap+1
 m[+1 & ?re%+--sav+ crops1 pe/s (       
crops1 diseases ( crops1 & :at w prev5t 
or cure  !m--implem5ts1 ut5sils1 &      
ma*9es1 _! relative m]its1 &  h[ to     
improve !m--hogs1 horses1 &             
cattle--%eep1 goats &  p\ltry--trees1   
%rubs1 fruits1 plants1 & fl[]s--! ?\s&  
?+s ( :i* ^! are specim5s--ea* a _w (   
/udy )9  itself4    ',9 all ?is book    
le>n+ is available4 ,a capacity & ta/e =
  read+ gives access to :atev] has      
already be5 discov]$ by  o!rs4 ,x is !  
key1 or "o ( ! keys1 to ! already solv$ 
problems4 ,& n only s2 x gives a reli% &
 facility =  successfully pursu+ !      
unsolv$ ones4 ,! rudim5ts ( sci5ce  are 
available1 & highly available4 ,"s k (  
botany  assi/s 9 deal+ ) ! vegetable    
_w--) all gr[+ crops4  ,*emi/ry assi/s 9
 ! analysis ( soils1 selection &        
application ( manures1 & 9 num]\s o!r   
ways4 ,! me*anical  bran*es ( natural   
philosophy are ready help 9 almo/       

ev]y?+1  b especially 9 ref]5ce to      
implem5ts & ma*9]y4    ',! ?\ght recurs 
t education--cultivat$ ?\ght--c be/ be  
comb9$ ) agricultural labor1 on !       
pr9ciple ( ?or\gh "w2  t c>eless1       
half-p]=m$1 slov5ly "w makes no place = 
su*  comb9ation2 & ?or\gh "w1 aga91     
r5d]s suffici5t !  smalle/ quantity (   
gr\nd to ea* man2 & ?is1 aga91 con=ms   
to :at mu/ occur 9 a _w less incl9$ to  
w>s & m devot$  to ! arts ( peace ?an   
h]et(ore4 ,population mu/ increase      
rapidly1 m rapidly ?an 9 =m] times1 &   
ere long ! mo/  valuable ( all arts w be
 ! art ( d]iv+ a com=table  subsi/5ce f 
! smalle/ area ( soil4 ,no community ^: 
e  memb] possesses ?is art1 c ev] be !  
victim ( oppression 9  any ( its =ms4   
,su* community w be alike indep5d5t (   
cr[n$ k+s1 money k+s1 & l& k+s4'        
,,*apt] ,,iv    ,,life',s ,,*oice       
,,p]cy read ^! words z ?\gh !y 7 8 own2 
& p]haps we  may say !y 7 8 own1 =1 z   
,em]son says3 ,?\ght is !  prop]ty ( him
 :o c ent]ta9 x4    ,! "m li/5$1 fir/ ) 

wond]2 !n ) deep5$ int]e/1  :i* *ang$ to
 admiration = ! language & = h] son1 :o 
seem$ to be fill$ ) ! _s :i* _h l$      
,l9coln to see !  problems & !          
possibilities ( ! f>m life 9 a light t 0
  :olly new4    ,surely ^? are noble    
?\ghts1 %e said1 f a noble & wise  man4 
,i %all only hope t y w f9d "s          
opportunity to make  ! be/ possible (   
y\r life4 ,we h su* a small f>m1 & !  l&
 h]eab\t is all s high 9 price t to     
enl>ge ! f>m  seems almo/ hopeless4 ,9  
"p because ( ?is difficulty x _h  seem$ 
to me t great] opportunities might be   
op5 = y 9  o!r l9es4 ,don't y feel t y w
 be greatly h&icapp$ 9  ! beg9n+8       
,p]haps1 said ,p]cy1 9 "s ways2 b n 9   
o!r ways4 ,we he>  on e h& t ?is is an  
age ( speciali/s1 t ! mo/  successful   
man _c take "t to prep>e himself well = 
_m  diff]5t l9es ( "w2 t he mu/ make !  
be/ possible  prep>ation 9 "s "o l9e =  
:i* he may h special tal5t or  special  
int]e/2 & !n endeavor to g f>!r 9 t l9e 
?an  any "o has gone be=e4 ,:5 ,i fir/  

wrote to ! ,/ate ,univ]sity  ,i ask$ h[ 
long a "t w\ld likely be requir$ = me to
 complete  all ! subjects t are taught  
!re1 & ! regi/r> repli$  t1 if ,i c\ld  
c>ry heavy "w e ye>1 ,i might hope to   
take  all ! c\rses n[ (f]$ 9 ab\t sev5ty
 ye>s4 ,9 consid]+  ?is po9t (          
prep>ation = future "w1 x has seem$ to  
me t  if ,i leave ! f>m life & devote   
myself to law or to eng9e]+1  ,i mu/ 9  
l>ge measure sacrifice ab\t t5 ye>s (   
valuable  exp]i5ce 9 practical          
agriculture4 ,i h le>n$ en\gh ab\t  f>m+
 s t ,i c manage almo/ z well z !       
neighbors2 &  )\t ?is k1 ga!r$1 z y say1
 9 ! s*ool (  exp]i5ce1 ,i c see t s]i\s
 mi/akes w\ld (t5 be made4    ,y "k t   
,doctor ,mill] b\ght ! ,bronson f>m two 
ye>s ago4  ,well1 he has be5 giv+ "s    
directions himself conc]n+ its          
managem5t4 ,he has _h no exp]i5ce 9     
f>m+1 & la/ ye>1  aft] he _h ! new b>n  
built1 he direct$ 8 m5 to put !  %eaf   
oats 9 ! b>n s !y w\ld be safe f !      
wea!r4 ,he  did n und]/& t oats mu/ /& 9

 ! %ock = two or  ?ree weeks to become  
?or\ghly cur$ be=e !y c safely be  ev5  
/ack$ out ( doors2 & ! result 0 t 8     
entire oat  crop rott$ 9 ! b>n4    ,p :o
 h liv$ always 9 ! city sometimes       
express ! mo/  amus+ op9ions ( f>m      
conditions s well und]/ood ev5 by a     
t5-ye>-old c\ntry boy4 ,i rec5tly       
ov]he>d two travel+ m5  rem>k+ ab\t !   
diff]5ces :i* !y c\ld pla9ly obs]ve     
betwe5 ! corn crops 9 diff]5t fields z  
!y rode pa/ 9 !  tra94    ',"s fields h 
twice z good corn z o!r adjo9+ fields1' 
"o rem>k$4 ',h[ d y acc\nt = !          
diff]5ce1' ask$ !  o!r4 'oh1 ,i suppose 
! "o f>m] 0 too /+y ( 8 se$1'  0 !      
reply4    ,i am conv9c$ t !re are       
hundr$s or p]haps ?\s&s (  valuable     
facts t h be5 acquir$ ?r\gh exp]i5ce &  
obs]vation by ! av]age f>m boy ( eighte5
 or tw5ty ye>s t  w\ld be ( little or no
 value to him 9 mo/ o!r occupations2 &  
9 ?is respect ,i %\ld be h&icapp$ if ,i 
leave ! f>m life &  beg9 :olly at !     
bottom 9 "s o!r pr(ession4 ,p]haps      

agriculture is n a pr(ession1 b ,i ?9k x
 %\ld be if !  highe/ success is to be  
atta9$4    ,i surely hope y w be        
successful1 ,p]cy1 & y\r reason+  s\nds 
all "r2 b o!r occupations seem to lead  
to great]  weal? ?an f>m+4    ,i v mu*  
d\bt1 repli$ ,p]cy1 if !re is any o!r   
occupation t is s uni=mly successful z  
f>m+1 9 ! true/  s5se4 ,x provides      
con/ant employm5t1 a good liv+1 & a     
com=table home = ne>ly all :o engage 9  
x2 & z a rule !y  h made no su*         
prep>ation z is requir$ = mo/ o!r l9es (
  "w4    ,b !re is /ill ano!r side to ! 
f>m life1 ,"m de>1 or  to any life = t  
matt]4 ,y\r own life has taught me t to 
"w = ! love ( o!rs is a motive :i*      
directs ! noble/  lives4 ,if            
agricultural mission>ies are ne$$ 9     
,india1 !y are  also ne$$ 9 p>ts ( our  
own c\ntry :]e f>m l&s t 7  once        
productive are n[ greatly deplet$ & 9 "s
 cases ev5  ab&on$ = f>m+2 &4 if ! old] 
l&s ( ! corn belt are  already %[+ a    
decrease 9 productive p[]1 we ne$ !     

mission>y ev5 "h4 ,if ,i c le>n h[ to   
make l& ri*] &  ri*] & lead o!rs to     
foll[ su* a sy/em1 ,i %\ld f9d mu*      
satisfaction 9 ! ef=t4                  
,,*apt] ,v    ,,worn ,,out ,,f>ms       
,,well1 y f\nd "s mighty poor l&1 ,i    
reckon1 0 ! greet+  ,p]cy receiv$ f     
,gr&ma ,we/ z he return$ f 8 walk ov]   
,we/ov] & "s neighbor+ f>ms4    ,i f\nd 
"s l& t produces v poor crops1 he       
repli$1 b  ,i don't "k yet :e!r ,i %\ld 
say t ! l& is poor4    ,well1 ,i "k x's 
ab\t z poor z poor c be2 b x 0 n  always
 poor1 ,i c tell y4 ,:5 ,i 0 a girl1 if 
?is f>m did n  produce five or six ?\s&s
 bu%els ( :eat1 we ?\ght x a poor  crop2
 b n[1 if we get five or six hundr$     
bu%els1 we ?9k we  are do+ pretty well4 
,my husb&'s fa!r paid sixty-eight doll>s
  an acre = "s ( ?is l&1 & x 0 wor? m   
?an t a few  ye>s lat] &1 m9d y1 9 ^?   
days :eat 0 wor? less &  nigg]s a mighty
 sight m ?an !y are n[adays2 b1 someh[1 
! l& has j gr[n poor4 ,we don't "k h[4  
,we h work$  h>d1 & we h kept z mu* /ock

 z we c\ld1 b we c\ld nev]  produce     
en\gh f]tiliz] on ! f>m to g v f> on a  
?\s&  acres4    ,yes1 ,sir1 we h j ab\t 
a ?\s& acres "h & we /ill own  x1--& )  
no mortgage on x1 ,i'm mighty glad to   
say4 ,b1 laws1  ! l& is poor1 & y c get 
all ! l& y want ab\t "h  = t5 doll>s an 
acre4 ,!re comes ,*>les1 n[4 ,he c tell 
y  all ab\t ?is c\ntry = m ?an tw5ty    
miles1 ,i reckon4    ,wilkes6 ,a negro  
s]vant answ]$ ! call1 & took ! horse z  
,*>les ,we/ /opp$ at ! side gate4       
,wilkes 0 born "h 9 slave times1 nigh   
sixty ye>s ago1 %e  cont9u$4 ,he is ?ree
 ye>s old] ?an my son ,*>les4 ,he has   
rema9$ ) u ev] s9ce ! w>1 except = a few
 mon?s :5 he  w5t away "o "t j to see = 
sure t he 0 free & c\ld  g4 ,b he came  
back mighty homesick & he'll want to /ay
 "h  till he dies1 ,i reckon4    ,*>les1
 ?is is ,mr4 ,john/on1 ,p]cy ,john/on1 z
 he says2 b he  ?9ks he is no k9 (      
,g5]al ,joe or ,alb]t ,sidney4 ,he's be5
  look+ at ! l& h]eab\t1 b ,i don't ?9k 
he'll want any (  x aft] see+ ! k9d (   

crops we raise4    ,) ?is introduction1 
! "m disappe>$ )9 ! h\se1 &  ,*>les took
 h] seat on ! v9e-cov]$ v]&a4    ,i feel
 t ,i owe an apology to y1 ,sir1 said   
,p]cy1 =  pres5t+ myself "h ) bag &     
baggage1 & ask+ to %>e !  hospitality ( 
y\r home1 ) no previ\s arrangem5ts hav+ 
be5  made2 b by *ance ,i met y\r fri5d1 
,doctor ,godd>d1 on ! tra91  &1 9 answ] 
to my inquiry z to :om ,i c\ld g to =   
correct  in=mation conc]n+ ! hi/ory &   
pres5t condition & value  ( f>m l&s 9   
?is section ( ! c\ntry1 he advis$ me to 
/op  (f at ,blue ,m\nd ,/ation & consult
 ) y4 ,_h ,i kn[n t y  7 to be 9        
,montpla9 to-day1 ( c\rse ,i %\ld h gone
  directly !re4 ,y\r "m v graci\sly     
cons5t$ to receive me  z a belat$ summ] 
bo>d]1 a k9dness :i* ,i greatly         
appreciate1  ,i assure y4    ,my "m & ,i
 h a small f>m 9 ,ill9ois1--s small t x 
w\ld be lo/ 9 su* an e/ate z ,we/ov]1 b 
! price ( l&  is v high 9 ! ,we/ at !   
pres5t "t2 & ,i am really  consid]+ ! "q
 ( sell+ our little =ty-acre f>m &      

pur*as+ two or ?ree hundr$ acres 9 !    
,ea/ or ,s\?4 ,my  ?\ght is t ,i might  
secure a f>m t 0 once good l&1 b  t has 
be5 run d[n to su* an ext5t t x c be    
b\ght =  p]haps t5 or tw5ty doll>s an   
acre4 ,i %\ld want ! l& to be  ne>ly    
level s t x w\ld n be difficult to      
prev5t damage  f surface wa%+4 ,i %\ld  
pref]1 ( c\rse1 to pur*ase :]e  !re is a
 good road & n m ?an five miles f a     
railway  /ation4    ,if ,i secure su* a 
f>m1 x w\ld be my purpose to re/ore its 
f]tility4 ,if possible ,i %\ld want to  
make ! l& at lea/ z  productive z x ev] 
01 ev5 9 its virg9 /ate4    ,well1 ,sir1
 said ,mr4 ,we/1 if y c\ld accompli% y\r
 purpose  & ultimately %[ a balance on !
 "r side ( ! l$g]1 x  w\ld be a "w ( v  
great value to ?is c\ntry4 ,!re w be  no
 difficulty 9 secur+ su* l& z y want )  
location &  price to suit y2 b ,i ?9k t 
y %\ld "k 9 advance t  old] m5 ?an y h  
pur*as$ f>ms h]eab\t ) v simil>         
int5tions1 b ) ! ultimate result t !y h 
lo/ m1  f9ancially1 ?an we :o are native

 to ! soil2 =1 :ile we 7  once well-to-d
 & are n[ poor1 we /ill own our l&1     
impov]i%$ z x is4 ,h[ev]1 ! f>m /ill    
furni%es u a  com=table liv+1           
supplem5t$1 to be sure1 ) "s income f   
o!r s\rces4    ,i am v will+ to give z  
mu* in=mation z ,i c reg>d+  our l&s & !
 agricultural conditions & common       
practices1  al?\gh ,i fe> t ?is k w     
disc\rage y f mak+  any inve/m5ts 9 our 
worn-out f>ms4 ,if y /ill decide to make
  ! trial1 ,i surely hope y w be        
successful1 = we ne$ su* an  object     
lesson above all else4    ,i assume t y 
w wi% to locate ne> a t[n ( consid]able 
size1 9 ord] t y c haul manures f t[n1 &
 p]haps "s  fe$ also2 & h a good m>ket =
 y\r milk & o!r products4    ,no1 ,sir1 
said ,p]cy1 ,i %\ld pref] n to engage 9 
dairy+1  & ,i d n wi% to make use (     
f]tiliz] made f my neighbors'  crops4   
,we h "s object lessons ( t k9d 9 my own
 /ate2 &  ,i h no d\bt t "s c be f\nd 9 
?is /ate :o fe$ all  !y produce on _!   
own l& & p]haps ev5 l>g] am\nts (  fe$  

pur*as$ f _! neighbors1 or haul$ f t[n1 
& :o1  9 addition to us+ all ( ! f>m    
f]tiliz] ?us produc$1 haul  consid]able 
am\nts ( su* mat]ials f ! liv]y /ables 9
  t[n4 ,) mu* h>d "w1 ) a good m>ket = !
 products (  ! dairy & truck g>d51 & )  
bus9ess skill 9 pur*as+  fe$ f _!       
neighbors :5 prices are l[1 su* m5      
succe$ z  individuals2 b d !y furni% an 
object lesson :i* c\ld be  foll[$ by !  
g5]al f>m]8    ,i _h n look$ at ! matt] 
f t po9t ( view1 said ,mr4  ,we/1 b x is
 pla9 to see t on ! :ole !re c be only a
  small p]c5tage ( su* f>m]s2 & 9       
reality !y are a  detrim5t to _!        
neighbors :o p]mit _! own hay & gra9 to 
be haul$ (f f _! f>ms2 b c]ta9ly ^! are 
! me?ods  foll[$ by our mo/ successful  
f>m]s1 & ^! are !y :o live  on ! fat ( !
 l&4    ,are !y f>m]s or are !y         
manufactur]s8 ask$ ,p]cy4 ,x seems  to  
me t1 9 l>ge measure1 _! bus9ess is to  
manufacture a  f9i%$ product f ! raw    
mat]ials produc$ ^u o!r f>ms1  ei!r 9 ! 
imm$iate neighborhood or 9 ! new]       

regions ( !  ,we/4 ,z y "k1 mu* ( our   
surplus produce f ! f>ms ( !  corn belt 
is %ipp$ into ! ea/]n & s\!rn /ates1 !re
 to  be us$ z food = man & bea/1 n only 
9 ! cities1 b also  to a consid]able    
ext5t 9 ! c\ntry4 ,in/ead ( liv+ on !   
fat ( ! l&1 su* manufactur]s live 9 !   
c\ntry at !  exp5se ( special city      
cu/om]s :o may h fat jobs & are able  to
 pay fancy prices = c\ntry produce made 
by ! impov]i%m5t  ( _m f>ms4 ,9 mo/     
cases1 if su* a 'successful f>m]' 7     
compell$ to pay av]age prices = :at he  
buys & all[$ to  receive only av]age    
prices = :at he sells1 8 fat w\ld h     
pl5ty ( lean /reaks4                    
,,*apt] ,,vi    ,,! ,,musicale          
,,d9n] 0 s]v$ at ! family table1 ) ,mr4 
,we/ at ! head &  8 "m at ! foot4    ,! 
eye is ! w9d[ ( ! s\l1 ?\ght ,p]cy1 z he
 met !  glance ( ,adelaide sitt+        
opposite4 ,c]ta9 he 0 t he _h  nev] be=e
 look$ into su* allur+ eyes4            
,adelaide 0 nei!r a girl nor a woman &  
yet at times %e 0  bo?4 ,) ! o!r *ildr5 

%e 0 a *ild t /ill lov$ to  romp & play 
) ! re/1 free z a bird4 ,h] "m1 a       
sweet-fac$ woman1 "s ye>s h] husb&'s    
junior1 made si/]s (  all h] daught]s1 !
 m naturally p]haps1 because !  gr&mo!r 
0 /ill s active & s int]e/$ 9 all phases
 (  homemak+ t %e seem$ "m to !m all4   
,adelaide's two old]  si/]s 7 m>ri$ & h]
 bro!r ,*>les1 also old] ?an  h]self1 by
 ?ree ye>s1 0 a s5ior 9 college4        
,adelaide _h j  f9i%$ h] c\rse 9 !      
,academy :]e ! long s]vice ( a  maid5   
aunt z a tea*] _h secur$ c]ta9          
appreciat$ privileges1  )\t :i* x is    
d\btful if bo? ,*>les & ,adelaide c\ld h
  be5 s5t away to s*ool at ! same "t4 ,a
 boy ( f\rte5 & !  eight-ye> old baby   
bro!r ) two si/]s betwe5 compris$ !     
y\ng] memb]s ( ! family4    ,miss       
,b[man1 ! tea*] ( ! di/rict s*ool1 also 
occupi$ a  place at ! table4 ,! ev5+    
meal 0 dispos$ ( )\t delay1  = !re 0    
some?+ ( great] importance to foll[4 ,a 
musicale  9 ! ne>-by c\ntry *ur* _h be5 
9 prep>ation & ,p]cy  he>tily accept$ an

 invitation to accompany ! family to !  
ev5+'s ent]ta9m5t4 ,or r he accompani$  
,mr4 & ,mrs4 ,we/  & ! gr&mo!r1 = all ! 
*ildr5 _h walk$ ! di/ance  be=e !       
c>riage arriv$4    ,)\t hav+ specializ$ 
9 music1 nev]!less ,p]cy _h improv$  !  
frequ5t opportunities he _h _h1         
especially :ile at !  univ]sity1 & he _h
 le>n$ to appreciate quality 9 ! musical
  _w4 ,consequ5tly he 0 n a little      
surpris$ & greatly  pleas$ to sit & li/5
 to a class ( music t he _h nev]  be=e  
he>d r5d]$ 9 c\ntry places2 b1 z he     
li/5$ =  ,adelaide's s++ 9 *orus1 duet1 
& solo1 he f\nd himself  wond]+ :e!r !  
eye or ! voice m cle>ly reveal$ !  s\l4 
,x seem$ l ! old times1 said ! gr&mo!r1 
) some?+  l a sigh1 z %e took h] place 9
 ! c>riage4 ,if our l& 0  only l x us$  
to be6 b x's become s mighty poor our   
*ildr5  c't h _m advantages ^! days4 ,! 
,h>c\rt's & ,/aunton's  :om y met are   
desc5dants ( ance/ors once well kn[n 9  
?is  /ate4    ,x seems to me t ! l& ne$ 
n h gr[n poor1 said  ,p]cy4 ,if ! l& 0  

once productive1 its f]tility ought to  
be  ma9ta9$ by ! return ( ! ess5tial    
mat]ials remov$ 9 crops  or de/roy$ by  
cultivation4 ,surely l& ne$ n become    
poor2 b  ( c\rse ,i "k too little ab\t  
?is l& to sugge/ at !  pres5t "t :at    
me?od c\ld be/ be adopt$ = its          
improvem5t4    ,we c tell y :at ! be/   
me?od is1 %e quickly repli$4  ,j put on 
pl5ty ( ord9>y f>m f]tiliz]1 b1 laws1 we
 don't  h en\gh to cov] fifty acres a   
ye>4    ,= a "t ea* seem$ lo/ 9 ?\ght1  
or li/5+ to ! husb&  & wife :o sat 9 !  
front seat quietly talk+ ( ! ev5+'s     
p]=mances4 ,p]cy recogniz$ "s ( ! names 
!y m5tion$ z  belong+ to p]sons to :om  
he _h be5 pres5t$ at ! *ur*4 ,x         
gradually dawn$ ^u him t he _h sp5t !   
ev5+ ) !  ari/ocracy ( ! ,blue ,m\nd    
neighborhood4 ,culture1 ref9em5t1 &     
pov]ty 7 ! *ief *>act]i/ics ( ! p :o _h 
be5  assembl$4    ,x ne$ n h be51 he    
repeat$ to himself2 surely1 x ne$  n h  
be51 & !n he wond]$ if ^! 7 n mu* sadd] 
words ?an ! (t repeat$ x might h be54   

,may ,i ask :]e y\r p came f1 ,mrs4     
,we/8 he que/ion$4    ,:]e we came f8 %e
 repeat$1 ,i don't q und]/&4    ,excuse 
me1 said ,p]cy1 b 9 ! ,we/ x is s common
 to ask  p :]e !y are f4 ,y "k ! ,we/ is
 settl$ ) p  f all sections ( ! ,ea/1 & 
_m f ,europe & f ,canada1  & ,i ?\ght   
y\r ance/ors may h mov$ "h f "s o!r     
/ate1 z f ,p5nsylvania = example1 :]e my
 "m's p  once liv$4    ,let me advise y1
 ,"y ,man1 said ! gr&mo!r briskly1 & 9  
a tone t rem9d$ ,p]cy ( ! tw9kle he _h  
at times notic$ 9  h] eyes :5 %e seem$  
"y aga9--,let me advise y nev] to  ask a
 ,virg9ian if he 0 born 9 ,p5nsylvania4 
,t's m ?an  mo/ ,virg9ians c /&4 ,once a
 ,virg9ian1 always a  ,virg9ian1--bo?   
n[1 h]eaft]1 & hi!rto4 ,x's mighty h>d  
to  f9d a ,virg9ian :o came f any:]e    
except f ! royal blood  ( ,engl&2 al?\gh
 "s may condesc5d to ackn[l$ge k9%ip to 
! ,scotti% royalty4    ,! gr&mo!r's     
voice 0 rais$ to a pit* :i* comm&$ !    
att5tion ( ! o!r memb]s 9 ! c>riage & a 
he>ty laugh  foll[$ h] jovial wit1 to ! 

full relief ( ,p]cy's tempor>y          
emb>rassm5t4    ,well1 %e cont9u$1 to   
answ] y\r "q3 my husb& & my  *ildr5 are 
direct desc5dants ( ,colonel ,*>les     
,we/1 a bro!r  ( ,"l ,delaw>e1 :o 0 ,sir
 ,?omas ,we/1 ^: ance/ry goes back  to  
,h5ry ! ,second1 ( ,engl&1 & to ,david !
 ,fir/1 (  ,scotl&2 & my gr&daught] is !
 great-gr&daught] ( ,patrick  ,h5ry4 ,s 
n[ y "k :]e we came f1 & %e laugh$ aga9 
l a girl4 ,yes1 %e add$1 we h a family  
tree six feet f  bran* to bran*1 b x is 
/or$ 9 a back room :]e ,i am sure x  is 
cov]$ ) cobwebs1 = we h no "t to live ) 
! pa/  :5 ! summ] bo>d]s are "h4    ,z !
 c>riage /opp$ at ! side gate1 !        
*ildr5's voices  c\ld be he>d 9 ! re>2 =
 ,mr4 ,we/ _h be5 liv+ ov] aga9  8 y\ng]
 days ) 8 sweet-fac$ wife1 & ! f>m team 
_h  tak5 its own "t4                    
,,*apt] ,,vii    ,a ,,bit ,,( ,,hi/ory  
,,n[1 ,i %all be at home to-day & glad  
to assi/ y 9 any way  possible1 ann\nc$ 
,mr4 ,we/ at ! breakfa/ table4    ,t is 
v k9d ( y1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,i want        

especially to  le>n "s ( ! ?+s y "k ab\t
 ! soils ( ,we/ov]4 ,c  y %[ me ! be/ l&
 & ! poore/ l& on ! e/ate8    ,i ?9k ,i 
c4 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,we h "s l& t has n  
gr[n a crop 9 fifty ye>s1 & we h o!r l& 
t /ill  produces a v fair crop if       
prop]ly rotat$4    ,& :at rotation d y  
practice8    ,well1 ! sy/em we h f9ally 
settl$ into & h foll[$ =  _m ye>s is to 
pl[ up ! run-out pa/ure l& & plant to   
corn4  ,! second ye> we usually raise a 
crop ( :eat or oats & se$  d[n to clov] 
& timo?y4 ,we !n try to cut hay f ! l& =
  two ye>s1 & aft]w>d we use ! field =  
pa/ure = six or  eight ye>s1 or until   
f9ally x produces only we$s & f\l grass4
  ,!n we cov] x ) f>m manure1 s f> z we 
c1 & aga9 pl[  ! l& = corn4 ,:eat &     
cattle are ! pr9cipal products sold  f !
 f>m4    ,9 ?is way1 said ,p]cy1 y gr[  
"o crop ( corn on ! same  field ab\t    
once 9 t5 or twelve ye>s4    ,yes1 ab\t 
t1 & also "o1 or sometimes two1 crops ( 
small  gra94 ,we usually h ab\t         
sev5ty-five acres ( corn1 ne>ly a       

hundr$ acres ( small gra91 & we cut hay 
f some:at m ?an  hundr$ acres1 ?us leav+
 p]haps five hundr$ acres ( pa/ure  l&1 
besides ab\t two hundr$ acres ( timb] l&
 :i* has n  be5 cultivat$ = _m ye>s4    
,0 ! timb] l& t we see ab\t "h =m]ly    
cultivat$8  ask$ ,p]cy4    ,oh1 yes1    
ne>ly all ( x 0 "u cultivation :5 ,i 0 a
 boy1  al?\gh "s _h be5 all[$ to g back 
to timb] ev5 be=e ,i  0 born4 ,on our   
own f>m we h "s timb] l& t1 s f> z ,i  h
 be5 able to le>n1 0 nev] "u            
cultivation2 & !  "* ( ! trees is       
diff]5t on t l&4 ,!re y w  f9d orig9al  
p9e1 b on ! worn-out l& ! 'old-field'   
p9e  are f\nd4 ,!y are practically      
wor?less1 :ile ! orig9al p9e  makes v   
valuable lumb]4    ,) our sy/em (       
rotation we keep ab\t all ( our f>m "u  
control2 b ! small] f>ms 7 necess>ily   
cropp$ m  cont9u\sly to support !       
family1 & !y became s unproductive  t _m
 ( !m h be5 completely ab&on$ =         
agricultural  purposes2 & ev5 "s ( !    
l>ge plantations 7 poorly  manag$1 "o "p

 hav+ be5 cropp$ cont9u\sly until too   
poor to  pay = cropp+1 :ile ! rema9d] 0 
all[$ to gr[ up 9  scrub bru% &         
'old-field' p9e2 &1 ( c\rse1 ! exp5se ( 
cle>+ su* l& is ab\t z mu* z ! net value
 ( ! crops  t c\ld be gr[n until x aga9 
becomes too poor = cropp+4    ,!n !     
recle>$ l&s are n z productive z :5 !y 7
  fir/ cle>$ f ! virg9 =e/8    ,oh1 by  
no means4 ,9 ! virg9 /ate ^! l&s grew   
b\ntiful  crops almo/ cont9u\sly = a    
hundr$ ye>s or m4 ,virg9ia 0  fam$ at   
home & abroad = h] virg9 f]tility4      
,great crops (  corn1 :eat1 & tobacco 7 
gr[n4 ,tobacco 0 a valuable export      
crop1 & !re 7 _m ,virg9ians ^: mo!rs    
came to ,am]ica  ) passage paid = 9     
tobacco4 ,hi/ory records1 y may rememb]1
  t x 0 ! cu/om = a "t to p]mit a "y man
 to pay into  a g5]al /ore h\se a hundr$
 p\nds ( tobacco1--& ?is 0  lat]        
increas$ to "o hundr$ fifty p\nds1--to  
be us$ 9 paym5t  ( passage = "y wom5 :o 
7 ?us enabl$ to come to ,am]ica2  & !re 
0 a v di/9ct und]/&+ t only ^? :o _h    

come =? ) ! tobacco 7 eligible z suitors
 = ! h& (  any 'import$' maid54 ,z a    
matt] ( fact "s su* arrangem5t z  ?is 0 
almo/ a necessity1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 z he 
not$ ,adelaide's  almo/ incr$ul\s look4 
,among ! fir/ settl]s 9 ,virg9ia1  "y m5
 greatly pr$om9at$2 & 9 ! ma9 ! p 9 !   
home c\ntry 7 !mselves 9 pov]ty4 ,"u !  
h]$it>y laws  ( ,engl& ! fa!r's e/ate & 
title became ! possession (  8 elde/    
son2 & 9 l>ge measure ! o!r *ildr5 ( !  
family 7 ?r[n absolutely ^u _! own      
res\rces1 s t  _m1 ev5 ) royal blood 9  
_! ve9s1 7 v glad to  embrace any       
opportunity (f]$ to seek a new home 9   
?is l& (  virg9 ri*ness4    ,( c\rse1 he
 cont9u$1 smil+ly & 9 direct answ] to   
,adelaide's inquir+ look1 ^? "y wom5 7 9
 no s5se b\nd  to accept ! att5tion or !
 (f] ( any man2 b naturally mo/  ( !m   
did become ! wives ( ^? :o 7 able to (f]
 !m a  husb&'s love & a home ) m (      
life's com=ts p]haps ?an  !y _h ev] kn[n
 be=e4 ,!y 7 at p]fect lib]ty1 h[ev]1   
to rema9 9 ! enjoym5t ( s+le bless$ness 

if !y *ose1 &  ,i d\bt n1 he add$1 ) a  
tw9kle 9 8 eyes1 t "s (  !m _h no o!r   
*oice4              ,,*apt] ,,viii      
,,we/ov]            ,,) an aug] 9 8 h&1 
by means ( :i* a hole c\ld be quickly   
bor$ into ! soil to a dep? ( ?ree or f\r
 feet1 ,p]cy jo9$  ,mr4 ,we/ = ! tramp  
ov] ! plantation4    ,9 g5]al ! e/ate   
call$ ,we/ov] consi/s ( undulat+ upl&4  
,a small /ream crosses "o corn] ( ! f>m 
bord]$ by "s  tw5ty acres ( bottom l&   
:i* is subject to frequ5t ov]fl[1  & us$
 only = p]man5t pa/ure4 ,sev]al draws or
 small valleys  are tribut>y to ! /ream 
valley1 ?us furni%+ excell5t  surface   
dra9age = ! entire f>m4 ,9 "s places !  
sides (  ^! valleys are q slop+ &       
subject to mod]ate erosion :5  n        
protect$ by vegetation4 ,above & betwe5 
^! slopes !  upl& is ne>ly level4 ,z !y 
came ^u "o ( ^! level areas1  gr[n up ) 
small =e/ trees1 ,mr4 ,we/ /opp$ & said3
    ,n[ "r "h is probably z poor a piece
 ( l& z !re is on  ! f>m4 ,?is l& w     
positively n gr[ a crop wor? h>ve/+     

unless x is well f]tiliz$4    ,if we 7 9
 ! ,ill9ois corn belt1 repli$ ,p]cy1 ,i 
%\ld  expect to f9d ! l& 9 ?is position 
to be ! mo/ productive  on ! f>m4 ,our  
level upl&s are n[ valu$ at f "o hundr$ 
fifty to two hundr$ doll>s an acre4 ,a  
f>m ( "o hundr$ eighty  acres1 five     
miles f t[n1 sold = two hundr$ & f\rte5 
doll>s an acre a few days be=e ,i />t$  
ea/4    ,well1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 ?is may h
 be5 good l& once1 b if s  x 0 be=e my  
"t4 ,( c\rse mo/ ( our upl&s "h h be5   
cropp$ = upw>ds ( two hundr$ ye>s2 &    
ab\t all t has  ev] be5 done to keep up 
! f]tility ( ! soil has be5 to  rotate !
 crops4 ,to be sure1 ! f>m manure has   
always be5 us$  z f> z x w\ld g1 b !    
supply is really v small comp>$  to !   
ne$ = x4    ,d y ?9k t ! prop] rotation 
( crops w\ld ma9ta9 !  f]tility ( !     
soil8 ask$ ,p]cy4    ,no1 ,i h tri$ too 
_m rotations to ?9k t1 b ,i suppose x   
is a help 9 t direction1 don't y8    ,i 
w\ld say t crop rotation may help to    
ma9ta9 ! supply (  "s important         

con/itu5ts ( a f]tile soil1 b x w       
c]ta9ly  ha/5 ! depletion ( "s o!r      
equally ess5tial con/itu5ts4    ,well1  
t's a new idea to me4 ,i may n q grasp  
y\r mean+2  b fir/ tell me ab\t ^! te/s 
y are mak+4    ,:5 !y /opp$ on ! area ( 
poor l& z designat$ by ,mr4  ,we/1 ,p]cy
 _h turn$ 8 aug] into ! e>? & drawn out 
a  sample ( moi/ soil1 :i* he mold$ into
 ! =m ( a ball4 ,he  broke ?is 9 two1   
ins]t$ a piece ( blue pap]1 & press$ x  
firmly toge!r4 ,he !n laid ! ball ( soil
 aside1 secur$  ano!r sample ) ! aug]1 &
 =m$ x into a cake ) a  holl[ 9 ! upp]  
surface4 ,he took f 8 pocket a sl5d] box
  or tube ( light wood1 remov$ ! screw  
cap1 & drew out a  glass-/opp]$ bottle4 
,?is bottle conta9s hydro*loric acid1   
said ,p]cy4 ,x is (t5  incorrectly call$
 'muriatic acid4' ,x consi/s ( two      
elem5ts1  hydrog5 & *lor91 f :i* its "n 
is d]iv$4 ,b y are  p]haps already      
famili> ) ! *emical elem5ts4    ,well1  
,i he>d lectures at ,william & ,m>y =   
f\r ye>s1 & !y  includ$ "s *emi/ry z x 0

 !n taught2 b !y c]ta9ly  did n include 
! application ( *emi/ry to agriculture1 
& ,i  am greatly int]e/$ to "k ! mean+ (
 ^! te/s y are  mak+ "h on our own f>m  
"u my own eyes4 ,y may take x =  grant$ 
t ,i "k absolutely no?+ ( su* use (     
*emi/ry z  y are evid5tly turn+ to "s   
practical value4    ,any o!r f>m] c make
 ^! te/s z well z ,i c1 said  ,p]cy4    
,?is bottle ( acid co/ me fifte5 c5ts & 
x c be  duplicat$ = ! same price at     
almo/ any drug /ore4 ,! acid is  v      
conc5trat$1 9 fact ab\t z /rong z c     
easily be  produc$1 b x ne$ n be        
especially pure4 ,"s c>e %\ld be  tak5 n
 to get x on ! clo?+ or on ! f+]s1      
al?\gh x  is n at all dang]\s to h&le1 b
 x t5ds to burn ! f+]s  unless soon     
remov$1 ei!r by wa%+ ) wat] or by rubb+ 
x  (f ) ! moi/ soil4    ,i use ?is acid 
to te/ ! soil = ! pres5ce or abs5ce (   
lime/one4 ,ord9>y lime/one consi/s (    
calcium c>bonate4 ,"h1  aga9 ! *emical  
"n alone is suffici5t to indicate !     
elem5ts  t compose ?is comp\nd4 ,x is   

only necess>y to keep 9 m9d !  fact t ! 
end+ -ate on ! common *emical names     
signifies  ! pres5ce ( oxyg5 ,?us       
calcium c>bonate is compos$ ( !  ?ree   
prim>y elem5ts1 calcium1 c>bon & oxyg54 
,( c\rse ! *emical elem5t is ! simple/  
=m ( matt]4 ,an  elem5t is a prim>y     
sub/ance :i* _c be divid$ into two or  m
 sub/ances ,all kn[n matt] consi/s (    
ab\t eighty ( ^!  prim>y elem5ts2 &1 z a
 matt] ( fact1 mo/ ( ^! are (  r>e      
occur5ce--_m ( !m mu* m r>e ?an ! elem5t
 gold4    ,ab\t n9ety-eight p] c5t4 ( ! 
soil consi/s ( eight elem5ts  unit$ 9   
v>i\s comp\nds or comb9ations2 & only t5
 elem5ts  are ess5tial = ! gr[? & full  
developm5t ( corn or o!r  plants4 ,if   
any "o ( ^! t5 elem5ts is lack+1 x is   
impossible to produce a k]nel ( corn1 a 
gra9 ( :eat1 or a leaf  ( clov]2 & 9 !  
ma9 ! supply is "u ! f>m]'s own         
control4 ,b we c discuss ?is matt] m    
fully lat]4 ,let u see  :at we h "h4    
,p]cy p\r$ a few drops ( ! hydro*loric  
acid into ! holl[ (  ! cake ( soil4     

,:at %\ld x d8 ask$ ,mr4 ,we/4    ,if ! 
soil conta9s any lime/one1 ! acid %\ld  
produce  foam+1 or eff]vesc5ce1 repli$  
,p]cy2 b x is v evid5t  t ?is soil      
conta9s no lime/one4 ,y see !           
hydro*loric acid  has p[] to decompose  
calcium c>bonate ) ! =mation (  c>bonic 
acid & calcium *lorid1 a k9d ( salt t is
 us$ to  make a br9e t won't freeze 9 ! 
artificial ice plants4 ,!  c>bonic acid1
 if produc$ at once decomposes into wat]
 & c>bon  dioxid4 ,n[1 ! lib]at$ c>bon  
dioxid is a gas & ! rapid  g5]ation or  
evolution ( ?is gas con/itutes ! bubbl+ 
or  foam+ we are look+ =2 b s9ce !re is 
no appe>ance (  foam+ we "k t ?is soil  
conta9s no lime/one4    ,!n y h already 
f\nd t ^? ?ree elem5ts1--calcium1       
c>bon1 & oxyg51 y call$ !m1 ,i ?9k--y   
f9d t ^?  elem5ts are all lack+ 9 ?is   
soil4    ,no1 ?is te/ does n prove t1   
said ,p]cy4 ,x only proves  t !y are n  
pres5t z lime/one4 ,calcium may be      
pres5t 9  o!r comp\nds1 especially 9    
silicates1 :i* are ! mo/  abundant      

comp\nds 9 ! soil & 9 ! e>?'s cru/2 &1 z
  indicat$ by ! end+ -ate1 oxyg5 is     
conta9$ 9 calcium  silicate z well z 9  
calcium c>bonate4    ,i see2 ! subject  
is mu* m complicat$ ?an ,i ?\ght4       
,some:at1 p]haps1 ,p]cy repli$2 b yet x 
is q simple &  v easily und]/ood1 if we 
only keep 9 m9d a few well  e/abli%$    
facts4 ,c]ta9ly ! ess5tial sci5ce ( soil
 f]tility  is mu* less complicat$ ?an _m
 ( ! political que/ions ( !  day1 su* z 
! gold /&>d or free-silv] basis1 ! t>iff
  issues1 & reciprocity advantages1     
reg>d+ :i* mo/ f>m]s are  fairly well   
in=m$1--at lea/ to su* an ext5t t !y c  
argue ^! que/ions = h\rs4    ,i ?9k y   
are q "r 9 t1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,( c\rse1 
x  is important t e citiz5 entitl$ to ! 
privilege ( vot+  9 a democracy l ours  
%\ld be able to ex]cise 8 fran*ise      
intellig5tly2 b ! citiz5 :o is          
responsible = ! managem5t  ( f>m l&s    
ought surely to be at lea/ z well in=m$ 
conc]n+ ! pr9ciples :i* und]lie !       
ma9t5ance ( soil  f]tility2 provid$1 (  

c\rse1 t su* k is )9 8  rea*2 & f :at y 
say ,i am beg9n+ to believe t su* is  ! 
case4 ,at any rate ?is simple te/ seems 
to %[ conclusively  t ?is soil conta9s  
no lime/one1 & x is common k  t lime/one
 soils are good soils4    ,p]cy took up 
! ball ( soil conta9+ ! slip ( blue     
pap]1  broke x 9 two aga91 & x 0 se5 t !
 pap] _h *ang$ 9  color f blue to r$    
,!re's a *ange1 = c]ta91 said ,mr4 ,we/1
 t has "s  mean+ to y ,i suppose4       
,?is is litmus pap]1 said ,p]cy4 ,x is  
prep>$ by moi/5+  specially prep>$ pap] 
) a solution ( a color+ matt] call$     
litmus1 & ! pap] is !n dri$4 ,?is color+
 matt] has !  prop]ty ( turn+ blue 9 !  
pres5ce ( alkali & r$ 9 !  pres5ce (    
acid4 ,! blue pap] is prep>$ ) a trace (
 alkali1  & ! r$ pap] ) a trace ( acid4 
,if m ?an a trace 7  pres5t ! litmus    
pap] w\ld n be suffici5tly s5sitive = ! 
te/4    ,?is little bottle conta9+ two  
doz5 slips ( pap] co/ me five  c5ts1 & x
 c be obta9$ at mo/ drug /ores4         
,alkali & acid are exactly opposite     

t]ms1 l hot & cold4 ,!  "o neutralizes !
 o!r4 ,?is te/ ) litmus pap] is a te/ = 
soil acidity1 & ! fact t ! moi/ure ( !  
soil has turn$  ! litmus f blue to r$   
%[s t ?is soil is acid1 or s\r4  ,! soil
 moi/ure conta9$ en\gh acid to          
neutralize ! trace (  alkali conta9$ 9 !
 blue pap] & to *ange ! pap] to a       
di/9ctly light r$ color2 & ! fact t !   
pap] rema9s r$  ev5 aft] dry+1 %[s t !  
soil conta9s fix$ acids or acid  salts1 
& n m]ely c>bonic acid1 :i* if pres5t   
w\ld  completely volatilize z ! pap]    
dries4    ,n[1 ^! two te/s are 9 h>mony4
 ,! "o %[s ! abs5ce (  lime/one1 & ! o!r
 %[s ! pres5ce ( acidity1 &  consequ5tly
 ! ne$ ( lime/one to correct or         
neutralize !  acidity1 = lime/one itself
 is an alkali4    ,b lime/one soils are 
n alkali soils1 are !y8 ask$ ,mr4  ,we/4
    ,n 9 ! s5se ( conta9+ injuri\s      
alkali1 l sodium  c>bonate1 ! comp\nd   
:i* is f\nd 9 ! 'black alkali' l&s  ( ! 
arid regions ( ! f> ,we/2 b *emically   
consid]$  lime/one is truly an alkali2  

&1 z su*1 x has p[] to  neutralze ?is   
soil acidity4    ,is ! acidity h>mful to
 ! crops8    ,x is n p>ticul>ly h>mful  
to ! common crops ( ! grass  family1 su*
 z :eat1 corn1 oats1 & timo?y2 b "s ( ! 
mo/  valuable crops = soil improvem5t w 
n ?rive on acid soils4  ,?is is         
especially true ( clov] & alfalfa4    ,t
 is c]ta9ly correct = clov] s f> z ?is  
k9d ( soil is  conc]n$1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 
,clov] nev] am\nts to mu* on ?is  k9d ( 
l&1 except :]e heavily f]tiliz$4 ,:5    
f]tiliz$ x  usually gr[s well4 ,does !  
f>m f]tiliz] neutralize ! acid8    ,only
 to a small ext5t4 ,x is true t f>m     
manures conta9 v  appreciable am\nts (  
lime & "s o!r alkal9e1 or basic1        
sub/ances1 b 9 addition to ?is1 & p]haps
 ( great]  importance1 is ! fact t su*  
f]tiliz] has p[] to fe$ !  clov] crop z 
well z o!r crops4 ,9 o!r words x        
furni%es !  ess5tial mat]ials ( :i* ^!  
crops are made4 ,9 addition to  ?is !   
decay+ organic matt] has p[] to lib]ate 
"s plant  food f ! soil :i* w\ld n      

o!rwise be made available  al?\gh to t  
ext5t ! f>m manure s]ves z a soil       
/imulant1  ?is action t5d+ n t[>d soil  
enri*m5t b t[>d !  fur!r depletion ( !  
/ore ( f]tility /ill rema9+ 9 !  soil4  
,?is seems a complicat$ problem1 said   
,mr4 ,we/1 b may ,i n[  %[ y "s ( our m 
productive l&8    ,z soon z ,i collect a
 sample ( ?is1 repli$ ,p]cy1 & to ,mr4  
,we/'s surprise he proce$$ to bore ab\t 
tw5ty holes 9 ! space  ( two or ?ree    
acres4 ,! bor+s 7 tak5 to a dep? ( ab\t 
sev5 in*es1 & aft] be+ ?or\ghly mix$    
toge!r an av]age  sample ( ! lot 0 plac$
 9 a small bag be>+ a numb] :i*  ,p]cy  
record$ 9 8 note book toge!r ) a        
description ( !  l&4    ,i wi% to h an  
analysis made ( ?is sample1 rem>k$      
,p]cy1 z  !y resum$ _! walk4    ,b ,i   
?\ght y _h analyz$ ?is soil1 0 ! reply4 
,oh1 ,i only te/$ = lime/one & acidity1 
expla9$ ,p]cy4 ,i  wi% to h exact       
det]m9ations made ( ! nitrog5 &         
phosphorus1 & p]haps ( ! potassium1     
magnesium1 & calcium4  ,all ( ^! are    

absolutely ess5tial = ! gr[? ( e        
agricultural plant2 & any "o ( !m may be
 defici5t 9 !  soil1 al?\gh ! la/ ?ree  
are n s likely to be z ! o!r  two4      
,h[ long w x take to make ?is analysis8 
0 ask$4    ,ab\t a week or t5 days4     
,p]haps ,i %all collect two or ?ree  o!r
 samples & s5d !m all toge!r to an      
analytical *emi/4  ,x is ! only way to  
secure positive k 9 advance z to  :at ^!
 soils conta94 ,9 o!r words1 by ?is     
means we c take  an absolute invoice ( !
 /ock ( f]tility 9 ! soil1 j z  truly z 
! m]*ant c take an invoice ( ! /ock (   
goods  c>ri$ on 8 %elves4    ,s f> z we 
are conc]n$1 ?is w\ld n be an invoice 9 
advance1 rem>k$ ,mr4 ,we/1 ) a %ade (   
sadness 9 8 voice4  ,if we knew !       
cont5ts ( ! crops t h be5 sold f ?is    
f>m dur+ ! two c5turies pa/1 we w\ld h a
 fairly good  invoice1 ,i fe>1 ( :at !  
virg9 soil conta9$2 b c y  comp>e !     
invoice ( ! soil ) t ( ! m]*ant's goods8
    ,q fairly s1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,! plant 
food cont5t ( !  pl[$ soil ( an acre (  

normal l& means ne>ly1 if n q1 z  mu* 9 
! mak+ ( def9ite plans = a sy/em (      
p]man5t  agriculture1 z ! m]*ant's      
invoice means 9 ! future plans (  8     
bus9ess4    ,x %\ld n be assum$ t !     
analysis ( ! soil w give  in=mation !   
application ( :i* w always assure an    
abundant  crop ! foll[+ season4 ,9      
comp>ison1 x may also be said1  h[ev]1 t
 ! m]*ant's invoice ( ,janu>y ! fir/ may
 h  no relation to ! sales f 8 /ore on  
,janu>y ! second4 ,n[1  ! ye> ) ! f>m]  
is z a day ) ! m]*ant4 ,! f>m]  h>ve/s 8
 crop b once a ye>2 :ile ! m]*ant plants
 &  h>ve/s e day1 or at lea/ e week4 ,b 
,i w\ld say t !  invoice ( ! soil is    
wor? z mu* to ! f>m] = ! next ye>  z !  
m]*ant's invoice is to him = ! next     
mon?4    ,x %\ld be rememb]$1 h[ev]1 t  
bo? mu/ look =w>d1 &  plans mu/ be made 
by ! m]*ant = sev]al mon?s1 & by !  f>m]
 = sev]al ye>s4 ,y\r twelve-ye> rotation
 is a v good  example ( ! k9d ( future  
plann+ ! successful f>m] mu/  d4 ,on !  
o!r h&1 "s ( y\r neighbors1 :o h n      

practic$ "s su* sy/em ( rotation n[ h   
'old-field' p9e on  l& long s9ce ab&on$1
 & soil too poor to cultivate on l&     
long cropp$ cont9u\sly4    ,?is is a k9d
 soil1 rem>k$ ,mr4 ,we/1 z he paus$ on a
 g5tly  undulat+ "p ( ! field4    ,t is 
a new use ( ! ^w to me1 said ,p]cy4 ,j  
:at d y  mean by a 'k9d' soil8    ,well1
 if we apply manure "h x w %[ 9 ! crop =
 _m  ye>s4 ,x is easy to build ?is soil 
up ) manure2 b1 ( c\rse1  we h too      
little to treat x "r4    ,! soil is     
almo/ neutral1 said ,p]cy1 te/+ ) litmus
 &  acid4 ,does clov] gr[ on ?is soil8  
,v little1 except :]e we put manure4    
,ano!r composite sample ( ! soil 0      
collect$1 & !y walk$  on4    ,n[1 "h1   
said ,mr4 ,we/1 is ab\t ! mo/ productive
 upl& on  ! f>m4    ,is t possible8 ask$
 ,p]cy1 ! "q be+ direct$ m to  himself  
?an to 8 ho/4    ,t is accord+ to my    
obs]vation = ab\t fifty ye>s1 he        
repli$4 ,:]e we spread ! f>m f]tiliz]   
ov] ?is old pa/ure  l& & pl[ x "u =     
corn1 we (t5 h>ve/ a crop ( eight       

b>rels to ! acre1 :ile ! av]age ( !     
field w n be m  ?an five b>rels4--,a    
b>rel ( corn ) u is five bu%els4    ,!y 
_h /opp$ on "o ( ! /eepe/ slopes 9 !    
field4    ,^! hillsides w\ld be consid]$
 ! poore/ l& on ! f>m if  we 7 9 ! corn 
belt1 said ,p]cy1 b ,i ?9k ,i und]/& !  
diff]5ce4 ,y\r level upl&s :5 once      
deplet$ rema9 deplet$1  because ! soil t
 0 pl[$ two hundr$ ye>s ago is ! same   
soil t is pl[$ to-day2 b ^! slopes lose 
surface soil by  erosion at lea/ z      
rapidly z ! m9]al plant food is remov$  
by  cropp+2 & to t ext5t !y af=d !      
conditions = a  p]man5t sy/em (         
agriculture ( l[ grade1 unless1 ( c\rse1
 !  erosion is m rapid ?an !            
dis9tegration ( ! und]ly+ b$  rock1 :i* 
,i note is %[+ 9 "s outcrops 9 !        
gullies4    ,i want "s samples "h1 he   
cont9u$1 & at once proce$$ to  collect a
 composite sample ( ! surface soil &    
ano!r ( !  sub-soil4    ,9 ! ma9 ?is    
soil is slightly acid1 said ,p]cy1 aft] 
sev]al  te/s1 ) ! hydro*loric acid & !  

litmus pap]2 al?\gh  occasionally !re   
are traces ( lime/one pres5t4 ,! mass ( 
soil  seems to be fa9tly acid1 b "h &   
!re are little pieces (  lime/one :i*   
/ill produce "s localiz$ b5efit1 &      
probably  prev5t ! developm5t ( m m>k$  
acidity ?r\gh\t ! soil  mass4    ,if ,i 
c get to an express (fice ?is aft]noon1 
he cont9u$1 ,i  %all be glad to =w>d ^! 
f\r composite samples to an  analy/4    
,if y w\ldn't m9d rid+ to ,montpla9 )   
,adelaide :5 %e  goes = h] music lesson 
?is aft]noon1 x w\ld be v  conv5i5t1    
said ,mr4 ,we/4    ,) y\r daught]'s     
p]mission t w\ld suit me v well1 he     
repli$4 ,i %all be glad to sp5d "o or   
two days m 9 ?is  vic9ity1 & !n ,i wi%  
to visit o!r sections = a week or two1  
aft] :i* ,i w\ld be glad to /op "h aga9 
on my return trip &  probably ,i %all h 
! report ( ! *emi/ conc]n+ ^!  samples4 
,,*apt] ,,ix    ,,! ,,black ,,p]il      
,,z ,p]cy /epp$ out ( ! h\se 9 ! e>ly   
aft]noon ^u !  ann\ncem5t f ,wilkes t   
,de ca'age is ready1 he not$ t  ! ca'age

 0 ! two-seat$ family c>riage & t       
,adelaide  _h already tak5 h] place 9 ! 
front seat1 z driv]1 ) h]  music roll & 
ano!r bundle tuck$ 9 by h] side4 ,h]    
glance at  ,p]cy & at ! re> seat 0 also 
suffici5t to indicate 8  place4    ,?is 
does n seem "r to me1 ,miss ,we/1 said  
,p]cy4 ,unless y  pref] to drive ,i %all
 be v glad to d s & let y occupy  ?is m 
com=table seat4    ,no ?ank y1 %e       
repli$1 9 a tone t left no room =       
argum5t4 ,i (t5 drive our gue/s to & f !
 /ation1 & ,i  mu* pref] ?is seat4    ,!
 re> seat 0 roomy & l[1 s t ,p]cy c\ld  
sc>cely see  ! road ahead ev5 by sitt+  
on ! opposite side f ! driv]4    ,aside 
f an occasional commonplace rem>k bo? ! 
driv] & !  pass5g] 7 all[$ to use ! "t =
 m$itation4    ,:ile ,adelaide 0 already
 an exp]i5c$ horsewoman1 %e 0 r>ely     
p]mitt$ to drive ! colts to ! village1  
al?\gh %e enjoy$  rid+ ! m spirit$      
horses1 or driv+ ) h] bro!r 9 !  buck   
bo>d4    ,a mile f ! village ! road w\nd
 ?r\gh a wood$ valley1 &  !n climb$ !   

opposite slope1 pass+ ! railway /ation a
  qu>t] ( a mile f t[n & ! depot hotel  
ne> by4 ,"h  ,p]cy left ! c>riage ) !   
bags ( soil1 x be+ arrang$  t he w\ld be
 wait+ at ! hotel :5 ,adelaide return$ f
  ! village4    ,adelaide's h\r 0 f f\r 
to five1 & be+ ! la/ pupil  = ! day1 !  
tea*] 0 n prompt to close4    ,i did n  
realize ! days 7 becom+ s %ort1 said    
,miss  ,kon/] z %e op5$ ! door4 ,i'm    
sorry y h s f> to  drive4    ,oh1 ,i    
don't m9d1 said ,adelaide1 ,i "k ! way  
home well en\gh4  ,y see ,i h ! d\ble   
c>riage1 = ,i br\ght a gue/ to !  depot 
z usual1 al?\gh he is to return ) me1 & 
is probably  v tir$ ( wait+ at ! 'depot 
hotel4'    ,x 0 ne>ly d>k z ,p]cy took 8
 place 9 ! re> seat1  ,adelaide hav+    
aga9 decl9$ to yield h] position z      
driv]1 &  n[ %e _h m packages ne>ly     
fill+ ! seat beside h]4    ,! team      
leisurely took ! homew>d way & no?+ m 0 
said  except an occasional ^w (         
enc\ragem5t to ! horses4 ,!y  pass$ !   
l[e/ po9t 9 ! valley & began to asc5d ! 

g5tle  slope1 :5 ! c>riage sudd5ly      
/opp$1 & ,adelaide utt]$ a  muffl$      
scream4 ,come1 ,honey1 said a mascul9e  
voice4    ,z ,p]cy half rose to 8 feet1 
he saw t a negro _h grasp$  ,adelaide 9 
an ef=t to drag h] f ! c>riage4 ,a bl[ f
  ,p]cy /agg]$ ! brute & he releas$ 8   
hold ( ,adelaide1 b1  z he saw ,p]cy    
jump f ! c>riage on ! opposite side1 he 
paus$4    ,de's a man heah4 ,knock him1 
,geo'ge1 he yell$1 z he turn$ to  aga9  
grapple ) ,adelaide    ,c[>d1 cri$      
,adelaide1 z %e saw ,p]cy jump f !      
c>riage  & d>t up ! road4 ,fac+ ?is     
black brute1 %e 0 /&+  alone n[ ) "o h& 
on ! back ( ! seat4 ,z ! negro sprang   
at h] ! second "t he utt]$ a scream l ! 
cry ( a bea/  & fell sprawl+ on 8 face4 
,almo/ at ! same mom5t 8  companion 0   
fairly lift$ f 8 feet & came d[n        
headlong  beside ! c>riage4    ,look out
 = ! horses1 call$ ,p]cy1 z he drove !  
heels (  8 heavy %oes into ! moan+ mass 
on ! gr\nd4    ,lie !re1 y brute1 he    
cri$1 don't y d>e to move4    ,i h !    

l9es1 said ,adelaide ho>sely1 b c't ,i d
  some?+ m8    ,no4 !y're bo? d[n1 he   
answ]$4 ,wait a m9ute4    ,he f\nd      
himself betwe5 ! negroes ly+ ) _! faces 
to !  gr\nd4 ,in/antly he grasp$ ea* by 
! wri/ & ) an inw>d  twi/ he br\ght =?  
cri$ = m]cy4 ,x 0 a trick he _h  le>n$ 9
 college1 t1 by draw+ ! arm beh9d ! back
 &  twi/+1 a boy c\ld control a /rong   
man4    ,c't ,i help y8 ,adelaide call$ 
aga91 & ,p]cy saw t %e  0 out ( !       
c>riage & /&+ ne>4    ,w ! horses /&8 he
 ask$4    ,oh1 yes1 !y're quiet n[4     
,!n take ! tie rope & tie _! feet       
toge!r4 ,use ! slip  knot j z y d = !   
hit*+ po/1 he direct$4 ,if !y  d>e to   
move ,i c wr5* _! arms out 9 ?is        
position4 ,"r  !re at ! ankles4 ,tie !m 
tight & z closely toge!r z y  c4 ,wrap x
 twice ar\nd if x's long en\gh4         
,adelaide ti$ "o end ( ! rope ar\nd !   
ankle ( "o negro &  wrapp$ ! o!r end    
ar\nd ! ankle ( ! o!r1 draw+ _!  feet   
toge!r & fa/5+ ! ends ( ! rope ) a d\ble
  hit*1 :i* %e knew well h[ to make4    

,p]cy gave ! rope a kick to tight5 x4   
,n[ get onto y\r feet & ,i'll m>* y to  
t[n1 he ord]$1  add+ pressure to ! twi/ 
^u _! wri/s & draw+ !m back  ^u _! knees
 ,?us assi/$1 !y /ruggl$ to _! feet4    
,i am afraid y w h to drive home alone1 
,miss ,we/1 began  ,p]cy1 :5 ,adelaide  
int]rupt$ )3    ,no1 no1 if y are go+   
back to t[n1 ,i w foll[ y4 ,i c  easily 
turn ! team & ,i w keep close beh9d4    
,?us ti$ toge!r1 ,p]cy almo/ ran 8      
prison]s t[>d !  village1 /ill hold+ ea*
 firmly by ! wri/4 ,z !y rea*$ !  depot 
hotel1 he call$ = assi/ance1 & sev]al m5
 quickly  appe>$4    ,p]cy made a brief 
report ( ! attack z !y mov$ on to ! t[n 
h\se1 :]e ! villians 7 plac$ 9 %ackles &
 left 9 *>ge  ( ! m>%all4    ,w y drive1
 please1 ,mr4 ,john/on8 ask$ ,adelaide z
 he /epp$  to ! c>riage2 = ,adelaide _h 
foll[$ almo/ to ! door ( !  jail h\se4  
,yes1 please1 he repli$1 tak+ ! seat    
beside h]4    ,i hope y w p>don my call+
 y a c[>d1 ,i felt s  desp]ate1 & x     
seem$ to me = ! mom5t t y 7 leav+  me4  

,adelaide's voice /ill _h an excit$     
tremor to x4    ,i he>d y say 'c[>d1'   
said ,p]cy1 b ,i didn't realize t  y    
ref]r$ to me4 ,i saw ! two brutes almo/ 
at ! same "t1  ! "o :o attack$ y & ! o!r
 on ! same side ne> !  horses' heads4 ,i
 /ruck ! "o z be/ ,i c\ld f my position1
  & z he yell$ & ! horses re>$1 ,i ran  
up ! slope ahead (  ! team & came d[n at
 ! o!r brute ) a bl[ 9 ! neck1  b ,i 0  
surpris$ to f9d !m bo? sprawl+ on !     
gr\nd2 &  "u ! /reet lights ,i saw t "o 
( !m _h an eye  frightfully jamm$4 ,i am
 sure ,i /ruck nei!r ( !m 9 ! eye4      
,adelaide made no reply1 b %e knew n[ t 
! pi]c+1 bea/ly  cry f ! negro rea*+ =  
h] 0 br\ght =? because !  heel ( h] %oe 
_h ent]$ ! socket ( ! brute's eye4      
,y're mighty nigh too late = supp]1 said
 gr&ma ,we/1 z !y  /opp$ at ! side gate4
 ,adelaide hurri$ to h] fa!r :o took  h]
 9 8 arms z he saw h[ %e trembl$4    ,my
 *ild6 he said4    ,yes1 *ild %e 0 z %e 
relax$ f ! t5sion ( ! la/ h\r  & relat$ 
! exp]i5ce ( ! ev5+4    ,i _c express   

our gratitude to y1 ,sir1 said ,mr4     
,we/3 ,i am  glad y l&$ ! devils 9 jail4
    ,i am only ?ankful ,i 0 !re :5 x    
happ5$1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,i  am sure no man
 c\ld h done less4 ,i h promis$ to      
return to  t[n 9 ! morn+ to s]ve z legal
 witness 9 ! case4 ,i hope  y\r daught] 
ne$ n be call$ ^u = t4    ,probably t w 
n be necess>y1 ,mr4 ,we/ repli$4        
,,*apt] ,x    ,,! ,,slave ,,& ,,!       
,,fre$man            ,,! o!rs _h retir$ 
b ,p]cy & 8 ho/ cont9u$ _!  conv]sation 
f> into ! night4    ,!re are almo/ z    
great v>iations among ! negroes z among 
:ite p1 ,mr4 ,we/ 0 say+4 ,to a man l   
,wilkes :o 0  born & rais$ "h on ! f>m1 
,i w\ld entru/ ! protection (  my wife &
 *ildr5 z readily z to any :ite man4 ,he
 has be5  educat$1 s to speak1 to a s5se
 ( duty & honor2 & negroes (  8 class h 
almo/ nev] be5 kn[n to violate a tru/4  
,( c\rse  !re are bad nigg]s1 b z a rule
 su* negroes h gr[n up  "u conditions t 
w\ld develop ! evil 9 any race ( m54    
,dur+ ! ,secession x 0 ! mo/ common ?+ =

 ! m5 to g  to w> & leave _! def5seless 
wom5 & *ildr5 :olly 9 !  c>e ( _!       
slaves2 &1 ev5 ?\gh ! f$]al soldi]s 7   
fight+ to free ! slaves & _! ma/]s to   
keep !m 9  slav]y1 r>ely did a negro    
fail to rema9 fai?ful to 8 tru/4  ,!y   
hid f ! nor!rn soldi]s ! horses & mules1
 cotton &  corn1 clo?+ & provisions1 &  
all sorts ( valuables2 & 9  mo/ cases 7 
ready to suff] !mselves be=e !y w\ld    
reveal  ! hidd5 prop]ty4 ,to be sure !re
 7 ma/]s :o abus$ _!  slaves1 & "s ( ^! 
7 naturally ready to des]t at !  fir/   
opportunity2 b 9 ! ma9 ! slave own] 0 m 
k9d to  8 human prop]ty ?an ! consid]ate
 soldi] 0 to 8 horse1  & ! negro z a    
race is appreciative ( k9dness4    ,i   
suppose ! depreciation 9 soil f]tility &
 crop yields dates  l>gely f ! free+ ( !
 slaves does x n8 ask$ ,p]cy4    ,well1 
t 0 "o factor1 b n ! mo/ pot5tial       
factor4 ,mu*  l& 9 ! s\? _h be5 ab&on$  
agriculturally long be=e !  w>1 & mu* l&
 9 ,new ,york & ,new ,engl& has be5     
ab&on$  s9ce ! w>4 ,! free+ ( ! negroes 

produc$ mu* less effect  9 ! economic   
conditions ( ! s\? ?an _m h suppos$4 ,! 
great injury to ! ,s\? f ! w> 0 due to !
 w> itself &  n to ! free+ ( slaves4 ,9 
! ma9 x co/ no m to hire  ! negro aft] !
 w> ?an x co/ to fe$ & clo! him be=e2  &
 ! humane slave own] _h little          
difficulty 9 gett+ pl5ty  ( negro help  
aft] ! w>4 ,v commonly 8 own slaves     
rema9$  ) him & 7 treat$ z s]vants1 n   
p>ticul>ly diff]5tly  ?an !y _h be5     
treat$ z slaves4 ,( c\rse !re 7 "s      
brutal slave hold]s1 j z !re are brutal 
horse own]s1 &  su* m5 suff]$ v mu* f ! 
loss ( slave labor4    ,! s\!rn p h no  
regrets = ! free+ ( ! slaves4  ,probably
 x 0 ! be/ ?+ t ev] happ5$ to u2 & !    
,s\? w\ld h less regret = ! w> itself1  
except t our  recov]y f x 0 greatly     
delay$ by ! recon/ruction policy  :i* 0 
foll[$ aft] ! w>4 ,! imm$iate           
enfran*isem5t (  ! negro1 especially 9  
^? sections :]e ?is result$ 9  plac+ all
 ! p[] ( ! local gov]nm5t 9 ! h&s ( !   
negro1 0 a worse bl[ to ! ,s\? ?an ! w> 

itself4    ,x is believ$ t ?is w\ld n h 
be5 done if ,l9coln _h  liv$4 ,l9coln 0 
always ! ,presid5t ( all ! p ( !  ,unit$
 ,/ates1 & 8 dea? 0 a f> great] loss to 
! ,s\?  ?an to ! ,nor?4 ,to place ! p[] 
to gov]n ! intellig5t  :ite ( ! ,s\?    
absolutely 9 ! h&s ( _! =m] ignorant    
slaves 0 und\bt$ly ! mo/ abom9able      
political blund]  record$ 9 hi/ory2 &   
ev5 ?is 0 int5sifi$ by !  unpr9cipl$    
:ite-sk9n$ vultures :o came among u to  
fatt5 ^u  our dead or dy+ conditions4   
,^? ye>s ( s-call$  recon/ruction1      
con/itute ! blacke/ page 9 ! hi/ory (   
mod]n civilization4    ,i q agree ) y1  
said ,p]cy1 & s f> z ,i "k !m !  soldi]s
 ( ! nor!rn armies also agree ) y4      
,sev]al ( my  own relatives f\ght to    
free ! negro slave2 b none ( !m  f\ght  
to enslave _! :ite bro!rs ( ! ,s\? by   
putt+ !m  absolutely "u negro gov]nm5t4 
,& yet !re is "o possible  ju/ification 
= t abom9able recon/ruction policy4 ,x  
may h  av]t$ a subsequ5t w> :i* might h 
la/$ n = f\r ye>s1  b = =ty ye>s4 ,ev5  

if ?is be true1 p]haps !re is no  cr$it 
9 ! policy = any man :o help$ to en=ce  
x1 b y  w grant t !re 7 two important   
results f ^? bitt]  ye>s (              
recon/ruction3    ,fir/1 ! negro le>n$ )
 c]ta9ty at once & =ev] t he  0 a free  
man4    ,second1 he at once acquir$ a   
degree ( indep5d5ce effectually  prev5t+
 ! developm5t ( a situation ?r\gh\t !   
,s\?1 9  :i* ! negro1 ?\gh nom9ally     
free1 w\ld h rema9$  virtually a slave1 
a situation :i*1 if once e/abli%$1 might
  h requir$ a subsequ5t w> ( _m ye>s =  
its complete  eradication4 ,ev5 "u !    
conditions :i* h prevail$1 !re  h be5   
isolat$ in/ances ( peonage 9 ! s\!rn    
/ates s9ce  ! w>2 & if ! education &    
gradual enfran*isem5t ( !  negro _h be5 
left :olly 9 ! h&s ( _! =m] ma/]s1  f ! 
imm$iate close ( ! w>1 ,i c conceive (  
conditions  "u :i* slav]y w\ld          
ess5tially h be5 cont9u$4    ,su* a     
possibility is1 ( c\rse1 conceivable1   
said ,mr4 ,we/1 &  we mu/ all admit t   
!re 7 "s slave hold]s :o w\ld h  tak5   

advantage ( any su* opportunity2 b _h   
,l9coln liv$ !  t]ms made w\ld probably 
h be5 su* t ! ,s\? w\ld h  felt 9 honor 
b\nd to en=ce !m4 ,probably !           
enfran*isem5t  w\ld h be5 bas$ ^u "s    
sort ( qualification su* z !  s\!rn     
/ates h v g5]ally adopt$ 9 subsequ5t    
ye>s2 b  ! idea ( social equality (     
slave & ma/] 0 s repulsive to  ! :ite p 
( ! ,s\? t x c\ld n be tol]at$ "u  any  
sort ( gov]nm5t4    ,?is "q ( social    
equality1 rem>k$ ,p]cy1 has probably    
be5 ! cause ( m misund]/&+ betwe5 !     
,nor? & !  ,s\? ?an all o!r que/ions    
relat+ to ! negro problem4 ,i h  r>ely1 
if ev]1 talk$ ) a s\!rn man :o did n h x
  firmly fix$ 9 8 m9d t ! common idea ( 
! nor!rn p  is t ! negro race %\ld be   
made ! social equal ( ! :ite  race4 ,?is
 ,i h he>d f s\!rn lectur]s2 ,i h read x
 9  s\!rn newspap]s2 & ,i h f\nd x 9    
books writt5 by  s\!rn au?ors2 b1 ,mr4  
,we/1 ,i h nev] yet he>d t idea  advanc$
 by a man or woman ( ! ,nor?4    ,(     
c\rse !re h be5 vision>y !ori/s or      

'cranks' 9 all  ages1 & !re mu/ h be5 "s
 basis = ?is almo/ univ]sal  errone\s   
op9ion 9 ! ,s\? t ! p ( ! ,nor?         
advocat$ social equality or social      
int]c\rse betwe5 ! :ite  & color$ races2
 & yet no?+ c\ld be f>!r f ! tru?4  ,9  
all my life 9 ! ,nor?1 ,i ?9k ,i h nev] 
se5 a color$  p]son d9+ ) a :ite man4   
,?is does n prove t !re are  no su*     
occurr5ces1 b x c]ta9ly %[s t !y are    
extremely  r>e4 ,on ! o!r h&1 9 travel+ 
?r\gh ! ,s\? ,i h se5  a :ite woman br+ 
h] color$ maid or nurse1 to ! d9+ c> &  
sit at ! same table ) h]self & husb&4 ,(
 c\rse !re is  no sugge/ion ( social    
equality or social int]c\rse 9 ?is1 b   
!re is a mu* clos] relation%ip ?an is   
common or w\ld be  all[$ 9 ! ,nor?4     
,t may be true1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 & !re 0 
9 slave times a  v intimate relation%ip 
betwe5 ! negro nurses & ! :ite  *ildr5 (
 ! ,s\?4 ,"s ( our p are ready to take  
(f5se  at ! sugge/ion t we talk negro   
dialect1 & p]haps we w\ld  all pref] to 
say t ! negroes h le>n$ to talk z we    

talk2  b ! tru? is t ! negroes 7 br\ght 
to ,am]ica *iefly z  adults2 &1 z is    
usually ! case :5 adult p le>n a new    
language1 !y modifi$ ours because _! own
 ,african language did  n conta9 all ( !
 s\nds ( ! ,engli% tongue4 ,simil>ly we 
he> & recognize ! o!r nationalities :5  
!y le>n to speak  ,engli%4 ,?us we h !  
,iri% brogue1 ! ,g]man brogue1 & !      
,fr5* brogue1 or dialect4    ,! negro   
*ildr5 le>n$ to speak ! dialect z spok5 
by _!  own p>5ts2 & z a v g5]al rule !  
:ite *ildr5 le>n$  to talk z _! negro   
nurses talk$4 ,s f> z !re is a s\!rn    
dialect x is due to ! modification ( our
 language by ! negro4    ,y h m5tion$   
sev]al ?+s1 said ,p]cy1 t are mu* to  ! 
cr$it ( ! negro :o has _h a fair *ance  
to be tra9$  along "r l9es2 & ,i ?9k !  
modficaton ( our language :i*  8 pres5ce
 has br\ght ab\t 9 ! ,s\? is n )\t "s   
cr$it4 ,x is g5]ally agre$ t ! mo/      
pleas+ ,engli% we  he> is t ( ! ,s\!rn  
orator4    ,ref]r+ to social conditions1
 ! mo/ m>k$ diff]5ce :i* ,i  h notic$   

betwe5 ! ,nor? & ,s\?1 & really1 x seems
 to  me1 ! only diff]5ce ( importance1  
is t ! ,s\? has  sep>ate s*ools = :ite &
 color$1 :]eas 9 ! ,nor? !  s*ool is n  
look$ ^u z a social in/itution4    ,z a 
rule no m objection is rais$ to :ite &  
color$ *ildr5  sitt+ on sep>ate seats 9 
! same s*ool room ?an to _!  sitt+ on   
sep>ate seats 9 ! same /reet c>4 ,!     
s*ool is  reg>d$ z a place = "w1 :]e ea*
 has 8 own "w to d1  mu* ! same z 9 !   
%op or factory :]e bo? :ite & color$    
are employ$4 ,! exp5se ( ! s+le s*ool   
sy/em is1 ( c\rse1  mu* less ?an :]e    
sep>ate s*ools are ma9ta9$2 & p]haps an 
equally important po9t is t 9 ! s+le    
sy/em ! same moral  /&>ds are held up by
 ! tea*]s = bo? :ite & color$  *ildr54  
,t po9t is wor?y ( consid]ation1 said   
,mr4 ,we/4 ,x is v  c]ta9 t a class (   
negroes has gr[n up 9 ^! m rec5t  ye>s t
 0 practically unkn[n 9 slave times :5  
:ite m5  7 m l>gely responsible = _!    
moral tra9+4 ,! vile  wret*es :o made ! 
attack ?is ev5+ probably nev] receiv$   

any moral tra9+4 ,x is conceivable t !  
moral influ5ce (  ! :ite *ildr5 ov] !   
negroes 9 ! same s*ool might ex]t a     
la/+ b5efit1 ev5 aside f ! influ5ce ( ! 
tea*]2 &  ! relation%ip ( ! s*ool room  
c\ld n be any real  disadvantage to !   
:ite *ild4 ,b ?is c\ld only be br\ght   
ab\t :]e :ite tea*]s 7 employ$4 ,"s su* 
arrangem5t  w\ld d\btless h be5 made _h 
! m9d ( ,l9coln direct$ !  g5]al policy 
( recon/ruction2 b x is d\btful n[ if ! 
negro tea*] w ev] be :olly replac$1     
al?\gh "t has  wr\ght great] *anges 9   
political l9es s9ce ! black ye>s (  !   
recon/ruction4    ,yes1 said ,p]cy1 & ^?
 *anges :i* h be5 br\ght ab\t  9 ! ,s\? 
h ! full sympa?y & approval ( ! great   
majority ( ! ,nor!rn p4 ,inde$1 x is    
extremely d\btful if  ! ,nor? w be able 
to completely bani% su* a s\rce ( vice  
& corruption z ! op5 saloon until       
limitation is plac$ ^u  ! fran*ise by an
 educational qualification4             
,,*apt] ,,xi    ,,judgm5t ,,is ,,come   
,,! goddess ( sleep seem$ to h des]t$   

,we/ov]4 ,adelaide lay  9 h] "m's arms1 
ei!r awake & re/less or 9 fitful sleep  
f :i* %e frequ5tly awoke ) a muffl$     
scream or a physical  contortion4 ,once1
 z %e ne/l$ clos]1 h] "m he>d h]        
murmur3 ,y mu/ p>don me4    ,p]cy1 f !  
s\?we/ room1 0 sure he he>d horses feet 
at !  side gate4 ,! murmur ( l[ voices  
rea*$ 8 e>1 & !n he  recogniz$ t horsem5
 7 rid+ away4    ,! h\se 0 a/ir at e>ly 
dawn2 & z soon z breakfa/ 0 ov]  ,mr4   
,we/ _h ! colts hit*$ to ! buckbo>d & he
 drove )  ,p]cy to ,montpla94    ,i ?9k 
y\r te/imony w n be ne$$ ?is morn+1 said
 ,mr4  ,we/1 b x may be ne$$ lat]1 & x  
is well t y %\ld  report to ! (fic]s at 
any rate1 s9ce y promis$ to be !re  ?is 
morn+4    ,p]cy po9t$ out ! place :]e ! 
attack _h be5 made1 & he  look$ = a /ump
 ( a small tree or = any o!r object ^u  
:i* ! negro c\ld h fall5 ) su* =ce z to 
ma% 8  eye2 b he saw no?+4    ,z soon z 
!y rea*$ ! village1 ,mr4 ,we/ drove     
directly to !  t[n h\se2 & !re two black
 bodies 7 se5 hang+ f !  limb ( an old  

tree 9 ! c\r?\se y>d4 ,p]cy not$ t 8    
companion %[$ no sign ( surprise2 &1    
aft] ! fir/ %ock (  8 complete          
realization ( ! "w ( ! night1 he look$  
calmly  ^u ! sc5e4 ,!y _h /opp$ almo/ "u
 ! tree4    ,are ^! ! brutes :o made !  
attack & :om y captur$ &  deliv]$ to !  
(fic]8 ask$ ,mr4 ,we/4    ,!y are1 he   
repli$4    ,9 y\r op9ion h !y receiv$   
ju/ice8    ,yes1 ,sir1 ,p]cy repli$1 b  
,i fe> )\t due process ( law4    ,let me
 tell y1 ,sir1 !re is no law on !       
/atutes "u :i*  ju/ice c\ld be met$ out 
to ^! devils = ! nameless crime  :i*    
ends 9 dea? by murd] or by suicide ( !  
helpless victim1  a crime :i* ^! wret*es
 committ$ only 9 _! black  he>ts--?anks 
to y1 ,sir4    ,z he spoke1 ! t[n m>%all
 approa*$ foll[$ by ! negro  pa/or ( !  
local *ur* & a few ( 8 foll[]s4 ,sil5tly
 !y  l[]$ ! bodies to ! gr\nd1 plac$ !m 
^u improvis$  /ret*]s1 & c>ri$ !m to !  
pott]s field outside !  village1 :]e    
r\gh c(f9s & graves 7 ready to receive  
!m4    ,z ,mr4 ,we/ & ,p]cy return$ to  

,we/ov] !y discuss$ ! l&s  :i* 9 ! ma9 7
 ly+ ab&on$ on ei!r side ( ! road4      
,"h1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 z he paus$ on ! br[
 ( a slop+  hillside1 0 z ne> to ,we/ov]
 z ! ,union army came4 ,!  position ( ! 
brea/works may /ill be se54 ,! ,s\!rn   
army lay  across ! valley yond]4 ,^! two
 trees are spr\ts f an old  /ump ( a    
tree t 0 %ot away4 ,ab\t sev5te5 hundr$ 
conf$]ate dead 7 buri$ 9 tr5*es 9 !     
valley1 b !y  7 lat] remov$4 ,! f$]al   
dead 7 c>ri$ away z ! ,union  army      
retreat$4 ,we nev] le>n$ _! numb]4 ,=   
?ree days  ,we/ov] 0 made headqu>t]s ( !
 conf$]ate (fic]s1 & my  "m work$ day & 
night to prep>e food = !m4    ,!y /opp$ 
at ,we/ov] = a few mom5ts1 ,p]cy rema9+ 
9 !  buckbo>d :ile ,mr4 ,we/ report$ to 
8 family :at !y _h se5  9 ,montpla94    
,our report1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 hide\s &   
horrible z x is1 w  help to re/ore !    
*ild to calm & quiet4 ,to speak frankly1
 ,sir1  occurr5ces ( ?is sort1 sometimes
 ) ! wor/ results1 are  suffici5tly     
frequ5t 9 ! ,s\? s t we con/antly feel !

  add$ weight or burd5 :5ev] ! si/]1    
wife1 or daught] is  left )\t adequate  
protection4    ,! rema9+ h\rs ( ! morn+ 
7 devot$ to a drive ov] !  c\ntry       
surr\nd+ ,we/ov]2 & ,mr4 ,we/ cons5t$ to
 ,adelaide's  reque/ t %e be all[$ to   
drive ,p]cy to ! /ation at  ,montpla91  
:]e he 0 to take ! aft]noon tra9 =      
,ri*mond4  ,%e *ose ! buckbo>d b insi/$ 
^u driv+4    ,!y talk$ ( _! s*ool &     
college days1 ( ! books !y _h  read1 (  
any?+ 9 fact except ( ! exp]i5ces ( !   
pa/  tw5ty-f\r h\rs4 ,ev5 :5 !y ent]$ ! 
valley no %ad[  cross$ ,adelaide's face2
 b z !y ne>$ ! /ation h] voice  *ang$1 &
 z ,p]cy look$ into h] w9some1 frankly  
upturn$  face1 %e said3    ,h ,i truly  
be5 p>don$ = my cruel words la/ ev5+8 ,i
 am  sure y 7 z manly & noble z any man 
c\ld h be54    ,& ,i am sure y 7 !      
brave/ little woman ,i h ev] kn[n1      
repli$ ,p]cy1 & ,i admire y ! m = call+ 
me a c[>d  :5 y ?\ght ,i 0 runn+ away2 s
 !re is no?+ to p>don ,i  am sure4      
,%e gave him h] h& z a *ild at p>t+1 b  

he ?\ght z he  look$ into h] eyes t he  
saw ! s\l ( a woman4                    
,,*apt] ,,xii    ,,! ,,re/oration       
,,p]cy c>ri$ ) him a mo/ int]e/+ &      
attractive circul> (  in=mation conc]n+ 
! rapid re/oration ( ! f>m l&s ( !      
,s\?4 ,x also /at$ t fur!r in=mation    
c\ld be secur$ f a  c]ta9 real e/ate    
ag5t 9 ,ri*mond1 :o 0 f\nd to be /ill 9 
8  (fice :5 ,p]cy arriv$ 9 ! city late 9
 ! aft]noon4    ,! ag5t 0 delight$ to   
receive a call f ! ,we/]n man1 &  assur$
 him t he w\ld gladly %[ him sev]al     
plantations n f>  f ! city :i* c\ld be  
pur*as$ at v reasonable prices4 ,inde$  
he c\ld h 8 *oice ( ^! old s\!rn        
home/eads = ! v  l[ price ( =ty doll>s  
an acre4 ,a map ( an adjo9+ c\nty %[$  !
 exact location ( sev]al su* f>ms1 "s ( 
:i* 7 ( great  hi/orical int]e/4 ,at :at
 "t 9 ! morn+ c\ld he be ready to be    
%[n "o ( ^! r>e b>ga9s8    ,:at treatm5t
 d ^! l&s require to re/ore _!          
productiv5ess8  ask$ ,p]cy4    ,no      
treatm5t at all1 ,sir1 except ! adoption

 ( y\r we/]n me?ods  ( f>m+ & y\r sy/em 
( crop rotation4 ,i tell y ! results are
  m>vel\s :5 we/]n f>m]s get hold ( ^!  
fam\s old plantations4  ,j good f>m+ & a
 *ange ( crops1 t's all !y ne$4    ,does
 clov] gr[ well8 ask$ ,p]cy4 ,we gr[ t a
 good deal 9 !  ,we/4    ,oh1 yes1 clov]
 w gr[ v well1 inde$1 b c[peas is a mu* 
bett] crop ?an clov]4 ,our be/ f>m]s    
pref] ! c[pea2 & aft] a  crop ( c[peas1 
y c raise l>ge crops ( any k9d4    ,(   
c\rse y "k ( ^? :o h be5 successful 9   
re/or+ "s  ( ^! old f>ms1 ,p]cy sugge/$4
    ,oh1 yes1 ,sir1 _m ( !m1 & !y are   
mak+ money h& ov] fi/1  & _! l&s are    
increas+ 9 value1 & no d\bt w cont9ue to
  increase j z y\r we/]n l&s h done4    
,yes1 ,sir1 ! greate/  opportunity =    
inve/m5t 9 l& is "r "h & n[1 & ^! old   
plantations are be+ snapp$ up v rapidly4
    ,i %all be glad to "k ( "s ( ^!     
successful f>m]s :o are  us+ ! improv$  
me?ods4 ,w y "n "o1 j z an example1 &   
tell me ab\t :at he has done to re/ore 8
 l&8    ,well1 said ! ag5t1 ,!re's ,t4  

,o4 ,?ornton1 = example4 ,mr4  ,?ornton 
b\ght an old plantation ( a ?\s& acres  
only six ye>s ago  at a co/ ( six doll>s
 an acre4 ,he has be5 gr[+ c[peas 9     
rotation ) o!r crops2 &1 z ,i say1 he is
 mak+ money h& ov]  fi/4 ,a few mon?s   
ago he refus$ to consid] fifty doll>s an
 acre =  8 l&1 b /ill !re are "s ( ^!   
old plantations left t  c be b\ght = =ty
 doll>s1 because ! p don't really "k    
:at !y are wor?4 ,h[ev]1 our l&s are all
 mu* high] ?an !y  7 a few ye>s ago4    
,:]e does ,mr4 ,?ornton live8 ask$      
,p]cy4    ,oh1 he lives at ,blairville1 
ne>ly a hundr$ miles f ,ri*mond4 ,yes1  
he lives on 8 f>m ne> ,blairville4 ,i   
tell y he's mak+ good all  "r1 b ,i     
don't "k ( any l& = sale 9 t section4   
,i ?9k ,i w g out to ,blairville to see 
,mr4 ,?ornton's f>m1 said  ,p]cy4 ,d y  
"k :5 ! tra9s run8    ,well1 ,i'm sorry 
to say t ! tra9 s]vice is v poor to     
,blairvile4 ,!re is only "o tra9 a day t
 rea*es ,blairville 9  daylight1 & t    
leaves ,ri*mond v e>ly 9 ! morn+4    ,t 

is all "r1 said ,p]cy1 x w probably get 
me !re 9 "t  s t ,i %all be sure to f9d 
,mr4 ,?ornton at home4 ,i ?ank y v  mu*1
 ,sir4 ,p]haps ,i %all be able to see y 
aga9 :5 ,i return f  ,blairville4    ,:5
 y return f ,blairville is ab\t ! mo/   
unc]ta9 ?+ 9  ! _w4 ,z ,i said1 ! tra9  
s]vice is mighty poor to ,blairville1  &
 x's /ill poor]1 y'll f9d1 :5 y want to 
leave ,blairville4  ,:y1 a travel+ man  
told me he _h be5 on ! road = fifte5    
ye>s1  & he swore he _h sp5t sev5 ( 'em 
at ,blairville wait+ = tra9s4  ,bett]   
take my advice & look ov] "s ( ! f9e old
 plantations  "r "h 9 ! next c\nty & !n 
y c take all ! re/ ( !  mon? if y wi%   
gett+ 9 & out ( ,blairville4    ,ab\t   
eight o'clock ! foll[+ morn+ ,p]cy might
 h be5 se5  walk+ along ! railroad :i*  
ran ?r\gh ,mr4 ,?ornton's f>m ab\t  two 
miles f ,blairvile4 ,he saw a well beat5
 pa? :i* l$ f !  railroad to a ne>by    
cottage & a knock br\ght to ! door a    
negro  woman foll[$ by sev]al *ildr54   
,c y tell me :]e ,mr4 ,?ornton's f>m is8

 he inquir$4    ,yes1 ,suh1 %e repli$4  
,?is is ,mi/ah ,?o'nton's place1 "r     
heah1  ,suh4 ,lea/ways1 x 0 8 place2 b  
we done b\ght tw5ty acahs ( x  heah1    
:eah we live1 'cept ta9 all paid fo'    
yit4 ,mi/ah ,?o'nton lives  9 ! big h\se
 ov] !ah 'b\t half a mile4    ,may ,i   
ask :at y h to pay = l& "h8    ,oh1 we h
 to pay t5 dollahs an acah1 cause we c't
 pay ca%4 ,my ol'  man he wo'ks on !    
railroad section & we j pay ,mi/ah      
,?o'nton foh  dollahs e mon?4 ,my *il'n 
wo'k 9 ! ga'd5 & t5d t acah  pat* o'    
co'n4    ,d y f]tilize ! corn8    ,yes1 
,suh4 ,we c't gr[ no?9' heah )\t        
fe'tilizah4 ,we got two  hundr$ p\nds   
fo' ?ree dollahs la/ spr+ & plant$ x ) !
  co'n4    ,z ,p]cy turn$ 9 at ,mr4     
,?ornton's gate he saw a :ite man & two 
negroes work+ at ! b>n4 ,p>don me1 b is 
?is ,mr4 ,?ornton8  ask$ ,p]cy z he     
approa*$4    ,t is my "n4    ,well1 my  
"n is ,john/on4 ,i am especially int]e/$
 9 le>n+ all ,i  c ab\t ! f>m l&s 9 ?is 
section & ! be/ me?ods (  f>m+4 ,i live 

9 ,ill9ois1 & h ?\ght "s ( sell+ our    
little  f>m out !re & buy+ a l>g] "o "h 
9 ! ,ea/ :]e ! l&  is mu* *eap] ?an ) u4
 ,a real e/ate ag5t 9 ,ri*mond has told 
me some?+ ( ! progress y are mak+ 9 !   
improvem5t ( y\r  l>ge f>m4 ,i hope y w 
n let me int]f]e ) y\r "w1 ,sir4    ,oh1
 ?is "w is n mu*4 ,i've _h a little     
lumb] saw$ at a mill  :i* is runn+ j n[ 
ov] beyond my f>m1 & ,i am try+ to put a
  %$ up "h ov] "p ( ! b>n y>d s we c    
save m ( !  manure4 ,i %all be v glad to
 give y any in=mation ,i c ei!r  ab\t my
 own f>m+ or ab\t ! f>m l&s 9 ?is       
section4    ,y h ab\t a ?\s& acres 9 y\r
 f>m ,i 0 told4    ,yes1 we /ill h "s   
ov] n9e hundr$ acres 9 ! place1 b we    
are f>m+ only ab\t two hundr$ acres1    
includ+ ! mead[ &  pa/ure l&4 ,! o!r    
sev5 hundr$ acres are n f5c$1 &1 z y  w 
see1 ! l& is mo/ly gr[n up to scrub     
trees4    ,y\r corn appe>s to be a v    
good crop4 ,ab\t h[ _m acres ( corn  d y
 h ?is ye>8    ,i h only f\rte5 acres4  
,t is all ,i c\ld cov] ) manure1 &  x is

 h>dly wor? try+ to raise corn )\t      
manure4    ,d y use any comm]cial       
f]tiliz]8    ,well1 ,i've be5 us+ "s    
bone meal4 ,i've no use = ! ord9>y      
complete comm]cial f]tiliz]4 ,x         
sometimes helps a little = "o  ye>2 b x 
seems to leave ! l& poor] ?an ev]4 ,bone
 meal la/s  long] & doesn't seem to hurt
 ! l&4 ,i see f ! agricultural  pap]s t 
"s ( ! exp]im5t /ations report good     
results f !  use ( f9e-gr\nd raw rock   
phosphate2 b !y advise us+ x 9          
connection ) organic matt]1 su* z manure
 or clov] pl[$ "u4 ,i  am plann+ to get 
"s & mix x ) ! manure "h "u ?is %$4  ,d 
y use comm]cial f]tiliz]s 9 ,ill9ois8   
,n to speak (1 b "s ( our f>m]s are     
beg9n+ to use ! raw  phosphate4 ,our    
exp]im5t /ation has f\nd t our mo/      
ext5sive soil  types are n ri* 9        
phosphorus1 & has republi%$ = our b5efit
  ! reports f ! ,m>yl& & ,ohio exp]im5t 
/ations %[+ t  ! f9e-gr\nd natural rock 
phosphate appe>s to be ! mo/ economical 
=m to be us$ & t x is likely to prove   

mu* m pr(itable 9  ! long run1 al?\gh x 
may n give v m>k$ results ! fir/  ye> or
 two4 ,may ,i ask :at products y sell f 
y\r f>m1 ,mr4  ,?ornton8    ,i sell     
cream4 ,i h a special trade 9 ,ri*mond1 
& ,i %ip my cream  direct to ! city4 ,i 
also sell a few hogs & "s :eat4 ,i      
usually put  :eat aft] corn1 & h f\rte5 
acres ( :eat se$$ betwe5 !  corn %ocks  
ov] !re4 ,sometimes ,i don't get ! :eat 
se$$1 & !n  ,i put ! l& 9 c[peas4 ,i    
usually raise ab\t tw5ty-five acres (   
c[peas1 & ! re/ ( ! cle>$ l& ,i use =   
mead[ & pa/ure4  ,i usually s[ timo?y   
aft] c[peas1 & ,i l to break up z mu*   
old  pa/ure l& = corn z ,i c put manure 
on4    ,i 0 told t y _h be5 (f]$ fifty  
doll>s an acre = y\r  f>m1 ,mr4         
,?ornton1 b t y w\ld n consid] ! (f]4   
,mr4 ,?ornton laugh$ he>tily at ?is     
rem>k4    ,t mu/ h come f ! ,ri*mond l& 
ag5t1 he said4 ,someone  else 0 tell+ me
 t /ory a %ort "t ago4 ,! fact is "o (  
^? real e/ate ag5ts 0 out "h la/ spr+ & 
he ask$ me if ,i  w\ld consid] an (f] ( 

fifty doll>s an acre = our l&4 ,i told  
him t ,i didn't ?9k t ,i w\ld z long z  
any "o :o wi%es to  buy c get all ! l&  
he wants 9 ?is section = five or t5     
doll>s an acre4 ,t's z ne> z ,i came to 
hav+ an (f] ( fifty  doll>s an acre =   
?is l&4 ,! l& adjo9+ me on ! s\? is is  
= sale1 & ,i am sure y c\ld buy t f>m ( 
ab\t sev5 hundr$  acres = f\r doll>s an 
acre aft] !y get ! timb] (f4 ,"s (  ! l&
 has n be5 cropp$ = a hundr$ ye>s1 ,i   
guess2 & !re  are a few trees on x t are
 big en\gh = light saw-/uff4 ,a man has 
b\ght ! timb] t is wor? cutt+1 & he is  
runn+ a saw ov]  !re n[2 b he'll get out
 all t's good = any?+ 9 a few  mon?s4   
,may ,i ask h[ long y h be5 f>m+ "h1    
,mr4 ,?ornton8    ,twelve ye>s on ?is   
f>m1 he repli$4 ,y see ?is e/ate 0 left 
to my wife & h] si/] :o /ill lives ) u4 
,we 7 m>ri$  twelve ye>s ago & ,i h be5 
work+ ev] s9ce to make a liv+ =  u on   
?is old worn-out f>m4 ,( c\rse ,i h made
 "s little  improvem5ts ab\t ! b>ns1 b  
we've sold a little l& too4 ,!  railroad

 company want$ ab\t an acre d[n :]e t   
little /ream  crosses1 = a wat] supply1 
& ,i got twelve hundr$ doll>s = t4      
,n[1 ,i've already tak5 too mu* ( y\r   
"t1 said ,p]cy4 ,i ?ank  y = y\r k9dness
 9 giv+ me s mu* in=mation4 ,if !re is  
no  objection ,i %all be glad to take a 
walk ab\t ov] y\r f>m & !  adjo9+ l&1 & 
p]haps ,i c see y aga9 = a few mom5ts :5
 ,i  return4    ,c]ta9ly1 ,mr4 ,?ornton 
repli$4 ,!re is no objection :atsoev]4  
,we  are go+ to ,blairville ?is morn+1 b
 we %all be back be=e noon  & ,i %all be
 glad to see y !n4 ,i fe> y h be5 giv5  
"s  mis9=mation by ! real e/ate ag5ts4  
,"s ( !m1 by ! way1 are  ,nor!rn m5 :o  
came d[n "h & b\ght l& & :5 !y f\nd !y  
c\ld n make a liv+ on x1 !y sold x to   
o!r l& hunt]s1 & ,i  suppose t !y made s
 mu* 9 ! deal t !y /ay$ "r "h  z real   
e/ate ag5ts4 ,!y are great adv]tis]s2 b 
,i reckon our  ,s\!rn real e/ate m5 c j 
ab\t keep ev54 ,! ag5t :o 0 out  "h la/ 
spr+ told me he %[$ "o ,nor!rn man a f>m
 = #ab an  acre & he 0 afraid to buy4   

,!n he took him into ano!r c\nty &  %[$ 
him a poor] f>m = #de & he b\ght t at   
once4    ,! road !re runs out ?r\gh !   
fields4 ,our l& runs back to !  o!r     
public road & beyond t is ! f>m ,i told 
y ( :]e !  saw mill is runn+4 ,i've got 
"s pretty good c[peas y'll pass by4 ,i  
hav5't got !m (f ! racks yet4    ,p]cy  
f\nd ! c[pea hay pil$ 9 l>ge %ocks ov]  
tripods made (  %ort /\t poles :i* s]v$ 
to keep ! hay (f ! gr\nd to "s  ext5t1 &
 ?is p]mitt$ ! c[peas to be cur$ 9 l>g] 
piles &  ) less dang] ( loss f mold+4   
,i f9d t ! soil on y\r f>m & on ! o!r   
f>m is v  g5]ally acid1 said ,p]cy a few
 h\rs lat] :5 ,mr4 ,?ornton ask$  :at he
 ?\ght ( ! condititons ( f>m+4 ,h y us$ 
any lime  = improv+ ! soil8    ,yes1 ,i 
tri$ x ab\t t5 ye>s ago1 & x help$ "s1 b
 n en\gh  to make x pay4 ,i put t5      
b>rels on ab\t ?ree acres4 ,i ?\ght x   
help$ ! corn & :eat a little1 & x %[$ "r
 to ! l9e  :]e ,i put c[peas on ! l&1 b 
,i don't ?9k x paid1 & x's  mighty      
disagreeable /uff to h&le4    ,d y      

rememb] h[ mu* x co/8 ,p]cy ask$4       
,yes1 ,sir4 ,! regul> price 0 a doll> a 
b>rel1 b by tak+ t5  b>rels ,i got ! ton
 = eight doll>s2 b ,i'd r h eight       
doll>s' wor? ( bone meal4    ,i ?9k !   
lime w\ld be a great help to clov]1 said
 ,p]cy4    ,yes1 t might be4 ,!y tell me
 t !y us$ to gr[ lots ( clov]  "h2 b x  
play$ out completely1 & nobody s[s clov]
 n[1 except  occasionally on an old fe$ 
lot :i* is ri* en\gh to gr[ any?+4  ,x  
takes mighty good l& to gr[ clov]2 b    
c[peas are bett] = u4  ,!y d pretty well
 = ?is old l&1 only ! se$ co/s too mu*1 
&  !y make a sight ( "w1 & !y're mighty 
h>d to get cur$4 ,y see  !y ar5't ready 
= hay till ! hot wea!r is mo/ly pa/4 ,if
 we  c\ld h&le !m 9 ,june & ,july1 z we 
d timo?y we'd h no  tr\ble2 b we don't  
get c[peas plant$ till ,june1 &         
,septemb] is a  poor "t = hay+4    ,x   
seems to me t clov] is a mu* m          
satisfactory crop1 said  ,p]cy4 ,"o c s[
 clov] ) oats 9 ! spr+1 or on :eat l& 9 
! late w9t]1 & !re is no m tr\ble ) x   

until x is ready  = hay+ ab\t fifte5    
mon?s lat]1 unless ! l& is we$y or !    
clov] makes su* a gr[? ! fir/ fall t we 
mu/ clip x to  prev5t ei!r ! we$s or !  
clov] f se$+4 ,?is means t  :5 y are    
plant+ y\r gr\nd = c[peas ! next ye>    
aft] :eat  or oats1 we are j ready to   
beg9 h>ve/+ our clov] hay2 &  besides ! 
regul> hay crop we usually h "s gr[? !  
fall be=e  :i* is left on ! l& z a      
f]tiliz]1 & !n we get a second crop  (  
clov] :i* we save ei!r = hay or se$4    
,ev5 aft] ! se$ crop  is h>ve/$ !re is  
usually "s lat] fall gr[?1 & "s let !   
clov] /& till x gr[s "s m ! next spr+ & 
!n pl[ x  "u = corn4    ,i c see t clov]
 w\ld be mu* bett] ?an c[peas if we c\ld
  gr[ x2 b1 z ,i said1 x's play$ out "h4
 ,our l& simply won't  gr[ x any m4 ,n  
hav+ to pl[ = clov] w\ld save a great   
deal  ( ! "w we mu/ d = our c[peas4     
,"s ( our f>m]s foll[ a ?ree-ye>        
rotation & pl[ ! gr\nd  only once 9 ?ree
 ye>s1 said ,p]cy4 ,!y pl[ ! gr\nd =    
corn1  disk x ! next spr+ :5 oats &     

clov] are se$$1 & !n leave  ! l& 9 clov]
 ! next ye>4 ,9 t way !y regul>ly h>ve/ 
f\r crops1 includ+ ! two clov] crops1 f 
only "o pl[+2 &  9 exceptional seasons  
,i h kn[n an extra crop ( clov] hay to  
be  h>ve/$ 9 ! late fall on ! l& :]e !  
oats 7 gr[n4    ,9 reg>d to ! lime "q1  
,p]cy cont9u$1 ,i wond] if y "k  ( ! "w 
! ,p5nsylvania ,exp]im5t ,/ation has be5
 do+ ) !  use ( gr\nd lime/one 9        
comp>ison ) burn$ lime4    ,no1 ,i nev] 
he>d ( gr\nd lime/one be+ us$4 ,i       
suppos$ x _h to  be burn$4 ,i %\ld ?9k x
 w\ld be v exp5sive to gr9d  lime/one4  
,no1 x co/s mu* less to gr9d x ?an to   
burn x1 ,p]cy repli$4  ,mills are us$ = 
gr9d+ rock 9 cem5t manufacture1 & ! rock
  phosphate & bone meal mu/ all be gr\nd
 be=e us+ !m ei!r =  direct application 
or = ! manufacture ( acidulat$          
f]tiliz]s2 &  lime/one is n s h>d to    
gr9d z "s o!r rocks4 ,fur!rmore x  does 
n ne$ to be s v f9ely gr\nd4 ,if f9e    
en\gh s t x  w pass ?r\gh a sieve ) t5  
me%es to ! in* x does v well4  ,t y see 

w\ld be a hundr$ me%es to ! squ>e in*2  
&1 (  c\rse1 a great deal ( x w be mu*  
f9] ?an t4 ,9 fact !  gr\nd lime/one us$
 9 ! ,p5nsylvania exp]im5ts 0 only f9e  
en\gh s t ab\t n9ety p] c5t4 ( x w\ld   
pass a sieve ) t5  me%es to ! in*1 & yet
 ! lime/one gave decid$ly bett] results 
?an ! burn$ lime1 & x is n ne>ly s      
disagreeable to h&le4  ,besides ?is1 !  
gr\nd lime/one is mu* less exp5sive4 ,x 
c be  obta9$ at mo/ po9ts 9 ,ill9ois =  
ab\t a doll> & fifty c5ts a  ton4    ,a 
doll> & fifty c5ts a ton6 exclaim$ ,mr4 
,?ornton4 ,well1 t is  *eap1 b h[ ab\t !
 freight & ! b>rels & bags8 ,freight is 
a  big item ) u4    ,! doll> & fifty    
c5ts includes ! freight1 0 ! reply4     
,includes ! co/ & ! freight bo?8        
,yes1 & ! ,ill9ois f>m]s h x %ipp$ 9    
bulk1 s !re is no  exp5se = b>rels or   
bags4 ,( c\rse ! supplies ( bo? coal &  
lime/one are v abundant1 & ) a          
well-equipp$ plant ! actual  co/ ( gr9d+
 does n exce$ tw5ty-five c5ts a ton4 ,! 
orig9al  co/ ( ! mat]ial gr\nd & on bo>d

 c>s at ! works v>ies f  ab\t sixty c5ts
 to "o doll> a ton1 & ?is leaves a v    
fair  m>g9 ( pr(it4    ,! m5 :o furni% !
 gr\nd lime/one realize t v l>ge        
quantities ( x are ne$$ if ! soils (    
,ill9ois are to be kept  f]tile1 & !y   
also realize t ! ultimate prosp]ity ( ! 
c\ntry dep5ds ^u agricultural prosp]ity4
 ,_! f>-sight$ness &  patriotism comb9e 
to lead !m to try to sell c>loads (     
lime/one  in/ead ( tons ( burn$ lime4 ,z
 a matt] ( fact five or t5 doll>s  pr(it
 on a c> ( lime/one1 ! use ( :i* 9 l>ge 
quantities is  ?us made possible 9      
sy/ems ( positive soil improvem5t1 is v 
mu*  bett] = all conc]n$ ?an a pr(it (  
half t mu* on a s+le ton  ( burn$ lime  
:i* is us$ z a soil /imulant 9 sy/ems ( 
soil  exhau/ion4    ,x is c]ta9ly true1 
said ,mr4 ,?ornton1 t all o!r great     
indu/ries dep5d ^u agriculture1 directly
 or indirectly4 ,i h  ?\ght ( x _m      
times4 ,x seems to me t fi%+ is ab\t !  
only  exception ( importance4    ,mr4   
,?ornton reque/$ t ,p]cy rema9 = lun* 9 

ord] t !y  might return to ! field to   
let him see ! soil acidity te/s made4   
,,*apt] ,,xiii    ,,:y ,,p]cy ,,w5t ,,to
 ,,college            ,i ,,am int]e/$ to
 "k :]e y le>n$ ^! ?+s ab\t acid  soils 
& lime & lime/one1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton4  
,mo/ly 9 ! agricultural college1 repli$ 
,p]cy1 b mu* (  ! in=mation really comes
 f ! inve/igations t are  conduct$ by ! 
exp]im5t /ations4 ,= example1 ! be/     
in=mation ! _w af=ds conc]n+ !          
comp>ative value (  burn$ lime & gr\nd  
lime/one is furni%$ by ! ,p5nsylvania   
,agricultural ,exp]im5t ,/ation4 ,^?    
exp]im5ts h be5 c>ri$  on cont9u\sly    
s9ce #ahhb1 & ! results ( tw5ty ye>s'   
c>eful  inve/igations h rec5tly be5     
publi%$4 ,a f\r-ye> rotation (  crops 0 
practic$1 includ+ corn1 oats1 :eat1 &   
hay1 ! hay  be+ clov] & timo?y mix$4 ,) 
e crop ! lime/one has  giv5 bett]       
results ?an ! burn$ lime4 ,9 fact !     
burn$ lime  seems to h produc$ injuri\s 
results ( late ye>s1 & !  analysis ( !  
soil %[s t !re has be5 l>ge loss ( humus

  & nitrog5 :]e ! burn$ lime has be5    
us$1 ! actual loss  be+ equival5t to !  
de/ruction ( m ?an two tons ( f>m       
manure p] acre p] annum4    ,well1 we   
surely ne$ ?is in=mation1 said ,mr4     
,?ornton4 ,i h  always suppos$ t !      
tea*]s 9 ! agricultural college knew    
little or no?+ ( practical f>m+4    ,i  
did n g to college to le>n practical    
f>m+1 if we mean by  t ! common practice
 ( agriculture1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,i already
  knew :at we call practical f>m+2 t is1
 h[ to d ! ord9>y  f>m "w1 includ+ su*  
op]ations z pl[+1 plant+1  cultivat+1 & 
h>ve/+2 b x seems to me1 ,mr4 ,?ornton1 
t  ?is sort ( practical f>m+ has result$
 9 practical ru9 =  mo/ ( ^! ,ea/]n l&s4
 ,! fact is !re is a side to            
agriculture t ,i knew almo/ no?+ ab\t z 
a s-call$  practical f>m]1 & ,i am com+ 
to believe t :at we commonly  call      
practical f>m+ is (t5 ! mo/ impractical 
f>m+1--c]ta9ly ?is is true if x         
ultimately results 9  deplet$ & ab&on$  
l&s4 ,! truly practical f>m] is ! man   

:o kn[s n only h[ to d1 b also :at to d 
& :y he does  x4 ,! ,simplon railroad   
tunnel connect+ ,switz]l& ) ,italy is   
twelve miles long1--! longe/ 9 ! _w4 ,x 
0 dug f !  two ends1 b "u ! m\nta91 six 
miles f ei!r end1 ! two  holes came     
toge!r exactly1 )9 a limit ( error (    
less ?an  six in*es1 & made "o cont9u\s 
tunnel twelve miles long4 ,n[1  ?is 0 n 
all accompli%$ by ! practical m5 :o knew
 h[ to  h&le a spade 9 digg+ a dit*4 ,! 
"w 0 controll$ by  sci5ce1 & x 0 kn[n 9 
advance :at ! results w\ld be4 ,i d  n  
mean t x 0 kn[n h[ h>d ! digg+ w\ld be1 
nor h[  mu* tr\ble w\ld be caus$ by cav+
 or by wat]2 b x 0 kn[n  t if !         
practical "w 0 done1 ! f9al outcome w\ld
 be  successful4    ,i ?9k x is ev5 m   
important t we und]/& en\gh ( !  sci5ces
 :i* und]lie ! practice ( agriculture s 
we may "k  9 advance t :5 ! practical   
f>m "w is done ! soil w  be ri*] & bett]
 r ?an poor] & less productive because  
( our impractical f>m+4    ,z ,i said1  
,i did n g to ! agricultural college to 

le>n !  practice or art ( f>m+2 ,i w5t  
to le>n ! sci5ce (  agriculture2 b1 z a 
matt] ( fact1 ,i f\nd ! college pr(essor
  knew ab\t z mu* ( practical           
agriculture z ,i did & a great  deal (  
sci5ce t ,i did n "k4 ,i f\nd t ! ,dean 
( !  college1 :o is also ,director ( !  
,exp]im5t ,/ation1 _h be5  born & rais$ 
on ! f>m1 _h done all k9ds ( f>m "w1 !  
same z o!r f>m boys1 _h gone ?r\gh an   
agricultural college1  & aft] 8         
graduation _h return$ to ! f>m & rema9$ 
!re  = t5 ye>s do+ 8 own "w ) 8 own h&s4
 ,he has _h z  mu* actual f>m exp]i5ce z
 y h _h1 ,mr4 ,?ornton1 & t5  ye>s m ?an
 ,i h _h4 ,he 0 f9ally call$ f ! f>m to 
become an assi/ant 9 ! college f :i* he 
0 graduat$1 &  9 a few ye>s he 0 advanc$
 to head pr(essor 9 agriculture4  ,ab\t 
t5 ye>s ago he 0 made dean & director ( 
!  agricultural college & exp]im5t      
/ation 9 my own /ate2 & ,i  h be5 told t
 he w n recomm5d any "o = a responsible 
position 9 an agricultural college      
unless he has _h bo? f>m  exp]i5ce &    

sci5tific tra9+4 ,he & mo/ ( 8          
associates  are own]s ( f>ms & w\ld     
return to !m aga9 if !y did n  feel t !y
 are ( m s]vice to agriculture z tea*]s 
&  inve/igators4    ,i am v glad to "k  
ab\t ?is1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,c]ta9ly  
y\r op9ion1 bas$ ^u su* k z y h ( y\r   
own  college1 is wor? m ?an all ! common
 talk ,i h ev] he>d  f ^? :o nev] saw an
 agricultural college4 ,i wi% y w\ld    
tell me some?+ m 9 reg>d to :at crops   
are made ( & ab\t  ! me?ods ( mak+ l&   
bett] ev5 :ile we are tak+ crops  f x e 
ye>4              ,,*apt] ,,xiv    ,a   
,,lesson ,,9 ,,f>m ,,sci5ce             
,,! subject is some:at complicat$1 ,p]cy
 repli$1 yet x  involves no m difficult 
problems ?an h be5 solv$ 9 _m  o!r l9es4
 ,! *ief tr\ble is t we h done too      
little  ?9k+ ab\t our own real problems4
 ,ev5 9 ! c\ntry s*ools we  h le>n$     
some?+ ( bank+ & v>i\s o!r l9es (       
bus9ess1 some?+ ( ! hi/ory & politics ( 
?is & o!r  c\ntries1 some?+ ( ! great   
a*ievem5ts 9 w>1 9 discov]y  &          

exploration1 9 art1 lit]ature1 &        
inv5tion2 b we h n  le>n$ :at our soils 
conta9 nor :at our crops require4 ,n "o 
f>m] 9 a hundr$ kn[s :at *emical elem5ts
 are absolutely  requir$ = ! production 
( our agricultural plants1 & "o may  "w 
h>d on ! f>m f f\r o'clock 9 ! morn+    
till n9e  o'clock at night = =ty ye>s & 
/ill n le>n :at corn is  made (4    ,all
 agricultural plants are compos$ ( t5   
*emical elem5ts1 &  ! gr[? ( any crop is
 absolutely dep5d5t ^u ! supply (  ^!   
plant food elem5ts4 ,if ! supply ( any  
"o ( ^! plant  food elem5ts is limit$1 !
 crop yield w also be limit$4 ,!  gra9 &
 grass crops1 su* z corn1 oats1 :eat1 & 
timo?y1 also  ! root crops & potatoes1  
secure two elem5ts f ! air1 "o  f wat]1 
& sev5 f ! soil4    ,! supply ( "s      
elem5ts is con/antly r5ew$ by natural   
processes1 & iron1 "o ( ! t51 is conta9$
 9 all normal  soils 9 absolutely       
inexhau/ible am\nt2 :ile o!r elem5ts    
become defici5t & ! supply mu/ be r5ew$ 
by man1 or crop  yields decrease & f>m+ 

becomes unpr(itable4    ,matt] is       
absolutely inde/ructible4 ,x may *ange  
its =m1 b  n a p\nd ( mat]ial sub/ance c
 be de/roy$4 ,matt] moves 9  cycles1 & !
 key to ! problem ( successful p]man5t  
agriculture is ! circulation ( plant    
food4 ,:ile "s elem5ts  h a natural     
cycle :i* is amply suffici5t to meet all
  requirem5ts = ^! elem5ts z plant food1
 o!r elem5ts h  no su* cycle1 & x is !  
*ief bus9ess ( ! f>m] to make  ^!       
elem5ts circulate4    ,take c>bon1 =    
example4 ,?is elem5t is well repres5t$  
by h>d  coal4 ,s(t coal & *>coal are    
*iefly c>bon4 ,! diamond is pure        
cry/alliz$ c>bon1 & *>coal made f pure  
sug> is pure1  uncry/alliz$ c>bon4 ,?is 
c easily be made by heat+ a lump (  sug>
 on a r$ hot /ove until only a black    
coal rema9s4 ,n[ ^!  diff]5t solid      
mat]ials repres5t c>bon 9 ! elem5tal =m 
or  free /ate4 ,b c>bon may unite ) o!r 
elem5ts to =m  *emical comp\nds1 & ^!   
may be solids1 liquids1 gases4    ,?us  
c>bon & sulfur are bo? solid elem5ts1 "o

 black & !  o!r yell[1 z g5]ally f\nd4  
,if ^! two elem5ts are mix$  toge!r "u  
ord9>y conditions no *ange occurs4 ,!   
result is  simply a mixture ( c>bon &   
sulfur4 ,b1 if ?is mixture is  heat$ 9 a
 retort :i* excludes ! air1 ! c>bon &   
sulfur  unite into a *emical comp\nd    
call$ c>bon disulfid4 ,?is comp\nd  is  
nei!r black1 yell[1 nor solid2 b x is a 
colorless1 limpid  liquid2 & yet x      
conta9s absolutely no?+ except c>bon &  
sulfur4    ,t seems /range1 rem>k$ ,mr4 
,?ornton4 ,yes1 b simil>  *anges are go+
 on ab\t u all ! "t1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,we  
put  t5 p\nds ( solid black coal 9 !    
/ove & an h\r lat] we  f9d no?+ !re1    
except a few ounces ( a%es :i* repres5t 
!  impurities 9 ! coal4    ,well1 ! coal
 is burn$ up & de/roy$1 is x n8    ,!   
c>bon is burn$ & *ang$1 b n de/roy$4 ,9 
?is case1  ! heat has caus$ ! c>bon to  
unite ) ! elem5t oxyg5  :i* exi/s 9 !   
air 9 ! =m ( a gas1 & a *emical  comp\nd
 is =m$ :i* we call c>bon dioxid4 ,?is  
comp\nd is a  colorless gas4 ,?is elem5t

 oxyg5 ent]s ! v5t ( ! /ove &  ! comp\nd
 c>bon dioxid passes (f ?r\gh ! *imney4 
,if !re  is any smoke1 x is due to small
 p>ticles ( unburn$ c>bon or  o!r color$
 sub/ances4    ,z a rule m or less      
sulfur is conta9$ 9 coal1 wood1 & o!r   
organic matt]1 & ?is also is burn$ to   
sulfur dioxid & c>ri$  into ! air1 f :i*
 x is br\ght back to ! soil 9 ra9 9     
ample am\nts to supply all ( ! sulfur   
requir$ by plants4    ,ev]y:]e ov] ! e>?
 ! atmosph]e conta9s "s c>bon  dioxid & 
?is comp\nd furni%es all agricultural   
plants _!  necess>y supply ( bo? c>bon &
 oxyg54 ,9 o!r words1 ^!  are ! two     
elem5ts t plants secure f ! air4 ,! gas1
  c>bon dioxid1 passes into ! plant     
?r\gh ! brea?+ pores on  ! "u side ( !  
leaves4 ,^! are microscopic op5+s b  v  
num]\s4 ,a squ>e in* ( a corn leaf may h
 a hundr$  ?\s& brea?+ pores4    ,n[1 z 
we g on1 ,i am especially anxi\s to get 
at ?is "q  ( supply & dem&1 said ,mr4   
,?ornton4 ,i ?9k ,i und]/&  ab\t iron & 
sulfur1 & also t ^! two elem5ts1 c>bon &

  oxyg51 are bo? conta9$ 9 ! air 9 !    
comp\nd call$ c>bon  dioxid1 & t ?is mu/
 supply our crops ) ^? two elem5ts  (   
plant food4 ,i'd l to "k ab\t ! supply4 
,h[ mu* is !re  9 ! air & h[ mu* d !    
crops require8    ,z y "k1 said ,p]cy1 !
 atmosph]ic pressure is ab\t  fifte5    
p\nds to ! squ>e in*4    ,yes1 ,i've    
he>d t1 ,i "k4    ,well1 t means1 (     
c\rse1 t !re are fifte5 p\nds ( air     
re/+ on e squ>e in* ( ! e>?'s surface2 9
 o!r words1  t a column ( air "o in*    
squ>e & z high z ! air goes1  p]haps    
fifty miles or m1 weighs fifte5 p\nds4  
,yes1 t is v cle>4    ,!re is only "o   
p\nd ( c>bon 9 t5 ?\s& p\nds (  ord9>y  
c\ntry air4 ,n[1 !re are "o hundr$ &    
sixty squ>e  rods 9 an acre1 & s9ce !re 
are twelve in*es 9 a foot &  sixte5 &   
"o-half feet 9 a rod1 x is easy to      
compute t !re  are ne>ly a hundr$       
million p\nds ( air on an acre1 & t !   
c>bon 9 ?is am\nts to only five tons4 ,a
 ?ree-ton crop ( corn  or hay conta9s "o
 & "o-f\r? tons ( ! elem5t c>bon2 s  t !

 total am\nt ( ! c>bon 9 ! air ov] an   
acre ( l&  is suffici5t = only f\r su*  
crops2 :ile a s+le crop ( corn  yield+ a
 hundr$ bu%els to ! acre1 su* z we (t5  
raise 9  ,ill9ois on old fe$-lots or o!r
 pieces ( well treat$ l& w\ld  require  
half ( ! total supply ( c>bon conta9$ 9 
! air ov]  an acre4 ,h[ev]1 ! l>ge/ crop
 ( corn ev] gr[n1 ( :i*  !re is an      
e/abli%$ au!ntic record1 0 n rais$ 9    
,ill9ois1 b 9 ! /ate ( ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 9 !
 c\nty (  ,m>lbor\gh1 9 ! ye> #ahih1 by 
,z4 ,j4 ,drake2 &1 accord+ to !  au!ntic
 report ( ! (ficial committee t measur$ 
! l&  & saw ! crop h>ve/$ & weigh$1 &   
aw>d$ ,drake a prize (  five hundr$     
doll>s giv5 by ! ,orange ,judd ,publi%+ 
,company1--accord+ to ?is v cr$itable   
evid5ce1 t acre (  l& yield$ #bci bu%els
 ( ?or\ghly aid-dri$ corn2 & su* a      
crop1 ,mr4 ,?ornton1 w\ld require z mu* 
c>bon z ! total am\nt  conta9$ 9 ! air  
ov] an acre ( l&4    ,well1 t is        
a/oni%+6 ,!n !re mu/ be "s o!r s\rce (  
supply besides ! air4    ,!re is no o!r 

direct s\rce f :i* plants secure c>bon2 
b ( c\rse ! air is 9 con/ant motion4    
,only "o-f\r? ( !  e>?'s surface is l&1 
& p]haps only "o-f\r? ( ?is l& is       
cropp$1 & ! av]age crop is ab\t "o-f\r? 
( ?ree tons2 s  t ! total pres5t supply 
( c>bon 9 ! air w\ld be  suffici5t =    
ab\t two hundr$ & fifty ye>s4 ,b z a    
matt] (  fact ! supply is p]man5tly     
ma9ta9$ by ! c>bon cycle4 ,?us  ! c>bon 
( coal t is burn$ 9 ! /ove returns to ! 
air 9  c>bon dioxid2 & all combu/ion (  
coal & wood1 grass & we$s1  & all o!r   
vegetable matt] returns c>bon to !      
atmosph]e4 ,all  decay ( organic matt]1 
z 9 ! f]m5tation ( manure 9 !  pile & ! 
rott+ ( vegetable matt] 9 ! soil1 is a  
=m (  sl[ combu/ion & c>bon dioxid is ! 
*ief produce ( su*  decay4 ,sometimes an
 appreciable am\nt ( heat is develop$1 z
 9  ! /eam+ pile ( /able refuse ly+ 9 ! 
b>ny>d1 :ile !  heat evolv$ 9 ! soil is 
too quickly dissem9at$ to be app>5t4    
,9 addition to all ?is1 e animal exhales
 c>bon dioxid4 ,!  body heat & ! animal 

=ce or en]gy are suppli$ by !  combu/ion
 ( organic food )9 ! body1 & "h1 too1   
c>bon  dioxid is ! *ief product (       
combu/ion4    ,?us1 z a g5]al av]age1 ! 
am\nt ( c>bon remov$ f !  atmosph]e by  
gr[+ plants is no great] ?an ! am\nt    
return$  to ! air by ^! v>i\s =ms (     
combu/ion or decay4 ,9 l  mann] ! supply
 ( comb9$ oxyg5 is ma9ta9$1 bo? c>bon & 
oxyg5 be+ furni%$ to ! plant m ! c>bon  
dioxid4    ,z a matt] ( fact1 ! air     
consi/s v l>gely ( oxyg5 &  nitrog51 bo?
 9 ! free /ate1 b 9 ?is =m ^! elem5ts   
_c be utiliz$ 9 ! gr[? ( agricultural   
plants4 ,! only  app>5t exception to ?is
 is 9 case ( legume crops1 su* z  clov]1
 alfalfa1 peas1 beans1 & vet*1 :i* h p[]
 to utilize  ! free nitrog5 by means (  
_! symbiotic relation%ip )  c]ta9       
nitrog5-fix+ bact]ia :i* live1 or may   
live1 9  tub]cles on _! roots4    ,c>bon
 & oxyg5 con/itute ab\t n9ety p] c5t4 ( 
! dry  matt] ( ord9>y f>m crops1 & ) !  
addition ( hydrog5  v important plant   
con/itu5ts are produc$2 su* z />*1      

sug>1 fib]1 or cellulose1 :i* con/itute 
! c>bohydrate gr\p4  ,z ! "n indicates1 
?is gr\p conta9s c>bon1 hydrog51 &      
oxyg51 ! la/ two be+ pres5t 9 ! same    
proportion z 9  wat]4    ,wat] is       
compos$ ( ! two elem5ts1 hydrog5 &      
oxyg51 bo? (  :i* are gases 9 ! free    
/ate4 ,wat] is tak5 into ! plant  ?r\gh 
! roots & decompos$ 9 ! leaves 9 contact
 ) !  c>bon dioxid "u ! influ5ce (      
sunlight & ! life  pr9ciple4 ,! oxyg5 f 
! wat] & "p ( t f !  c>bon dioxid is    
giv5 (f into ! air ?r\gh ! brea?+ pores1
  :ile ! c>bon1 hydrog51 & "p ( ! oxyg51
 unite to =m  ! c>bohydrates4 ,^! ?ree  
elem5ts con/itute ab\t n9ety-five  p]   
c5t4 ( our f>m crops1 & yet e "o ( ! o!r
 sev5  plant food elem5ts is j z        
ess5tial to ! gr[? & full  developm5t ( 
! plant z are ^! ?ree4    ,!n s long z  
we h air above & moi/ure bel[1 our crops
  w n lack = c>bon1 oxyg51 & hydrog54   
,is t ! summ+  up ( ! matt]8    ,yes1   
,sir1 ,p]cy repli$4    ,& ^? ?ree       
elem5ts make up n9ety-five p] c5t4 ( our

 f>m  crops4 ,is t correct8    ,yes1    
,sir1 z an av]age4    ,well1 n[ x seems 
to me1 if nature ?us provides n9ety-five
 p]  c5t4 ( all we ne$1 we ought to f9d 
"s way ( furni%+ !  o!r five p] c5t4 ,x 
makes me ?9k ( ! "y wife :o told  h]    
husb& %e c\ld live on bread & wat]1 ) 8 
love1 & he  told h] t if %e w\ld furni% 
! bread he'd skirmi% ar\nd  & get !     
wat]4 ,b1 say1 did t ,s\? ,c>ol9a man   
use any  f]tiliz] = t imm5se crop (     
corn8    ,"s f]tiliz]1 yes4 ,he appli$  
manure & f]tiliz] f  ,febru>y till      
,june4 ,9 all he appli$ #ajjj bu%els    
7ab\t #cj tons7  ( f>m manure1 #fjj     
bu%els ( :ole cotton se$1 #ijj p\nds (  
cotton se$ meal1 #ijj p\nds ( ka9it1    
#aajj p\nds ( guano1 #bjj  p\nds ( bone 
meal1 #bjj p\nds ( acid phosphate1 &    
#djj p\nds (  sodium nitrate4    ,i w\ld
 also l to "k ! facts ab\t ?is nitrog5  
bus9ess1  said ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,i've     
und]/ood t "o c\ld get "s ( x  f ! air1 
& ,i w\ld mu* r get x t way ?an to buy x
  f ! f]tiliz] ag5t at tw5ty c5ts a     

p\nd4 ,c[peas don't  seem to help mu*1 &
 we don't h ! cotton se$1 & we nev]  h  
suffici5t manure to cov] mu* l&4    ,x  
is a rem>kable fact1 said ,p]cy1 t ( !  
t5 ess5tial  elem5ts ( plant food1      
nitrog5 is ! mo/ abundant1 measur$ by   
crop requirem5ts1 & at ! same "t ! mo/  
exp5sive4 ,! air  above an acre ( l&    
conta9s en\gh c>bon = a hundr$ bu%els  (
 corn p] acre = two ye>s1 & en\gh       
nitrog5 = five hundr$  ?\s& ye>s2 & yet 
! nitrog5 9 comm]cial f]tiliz]s co/s  f 
fifte5 to tw5ty c5ts a p\nd4 ,at        
comm]cial prices =  nitrog51 e man :o   
owns an acre ( l& is a millionaire4     
,y mean he has millions 9 ! air1 am5d$  
,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,yes1 t is ! bett] way
 to put x1 ,p]cy admitt$1 b !  fact is  
he c n only get ?is nitrog5 = no?+ by   
means (  legume crops1 b he is paid =   
gett+ x1 because ^? crops are  pr(itable
 to raise = _! own value4 ,clov]1       
alfalfa1 c[peas1  & soy beans are all   
pr(itable crops1 & !y all h p[] to  use 
! free nitrog5 ( ! air4    ,!re are a   

few important facts to be kept 9 m9d    
reg>d+  nitrog53    ,a fifty-bu%el crop 
( corn takes #ge p\nds ( nitrog5 f !    
soil4 ,( ?is am\nt ab\t #ej p\nds are 9 
! gra91 #bd p\nds are  9 ! /alks1 & #a  
p\nd 9 ! cobs4 ,a fifty-bu%el crop (    
oats  takes #dh p\nds ( nitrog5 f !     
soil1 #cc p\nds 9 ! gra91  & #ae 9 !    
/raw4 ,a tw5ty-five bu%el crop ( :eat   
also takes  #dh p\nds ( nitrog5 f !     
soil1 #cf p\nds 9 ! gra9 & #ab  9 !     
/raw4    ,^! am\nts w v>y to "s ext5t ) 
! quality ( !  crops1 j z ! weight ( a  
bu%el ( :eat v>ies f p]haps  #ef to #fd 
p\nds1 al?\gh z an av]age :eat weighs   
#fj p\nds to  ! bu%el4    ,y surely     
rememb] figures well1 rem>k$ ,mr4       
,?ornton z he made  "s notations4    ,x 
is easy to rememb] :at we ?9k ab\t mu* &
 (t51 said  ,p]cy2 z easy to rememb] t a
 ton ( c[pea hay conta9s #dc  p\nds (   
nitrog5 z t ,blairville is #ec miles f  
,ri*mond4    ,i h add$ ^? figures       
toge!r1 cont9u$ ,mr4 ,?ornton1 &  ,i f9d
 t ! ?ree crops1 corn1 oats1 & :eat1    

w\ld require  #aga p\nds ( nitrog54 ,n[ 
suppose we raise a crop ( c[peas !  f\r?
 ye>1 h[ mu* nitrog5 w\ld be add$ to !  
soil 9 !  roots & /ubble8    ,n any4    
,d y mean to say t ! roots & /ubble ( ! 
c[peas w\ld  add no nitrog5 to ! soil8  
,surely t does n agree ) !  common talk4
    ,x is ev5 worse ?an t1 said ,p]cy4  
,! c[pea roots &  /ubble w\ld conta9    
less nitrog5 ?an ! c[pea crop takes f  a
 soil capable ( yield+ ?irty bu%els (   
corn or oats4 ,only  ab\t "o-t5? ( !    
nitrog5 conta9$ 9 ! c[pea plant is  left
 9 ! roots & /ubble :5 ! crop is h>ve/$4
 ,suppose  ! yield is two tons p] acre (
 c[pea hay6 ,su* a crop w\ld  conta9    
ab\t #hf p\nds ( nitrog51 & ab\t #aj    
p\nds ( nitrog5  p] acre w\ld be left 9 
! roots & /ubble4    ,well1 t w\ldn't g 
f> t[>d replac+ ! #aga p\nds remov$  f !
 soil by ! corn1 oats1 & :eat1 t's sure1
 0 ,mr4  ,?ornton's comm5t4    ,x is    
worse ?an t1 ,p]cy repeat$4 ,l& t w     
furni% #dh  p\nds ( nitrog5 = a crop (  
oats or :eat w furni% m  ?an #aj p\nds =

 a crop ( c[peas4 ,at ! end ( su* a     
f\r-ye>  rotation su* a soil w\ld be    
ab\t #bjj p\nds poor] 9 nitrog5  p] acre
 ?an at ! beg9n+1 if all crops 7 remov$ 
&  no?+ return$4    ,h[ mu* w\ld x co/  
to put t nitrog5 back 9 comm]cial       
f]tiliz]8 ask$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,t     
dep5ds1 ( c\rse1 ^u :at k9d ( f]tiliz]  
is us$4    ,well1 mo/ p ar\nd "h :o use 
f]tiliz] buy :at ! ag5t  calls          
two-eight-two1 & its co/s ab\t "o doll> 
& fifty c5ts  a hundr$ p\nds2 b x c be  
b\ght by ! ton = ab\t  tw5ty-five       
doll>s4    ',two-eight-two' means t !   
f]tiliz] is gu>ante$ to conta9  two p]  
c5t4 ( ammonia1 eight p] c5t4 (         
available 'phosphoric  acid1' & two p]  
c5t4 ( pota%4    ,ammonia is ! same z   
nitrog51 is x n8    ,no1 x is n ! same1 
repli$ ,p]cy4 ,ammonia is a comp\nd (   
nitrog5 & hydrog54 ,9 ord] to h a cle>  
und]/&+ ( !  relation betwe5 ammonia &  
nitrog5 we only ne$ to "k !  comb9+     
weights ( ! elem5ts4 ,! smalle/ p>ticle 
( an  elem5t is call$ an atom4 ,hydrog5 

is ! lighte/ ( all !  elem5ts & ! weight
 ( ! hydrog5 atom is us$ z ! /&>d  or   
unit = ! measure ( all o!r atomic       
weights2 ?us ! atom  ( hydrog5 weighs   
"o4    ,"o :at8 int]rupt$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4
    ,no "o kn[s1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,! atom  
is extremely small1 mu*  too small to be
 se5 ) ! mo/ p[]ful microscope2 b y "k  
all ?+s are relative & we always measure
 "o ?+ 9 t]ms (  ano!r4 ,we say a foot  
is twelve in*es & an in* is "o-twelf?  (
 a foot1 & !re we /op ) a def9ition (   
ea* express$ 9  t]ms ( ! o!r1 & bo?     
dep5d+ ^u an arbitr>y /&>d  t somebody  
once adopt$2 & yet1 :ile ! foot is kn[n 
9 mo/  c\ntries1 x is r>e t two c\ntries
 h exactly ! same  /&>d = ?is measure ( 
l5g?4    ,we d n "k ! exact weight ( !  
hydrog5 atom1 b we d  "k its relative   
weight4 ,if ! hydrog5 atom weighs "o !n 
o!r  atomic weights are z foll[s3    #ab
 = c>bon  #ad = nitrog5  #af = oxyg5    
#bd = magnesium  #ca = phosphorus  #cb =
 sulfur  #ci = potassium  #dj = calcium 
#ef = iron    ,?is means t ! iron atom  

is fifty-six times z heavy z !  hydrog5 
atom4 ,^! atomic weights are absolutely 
necess>y to a  cle> und]/&+ ( ! comp\nds
 =m$ by ! union or  comb9ation ( two or 
m elem5ts4    ,"o o!r ?+ is also        
necess>y4 ,t is to keep 9 m9d !  numb] (
 bonds1 or h&s1 possess$ by ea* atom4 ,!
 atom (  hydrog5 has only "o h&1 & !    
same is true ( potassium4 ,ea*  atom (  
oxyg5 has two h&s2 s t "o oxyg5 atom c  
hold two  hydrog5 atoms 9 ! *emical     
comp\nd call$ wat] 7,h-,o-,h or ,h#bj74 
,o!r elem5ts hav+ two-h&$ atoms are     
magnesium & calcium4  ,/range to say1 ! 
sulfur atom has six h&s b sometimes uses
  only two1 ! o!rs seem+ly be+ clasp$   
toge!r 9 pairs4 ,i  w write x out = y1  
?us3    ,hydrog5 sulfid3 ,h-,s-,h or    
,h#b,s    ,sulfur dioxid3 ,o,s#j or     
,s#jb    ,! c>bon atom has f\r h&s1 &   
atoms ( nitrog5 &  phosphorus h five    
h&s1 b sometimes use only ?ree4 ,?us1 9 
! comp\nd call$ ammonia1 "o atom (      
nitrog5 always holds ?ree  atoms (      
hydrog52 s1 if y buy sev5te5 p\nds (    

ammonia y  w\ld get only f\rte5 p\nds ( 
nitrog5 & ?ree p\nds (  hydrog54 ,?is   
means t1 if ! two-eight-two f]tiliz]    
conta9s  two p] c5t4 ( ammonia1 x       
conta9s only "o & two-?irds p]  c5t4 ( !
 actual elem5t nitrog51 & a ton ( su*   
f]tiliz]  w\ld conta9 ?irty-?ree p\nds (
 nitrog54 ,9 o!r words x  w\ld take six 
tons ( su* f]tiliz] to replace ! nitrog5
  remov$ f "o acre ( l& 9 f\r ye>s if ! 
crop yields 7  fifty bu%els ( corn &    
oats1 tw5ty-five bu%els ( :eat1 &  two  
tons ( c[pea hay4    ,six tons6 ,:y1 t  
w\ld co/ a hundr$ & fifty doll>s6 ,well1
  well1 ,i ?\ght ,i knew we c\ldn't af=d
 to keep up our l& )  comm]cial         
f]tiliz]2 b ,i didn't ?9k x 0 t bad4    
,almo/  =ty doll>s an acre a ye>6    ,x 
ne$ n be q t bad1 said ,p]cy4 ,y see ?is
  two-eight-two f]tiliz] conta9s eight  
p] c5t4 ( s-call$  'phosphoric acid' &  
two p] c5t4 ( pota%1 & ^?  con/itu5ts   
may be wor? mu* m ?an ! nitrog52 b1 s f>
  z nitrog5 is conc]n$1 ! two hundr$    
p\nds w\ld co/ f  ?irty to =ty doll>s 9 

! be/ nitrog5 f]tiliz]s 9 !  m>ket1 su* 
z dri$ blood or sodium nitrate4         
,well1 ev5 t w\ld be eight or t5 doll>s 
a ye> p] acre1 &  t is z mu* z ! l& is  
wor?1 & ?is w\ldn't include any  o!r    
plant food elem5ts1 su* z 'phosphoric   
acid' & pota%4    ,no1 t mu* w\ld be    
requir$ = ! nitrog5 alone if b\ght 9    
comm]cial =m4 ,i und]/& t ! f>m]s :o use
 ?is common  comm]cial f]tiliz]1 apply  
ab\t ?ree hundr$ p\nds ( x to !  acre   
p]haps twice 9 f\r ye>s4 ,t w\ld co/    
ab\t eight  doll>s = ! f\r ye>s1 & !    
total nitrog5 appli$ 9 !  two           
applications w\ld am\nt to #aj p\nds p] 
acre4    ,x is n q correct to call      
'phosphoric acid' & pota% plant  food   
elem5ts4 ,!y are n elem5ts b comp\nds4  
,l ammonia1 :i* is "p nitrog5 & "p      
hydrog58    ,! problem is some:at       
simil>1 b n j ! same1 ,p]cy  repli$4 ,^!
 comp\nds conta9 oxyg5 & n hydrog54     
,well1 ,i und]/& t bo? oxyg5 & hydrog5  
are furni%$ by  natural processes1 !    
oxyg5 f c>bon dioxid 9 ! c>bon  cycle1 &

 ! hydrog5 f ! wat] :i* falls 9 ra94    
,t is all true1 b y really d n buy !    
hydrog5 or oxyg54  ,:ile !y are includ$ 
9 ! two-eight-two gu>antee1 ! price is  
adju/$ = t4 ,?us ! co/ ( nitrog5 w\ld be
 j ! same  :e!r y pur*ase ! f]tiliz] on 
! basis ( sev5te5 c5ts  a p\nd = !      
actual elem5t nitrog51 or f\rte5 c5ts a 
p\nd  = ! ammonia4    ,yes1 ,i see h[ t 
might be1 b ,i don't see :y ! gu>antee  
%\ld be two p] c5t4 ( ammonia in/ead (  
"o & two-?irds p]  c5t4 ( nitrog51 :5 ! 
nitrog5 is all t gives x value4    ,!re 
is no good reason = x1 said ,p]cy4 ,x is
 "o ( ^?  cu/oms t are conceiv$ 9       
ignorance & cont9u$ 9  selfi%ness4 ,x is
 v mu* simpl] to consid] ! :ole subject 
on ! basis ( actual plant food elem5ts1 
& ,i am glad to say  t _m ( ! /ate laws 
already require ! nitrog5 to be         
gu>ante$ 9 t]ms ( ! actual elem5t1 a few
 /ates n[ require  ! phosphorus &       
potassium also to be report$ on ! elem5t
  basis4    ,t is hopeful1 at lea/1 said
 ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,n[1 if ,i am n  ask+   

too _m que/ions or keep+ y "h too long1 
,i %all be  glad to h y expla9 two m    
po9ts t come to my m9d3  ,fir/1 h[ mu* (
 t two hundr$ p\nds ( nitrog5 c ,i put  
back 9 ! manure produc$ on ! f>m2 &1    
second1 j :at is  meant by pota% &      
phosphoric acid8    ,p]cy made a few    
computations & !n repli$3 ,if y sell !  
:eat2 fe$ all ! corn1 oats1 & c[pea hay 
& half ( ! /raw  & corn fodd]1 & use !  
o!r half = b$d+2 &1 if y  save          
absolutely all ( ! manure produc$1      
includ+ bo? ! solid  & liquid excrem5t2 
!n x w\ld be possible to recov] &       
return to ! l& ab\t #agc p\nds ( nitrog5
 dur+ ! f\r  ye>s1 comp>$ ) ! #bjj p\nds
 tak5 f ! soil4    ,i c't und]/& t1 said
 ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,h[ c t be :5  "o ( !   
crops is c[peas8    ,9 av]age live-/ock 
& dairy f>m+1 ,p]cy cont9u$1 ab\t       
"o-f\r? ( ! nitrog5 conta9$ 9 ! food    
consum$ is  reta9$ 9 ! milk & animal    
gr[?1 & y c make !  computations =      
y\rself4 ,x %\ld be kept 9 m9d1 moreov]1
 t  mu* ( ! manure produc$ on ! av]age  

f>m is wa/$4 ,m ?an  half ( ! nitrog5 is
 9 ! liquid excrem5t1 & x is extremely  
difficult to prev5t loss ( ! liquid     
manure4 ,!re is also l>ge  loss (       
nitrog5 f ! f]m5tation ( manure 9 piles2
 & :5  y smell ammonia 9 ! /able1 see ! 
manure pile /eam+1 or  color$ liquid    
soak+ into ! gr\nd b5ea?1 or fl[+ away 9
  ra9y wea!r1 y may "k t nitrog5 is be+ 
lo/4 ,h[ _m  tons ( manure c y apply to 
y\r l& "u su* a sy/em (  f>m+ z we h be5
 discuss+8    ,well1 ,i've figur$ a good
 deal on manure1 0 ! reply1 & ,i  ?9k ) 
f\r fields produc+ su* crops z y c\nt$  
on1 t  ,i c\ld possibly put t5 or twelve
 tons to ! acre on "o field  e ye>4     
,t w\ld return f #ajj to #abj p\nds (   
nitrog52 said ,p]cy1  in/ead ( ! #agc   
p\nds possible to be return$ if !re is  
no  loss4 ,!re are ?ree me?ods t may be 
us$ to r$uce ! loss (  manure3 ,"o ( ^! 
is to d ! fe$+ on ! fields4 ,ano!r is   
to haul ! manure f ! /able e day or two 
& spread x on  ! l&4 ,! ?ird is to all[ 
! manure to accumulate 9 deep  /alls =  

sev]al weeks1 us+ pl5ty ( b$d+ to absorb
 !  liquid & keep ! animals clean1 & !n 
haul & spread x :5  conv5i5t4    ,i'm   
afraid t la/ me?od w\ld n d at all = !  
dairy  f>m]1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,y see 
we h to keep ?+s v  clean & 9 sanit>y   
condition4    ,mo/ (t5 ! cleane/ & mo/  
sanit>y me?od ! av]age f>m]  has ( h&l+ 
! manure 9 dairy+1 said ,p]cy1 is to    
keep x  buri$ z mu* z possible "u pl5ty 
( clean b$d+2 & "o (  ! wor/ me?ods is  
to ov]haul x e day by 'clean+' !  /able1
 unless y c\ld h concrete floors        
?r\gh\t1 & flu%  !m well once or twice a
 day1 ?us los+ a consid]able "p (  !    
valuable excrem5t4 ,if y all[ ! manure  
to accumulate =  sev]al weeks at a "t1 x
 is be/ to h suffici5t room 9 !  /able  
or %$ s t ! c[s ne$ n be ti$4 ,if all[$ 
to run  loose !y w f9d clean places to  
lie d[n ev5 dur+ ! night4    ,9 case (  
horses1 ! manure c be kept buri$ =      
sev]al weeks  if "s means are us$ to    
prev5t ! escape ( ammonia4 ,cattle      
produce :at is call$ a 'cold' manure1   

:ile x is call$ 'hot'  f horses because 
x decomposes s readily4 ,"o ( ! be/     
sub/ances to use = ! prev5tion ( loss ( 
ammonia 9 horse  /ables is acid         
phosphate1 :i* has p[] to unite )       
ammonia &  hold x 9 a fix$ comp\nd4     
,ab\t "o p\nd ( acid phosphate p]  day =
 ea* horse %\ld be spr9kl$ ov] ! manure4
 ,( c\rse  ! phosphorus conta9$ 9 ! acid
 phosphate has consid]able  value = its 
own sake1 & c>e %\ld be tak5 t y d n    
lose m phosphorus f ! acid phosphate    
appli$ ?an ! value  ( all ! ammonia sav$
 by ?is means4 ,por\s e>? floors may    
absorb v consid]able am\nts ( liquid f  
wet manure ly+  und]nea? ! dry b$d+1 & !
 acid phosphate sometimes injures  !    
horses' feet2 s t1 z a rule1 x is bett] 
to clean !  horse /ables e day & supply 
phosphorus 9 raw phosphate at  "o-f\r? (
 its co/ 9 acid phosphate4    ,be=e we  
leave ! nitrog5 "q1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton1 
,i want  to ask if y c sugge/ h[ we c   
get en\gh ( ! sev]al  million doll>s'   
wor? we h 9 ! air to supply ! ne$s ( our

  crops & build up our l&8    ,gr[ m    
legumes1 & pl[ m "u1 ei!r directly or 9 
manure4    ,t s\nds easy1 b c y sugge/  
"s practical sy/em8    ,i ?9k s4 ,i "k  
too little ( y\r conditions to ?9k ,i   
c\ld  sugge/ ! be/ sy/em = y to adopt2 b
 ,i c surely sugge/  "o t w supply      
nitrog5 = su* crop yields z we h        
consid]$3 ,suppose we *ange ! ord] ( !  
crops & gr[ :eat1  corn1 oats1 & c[peas1
 & gr[ clov] ) ! :eat & oats1  pl[+ !   
clov] "u 9 ! spr+ z gre5 manure = corn &
  c[peas4 ,if necess>y to prev5t ! clov]
 or we$s f produc+  se$1 ! field may be 
clipp$ ) ! m[] 9 ! late summ]  :5 !     
clov] has made "s gr[? aft] ! :eat &    
oats h  be5 remov$4 ,leave ?is season's 
gr[? ly+ on ! l&4 ,z an  av]age x %\ld  
am\nt to m ?an half a ton ( hay p] acre4
  ,! next spr+ ! clov] is all[$ to gr[ =
 sev]al weeks4 ,x  %\ld be pl[$ "u =    
corn on "o field e>ly 9 ,may & two or   
?ree weeks lat] ! o!r field is pl[$ =   
c[peas4 ,! spr+  gr[? %\ld av]age ne>ly 
a ton ( clov] hay p] acre4 ,9 ?is  way  

clov] equival5t to ab\t ?ree tons ( hay 
c\ld be pl[$  "u4 ,clov] hay conta9s #dj
 p\nds ( nitrog5 p] ton2 s ?is  w\ld    
supply ab\t #abj p\nds ( nitrog5 9      
addition to ! #agc  p\nds possible to be
 suppli$ 9 ! manure4 ,?is w\ld make     
possible a total return ( #bic p\nds1   
:ile we figur$ "s #bjj  p\nds remov$4 ,(
 c\rse if y save only #ajj p\nds 9 !    
manure  ! am\nt return$ w\ld be r$uc$ to
 #bbj p\nds4    ,!re are two que/ionable
 po9ts 9 ?is plan1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton1  
"o is ! impossibility1 or at lea/ !     
difficulty1 ( gr[+  clov] on ?is l&4 ,! 
o!r po9t is1 ,h[ mu* ( t #abj p\nds  (  
nitrog5 return$ 9 ! clov] is tak5 f !   
soil itself8 ,i  rememb] y figur$ #hf   
p\nds ( nitrog5 9 two tons ( c[pea  hay1
 b y also assum$ t ab\t #bi p\nds ( x   
w\ld be tak5  f ! soil4    ,yes1 t is   
true1 ,p]cy repli$1 at lea/ #bi p\nds & 
probably m4 ,y see ! c[peas gr[ dur+ !  
same mon?s z  corn & on l& prep>$ 9 ab\t
 ! same mann]4 ,if ! soil w  furni% #ge 
p\nds ( nitrog5 to ! corn crop1 & #dh   

p\nds to !  oats & :eat1 x w\ld surely  
furni% #bi p\nds to ! c[peas4 ,(  c\rse 
?is p>ticul> am\nt has no special       
significance1 b !  o!r def9ite am\nts   
remov$ 9 corn1 oats1 & :eat aggregate   
#aga & ! #bi p\nds 7 add$ to make ! r\nd
 #bjj p\nds4  ,p]haps #baj p\nds w\ld be
 ne>] ! tru?1 9 :i* case ! soil  w\ld   
furni% ab\t half z mu* nitrog5 to !     
c[pea crop z to  ! corn crop4 ,?is is   
reasonable consid]+ t corn is ! fir/    
crop gr[n aft] ! manure is appli$4 ,y w 
rememb] t only  "o-t5? ( ! total nitrog5
 ( ! c[pea plant rema9s 9 !  roots &    
/ubble8    ,yes1 t's :at we figur$ on4  
,! c[pea is an annual plant4 ,x is      
plant$1 produces its se$1  & dies ! same
 season4 ,x has no ne$ to /ore up       
mat]ial 9 !  roots = future use4        
,consequ5tly ! sub/ance ( ! root is     
l>gely tak5 into ! tops z ! plan        
approa*es maturity4 ,x is  diff]5t ) !  
clov] plant4 ,?is is a bi5nial ) "s     
t5d5cy t[>d ! p]5nial plant4 ,x lives   
long & develops an  ext5sive root sy/em1

 & its /ores up mat]ial 9 ! roots  dur+ 
"p ( its life = use at a lat] p]iod4    
,ab\t "o-?ird  ( ! total nitrog5 cont5t 
( ! clov] plant is conta9$ 9  ! roots & 
/ubble4 ,?is means t ! roots & /ubble ( 
a  two-ton crop ( clov] w\ld conta9 ab\t
 =ty p\nds ( nitrog51  or m ?an we      
assum$ 0 tak5 f ! soil by ! c[peas4 ,b  
!re is /ill ano!r po9t 9 favor ( !      
clov]4 ,! c[peas  make _! gr[? dur+ !   
summ] mon?s :5 nitrification is  mo/    
active1 :]eas ! clov] gr[? we h c\nt$ on
 occurs  *iefly dur+ ! fall & spr+ :5   
nitrification is mu* less  active1      
consequ5tly ! clov] probably takes ev5 a
 l>g]  proportion ( its nitrog5 f ! air 
?an we h c\nt$ on4    ,t is r confus+1  
said ,mr4 ,?ornton1 y say ! c[pea  gr[s 
:5 nitrification is mo/ active1 & yet y 
say t x  takes less nitrog5 f ! air ?an 
clov]4 ,isn't t some:at  contradictory8 
,i ?9k n1 said ,p]cy4 ,let me see4--,j  
:at d y und]/&  by nitrification8       
,gett+ nitrog5 f ! air1 is x n8    ,no1 
no4 ,t expla9s x4 ,gett+ nitrog5 f ! air

 is call$  nitrog5 fixation4 ,?is action
 is c>ri$ on by ! nitrog5-fix+  bact]ia1
 su* z ! clov] bact]ia1 ! soy bean      
bact]ia1 !  alfalfa bact]ia1 :i*1 by !  
way1 are evid5tly ! same z !  bact]ia ( 
sweet clov]1 or mellilotus4 ,!n we also 
h !  c[pea bact]ia1 & ^! seem to be !   
same z ! bact]ia (  ! wild p>tridge pea1
 a k9d ( s5sitive plant ) yell[  fl[]s1 
& a t9y goblet /&+ upright at ! base (  
ea*  comp\nd leaf1--! plant call$       
,cassia ,*amaecri/a by !  botani/4      
,nitrification is an altoge!r--         
,well1 ,i decl>e6 ,excuse me1 ,sir1 b   
t's ,*>lie call+ !  c[s4 ,scotts1 ,i    
don't see :]e ! "t has gone6 ,y'll      
excuse me1  ,sir1 b ,i mu/ look aft]    
sep>at+ ! cream4 ,y w greatly  oblige   
me1 ,mr4 ,john/on1 if y w h d9n] ) u &  
%>e  our home to-night4 ,9 addition to !
 pleasure ( y\r company1 ,i  confess t  
,i am mightily int]e/$ 9 ?is subject2 & 
,i w\ld  l especially to get a cle>     
und]/&+ ( t nitrification  process1 &   
we've n _h "t to discuss ! pota% &      

'phosphoric acid1' :i* ,i "k co/ "s (   
our f>m]s a good "p  ( all !y get = _!  
crops1 & /ill _! l&s are z poor  z ev]4 
,i appreciate v mu* y\r k9d invitation1 
,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,i came  to y = correct  
in=mation reg>d+ ! agricultural         
conditions  "h1 & y 7 v k9d & indulg5t  
to answ] my blunt  que/ions1 ev5 conc]n+
 y\r own f>m practice & exp]i5ce4 ,i    
feel1 ,sir1 t ,i am already greatly     
indebt$ to y1 b x w  c]ta9ly be a great 
pleasure to me to rema9 ) y to-night4   
,= m ?an two h\rs !y _h be5 /&+1 lean+1 
or sitt+  9 a field beside a %ock (     
c[pea hay1 ,p]cy toy+ ) 8 soil  aug]1 & 
,mr4 ,?ornton mak+ records n[ & !n 9 8  
pocket  note book4              ,,*apt] 
,,xv    ,,co$ucation            ,,p]cy  
took a lesson 9 turn+ ! cream sep>ator &
 aft] d9n]  ,mrs4 ,?ornton assur$ him t 
%e & h] si/] 7 greatly  disappo9t$ t !y 
_h n be5 p]mitt$ to he> ! discussion    
conc]n+ ! use ( sci5ce on ! f>m4    ,we 
h nev] =sak5 our belief t ^! old f>ms c 
aga9 be  made to yield b\ntiful crops1  

%e said1 z ours did = s _m  ye>s "u !   
managem5t ( our ance/ors4 ',hope spr+s  
et]nal  9 ! human brea/4' ,i /op ) t =  
,i d n l ! re/ (  ! c\plet4 ,we c see t 
"s m>k$ progress has be5 made  "u my    
husb&'s managem5t1 al?\gh he feels t x  
is v  sl[ "w build+ up a run-d[n f>m4 ,b
 he has rais$ "s f9e  crops on ! fields 
"u cultivation1--z mu* z t5 b>rels (    
corn to ! acre1 h y n1 ,de>8 %e ask$4   
,yes1 fully t mu*1 b ev5 t5 b>rels p]   
acre on "o small  field is no?+ comp>$  
to ! great fields ( corn ,mr4 ,john/on  
raises 9 ! ,we/4 & x makes a mighty     
small %[ "h on a  n9e-hundr$-acre f>m1  
mo/ ( :i* hasn't be5 cropp$ = m  ?an    
tw5ty ye>s2 & ev5 !n x 0 giv5 up because
 ! negro  t5ants c\ldn't raise corn     
en\gh to live on4    ,i've talk$ "s ) ! 
f]tiliz] ag5ts1 b !y don't "k  mu* ab\t 
f]tiliz]s1 except :at !y read 9 !       
te/imonials  publi%$ 9 ! adv]tis+       
booklets4 ,i h _h "s good help  f !     
agricultural pap]s1 b mo/ t is writt5 = 
!  pap]s doesn't apply to our f>m1 & x's

 s indef9ite &  incomplete1 t ,i've j   
sp5t ?is :ole ev5+ ask+ ,mr4  ,john/on  
que/ions2 & ,i hav5't giv5 him a *ance  
to answ] !m  all yet4    ,i am sure y h 
n ask$ m que/ions ?is aft]noon ?an ,i   
did ?is =5oon1 ,p]cy rem>k$2 & all y\r  
answ]s 7 bas$  on au!ntic hi/ory or     
actual exp]i5ce1 :ile my answ]s 7  only 
:at ,i h le>n$ f o!rs4    ,well1 if we 7
 m ready to le>n f o!rs1 x w\ld be      
bett] = all ( u1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton4    
,exp]i5ce is a mighty  de> tea*] &1 ev5 
if we f9ally le>n ! lesson1 x may be too
  ev]la/+ late = u to apply x4 ,n[ we   
all want to le>n ab\t  t process call$  
nitrification4    ,x is an extremely    
int]e/+ & important process1 said ,p]cy4
  ,x includes ! /ages or /eps by :i* !  
insoluble organic  nitrog5 ( ! soil is  
conv]t$ into soluble nitrate nitrog51 9 
:i* =m x become available z food = all (
 our agricultural  plants4    ,except+ !
 legumes8 ask$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4           
,except+ none1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,! legume  
plants1 l clov]1  take nitrog5 f ! soil 

s f> z !y c secure x 9  available =m1 & 
9 ?is respect clov] is n diff]5t f      
corn4 ,! respect 9 :i* x is diff]5t is !
 p[] ( clov] to  secure additional      
supplies ( nitrog5 f ! air :5 ! soil's  
available supply becomes inadequate to  
meet ! ne$s ( ! gr[+  clov]4 ,if !      
conditions are suitable =               
nitrog5-fixation1 !n  ! gr[? ( ! legume 
plants ne$ n be limit$ by lack (        
nitrog52 :]eas1 nitrog5 is probably !   
elem5t t fir/  limits ! gr[? & yield (  
all o!r crops on y\r common  soils4     
,n[1 :at d y ?9k ( t1 ,girls8 ,)        
millions ( doll>s'  wor? ( nitrog5 9 !  
air ov] e acre1 our crops are poor  j   
because we don't use x4 ,i wi% y w\ld   
tell me some?+  ab\t ! suitable         
conditions = nitrog5-fixation1 ,mr4     
,john/on4  ,y und]/&1 ,girls1 t         
nitrog5-fixation is simply gett+        
nitrog5 f ! inexhau/ible supply 9 ! air 
by means ( little  microscopic organisms
 call$ bact]ia1 :i* live 9 little balls 
call$ tub]cles atta*$ to ! roots ( c]ta9

 plants call$  legumes1 l c[peas &      
clov]4 ,corn & :eat & su* crops  c't get
 ?is nitrog54 ,n[1 ,mr4 ,john/on is     
tell+ ab\t  nitrification1 a process :i*
 is entirely diff]5t f                  
nitrog5-fixation4 ,excuse me1 ,mr4      
,john/on1 b ,i want$ to make  ?is pla9  
to ,mrs4 ,?ornton & ,miss ,russell4     
,i am glad y did s1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,z ,i 
0 say+1  nitrification has no connection
 :atev] ) ! free nitrog5 (  ! air4      
,all plants take _! food 9 solution2 t  
is1 ! plant food  tak5 f ! soil mu/ be  
dissolv$ 9 ! soil wat] or moi/ure4  ,( !
 ess5tial elem5ts ( plant food1 sev5 are
 tak5 f !  soil ?r\gh ! roots into !    
plant4 ,^! sev5 d n include  ^? ( :i*   
wat] itself is compos$4 ,n[1 ^! sev5    
plant food  elem5ts exi/ 9 ! soil almo/ 
exclusively 9 an insoluble =m4  ,9 t    
condition !y are n available to ! plant 
= plant  food2 & x is ! bus9ess ( ! f>m]
 to make ?is plant food  available z fa/
 z is ne$$ by 8 gr[+ crops4    ,!       
nitrog5 ( ! soil exi/s 9 ! organic      

matt]2 t is1 9  su* mat]ials z plant    
roots1 we$s1 & /ubble1 t may h  be5 pl[$
 "u1 or any k9d ( vegetable mak]        
incorporat$ )  ! soil1 includ+ all sorts
 ( crop residues1 gre5 manures1 &  !    
common f>m f]tiliz]s f ! /ables4 ,:5 ^! 
organic  mat]ials are decompos$ &       
dis9tegrat$ to su* an ext5t t  _!       
/ructure is completely de/roy$1 !       
result+ mass (  p>tially decay$ black   
organic matt] is call$ humus4 ,! nitrog5
  ( ! soil is "o ( ! con/itu5ts ( ?is   
humus or o!r  organic matt]4 ,x is n    
conta9$ 9 ! m9]al p>ticles ( !  soil4   
,on ! o!r h& ! o!r six elem5ts ( plant  
food are  conta9$ l>gely 9 ! m9]al "p ( 
! soil1 z ! clay1  silt1 & s&4 ?us !    
iron1 calcium1 magnesium1 & potassium1  
all ( :i* are call$ abundant elem5ts1   
are conta9$ 9 !  m9]al matt]1 & usually 
9 consid]able am\nts1 :ile !y are  f\nd 
9 ! organic matt] 9 v small proportion4 
,! phosphorus  & sulfur are f\nd 9 v    
limit$ quantities 9 mo/ soils1 b  !y are
 pres5t 9 bo? organic & m9]al =m4       

,practically ! entire /ock or /ore ( all
 ( ! elem5ts 9 !  soil is insoluble &   
consequ5tly unavailable = ! use (  gr[+ 
plants2 &1 z ,i said1 "s ( ! *ief plans 
& ef=ts  ( ! f>m] %\ld be direct$ to !  
bus9ess ( mak+ plant  food available4   
,! nitrog5 conta9$ 9 ! insoluble organic
 matt] ( ! soil  is made soluble &      
available by ! process call$            
nitrification4  ,?ree diff]5t k9ds (    
bact]ia are requir$ to br+ ab\t !       
complete *ange4    ,are ^! bact]ia      
diff]5t f ! nitrog5 fix+ bact]ia8  ask$ 
,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,entirely diff]5t1    
,p]cy repli$1 & !re are ?ree di/9ct     
k9ds1 "o = ea* ( ! ?ree /eps 9 !        
process4    ,! fir/ may be call$ ammonia
 bact]ia4 ,!y h p[] to  conv]t organic  
nitrog5 into ammonia nitrog52 t is1 into
 !  comp\nd ( nitrog5 & hydrog52 & ?is  
/ep 9 ! process is  call$               
ammonification4    ,! o!r two k9ds are !
 true nitrify+ bact]ia4 ,"o ( !m        
conv]ts ! ammonia into nitrites1 & ! o!r
 *anges !  nitrites into nitrates4 ,^!  

two k9ds are kn[n z ! nitrite  bact]ia &
 ! nitrate bact]ia4    ,te*nically ! la/
 two /eps 9 ! process are nitrification 
prop]2 b1 speak+ g5]ally1 ! t]m         
nitrification is us$ to  include ! ?ree 
/eps1 or bo? ammonification &           
nitrification  prop]4    ,n[1 ! nitrify+
 bact]ia require c]ta9 conditions1      
o!rwise  !y w n p]=m _! functions4      
,among ^! ess5tial  conditions are !    
pres5ce ( moi/ure & free oxyg51 a supply
 (  c>bonates1 c]ta9 food mat]ials = !  
bact]ia !mselves1 &  a temp]ature )9    
c]ta9 limits4    ,y may rememb]1 ,mr4   
,?ornton1 t m soil nitrog5 is made      
available = c[peas dur+ ! summ] wea!r   
?an = clov]  dur+ ! cool] fall & spr+8  
,yes1 ,i rememb] t di/9ction4    ,i     
decl>e1 said ,miss ,russell1 ,tom talks 
z ?\gh he _h be5  !re & se5 ! ?+s go+   
on4 ,i hav5't se5 y us+ any  microscope4
    ,well1 ,i tell y1 ,i've mighty ne>  
se5 'em1 0 ! reply4 ,mr4  ,john/on makes
 ev]y?+ s pla9 t ,i c mighty ne> see :at
  he saw :5 he look$ ?r\gh ! microscope4

    ,i greatly enjoy$ my microscopic "w1
 said ,p]cy1 & /ill m  ! "w 9 ! *emical 
laboratory :]e we f9ally le>n$ to       
analyze soils1 to take !m ap>t & see :at
 !y conta91--h[  mu* nitrog5 h[ mu*     
phosphorus1 h[ mu* lime/one1 or h[ mu*  
soil acidity1 :i* means t lime/one is   
ne$$4 ,!n ,i also  enjoy$ ! "w 9 !      
pot-culture laboratory1 :]e we le>n$ n  
to analyze b to syn!size2 t is1 to put  
diff]5t mat]ials  toge!r to make a soil4
 ,?us1 we w\ld make "o soil & put 9 all 
( ! ess5tial plant food elem5ts except  
nitrog51 & ano!r  ) only phosphorus     
lack+1 & /ill ano!r ) bo? nitrog5  &    
phosphorus pres5t1 & all ( ! o!r        
ess5tial elem5ts  provid$1 except       
potassium1 or magnesium1 or iron4 ,^!   
prep>$  soils 7 put 9 glass j>s hav+ a  
hole 9 ! bottom =  dra9age1 & !n ! same 
k9d ( se$s 7 plant$ 9 ea* j>  or pot4   
,"s /ud5ts plant$ corn1 o!rs oats or    
:eat or any k9d  ( f>m se$s4 ,i grew    
rape plants 9 "o s]ies ( pots1 & ,i h  a
 photograph ) me :i* %[s v well t all ( 

! plant  food elem5ts are ess5tial4     
,y see "o pot conta9$ no plant food & "o
 0 prep>$ )  all ( ! t5 ess5tial elem5ts
 provid$4 ,!n ! o!r pots  conta9$ all b 
"o ( ! necess>y soil elem5ts1 z indicat$
  9 ! photograph4    ,:y1 ,i nev] saw   
any?+ l t1 said ,mrs4 ,?ornton4    ,b ,i
 h _m a "t1 said h] husb&1 "r "h on ?is 
old  f>m2 ,i don't "k :at's lack+1 (    
c\rse1 b "s ye>s ,i've  ?\ght mo/ ev]y?+
 0 lack+4 ,b1 accord+ to ?is            
pot-culture te/1 y c't raise any crops  
if j "o ( ^! t5  elem5ts is lack+1 no   
matt] h[ mu* y h ( ! o!r n9e2  & x seems
 to make no diff]5ce :i* "o is lack+1 y 
don't  get any crop4 ,is t ! fact1 ,mr4 
,john/on8    ,"o pot ) no plant food1 & 
"o ) all ! ess5tial elem5ts  provid$1 & 
/ill o!rs ) b "o elem5t lack+4 ,all     
plant$  ! same day & c>$ = alike4       
,yes1 ,sir1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,:]e all ( !  
elem5ts are provid$1  a f9e crop is     
produc$1 b 9 ea* case :]e a s+le elem5t 
is  omitt$ t is ! only diff]5ce1 & 9 "s 
cases ! result is  worse ?an :]e no     

plant food is suppli$4 ,x seems to hurt 
!  plant worse to ?r[ its food supply   
completely out ( balance ?an  to leave x
 ) no?+ except :at x draws f ! meag]    
/ore  9 ! se$ plant$4 ,( c\rse all !    
pots 7 plant$ ) !  same k9d ( se$ at !  
same "t1 & !y 7 all wat]$  uni=mly e    
day4    ,^? results are v /rik+1 inde$1 
said ,miss ,russell1 b ,i  suppose "o   
w\ld nev] see su* m>k$ diff]5ces "u f>m 
conditions8    ,only "u unusual or      
abnormal conditions1 ,p]cy repli$1 b !  
fact is t z a v g5]al rule our crop     
yields are limit$  *iefly because !     
supply ( available plant food is limit$4
  ,sometimes ! clov] crop is a complete 
failure on untreat$ l&1  :ile x lives & 
produces a good crop if ! soil is       
prop]ly  treat$2 & 9 su* cases !        
diff]5ce develop$ 9 ! field is  j z m>k$
 z 9 ! pot-cultures4 ,9 g5]al we may set
 x d[n  z an absolute fact t !          
productive p[] ( normal l& dep5ds       
prim>ily ^u ! ability ( ! soil to fe$ ! 
crop4    ,i h "h a photograph ( a corn  

field on v abnormal soil4  ,!y _h !     
negative at ! ,exp]im5t ,/ation & ,i    
secur$ a  pr9t f x1 9 "p because ,i     
became int]e/$ 9 a /ory  connect$ ) ?is 
exp]im5t field1 :i* our pr(essor ( soil 
f]tility report$ to u4    ,?is %[s a    
field ( corn gr[+ on peaty swamp l&1 (  
:i*  !re are sev]al hundr$ ?\s& acres 9 
! swamp regions (  ,ill9ois1 ,indiana1 &
 ,wiscons94 ,?is peaty soil is extremely
 ri*  9 humus & nitrog51 well suppli$ ) 
phosphorus & o!r  elem5ts1 except       
potassium2 b 9 ?is elem5t x is extremely
  defici5t4 ,?is l& 0 dra9$ out at l>ge 
exp5se1 & produc$  two or ?ree l>ge     
crops because ! fre% grass roots conta9$
  "s readily available potassium2 b aft]
 ?ree or f\r ye>s !  corn crop became a 
complete failure1 z y see f ! untreat$  
*eck plot on ! "r2 :ile ! l& on ! left1 
:]e potassium  0 appli$1 produc$        
=ty-five bu%els p] acre ! ye> ?is       
photograph 0 tak51 & ) heavi] treatm5t f
 sixty to  sev5ty-five bu%els are       
produc$4    ,sev5ty-five bu%els w\ld be 

fifte5 b>rels ( corn p] acre4  ,h['s t1 
,little ,wife8 ask$ ,tom4    ,x's ev5 m 
wond]ful ?an ! pot culture1 repli$ ,mrs4
  ,?ornton2 b h[ mu* did ! potassium    
co/1 ,mr4 ,john/on4    ,ab\t ?ree doll>s
 an acre1 repli$ ,p]cy2 b ( c\rse !  l& 
has almo/ no value if n treat$2 & z a   
matt] ( fact !  ?ree doll>s is less ?an 
half ! int]e/ on ! diff]5ce 9  value    
betwe5 ?is l& & our ord9>y corn belt l&4
 ,^! peaty  swamp l&s are to a l>ge     
ext5t 9 scatt]$ areas1 & commonly1  if a
 f>m] owns "s ( ?is k9d ( l&1 he also   
owns "s o!r  good l&1 p]haps adjo9+ !   
swamp2 b ?is is n always !  case1 & 0 n 
) ! man 9 ! /ory ,i m5tion$4 ,?is man   
liv$ a few miles away & 8 f>m 0         
practically all ( ?is  peaty swamp l&   
type4 ,he he>d ( ?is exp]im5t field &   
came  ) 8 family to see x4    ,z he /ood
 look+1 fir/ at ! corn on ! treat$ &    
untreat$  l&1 & !n at 8 wife & l>ge     
family ( *ildr51 he broke  d[n & cri$ l 
a *ild4 ,lat] he expla9$ to !           
sup]9t5d5t :o 0 %[+ him ! exp]im5ts1 t  

he _h put  ! be/ ( 8 life into t k9d (  
l&4 ',! l& look$ ri*1'  said he1--'z ri*
 z any l& ,i ev] saw4 ,i b\ght x & dra9$
  x & built my home on a s&y knoll4 ,!  
fir/ crops 7 fairly  good1 & we hop$ =  
bett] crops2 b in/ead !y grew worse &   
worse4 ,we rais$ :at we c\ld on a small 
pat* ( s&y l&1 &  kept try+ to f9d out  
:at we c\ld gr[ on ?is black bogus l&4  
,sometimes ,i help$ ! neighbors & got a 
little money1 b my wife  & ,i & my old] 
*ildr5 h wa/$ tw5ty ye>s on ?is l&4     
,pov]ty1 pov]ty1 always6 ,h[ 0 ,i to "k 
t ?is s+le  sub/ance :i* y call         
potassium 0 all we ne$$ to make ?is  l& 
productive & valuable8 ,oh1 if ,i _h    
only kn[n ?is tw5ty  ye>s ago1 be=e my  
wife _h work$ l a slave1--be=e my       
*ildr5 _h gr[n almo/ to manhood &       
womanhood1 9 pov]ty &  ignorance6'      
,:y wasn't ! matt] inve/igat$ soon]8    
ask$ ,miss ,russell4  ,:y didn't !      
gov]nm5t f9d out :at ! l& ne$$ long     
be=e8    ,i am a ,yankee1 said ,p]cy4   
,:y h ,am]ican /atesm5 ridd5  back & =? 

to ! national capitol ?r\gh a wild]ness 
(  deplet$ & ab&on$ f>ms 9 ! ea/]n /ates
 = half a  c5tury or m be=e ! fir/      
appropriation 0 made = !  purpose (     
agricultural inve/igation8 & :y1 ev5 n[1
 does n  ?is ri* f$]al gov]nm5t         
appropriate to ! agricultural  exp]im5t 
/ation 9 e /ate a fund at lea/ equal to 
!  aggregate sal>ies ( ! congressm5 f ! 
same /ate1 ?is fund  to be us$          
exclusively = ! purpose ( discov]+ &    
demon/rat+ pr(itable sy/ems ( p]man5t   
agriculture on e  type ( soil8 ,:y d we 
z a nation exp5d five hundr$ million    
doll>s annually = ! developm5t ( ! army 
& navy1 & only  fifte5 millions =       
agriculture1 ! "o indu/ry ^: ultimate   
prosp]ity mu/ measure ! de/9y ( !       
nation8    ,morali/s sometimes tell u t 
! fall ( ! ,babylonian ,empire1  ! fall 
( ! ,egyptian ,empire1 ( ! ,grecian     
,empire1 & !  ,roman ,empire1 7 all due 
to ! developm5t ( pride &  immorality   
among ^? peoples2 :]eas1 we believe t   
civilization t5ds r t[>d peace1         

security1 & high]  citiz5%ip4 ,is n !   
*ief explanation = ! ultimate &         
successive fall ( ^? great empires to be
 f\nd 9 ! exhau/$  or wa/$ agricultural 
res\rces ( ! c\ntry8    ,! l& t once    
fl[$ ) milk & honey might !n support a  
mighty empire1 ) indep5d5t res\rces     
suffici5t = times (  great em]g5cies1 b 
n[ t l& seems almo/ b>r5 &  supports a  
few w&]+ b&s ( m>aud+ ,arabs & villages 
(  begg>s4    ,! p[] & _w influ5ce ( a  
nation mu/ pass away ) !  pass+ (       
mat]ial res\rces2 = pov]ty is helpless1 
&  ignorance is ! inevitable result (   
cont9u$ pov]ty4 ,only !  prosp]\s c af=d
 education or tra9$ intellig5ce4    ,old
 l& is poor] ?an new l&4 ,!re are       
exceptions1 b ?is is  ! rule4 ,! fact is
 kn[n & recogniz$ by all ,am]ica4       
,:at does x mean8 ,x means t ! practice 
( ! pa/ &  pres5t art ( agriculture     
leads t[>d l& ru91--n only 9  ,*9a1 :]e 
fam9e & />vation are common1 not)/&+ t  
?\s&s & ?\s&s ( ,*9ese are employ$      
con/antly 9 sav+  e p>ticle ( f]tiliz+  

mat]ial1 ev5 ga!r+ ! human  excrem5ts f 
e h\se & by-place 9 village & c\ntry1 z 
c>efully z our f>m]s ga!r honey f _!    
hives2 n only 9  ,india :]e />vation's  
gho/ is always pres5t1 :]e1 z a rule1   
!re are m hungry p ?an ! total          
population ( ! ,unit$  ,/ates2 n only 9 
,russia :]e fam9e is frequ5t2 b1        
likewise  9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ( ,am]ica1 !
 pres5t practice ( ! art (  agriculture 
t5ds t[>d l& ru94    ,nations rise &    
fall2 s does ! productive p[] ( va/     
areas  ( l&4 ,bett] dra9age1 bett] se$1 
bett] implem5ts1 & m  ?or\gh tillage1   
all t5d t[>d l>g] crops1 b !y also t5d  
t[>d ultimate l& ru91 = ! removal ( l>g]
 crops only  ha/5s soil depletion4      
,to br+ ab\t ! adoption ( sy/ems ( f>m+ 
t w re/ore  our deplet$ ,ea/]n & ,s\!rn 
soils1 & t w ma9ta9 or  increase !      
productive p[] ( our rema9+ f]tile l&s (
 !  ,great ,c5tral ,we/1 :]e we are n[  
produc+ half ( ! total  corn crop ( !   
entire _w1 is n only ! mo/ important    
mat]ial problem ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 b to 

br+ ?is ab\t is  wor?y (1 & w require1 !
 be/ ?\ght ( ! mo/  influ5tial m5 (     
,am]ica4 ,)\t a prosp]\s agriculture "h 
!re c be no p]man5t prosp]ity = our     
,am]ican in/itutions4  ,:ile "s small   
c\ntries c support !mselves by conduct+ 
trade1 comm]ce1 & manufacture1 = o!r    
c\ntries1 ,am]ican  agriculture mu/ n   
only be self-support+1 b1 9 l>ge degree1
  agriculture mu/ support our o!r great 
indu/ries4    ,)\t agriculture1 ! coal &
 iron w\ld rema9 9 ! e>?1  ! =e/ w\ld be
 left uncut1 ! railroads w\ld be ab&on$1
  ! cities depopulat$1 & ! wood$ l&s &  
wat]-ways w\ld  aga9 be us$ only = hunt+
 & fi%+4 ,%all we n rememb]1  = example1
 t ! coal m9e yields a s+le h>ve/--"o   
crop--& is !n =ev] ab&on$2 :ile ! soil  
mu/ yield a  hundr$--yes1 a ?\s& crops1 
& ev5 !n x mu/ be ri*] &  m productive  
?an at ! beg9n+1 if ^? :o come aft] u   
are to cont9ue to multiply & repl5i% !  
e>?4    ,ev5 ! be/ possible sy/em ( soil
 improvem5t1 we mu/ admit1  is n !      
absolute & f9al solution ( ?is1 ! mo/   

/up5d\s  problem ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,if 
w> gives way to peace &  pe/il5ce to    
sci5ce1 !n ! "t w come :5 ! soils (     
,am]ica %all rea* ! limit ( ! highe/    
productive p[]  possible to be p]man5tly
 ma9ta9$1 ev5 by ! g5]al adoption  ( !  
mo/ practical sci5tific me?ods2 & be=e t
 limit is  rea*$1 if p[]1 progress1 &   
pl5ty are to cont9ue 9 our  belov$      
c\ntry1 !re mu/ be develop$ & en=c$ !   
law ( !  survival ( ! fitte/2 o!rwise   
!re is no ultimate future =  ,am]ica    
diff]5t f t ( ,*9a1 ,india1 & ,russia1 !
 only  great agricultural c\ntries      
comp>able to ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,an       
enlight5$ humanity mu/ grant to all ! "r
 to live1 b !  reproduction &           
p]petuation ( ! unfit c nev] be an      
absolute  & inali5able "r4    ,"u !     
pres5t laws & cu/oms1 a man may sp5d    
half 8 life  9 ! insane asylum or 9 !   
p5it5ti>y1 & /ill be ! fa!r  ( a doz5   
*ildr5 ) deg5]ate t5d5cies4 ,!re %\ld be
 no  reproduction f convict$ crim9als1  
insane p]sons1 & o!r  deg5]ates4        

,?ieves1 graft]s1 brib]s & bribe-tak]s  
all belong  9 ! same class1 & x %\ld n  
be left possible = !m to  reproduce _!  
k9d4 ,!y are a burd5 ^u ! public :i* !  
public mu/ be>1 b ! public is "u no     
obligation to p]mit  _! multiplication4 
,! *ildr5 ( su* %\ld nev] become !      
p>5ts ( o!rs4 ,x is a crime aga9/ bo? ! 
*ild & !  public4    ,no d\bt y w       
consid] ?is extremely vision>y1 & s x   
is2  b unless ,am]ica c see a vision    
some:at l ?is1 a population  t is d\bl+ 
?ree or f\r times ea* c5tury1 & an area 
(  deplet$ soils t is also increas+ at a
 rapid rate w comb9e  to br+ our ,%ip ( 
,/ate into a curr5t aga9/ :i* we may    
battle 9 va92 = !re is n ano!r ,new ,_w 
to br+ new  weal?1 new prosp]ity1 & new 
life & light aft] ano!r p]iod  ( ',d>k  
,ages4'    ,:e!r we %all ev] apply any  
su* intellig5ce to ! possible           
improvem5t ( our own race z we h 9 !    
great improvem5t (  our cattle & corn   
is1 ( c\rse1 an op5 "q2 b to "s  ext5t y
 w agree t ! graft] & ! insane1 l !     

poet1 are born & n made4 ,( c\rse !re   
are1 & always w  be1 m>k$ v>iations1    
mutants1 or 'sports1' b1 nev]!less1     
natural inh]itance is ! ma/] key to !   
improvem5t ( e  =m ( life2 & x is an    
enc\rag+ fact t "s ( ! /ates1  z        
,indiana1 = example1 h already adopt$   
laws look+ t[>d  ! r$uction ( !         
reproduction ( convict$ deg5]ates4      
,,*apt] ,,xvi    ,,pa/ ,,self           
,,r$emption            ,,b ,i h rambl$  
f> f ! subject assign$ me1 ,p]cy        
cont9u$4    ,t's only because ,i        
int]rupt & ask s _m side que/ions1      
repli$ ,mr4 ,?ornton1 b ,i hope yet to  
le>n m ab\t ^?  'suitable conditions' = 
nitrog5-fixation & nitrification4 ,x    
beg9s to look z ?\gh ! nitrog5 cycle    
deviates a good deal  f a true circle1 &
 nature seems to ne$ "s help f u to     
make t elem5t circulate z fa/ z we ne$  
x4 ,i confess1 too1  t ?is me?od appeals
 to me mu* m ?an !  tw5ty-c5t-a-p\nd    
proposition ( ! f]tiliz] ag5t4    ,yes1 
inde$1 add$ ,miss ,russell2 & if we _h  

to sp5d ?ree  doll>s an acre on ?is f>m 
our ',sl\gh ( ,despond' w\ld be worse   
?an ! sl\gh1 or swamp1 ,mr4 ,john/on has
 told u ab\t4    ,i fe> ! practical &   
pr(itable improvem5t ( an acre ( ?is  l&
 is m likely to co/ ?irty doll>s ?an    
?ree1 said ,p]cy4    ,oh1 = ! l&'s sake6
 came ! ejaculation4    ,yes1 '= ! l&'s 
sake1' repeat$ ,p]cy2 & = ! sake (  ^?  
:o mu/ dep5d ^u ! l& = _! support = all 
"t  h]eaft]4    ,h[ ridicul\s6 ,?irty   
doll>s an acre = ! improvem5t ( l&  t w 
n br+ t5 doll>s to beg9 )6    ,x is     
bett] to look at ! o!r end ( ! und]tak+1
 said  ,p]cy4 ,suppose y inve/ ?irty    
doll>s an acre & 9 a few ye>s  make y\r 
t5-doll> l& produce z mu* z our         
two-hundr$ doll>  l&6    ,b1 ,mr4       
,john/on2 d y realize h[ mu* money x    
w\ld require  to exp5d ?irty doll>s an  
acre on n9e hundr$ acres8 cont9u$  ,miss
 ,russell1 ) /rong] acc5tuation4        
,tw5ty-sev5 ?\s& doll>s1 0 ! simple     
reply4    ,well1 ,sir1 %e said1 y are   
welcome to ?is :ole f>m = t5  ?\s&      

doll>s4    ,i am n wi%+ = x1 he answ]$4 
,9 fact ,i w\ld n take  ?is f>m z a     
gift1 if ,i 7 oblig$ to keep x & pay !  
taxes  & _h no o!r prop]ty or s\rce (   
income4    ,t's j ! k9d ( talk ,i've be5
 putt+ up to ^! girls1  said ,mr4       
,?ornton4 ,by ! "t we live & pay ab\t   
two hundr$  doll>s a ye> taxes on all   
?is l&1 ,i tell y1 !re is no?+  left2 & 
we'd be5 worse (f ?an we are1 except = !
 sale we  made to ! railroad company4   
,well1 ! ,russells liv$ "h v well = m   
?an a hundr$  ye>s1 %e retort$1 & my    
gr&fa!r support$ "o nigg] =  e t5 acres 
( ! f>m1 b ,i w\ld l to "k any f>m]s    
ab\t "h :o c put ?irty doll>s an acre1  
or ev5 t5 doll>s  an acre1 back into _! 
soil = improvem5t4    ,! problem is     
inde$ a s]i\s "o1 said ,p]cy4           
,unque/ionably  mu* ( ! l& 9 ^! old]    
/ates is f> pa/ ! po9t (  possible      
self-r$emption "u ! pres5t own]%ip4 ,l& 
f  :i* ! f]tility has be5 remov$ by two 
hundr$ ye>s (  cropp+1 until x has ceas$
 to return a liv+ to ^? :o till  x1 _c h

 its f]tility re/or$ suffici5tly to aga9
 make  its cultivation pr(itable1 except
 by mak+ "s consid]able  inve/m5t 9 ord]
 to replace ^? ess5tial elem5ts ! supply
  ( :i* has become s limit$ z to limit !
 crop yields to a  po9t :]e _! value is 
bel[ ! co/ ( production4 ,ev5 on !      
rema9+ productive l&s 9 ! ,nor? ,c5tral 
,/ates1 if we are  ev] to adopt sy/ems (
 p]man5t agriculture1 x mu/ be done     
:ile ! l&[n]s are /ill prosp]\s4 ,if ! p
 ( ! corn  belt repeat ! hi/ory ( !     
,ea/]n ,/ates until _! l&s  cease to    
return a pr(it above ! total co/ (      
production1 !n  !y1 too1 w h no?+ left  
to inve/ 9 ! improvem5t (  _! l&s4    ,b
 _! f]tility c\ld /ill be re/or$ by     
outside capital8  sugge/$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4
 ,i "k v well t is ! only solution  (   
our problem4    ,well1 ,tom1 ,i w\ld l  
to "k :]e ! outside capital is com+  f1 
said ,miss ,russell4    ,m>ry ri*1 he   
repli$4 ,don't make su* a blund] z y\r  
si/]  did4    ,i fe> t ,mr4 ,john/on w  
sugge/ t we sell "s m l&1  rem>k$ ,mrs4 

,?ornton4    ,all "r1 repli$ h] si/]2 & 
we w sell x to him4 ,if he  won't take !
 :ole f>m z a gift1 we'll cut x to any  
l5g? he  wi%es4 ,d y consid] ',t5 ,acres
 ,en\gh1' ,mr4 ,john/on2 or w\ld  y     
pref] ',?ree ,acres & ,lib]ty8' ,we'll d
 our be/ to enable  y to enjoy ',! ,fat 
( ! ,l&4' ,j tell u h[ l>ge a f>m  y    
want1 ,i "k already t y d n want n9e    
hundr$ acres4    ,my de> ,miss ,russell1
 said ,p]cy4 ,?is is s sudd52 :]eupon   
,mr4 ,?ornton ne>ly fell f 8 *air &     
,mrs4 ,?ornton laugh$  he>tily at !     
si/]'s exp5se :o blu%$ z %e might h done
  tw5ty ye>s be=e4    ,h[ev]1 ,p]cy     
resum$1 if y %\ld decide to dispose (   
ab\t  half ( t sev5 hundr$ acres :i* y  
use only z a safety bank  = mo/ ( y\r   
two hundr$ doll>s 9 taxes1 please       
consid] me a  prospective tak]4    ,take
 h]1 said ,mr4 ,?ornton1 & aga9         
confusion reign$4    ,tom is s anxi\s to
 get rid ( 8 si/]-9-law t he rem9ds  me 
( ! man ^: "m-9-law di$1 said ,miss     
,russell4 ,he 0  too f> f home to return

 to ! usual fun]al1 & !y  telegraph$ him
 ! sad news & ask$ if !y %\ld embalm1   
cremate1 or bury ! rema9s4 ,he wir$     
back3 ',embalm1 cremate1 &  bury'    ,t 
matt] ( outside capital is by no means s
 sub/antial z x  might seem1 said ,p]cy4
 ,x is wor? :ile to consid] h[ little   
real weal? !re w\ld be 9 ,am]ica if !   
rema9+ ri* l&s  %\ld become impov]i%$4  
,! railroads w\ld at once cease to pay  
divid5ds1 & ^? :o are n[ millionaires 9 
railroad /ock  w\ld f9d !mselves on !   
rapid road to pov]ty4 ,! manufactur]  ( 
f9i%$ products f ! raw mat]ials rais$ on
 ! f>m1 !  manufactur] ( agricultural   
implem5ts1 & ! great urban  population  
^: income is f ! trade 9 raw mat]ials & 
manufactur$ goods w\ld soon see _! weal?
 %rivel4 ,! great  sky scrap]s ( !      
cities w\ld be left = ! owls & bats to  
h>bor 91 if our agricultural l&s ceas$  
to yield _! great  h>ve/s4 ,mean:ile !  
f>m+ p w\ld cont9ue to live ^u  ! meag] 
products /ill produc$ f ! impov]i%$     
soil1 ev5  ?\gh !y _h no surplus food to

 %ip into ! cities4 ,human labor  w\ld  
replace t ( dome/ic animals on ! f>m1 j 
z x has  done 9 ,*9a & ,india1 9 "p     
because man's labor is wor? m  ?an t ( !
 bea/1 :5 measur$ only by ! am\nt ( food
  consum$1 & 9 "p because a ?\s& bu%els 
( gra9 w  support five times z _m p c be
 support$ = ! same "t  ^u ! animal      
products t c\ld be produc$ by fe$+ !    
gra94    ,oh1 t is su* a gloomy view to 
take ( x1 said ,miss ,russell4    ,& all
 ! _w loves an optimi/1 repli$ ,p]cy    
laugh+ly4  ,soils d n we> out2 !re is no
 poor l&2 ! f>ms are bett]  & ! crops   
l>g] ?an ev] be=e2 & we are ! p ( !     
_w's greate/ nation1 ) an assur$ future 
glory :i*  surposses all conception4    
,z soon z we get ! canal dug1 sugge/$   
,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,yes1 we w surely be  
able to dig t ,panama dit*1 said ,p]cy2 
& probably our res\rces w la/ to cut a  
ga% or two 9 our  own int]ior1 if we    
don't build too _m battle %ips4 ,y "k   
,egypt built ?ree great pyramids be=e h]
 res\rces became r$uc$  to su* an ext5t 

t ! p requir$ all _! en]gies to  secure 
a liv+4              ,,*apt] ,,xvii     
,,m ,,problems            ,,n[ let u    
give ,mr4 ,john/on a *ance to tell u    
ab\t ! nitrog5  problem1 said ,mr4      
,?ornton4 ,i'm pretty well satisfi$ ) ! 
natural circulation ( c>bon1 oxyg51 &   
hydrog52 b ,i want to  und]/& all ,i c (
 ! practical me?ods ( secur+ &  utiliz+ 
nitrog52 & we h he>d almo/ no?+ ab\t !  
o!r  six ess5tial elem5ts :i* ! soil mu/
 furni%4 ,let me see4--,i  ?9k y said t 
iron1 calcium1 magnesium & potassium are
  usually abundant 9 ! soil1 :ile       
phosphorus & sulfur are v  limit$4      
,yes1 t is ! rule "u g5]al or av]age    
conditions1 b x  %\ld be /at$ t ! am\nt 
( sulfur requir$ by plants is  v small z
 comp>$ ) phosphorus1 a diff]5ce :i*    
places a  great di/9ction betwe5 !m4    
,besides consid]able quantities (       
sulfur are return$ to ! air 9 !         
combu/ion ( coal & organic  matt]1 & ?is
 returns to ! soil 9 ra94 ,! in=mation  
?us  f> secur$ %[s t sulfur r>ely if ev]

 limits ! crop yields  "u field         
conditions2 & ! same may be said ( iron1
 :i* is  requir$ by plants 9 v small    
am\nt & is conta9$ 9  practically all   
soils 9 enorm\s quantities4    ,:ile    
normal soils conta9 abundance (         
potassium1 ) ab\t half  z mu* calcium & 
"o-f\r? z mu* magnesium2 yet1 :5 measur$
  by crop requirem5ts = plant food1 !   
supplies ( ^! ?ree  elem5ts are n m>k$ly
 diff]5t4 ,on ! o!r h&1 ab\t #cjj  p\nds
 ( calcium are lo/ p] acre p] annum by  
lea*+ f good  soils 9 humid climates1   
comp>$ ) ab\t #aj p\nds ( potasssium  & 
int]m$iate am\nts ( magnesium2 s t1 ( ^!
 ?ree  elem5ts1 calcium requires by f> !
 mo/ consid]ation &  potassium ! lea/1  
ev5 aside f ! use ( lime/one to correct 
or prev5t soil acidity4    ,among !     
conditions ess5tial = nitrification may 
be m5tion$  ! pres5ce ( free oxyg5 &    
lime/one2 & ( c\rse all  bact]ia require
 c]ta9 food mat]ials1 resembl+ o!r      
plants 9  ?is respect4    ,are !y       
plants8 ask$ ,mrs4 ,?ornton4 ,i ?\ght !y

 7 t9y  little animals4    ,no1 !y are  
classifi$ z plants1 repli$ ,p]cy2 b !   
sci5ti/s h difficulty ) "s ( ! l[]      
organism to decide  :e!r !y are plants  
or animals4 ,! college boys us$ to say  
t "s animals 7 plants 9 ! botanical     
dep>tm5t &  animals aga9 :5 !y /udi$    
zoology4 ,orton says x is easy to  tell 
a c[ f a cabbage1 b impossible to assign
 any absolute1  di/9ctive "* :i* w      
divide animal life f plant life4    ,!  
oxyg5 is ess5tial = nitrification1      
because t is an  oxidation process4 ,t  
is1 x is a k9d ( combu/ion1 s to speak4 
,! organic matt] is oxidiz$ or conv]t$  
into sub/ances  conta9+ m oxyg5 ?an 9 ! 
orig9al =m4 ,9 ammonification  ! c>bon  
is sep>at$ or divorc$ f ! nitrog5 &     
unit$  ) oxyg54 ,"s ( ! hydrog5 ( !     
organic matt] rema9s  tempor>ily ) !    
c>bon1 & "s is held tempor>ily ) !      
nitrog5 9 ! =m ( ammonia4    ,! nitrite 
bact]ia replace two ( ! hydrog5 atoms 9 
ammonia  ) "o ( oxyg51 & ins]t ano!r    
oxyg5 atom betwe5 !  nitrog5 & ! rema9+ 

hydrog51 ?us =m+ nitr\s acid2           
,h-,o-,n,o1 or ,,hno#b4    ,! nitrate   
bact]ia !n cause ! direct addition (    
ano!r  oxyg5 atom1 :i* is held by ! two 
extra bonds ( ! nitrog5  atom1 :i* y w  
rememb] is a five-h&$ atom4    ,?us y w 
see ! absolute ne$ ( free oxyg5 9 !     
nitrification process2 & we c control ! 
rate ( nitrification  to a consid]able  
ext5t by our me?ods ( tillage4 ,9 soils 
defici5t 9 organic matt]1 excessive     
cultivation may /ill  lib]ate suffici5t 
nitrog5 = a fairly satisfactory crop2 & 
!  b5efits ( su* excessive cultivation =
 potatoes & o!r  vegetables is m (t5 due
 to increas$ nitrification ?an to !     
cons]vation ( moi/ure1 to :i* x is      
frequ5tly ascrib$ by  agricultural      
writ]s4    ,?us ! m we cultivate1 ! m we
 ha/5 ! nitrification1  oxidation1 or   
de/ruction ( ! organic matt] or humus ( 
!  soil4 ,:]e ! soil is well suppli$ )  
decay+ organic matt]1  we r>ely ne$ to  
cultivate 9 a humid section l ?is1      
except =  ! purpose ( kill+ we$s4    ,! 

pres5ce ( c>bonates 9 ! soil is ess5tial
 =  nitrification1 because ! bact]ia w n
 cont9ue ! process 9  ! pres5ce ( _! own
 product4 ,nitrification ceases if !    
nitr\s or nitric acid rema9s z su*2 b1 9
 ! pres5ce (  c>bonates su* z calcium   
c>bonate 7ord9>y lime/one7 or !  d\ble  
c>bonate ( magnesium & calcium          
7magnesian lime/one1 or  dolomite71 !   
nitr\s acid or nitric acid is conv]t$   
into a  neutral salt ( calcium or       
magnesium1 "o ( ^! atoms tak+ !  place (
 two hydrog5 atoms & =m+1 say1 calcium  
nitrate3  ,ca7,,no#c7b4 ,at ! same "t ! 
hydrog5 atoms take ! place ( !  calcium 
9 lime/one 7 ,ca,c#jc71 & =m c>bonic    
acid 7,h#b;,,co#c71 :i*  at once        
decomposes into wat] 7,h#b,o7 & c>bon   
dioxid 7,,co#b71 :i*  ?us escapes z a   
gas into ! air or rema9s 9 ! pores ( !  
soil4    ,! fact t nitrification w n    
proce$ 9 ! pres5ce (  acid rem9ds u t   
only a c]ta9 degree ( acidity c be      
develop$ 9 s\r milk4 ,"h ! lactic acid  
bact]ia produce !  acid f milk sug>1 b !

 process /ops :5 ab\t sev5-t5?s  ( "o p]
 c5t4 ( lactic acid has develop$4 ,if "s
 basic  sub/ance1 su* z lime1 is !n     
add$1 ! acid is neutraliz$ &  !         
f]m5tation aga9 proce$s4    ,9 ! g5]al  
process ( decay & oxidation ( ! organic 
matt]  ( ! soil1 ! nitrog5 ?us passes   
?r\gh ! =ms ( ammonia1  nitr\s acid1 &  
nitric acid1 & at ! same "t ! c>bon     
passes into v>i\s acid comp\nds1 includ+
 ! complex humic &  ulmic acids1 &      
small] am\nts ( acetic acid 7f\nd 9     
v9eg>71  lactic acid1 oxalic acid 7f\nd 
9 oxalic71 & t>t>ic acid 7f\nd  9       
grapes74 ,! f9al oxidation products ( ! 
c>bon & hydrog5  are c>bon dioxid &     
wat]1 :i* result f ! decomposition (  ! 
c>bonic acid4    ,n[ ! v>i\s acids (    
c>bon & nitrog5 con/itute "o ( !  mo/   
important factors 9 soil f]tility4 ,!y  
are ! means by  :i* ! f>m] c dissolve & 
make available = ! gr[+  crops ! o!rwise
 insoluble m9]al elem5ts1 su* z iron1   
calcium1 magnesium1 & potassium1 all (  
:i* are conta9$ 9  mo/ soils 9 great    

abundance4 ,^! elem5ts exi/ 9 ! soil    
*iefly 9 ! =m ( insoluble silicates4    
,silicon itself is a  f\r-h&$ elem5t :i*
 be>s some:at ! same relation to !      
m9]al matt] ( ! soil z c>bon be>s to !  
organic matt]4  ,qu>tz s& is silicon    
dioxid 7,si,o#b74 ,oxyg51 :i* is pres5t 
9  ne>ly all sub/ances1 includ+ air1    
wat]1 & mo/ solids1  con/itutes ab\t    
"o-half ( all kn[n matt]4 ,silicon is   
next 9  abundance1 am\nt+ to m ?an      
"o-f\r? ( ! solid cru/ (  ! e>?4        
,alum9um is ?ird 9 abundance 7ab\t sev5 
p] c5t71  alum9um silicate be+ common   
clay4 ,iron1 calcium1 potassium1        
sodium1 & magnesium1 9 ?is ord]1        
complete ! eight abundant  elem5ts1 :i* 
aggregate ab\t n9ety-eight p] c5t4 ( !  
solid  cru/ ( ! e>?4    ,x is wor? :ile 
to "k t ab\t two & "o-half p] c5t4 (  ! 
e>?'s cru/ is potassium1 :ile ab\t      
"o-t5? ( "o p]  c5t4 is phosphorus2 also
 t :5 a hundr$ bu%els ( corn are  sold f
 ! f>m1 sev5te5 p\nds ( phosphorus1     
n9ete5 (  potassium1 & sev5 ( magnesium 

are c>ri$ away4    ,! acids =m$ f !     
decay+ organic matt] n only lib]ate  = !
 use ( crops ! m9]al elem5ts conta9$ 9 !
 soil 9  abundance1 b !y also help to   
make available ! phosphorus (  raw      
phosphate1 :5 naturally conta9$ 9 !     
soil1 z x is to  "s ext5t 9 all soils1  
or :5 appli$ to ! soil 9 !  f9e-gr\nd   
natural phosphate f ! m9es4    ,n[ !    
increase or decrease ( organic matt] 9 !
 soil is  measur$ ) a v good degree (   
satisfaction by ! elem5t  nitrog51 :i*  
is a regul> con/itu5t ( ! organic matt] 
(  ! soil2 & y are already famili>1 ,mr4
 ,?ornton1 ) !  am\nts ( nitrog5 conta9$
 9 av]age f>m manure & 9 "s (  our mo/  
common crops4    ,yes1 ,sir1 ,i h "s ( !
 figures 9 my note book & ,i mean to  h 
!m 9 my head v soon4 ,b1 say1 t organic 
matt] seems  to be a ?+ ( trem5d\s      
importance1 & ,i'm sure we've got       
mighty little ( x4 ,i ?9k ab\t ! only ?+
 we'll ne$ to d  to make ?is old f>m    
productive aga9 is to gr[ ! vegetation &
  pl[ x "u4 ,z x decays1 x w furni% !   

nitrog51 &  lib]ate ! phosphorus1       
potassium1 calcium1 & magnesium2 & we   
may h pl5ty ( all ( !m j wait+ to be    
lib]at$4    ,t is altoge!r possible1    
said ,p]cy2 b x mu/ be  rememb]$ t y\r  
soil is acid & consequ5tly w n gr[      
clov] or alfalfa successfully1 or ev5   
c[peas v satisfactorily4  ,a lib]al use 
( gr\nd lime/one & l>ge use ( clov] may 
be  suffici5t to greatly improve y\r    
soil2 b if ,i am p]mitt$ to  sep>ate    
,miss ,russell & ! ,?orntons --,mr4     
,?ornton's hil>i\s  ,ha1 ha cut ,p]cy   
%ort4 ,he crimson$ & ! ladies smil$ at  
ea*  o!r ) expressions t reveal$ no?+   
:atev]4    ,n[ let me f9i%1 ,p]cy       
cont9u$1 :5 ,mr4 ,?ornton _h some:at    
subsid$4 ,i say1 if ,i am p]mitt$ to    
sep>ate ,miss ,russell & !  ,?orntons f 
ab\t ?ree hundr$ acres ( _! l&1 ,i %all 
c]ta9ly wi% to "k its total cont5t (    
phosphorus1 potassium1  magnesium1 &    
calcium1 be=e ,i make any pur*ase2 &1 if
 y w  rememb] ! pot cultures & ! peaty  
swamp l&1 ,i ?9k y'd  agree ) me4       

,well1 ,i %all be mighty glad to "k t   
myself1 said ,mr4  ,?ornton1 & we %all  
mu* appreciate x if y c tell u h[  to   
secure t in=mation4    ,we c collect "s 
soil to-morr[1 ,p]cy repli$1 & s5d x to 
a *emi/ = analysis4    ,good1 said ,mr4 
,?ornton2 n[ j "o m "q1 & ,i ?9k  ,i    
%all sleep bett] if ,i h x answ]$       
to-night4 ,j :at is  meant by pota% &   
phosphoric acid8    ,pota%1 said ,p]cy1 
is a comp\nd ( potassium & oxyg54 ,!    
proportions are "o atom ( oxyg5 & two   
atoms ( potassium1 :i*  y may rememb]   
are s+le-h&$ & weigh ?irty-n9e1 s t     
sev5ty-eight ( potassium unite ) sixte5 
( oxyg54 ,a bett]  "n = ! comp\nd is    
potassium oxid3 ,k#bj4 ,! ,lat9 "n =    
potassium is kalium1 & ,k is ! symbol   
us$ = an atom ( t  elem5t4 ,if y 7 to   
pur*ase potassium 9 ! =m ( potassium    
*lorid1 :i* 9 ! ,ea/ is (t5 call$ by !  
old incorrect "n  'muriate ( pota%1' !  
salt might be gu>ante$ to conta9 a      
c]ta9 p]c5tage ( pota%1 :i*1 h[ev]1     
consi/s (  eighty-?ree p] c5t4 (        

potassium & sev5te5 ( oxyg54    ,j :at  
is ?is potassium *lorid1 or 'muriate (  
pota%'8    ,pure potassium *lorid       
conta9s only ! two elem5ts1 potassium  &
 *lor94    ,b didn't y say t x 0        
gu>ante$ to conta9 pota% &  t pota% is  
"p oxyg58 ,n[ y say x conta9s only      
potassium  & *lor94    ,yes1 ,i am sorry
 to say1 t ?is is "o ( ^? blund]s ( our 
semi-sci5tific ance/ors = :i* we /ill   
suff]4 ,! *emi/  und]/&s t ! mean+ ( !  
gu>antee ( pota% is !  am\nt ( pota% t !
 potassium pres5t 9 ! potassium *lorid  
c\ld be conv]t$ into4 ,! be/ y c d is to
 r$uce ! pota%  gu>antee to potassium by
 tak+ eighty-?ree p] c5t4 ( x2 or1  to  
be m exact1 divide by n9ety-f\r &       
multiply by  sev5ty-eight1 9 ord] to    
elim9ate ! sixte5 p>ts ( oxyg54    ,x   
may be well to keep 9 m9d t :5 ! druggi/
 says pota%  he means potassium         
hydroxid1 ,,koh1 a comp\nd ( potassium1 
hydrog51  & oxyg51 z ! "n indicates4    
,y m5tion$ ! ^w *lor91 said ,mr4        
,?ornton4 ,t is  ano!r elem5t8    ,yes1 

t is a v common elem5t4 ,ord9>y table   
salt is sodium  *lorid3 ,na,cl4 ,sodium 
is call$ natrium 9 ,lat91 & ,na is !    
symbol us$ 9 ,engli% to be 9 h>mony )   
all o!r languages1  = practically all   
use ! same *emical symbols4 ,sodium &   
potassium are v simil> elem5ts 9 "s     
respects1 & 9 !  free /ate !y are v     
peculi>1 app>5tly tak+ fire :5  ?r[n    
into wat]4 ,*lor9 9 ! free /ate is a    
poison\s gas4  ,?us ! *ange 9 prop]ties 
is well illu/rat$ :5 ^! two  dang]\s    
elem5ts1 sodium & *lor91 unite to =m !  
h>mless  comp\nd :i* we call common     
salt4    ,x is a %ame1 cont9u$ ,p]cy1 t 
agricultural sci5ce has s  long be5     
burd5$ ) su* a t]m z 'phosphoric acid1' 
:i*  s]ves to complicate & confuse :at  
%\ld be made ! simple/  subject to e    
,am]ican f>m] & l&[n]4 ,z agriculture is
  ! fundam5tal support ( ,am]ica & ( all
 h] o!r great  indu/ries1 s ! f]tility (
 ! soil is ! absolute support (  e =m ( 
agriculture4 ,n[1 if !re is any "o      
factor t c  be ! mo/ important1 :]e s _m

 are positively ess5tial1 !n  ! mo/     
important factor 9 ! problem ( adopt+ & 
ma9ta9+  p]man5t sy/ems ( pr(itable     
agriculture on ,am]ican soils is !      
elem5t phosphorus4    ,phosphorus 9 v   
appreciable am\nt is positively necess>y
 =  ! gr[? ( e organism4 ,x is an       
absolutely ess5tial  con/itu5t ( !      
nucleus ( e liv+ cell1 :e!r plant or    
animal4 ,nucle91 itself1 :i* is !       
sub/ance ne>e/ to !  beg9n+ ( a new     
cell1 conta9s z high z t5 p] c5t4 ( !   
elem5t phosphorus4    ,on ! o!r h&1     
phosphorus is ! mo/ limit$ ( all ! plant
  food elem5ts1 measur$ by supply & dem&
 & circulation4    ,:at is phosphoric   
acid8 ,well1 ! pr(essor ( *emi/ry says x
  is a comp\nd conta9+ ?ree atoms (     
hydrog51 "o ( phosphorus1  & f\r (      
oxyg54 ,x is a syrupy liquid & "o ( !   
/ronge/  m9]al acids4 ,9 conc5trat$ =m x
 is z cau/ic z oil (  vitriol4 ,:y1 "h y
 h a ,c5tury diction>y4 ,t %\ld tell    
:at phosphoric acid is4 ,?is is :at !   
,c5tury says3    ',x is a colorless1    

odorless syrup1 ) an int5sely s\r ta/e4 
,x is tribasic1 =m+ ?ree di/9ct classes 
( metallic salts4  ,! ?ree atoms (      
hydrog5 may 9 l mann] be replac$ by     
alcohol radicles1 =m+ acid & neutral    
e!rs4 ,phosphoric acid  is us$ 9 m$ic9e 
z a tonic4'    ,t1 cont9u$ ,p]cy1 is !  
complete def9ition z giv5 by !  ,c5tury 
diction>y z to :at phosphoric acid is1 &
 ,i note t  ?is is ! late/ edition ( !  
,c5tury1 copyright$ 9 #aijb4    ,we     
b\ght x less ?an a mon? ago1 said ,mrs4 
,?ornton4 ,we c  h s few books t we     
?\ght ! ,c5tury w\ld be a pretty good   
libr>y 9 itself2 ,mr4 ,?ornton has _h   
too little "t to use x  mu* z yet4      
,well1 ev5 if ,i _h us$ x1 said ,mr4    
,?ornton1 y see !re are  five volumes   
be=e ,i'd get to ! ,p's4 ,b1 jok+ aside1
 ,i don't  get mu* out ( t def9ition    
except t phosphoric acid is a  s\r      
liquid & is us$ 9 m$ic9e4    ,!         
def9ition is entirely correct1 said     
,p]cy ,any text on  *emi/ry w give y a v
 simil> def9ition1 & y\r  physician &   

druggi/ w give y ! same in=mation4      
,well1 ,i "k ! f]tiliz] ag5ts claim to  
sell phosphoric acid 9  two-hundr$-p\nd 
bags :i* w\ldn't hold any k9d ( liquid4 
,true1 repli$ ,p]cy1 & ,i consid] x a   
%ame t ! f>m boy  :o goes to ! high     
s*ool or college & is !re taught exactly
  :at phosphoric acid is1 mu/4 :5 he    
returns to ! f>m1 try to  read bullet9s 
f 8 agricultural exp]im5t /ation 9 :i* !
  t]m 'phosphoric acid' is us$ = :at x  
is n4 ,at ! /ate  agricultural college1 
! pr(essor ( *emi/ry correctly tea*es  !
 f>m boy t phosphoric acid is a liquid  
comp\nd conta9+  ?ree atoms ( hydrog51  
"o ( phosphorus1 & f\r ( oxyg5 9  !     
molecule2 & !n ! same pr(essor1 z an    
exp]im5t /ation  inve/igator1 goes to ! 
f>m]s' in/itutes & incorrectly  tea*es !
 same boy's fa!r t phosphoric acid is a 
solid  comp\nd p\nd conta9+ two atoms ( 
phosphorus & five atoms (  oxyg5 9 !    
molecule4    ,b :y d !y cont9ue to tea* 
su* confusion8    ,well1 ,sir1 if !y "k1
 !y nev] tell4 ,9 "s mann] ?is  misuse (

 ! "n 0 begun1 & e ye> d\bles !         
difficulty  ( /opp+ x4    ,l ! man t 0  
too lazy to /op "w :5 he _h once  begun1
 rem>k$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,yes1 said    
,p]cy1 b x is true t "s ( ! ,/ates h    
adopt$ ! practice ( report+ analyses (  
soils & f]tiliz]s  on ! basis ( nitrog5 
in/ead ( ammonia2 & 9 ! ,corn ,belt     
,/ates1 phosphorus & potassium are !    
t]ms us$ to a l>ge  ext5t in/ead (      
'phosphoric acid1' & pota%4 ,!          
agricultural  press is greatly assi/+ 9 
br++ ab\t ! adoption ( !  simpl] sy/em1 
& ! laws ( "s ,/ates n[ require t !     
p]c5tages ( ! actual plant food elem5ts1
 z nitrog51  phosphorus1 & potassium1   
%all be gu>ante$ 9 f]tiliz]s  (f]$ =    
sale4 ,x is "o ( ^? que/ions t are nev] 
settl$ until !y are settl$ "r2 & x is   
only a "q (  "t until ! simple elem5t   
basis w be us$ ?r\gh\t !  ,unit$ ,/ates1
 or at lea/ 9 ! ,c5tral & ,we/]n ,/ates4
    ,! s-call$ 'phosphoric acid' ( !    
f]tiliz] ag5t is a  comp\nd ^: molecule 
conta9s two atoms ( phosphorus & five   

atoms ( oxyg52 &1 s9ce ! atomic weight (
 phosphorus is  ?irty-"o & t ( oxyg5    
sixte51 ?is comp\nd conta9s  sixty-two  
p>ts ( phosphorus & eighty p>ts ( oxyg54
 ,9 o!r  words1 ?is phosphoric acid1    
falsely s-call$1 conta9s a trifle  less 
?an =ty-f\r p] c5t4 ( ! actual elem5t   
phosphorus4    ,is ! bone phosphate (   
lime t ! ag5ts talk ab\t ! same  z !    
'phosphoric acid'8 ask$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4  
,no1 by 'bone phosphate ( lime1' :i* is 
(t5 abbreviat$ ,b4 ,p4  ,l41 is meant   
tricalcium phosphate1 a comp\nd :i*     
conta9s exactly  tw5ty p] c5t4 (        
phosphorus4 ,?us1 y c always divide !   
gu>ante$ p]c5tage ( 'bone phosphate (   
lime' by five1 & !  result w be ! p]    
c5t4 ( phosphorus4    ,z /at$ 9 y\r     
,c5tury diction>y1 true phosphoric acid 
=ms  ?ree di/9ct classes ( salts1       
because ei!r "o1 two1 or all (  ! ?ree  
hydrog5 atoms may be replac$ by a       
metallic elem5t4  ,?us1 we h phosphoric 
acid itself conta9+ ! ?ree hydrog5      
atoms1 "o phosphorus atom1 & f\r oxyg5  

atoms4 ,?is might be  call$ trihydrog5  
phosphate 7,h#c,,po#d74 ,n[ if "o ( !   
hydrog5  atoms is replac$ by "o         
potassium atom1 we h potassium          
dihydrog5 phosphate 7,,kh#b,,po#d72 )   
two potassium atoms & "o  hydrog51 we h 
dipotassium hydrog5 phosphate           
7,k#b;,,hpo#d72 & if  all hydrog5 is    
replac$ by potassium ! comp\nd is       
tripotassium  phosphate 7,k#c,,po#d74   
,to make simil> salts ) two-h&$ metallic
  elem5ts1 l calcium or magnesium1 we   
ne$ to />t ) two  molecules ( phosphoric
 acid ,h#f7,,po#d7b2 because ea* atom ( 
calcium  w replace two hydrog5 atoms4   
,?us we h mono calcium  phosphate1      
,ca,h#d7,,po#d7b1 dicalcium phosphate1  
,ca#b;,h#b7,,po#d7b1 &  tricalcium      
phosphate1 ,ca#c7,,po#d7b4 ,x goes )\t  
say+ t  monocalcium phosphate conta9s   
f\r atoms ( hydrog5 & t  dicalcium      
phosphate conta9s two hydrog5 atoms4 ,by
 kn[+ !  atomic weights 7#dj = calcium1 
#ca = phosphorus1 & #af =  oxyg571 x is 
easy to compute t ! molecule (          

tricalcium  phosphate weighs #caj ( :i* 
#fb is phosphorus4 ,?is is exactly      
"o-fif?1 or tw5ty p] c5t4 ,?is comp\nd y
 w rememb] is  sometimes call$ 'bone    
phosphate ( lime'4 ,x is also call$     
simply  'bone phosphate'2 because x is !
 phosphorus comp\nd conta9$ 9  bones4 ,x
 is sometimes call$ lime phosphate1     
al?\gh x conta9s  no lime 9 ! true s5se1
 = x has no p[] to neutralize acid      
soils1 except :5 ! phosphorus is tak5 up
 by plants m rapidly  ?an ! calcium1 :i*
 9 su* case might rema9 9 ! soil to act 
z a base to neutralize soil acids2 b ev5
 !n ! effect ( !  small am\nt ( calcium 
?us lib]at$ f ! phosphate w\ld be  v    
insignificant comp>$ ) a lib]al         
application ( gr\nd  lime/one4    ,well1
 said ,mr4 ,?ornton1 /ret*+ himself1    
orange phosphate is  my favorite dr9k b 
,i fe> "s ( ^! phosphate y h j  be5 giv+
 me are too conc5trat$4 ,i ought to h ! 
dose  dilut$2 b ,i l ! ta/e ( x1 & if   
y'll write a book  along ?is l9e1 9 ?is 
pla9 way j ab\t z y h be5  giv+ x to me 

/raight = almo/ twelve h\rs1 ,i tell y  
,i'll  read x ov] till ,i le>n to und]/&
 x a heap bett] ?an ,i d  n[4           
,,*apt] ,,xviii    ,,clos] ,,to ,,"m    
,,e>?            ,,! foll[+ day ,p]cy   
collect$ soil samples to repres5t !     
common type ( soil on ! f>m4 ,9 ! ma9 ! 
l& 0 ne>ly  level & v uni=m1 al?\gh "h &
 !re 7 small areas  :i* v>i$ f ! ma9    
type1 & 9 places ! v>iation 0  m>k$4    
,p]cy & 8 ho/ devot$ ! entire day to an 
exam9ation  ( ! soils ( ! f>m & !       
collection ( ! samples4    ,! prevail+  
soil type is :at w\ld be call$ a loam1  
said  ,p]cy1 & a s+le set ( composite   
samples w fairly repres5t  at lea/      
?ree-f\r?s ( ! l& on ?is f>m4    ,x     
seems to me t x is en\gh = ! pres5t to  
sample ?is  prevail+ type1 & lat]1 if y 
desire1 y c\ld collect samples  ( ! m9or
 types1 ( :i* !re are at lea/ ?ree t are
 q  di/9ct4    ,a loam soil is "o t     
includes a fair proportion ( ! sev]al   
gr\ps ( soil mat]ials1 includ+ silt1    
clay1 & s&4    ,:at is silt8 ask$ ,mr4  

,?ornton4    ,silt consi/s ( ! soil     
p>ticles :i* are f9] ?an s&1--too  small
 9 fact to be felt z soil gra9s by rubb+
 betwe5 !  f+]s1 & yet x is di/9ctly    
granul>1 :ile clay is a m]e  pla/ic or  
/icky mass l d\gh4 ,:at are commonly    
call$ clay  soils consi/ l>gely ( silt1 
b conta9 en\gh true clay to b9d  ! silt 
into a /iff mass4 ,9 ! ma9 su* soils are
 silt loams1  b :5 defici5t 9 organic   
matt] !y are yell[ 9 color z a  rule1 & 
all su* mat]ial is usually call$ clay by
 ! f>m]s4    ,well1 ,i _h no idea t x   
w\ld take u a :ole day to get en\gh     
dirt = an analysis1 rem>k$ ,mr4         
,?ornton1 z !y 7  collect+ ! samples    
late 9 ! aft]noon4 ,five m9utes w\ld  h 
be5 pl5ty ( "t = me1 be=e ,i saw ! holes
 y've bor$  to-day4    ,! fact is1      
repli$ ,p]cy1 t ! mo/ difficult "w ( !  
soil inve/igator is to collect !        
samples4 ,( c\rse any "o c\ld  fill ^!  
little bags ) soil 9 five m9utes1 b ! "q
  is1 :at w\ld ! soil repres5t8 ,x may  
repres5t little m ?an  ! hole x came out

 (1 z w\ld be ! case :]e ! soil _h  be5 
di/urb$ by burr[+ animals1 or modifi$ by
 surface  accumulations1 z :]e a /ack   
may sometime h be5 burn$4 ,9  ! "o case 
! subsoil may h be5 br\ght up & mix$ ) !
  surface1 & 9 ! o!r ! m9]al con/itu5ts 
tak5 f =ty  acres 9 a crop ( clov] may h
 be5 return$ to "o-t5? ( an  acre4      
,c]ta9ly su* ?+s h occurr$ on _m f>ms1  
agre$ ,mr4  ,?ornton1 & !y may h occurr$
 on ?is f>m = all any "o  kn[s4         
,fifty tons ( clov] hay1 cont9u$ ,p]cy1 
aft] mak+ a few  computations1 w\ld     
conta9 #djj p\nds ( phosphorus1 #bdjj   
p\nds  ( potassium1 #fbj p\nds (        
magnesium1 & #bcdj p\nds ( calcium4     
,i don't see h[ y keep all ^? figures 9 
y\r head1 said ,mr4  ,john/on4    ,h[ _m
 p\nds are !re 9 a ton ( hay8 ask$      
,p]cy4    ,two ?\s&4    ,h[ _m p\nds 9 a
 bu%el ( oats8    ,?irty 9 ,virg9ia1 b  
?irty-two 9 ,c>ol9a4    ,h[ _m 9 a bu%el
 ( :eat8    ,sixty    ,corn8            
,fifty-six p\nds ( %ell$ corn1 or sev5ty
 p\nds ( e>s4    ,potatoes8             

,eighty-six p\nds1--bo? k9ds ! same1 b  
mo/ ,/ates require  sixty p\nds = !     
,iri% potatoes4    ,p]cy laugh$4 ,y see1
 he said1 y h m figures 9 y\r  head ?an 
,i h 9 m9e4 ,y h m5tion$ twice z _m "r  
"h1 )\t a mom5t's hesitation1 z ,i try  
to rememb] = !  plant food conta9$ 9    
clov]4 ,i l to keep 9 m9d !  requirem5ts
 ( l>ge crops1 su* z x is possible to   
raise "u  our climatic conditions if we 
w provide ! /uff ! crops are  made (1 s 
f> z we ne$ to1 & d ! f>m "w z x %\ld be
  done4 ,i nev] try to rememb] h[ mu*   
plant food is requir$ =  tw5ty-two      
bu%els ( corn p] acre1 :i* is ! av]age  
yield (  ,virg9ia = ! la/ t5 ye>s1 :ile 
an au!ntic record reports a  yield (    
#bci bu%els f an acre ( l& 9 ,s\?       
,c>ol9a4 ,on our  little f>m 9 ,ill9ois 
we h "o field ( sixte5 acres1 :i*  0 us$
 = a pa/ure & fe$ lot = _m ye>s by my   
gr&fa!r  & has be5 ?or\ghly tile-dra9$  
s9ce ,i 0 born1 t has  produc$ z high z 
#b1jae bu%els ( corn 9 "o season1 ?us   
mak+  an av]age ( #abf bu%els p] acre4  

,:at ,i try to rememb] is ! plant food  
requirem5ts = su*  crops z we ought to  
try to raise1 if we d :at ought to be   
done4 ,i  try to rememb] ! plant food   
requir$ = a hundr$-bu%el crop (  corn1 a
 hundr$-bu%el crop ( oats1 a fifty-bu%el
 crop ( :eat1  & f\r tons ( clov] hay4  
,x is an easy matt] to divide ^!  am\nts
 by two1 z ,i h really be5 do+ "h 9 !   
,ea/ :]e  x is h>d = p to ?9k 9 t]ms (  
su* crops z ^! l&s  ought to be made to 
produce4    ,! requirem5ts ( ! clov]    
crop ,i c]ta9ly want to h 9  m9d z a "p 
( my little /ock ( ev]-ready k4 ,x is n 
v h>d to rememb] t a f\r-ton crop (     
clov] hay1 :i* we  ought to h>ve/ f "o  
acre 9 two cutt+s1 conta9s3    #afj     
p\nds ( nitrog51  #ca p\nds ( magnesium1
  #bj p\nds ( phosphorus1  #abj p\nds ( 
potassium1  #aag p\nds ( calcium4    ,x 
is j z easy to ?9k 9 ^! t]ms z 9 p] c5t4
 or  p\nds ( butt] fat1 :i* ,i und]/& is
 ! basis on :i* y  sell y\r cream4      
,yes1 ,i believe y are "r 9 ?is matt]1  
,mr4 ,john/on1 b ,i  h nev] be5 able to 

see h[ we c\ld apply ! figures report$  
f *emical analysis4    ,nei!r d ,i see  
h[ any "o b a *emi/ c\ld make mu* use ( 
! reports :i* ! analy/ usually publi%es4
 ,su* reports w  usually %[ ! p]c5tages 
( moi/ure & s-call$ 'phosphoric  acid1' 
= example1 9 a sample ( clov] hay1 &    
p]haps !  p]c5tages ( ^! con/itu5ts 9 a 
sample ( soil2 b to  connect !          
requirem5ts ( ! clov] crop ) ! invoice (
 !  soil dem& m ( a m5tal ef=t ?an ,i 0 
prep>$ = be=e ,i  w5t to ! agricultural 
college4    ,on ! o!r h& we 7 taught 9  
college t ! pl[$ soil (  an acre ( our  
mo/ common ,ill9ois corn belt l& conta9s
 only  #abjj p\nds ( phosphorus1 & t a  
hundr$-bu%el crop ( corn  takes         
tw5ty-?ree p\nds ( phosphorus out ( !   
soil4 ,fur!rmore  t ab\t "o p\nd (      
phosphorus p] acre is lo/ annually 9    
dra9age wat] 9 humid regions4 ,by divid+
 #abjj by #bd x is easy  to see t fifty 
corn crops su* z we ought to try to     
raise w\ld  require z mu* phosphorus z !
 pres5t supply 9 our soil to a  dep? (  

ab\t sev5 in*es4 ,( c\rse !re is "s     
phosphorus  bel[ sev5 in*es1 b x is !   
pl[$ soil we mu/ dep5d ^u to  a v l>ge  
ext5t4 ,! olde/ agricultural exp]im5t   
/ation 9  ! _w is at ,ro?am/$1 ,engl&4  
,on two plots ( gr\nd 9 !  same field   
:]e :eat has be5 gr[n e ye> = sixty     
ye>s1  ! soil bel[ ! pl[ l9e has        
practically ! same composition1  b on "o
 plot ! av]age yield = ! la/ fifty ye>s 
has be5  ?irte5 bu%els p] acre1 :ile on 
! o!r ! yield ( :eat has  av]ag$        
?irty-sev5 bu%els = ! same fifty ye>s4  
,! same k9d ( :eat8 inquir$ ,mr4        
,?ornton4    ,yes1 & great c>e has      
always be5 tak5 to h ^! two plots       
treat$ alike 9 all respects1 save "o4   
,& :at 0 t8    ,plant food 0 regul>ly   
incorporat$ ) ! pl[$ soil ( !           
high-yield+ plot4    ,y mean t f>m      
manure 0 us$8    ,no1 n a p\nd ( f>m    
manure has be5 us$ on t plot = m  ?an   
sixty ye>s2 &1 fur!rmore1 ! two plots 7 
v mu*  alike at ! beg9n+2 b1 to !       
high-yield+ plot1 nitrog51  phosphorus1 

potassium1 magnesium1 calcium1 & sulfur 
h all be5  appli$ 9 suitable comp\nds e 
ye>4    ,t is to say1 obs]v$ ,mr4       
,?ornton1 t ! l& itself has  produc$    
?irte5 bu%els ( :eat p] acre & ! plant  
food  appli$ has produc$ tw5ty f\r      
bu%els1 mak+ ! total yield  ?irty-sev5  
bu%els on ! f]tiliz$ l&4    ,t is       
c]ta9ly a fair way to /ate x1 repli$    
,p]cy4     ,well1 t s\nds z ?\gh some?+ 
might be done ) run-d[n  l&s4 ,ab\t :at 
"p ( ! tw5ty-f\r bu%els increase w\ld x 
take to pay = ! f]tiliz]s8    ,ab\t #aej
 p] c5t4 ( x1 ,p]cy repli$4    ,"o      
hundr$ & fifty p] c5t6 ,:y1 y c't h m   
?an a  hundr$ p] c5t4 ( any?+4    ,oh1  
yes1 y c4 ,! tw5ty-f\r bu%els are "o    
hundr$ p] c5t4  ( :at ! f]tiliz]s       
produc$1 & ! l& itself increas$ ?is  by 
fifty p] c5t41 s t ! f]tiliz$ l& produc$
 "o hundr$  & fifty p] c5t4 ( ! increase
 f ! plant food appli$4    ,well1 t's   
too mu* college ma!matics = me2 b d y   
mean  to say t x w\ld take ! :ole       
?irty-sev5 bu%els to pay =  ! plant food

 t produc$ ! increase ( tw5ty-f\r       
bu%els8    ,t is exactly :at ,i mean4 ,i
 see t y d n l p]c5tage  any bett] ?an  
,i d4 ,really ! acre is ! be/           
agricultural unit4  ,we buy & sell ! l& 
itself by ! acre2 we report crop yields 
at s _m bu%els or tons p] acre2 we apply
 manure at s _m  loads or tons p] acre2 
we apply s _m hundr$ p\nds (  f]tiliz]  
p] acre2 s[ our :eat & oats at s _m     
pecks or  bu%els p] acre2 & we ought to 
"k ! invoice ( plant food 9  ! pl[$ soil
 ( an acre & ! am\nts c>ri$ (f 9 ! crops
  remov$ f an acre4    ,n[1 ref]r+ aga9 
to ^! figures f ! =ty acres (  clov] at 
two tons p] acre4 ,if ! eighty tons 7   
burn$ & !  a%es mix$ ) ! surface soil on
 a t5? ( an acre ! increase  p] acre    
w\ld be z foll[s3    #d1jjj p\nds (     
phosphorus  #bd1jjj p\nds ( potassium   
#f1bjj p\nds ( magnesium  #bc1djj p\nds 
( calcium4    ,^!1 rememb]1 are ! am\nts
 p] acre t w\ld be add$ to  ! soil by   
burn+ ! eighty tons ( clov] on "o-t5? ( 
an  acre4    ,n[ comp>e ^! figures ) !  

total am\nts ( ! same  elem5ts conta9$ 9
 ! common corn belt prairie soil (      
,ill9ois1  :i* are z foll[s3    #a1bjj  
p\nds ( phosphorus  #ce1jjj p\nds (     
potassium  #h1fjj p\nds ( magnesium     
#e1djj p\nds ( calcium4    ,f ^! figures
 y w see t ! analysis ( a s+le  sample (
 soil collect$ f a spot ( gr\nd t _h    
sometimes  receiv$ su* an addition z ?is
 w\ld be positively worse ?an  wor?less1
 because x w\ld give false in=mation1 & 
t is mu*  worse ?an no in=mation4    ,! 
me?ods ( *emical analysis h be5 develop$
 to a high  degree ( accuracy1 & x is n 
a difficult matt] to f9d a  *emi/ :o c  
make a correct analysis ( ! sample plac$
 9 8  h&s2 b ! *ief difficulties lie1   
fir/1 9 secur+ samples (  soil t w truly
 repres5t ! type or types ( soil on !   
f>m2 &1 second1 9 ! int]pretation ( !   
results ( analysis  ) ref]5ce to !      
adoption ( me?ods ( soil improvem5t4    
,is ! report ( ! analysis z confus+ )   
respect to o!r  elem5ts z ) potassium & 
phosphorus1 :i*1 ,i und]/&1 are  likely 

to be report$ 9 t]ms ( pota% & a        
'phosphoric acid'  t is n true          
phosphoric acid8    ,/ill worse1 ,p]cy  
repli$4 ,! calcium is commonly report$ 9
  t]ms ( lime1 or1 z y w\ld say1 quick  
lime2 & vet ! soil  may be an acid soil1
 l y\rs1 & conta9 no lime :atev]1  nei!r
 z quick lime nor lime/one4 ,i h se5 an 
analysis  report+ half a p] c5t4 (      
calcium oxid1 :i* w\ld make five  tons (
 quick lime 9 ! pl[$ soil ( an acre2    
:]eas ! soil  n only conta9$ no lime    
:atev]1 b 0 s acid t x ne$$  five tons (
 gr\nd lime/one p] acre to correct !    
acidity4    ,! tr\ble is t :5 ! *emi/   
f\nd calcium 9 ! soil  exi/+ 9 ! =m (   
acid silicate1 or calcium hydrog5       
silicate1  he report$ calcium oxid1 or  
lime1 9 8 analytical /atem5t1  assum+   
app>5tly t ! f>m] w\ld und]/& t !       
analytical /atem5t did n mean :at x     
said4    ,b "s soils d conta9 lime1 d !y
 n8    ,"s soils conta9 lime/one1 repli$
 ,p]cy1 & ! analysis (  su* a soil %\ld 
report ! am\nt ( lime/one1 or calcium   

c>bonate1 bas$ ^u ! actual det]m9ation (
 c>bonate c>bon  or c>bon dioxid1 :i* is
 a true measure ( ! basic prop]ty (  !  
soil1 ev5 ?\gh ! lime/one may be some:at
 magnesian 9  "*4    ,= a set ( soil    
samples4 ,p]cy collect$ soil f ?ree     
diff]5t  /rata4 ,! fir/ sample repres5t$
 ! surface /ratum f !  top to six &     
two-?ird in*es2 ! second sample         
repres5t$ !  subsurface /ratum f six &  
two-?irds to tw5ty in*es2 & !  ?ird     
sample repres5t$ ! subsoil f tw5ty to   
=ty in*es1  ea* sample be+ a composite (
 ab\t tw5ty bor+s4    ,9 collect+ ^! !  
hole 0 bor$ to six & two-?ird in*es  &  
some:at enl>g$ by scrap+ up & d[n ) !   
aug]1 all (  ! soil be+ put into a      
numb]$ bag4 ,!n1 ! hole 0 ext5d$  & !   
subsurface bor+ remov$ )\t t\*+ !       
surface soil4  ,?is bor+ to a dep? (    
tw5ty in*es 0 put into a second bag4  ,!
 hole 0 !n enl>g$ to ! tw5ty-in* dep? b 
!  additional soil remov$ 0 disc>d$ z a 
mixture ( ! surface  & subsurface /rata4
 ,f9ally ! hole 0 ext5d$ to !  =ty-in*  

dep? & ! subsoil f "o groove ( ! aug] 0 
put into a ?ird bag4 ,9 ?is mann] ab\t  
an equal quantity ( soil  0 bagg$ f ea* 
/ratum2 & tw5ty su* bor+s tak5 ) an     
aug] ab\t "o in* 9 diamet] make a       
suffici5t quantity to  furni% to !      
*emi/4    ,( c\rse ! surface soil is by 
f> ! mo/ important1 ,p]cy  expla9$4 ,x  
repres5ts j ab\t ! dep? ( e>? t is      
turn$ by ! pl[ 9 good f>m+ on normal    
soils2 & x weighs  ab\t two million     
p\nds p] acre4 ,! subsurface /ratum     
ext5d+  f six & two-?irds to tw5ty in*es
 9 dep? repres5ts !  practical limit (  
subsoil+2 & ?is /ratum weighs ab\t f\r  
million p\nds2 :ile ! subsoil /ratum    
weighs ab\t six million  p\nds1 :]e !   
soil is normal1 su* z loam1 silt loam1  
clay  loam1 or s&y loam4 ,pure s& soil  
weighs ab\t "o-f\r? m1  :ile pure peat  
soil weighs only half z mu* z normal    
soil4    ,i wi% y w\ld tell me1 said    
,mr4 ,?ornton1 :at ! f]tiliz]s  co/ t h 
be5 us$ on t ,ro?am/$ :eat field4    ,! 
annual application ( nitrog5 has be5 "o 

hundr$ tw5ty-n9e  p\nds p] acre1 said   
,p]cy4 ,:at w x co/8    ,well1 at tw5ty 
c5ts a p\nd1 x w\ld co/ #be4hj1 0 ,mr4  
,?ornton's reply aft] he _h figur$ a    
mom5t4 ,b :y didn't !y  gr[ clov] & get 
! nitrog5 f ! air8    ,= two reasons1   
repli$ ,p]cy4 ,fir/1 :5 ^? classic      
exp]im5ts 7 begun by ,sir ,john ,lawes &
 ,sir ,h5ry ,gilb]t 9  #ahdd1 x 0 n kn[n
 t clov] c\ld secure ! free nitrog5  f !
 air2 &1 second1 ! exp]im5t 0 design$ to
 discov]  = c]ta9 :e!r :eat mu/ be      
suppli$ ) comb9$ nitrog51  by asc]ta9+ !
 actual effect ^u ! yield ( :eat ( !    
nitrog5 appli$4    ,& :at 0 ! actual    
effect ( ! nitrog58 que/ion$ ,mr4       
,?ornton4 ,h[ mu* did ! :eat yield :5 !y
 left out !  nitrog5 & appli$ all ! o!r 
elem5ts8    ,only fifte5 bu%els1 0 !    
reply4    ,only fifte5 bu%els6 ,only two
 bu%els increase = all ! o!r  elem5ts1  
phosphorus1 potassium1 magnesium1 &     
calcium1--& ,i  rememb] y said t sulfur 
also 0 appli$4 ,:y didn't !y  leave (f  
all ^! o!r elem5ts1 & j use ! nitrog5   

alone8    ,!y did on ano!r plot 9 ! same
 field4    ,oh1 !y did d t8 ,:at 0 !    
yield on t plot8    ,only tw5ty bu%els4 
,only tw5ty bu%els6 ,well1 t s mighty   
que]4 ,h[ d y acc\nt  = t8    ,does     
,mrs4 ,?ornton sometimes make d\gh out (
 fl\r & milk8  ask$ ,p]cy4    ,ano!r    
,yankee "q1 eh8 said ,mr4 ,?ornton4 ,i  
told my wife  once t ,i wi%$ %e c\ld    
make ! bread my "m us$ to make1  & %e   
said %e wi%$ ,i c\ld make ! d\gh h] fa!r
 us$ to  make4 ,yes1 my wife makes d\gh1
 a good deal m ?an ,i d1 & %e  makes x (
 fl\r & milk1 :5 we ar5't r$uc$ to corn 
meal &  wat]4    ,c %e make d\gh ( fl\r 
alone8 cont9u$ ,p]cy4    ,no1 repli$    
,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,nor ( milk alone8    
,no4    ,well1 :eat _c be made ( nitrog5
 alone1 nor c x be made  )\t nitrog54   
,on ,broadbalk field at ,ro?am/$1 :]e ! 
:eat  is gr[n1 ! soil is mo/ defici5t 9 
! elem5t nitrog54 ,9  o!r words1 nitrog5
 is ! limit+ elem5t = :eat on t  soil2 &
 practically no increase c be made 9 !  
yield ( :eat  unless nitrog5 is add$4   

,h[ev]1 "s o!r elem5ts are n  furni%$ by
 ?is soil 9 suffici5t am\nt = ! l>ge/   
yield (  :eat1 & ^! place _! limitation 
^u ! crop at tw5ty  bu%els4 ,to remove  
?is second limitation requires t ano!r  
elem5t1 su* z phosphorus1 %all be       
suppli$ 9 l>g] am\nt ?an  is anually    
lib]at$ 9 ! soil "u ! sy/em ( f>m+      
practic$4    ,yes1 ,i see t1 said ,mr4  
,?ornton1 x's l eat+ pancakes &  honey2 
! m cakes y h ! m honey y want4 ,i ?9k  
,i  c almo/ see my way ?r\gh 9 ?is      
matt]2 we are to correct !  acid )      
lime/one1 to "w ! legumes = nitrog51 &  
turn  "u ev]y?+ we c to increase !      
organic matt]1 & if we  f9d t ! soil    
won't furni% en\gh phosphorus1          
potassium1  magnesium1 or calcium1 ev5 )
 ! help ( ! decay+ organic  matt] to    
lib]ate !m1 :y !n x is up to u to       
increase !  supply ( ^? elem5ts4    ,y  
mu/ rememb] t ! calcium w be suppli$ 9 !
  lime/one2 caution$ ,p]cy4 ,&1 if y use
 magnesian lime/one1  y w ?us supply bo?
 calcium & magnesium4 ,keep 9 m9d t     

magnesian only means t ! lime/one       
conta9s "s magnesium4  & t x is n a pure
 calcium c>bonate4 ,! pure/ magnesian   
lime/one consi/s ( a d\ble c>bonate (   
calcium & magnesium1  call$ dolomite4   
,b ,i h he>d t magnesian lime is bad =  
soils1 said ,mr4  ,?ornton4    ,t is    
true1 ,p]cy repli$1 & s is ord9>y lime  
bad =  soils4 ,! ,g]mans say3 ',lime    
makes ! fa!rs ri* b !  *ildr5 poor4' ,! 
,engli% say+ is3    ',lime & lime )\t   
manure  ,w make bo? f>m & f>m] poor4'   
,bo? ( ^! national prov]bs are correct =
 common1 e-day  lime2 b y "k1 d y n1 t  
lime/one soils are usually  v good & v  
durable soils8    ,t's :at ,i've always 
he>d1 repli$ ,mr4 ,?ornton4    ,well1   
!re is no dang] :atev] f us+ too mu*    
lime/one2  & all ! in=mation ?us f>     
secur$ %[s t magnesian  lime/one is ev5 
bett] ?an ! pure calcium lime/one4 ,i "k
 two  ,ill9ois f>m]s :o are us+ l>ge    
quantities ( gr\nd magnesian  lime/one1 
& "o ( !m has appli$ z mu* z tw5ty tons 
p]  acre4 ,on t l& 8 corn crop 0 good = 

eighty bu%els p]  acre ?is ye>4 ,( c\rse
 t heavy application 0 m ?an 0  ne$$1 b 
initial applications ( f\r or five tons 
are v  satisfactory1 & ^! %\ld be foll[$
 by ab\t two tons p]  acre e f\r to six 
ye>s4    ,mr4 ,?ornton took 8 gue/ to   
,blairville t ev5+ z !y _h  plann$ & he 
assur$ ,p]cy t %\ld he decide to pur*ase
 l&  9 t section !y w\ld let him h ?ree 
hundr$ acres ( _!  l& at t5 doll>s an   
acre4    ,i w let y "k aft] ,i get !    
samples analyz$ = y1 said  ,p]cy4 ,!    
price is l[ en\gh & ! location ideal1 b 
/ill ,i  want to h ! invoice be=e ,i buy
 ! goods4 ,i w write y  ab\t s5d+ !     
samples to ! *emi/ aft] ,i he> f "s ,i  
s5t him f ,montpla94                    
,,*apt] ,,xix    ,,f ,,ri*mond ,,to     
,,wa%+ton            ,,! next day ,p]cy 
sp5t a few h\rs at ! ,/ate ,capitol 9   
,ri*mond1 :]e he f\nd ! records ( !     
,/ate ( mu* int]e/4    ,?us he f\nd t 9 
practically e c\nty !re 0 m or  less l& 
own$ by ! commonweal?1 because ( its    
complete  ab&onm5t by =m] own]s1 & !    

failure ( any "o to buy :5  sold by !   
/ate = taxes4    ,"u su* conditions !   
title to ! l& returns to ! ,/ate1  &    
aft] two ye>s x may be sold by ! ,/ate  
to any "o desir+  to pur*ase & ! =m]    
own] has no fur!r "r ( r$emption4  ,"s (
 ^! l&s :i* are own$ by ! ,/ate1 & on   
:i* !  ,/ate has receiv$ no taxes = _m  
ye>s1 are /ill occupi$ by  _! =m] own]s 
or by squatt]s' & may cont9ue to be s   
occupi$ unless ! l& %\ld be pur*as$ f ! 
,/ate by "s  "o else :o w\ld dem& full  
possession4 ,su* pur*as]s1 h[ev]1  are  
likely to be unpopul> resid5ts 9 !      
community1 if !  transaction =ces poor p
 f a place !y h call$ home1  ev5 ?\gh !y
 _h no legal "r to occupy x4    ,p]cy   
f\nd t ! report ( ! ,/ate ,auditor %[$ t
 !  cl]k ( ! c\rt ( ,p[hatan c\nty _h   
return$ to ! ,/ate  #a4je = sales ( l&s 
pur*as$ by ! commonweal? at tax  sales1 
:ile f ,pr9ce ,edw>d c\nty ! ,/ate      
receiv$ a simil>  rev5ue am\nt+ to      
#ag4ci = ! same ye>4 ,! total rev5ue to 
! commonweal? f ?is s\rce am\nt$ to     

#ffg4he = ! ye>4  ,contra/$ ) ?is 0 !   
rev5ue f ,r$emption ( ,l&1  am\nt+ to   
#bg1dcf4ch1 sugge/+ some?+ ( ! /ruggle (
 !  man to reta9 possession ( 8 home    
be=e x becomes legally  possible = ano!r
 to take x f him beyond r$emption4      
,accord+ to ! records ab\t a million    
acres ( l& are own$ by  ! ,commonweal? (
 ,virg9ia alone4    ,p]cy decid$ to g to
 ,wa%+ton to le>n :at def9ite in=mation 
he might obta9 f ! ,unit$ ,/ates        
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture4 ,on  ! tra9 = 
,wa%+ton he f\nd himself sitt+ beside a 
,virg9ia  f>m]4    ,^! l&s rem9d me (   
our ,we/]n prairies1 ,p]cy rem>k$4  ,y h
 "s ext5sive areas ( level or g5tly     
undulat+  upl&s4    ,!y don't rem9d me (
 ! ,we/]n prairies1 ,i c tell y1 0  !   
reply4 ,i am a ,we/]n] myself1 or ,i 0  
until eight ye>s ago4  ,^! l&s look all 
"r f ! tra9 :5 ! crops are all  (f1 b ,i
 f9d t e pat* ( ! e>?'s surface doesn't 
always make a good f>m4 ,:y y c g f     
,danville1 ,ill9ois1 to  ,omaha1        
,nebraska1 & /op any:]e 9 ! d>ke/ night 

& y're  mighty ne> sure to light on a   
good f>m :]e "o acre is wor? t5  ( ?is  
l& along "h4    ,ab\t :at is ?is l&     
wor?8 ask$ ,p]cy4    ,well1 ,i ?\ght six
 hundr$ acres ( x 0 wor? #e1jjj ab\t    
eight ye>s ago1 especially z ! build+s  
on ! place 7 9  good repair & c\ldn't be
 built to-day = less ?an #f1jjj3 b  "r  
n[ ,i ?9k ,i paid a pl5ty = my l&4 ,x's 
j back a few  miles at ! /ation :]e ,i  
got on4    ,h[ f> is t f ,wa%+ton8      
,ab\t fifte5 miles1 ,i reckon1 z ! cr[  
flies4 ,my boy has a  telescope 8 uncle 
s5t him & we c see ! ,monum5t on a cle> 
day4    ,:at monum5t8 ask$ ,p]cy4       
,:y1 ,wa%+ton's monum5t4 ,hav5't y ev]  
be5 to ,wa%+ton8    ,no1 ?is is my fir/ 
visit4 ,i am really ?9k+ ( buy+ a f>m   
some:]e "h 9 ! ,ea/4 ,i h be5 9 ,ri*mond
 & le>n$ a  great deal f ! /ate reports1
 & ,i ?\ght ,i might get m  in=mation f 
! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 9 ,wa%+ton4  
,p]haps1 said ! man1 b my advice is to  
keep 9 m9d t  !re is a diff]5ce betwe5  
buy+ l& & buy+ a f>m4 ,i've  got l& to  

sell1 by ! way4 ,i ?\ght ,i'd ne$ x all 
:5 ,i  b\ght1 b ,i c see n[ t ,i'll n   
ne$ m'n half ( x at  ! mo/2 s1 if y want
 two or ?ree hundr$ acres ( ?is k9d (   
l& "r close "h :]e y k9d o' neighbor ) !
 s5ators  & o!r upp] t5s1 & run back &  
=? f ! ,city 9 an  h\r or s1 :y ,i ?9k  
,i c accommodate y4 ,my "n is  ,sund]l&1
 ,j4 ,r4 ,sund]l&1 & y'll f9d me at home
 any day4    ,h[ mu* w\ld y sell "p (   
y\r l& =8 inquir$ ,p]cy4    ,well1 ,i'd 
k9d o' hate to take less ?an t5 doll>s  
an acre =  x2 b ,i ?9k we c make a deal 
all "r if y l !  location4              
,,*apt] ,,xx    ,a ,,lesson ,,9         
,,optimism            ,,ab\t n9e o'clock
 ! day foll[+ ,p]cy's arrival 9 ,wa%+ton
  he s5t 8 c>d into ! (fice ( !         
,secret>y ( ,agriculture4    ,j /ep ?is 
way1 said ! boy on 8 return4 ,!         
,secret>y  w see y at once4    ,a       
g5tleman :o appe>$ to be sixty1 b 0     
really sev]al ye>s  old]1 arose f 8 desk
 & greet$ ,p]cy v k9dly4    ,i see y are
 f ,ill9ois1 ,mr4 ,john/on4 ,i am an    

,i[a man myself1  & ,i am always glad to
 see any "o f ! corn belt4 ,d y "k  we  
are go+ to beat ! records ?is ye>8 ,x is
 wond]ful :at  crops we gr[ 9 ?is       
c\ntry1 & !y are gett+ bett] e  ye>4 ,we
 are gr[+ m ?an two-?irds ( ! entire    
corn crop (  ! globe1 "r "h 9 ^! ,unit$ 
,/ates4 ,yes1 ,sir1 & we are  j beg9n+  
to gr[ corn2 & corn is only "o ( our    
important  agricultural products4 ,d y  
"k t eighty-six p] c5t4 ( all  ! raw    
mat]ials us$ 9 all ! manufactur$        
products ( ?is  c\ntry come f ! f>ms ( !
 ,unit$ ,/ates2 yes1 ,sir1  eighty-six  
p] c5t4    ,n[1 :at c ,i d = y8 ,i am v 
glad y call$1 & ,i w  be glad to s]ve y 
9 any way y desire4 ,by ! way1 h[ is !  
corn turn+ out 9 y\r "p ( ,ill9ois8     
,bump] crop1 ,i h no  d\bt4    ,i ?9k s1
 said ,p]cy1 aft] see+ ! crops "h 9 !   
,ea/4    ,t's :at ,i ?\ght1 cont9u$ !   
,secret>y4 ,a bump] crop1  ! bigge/ we  
ev] rais$4 ,oh1 !y don't "k h[ to raise 
corn  "h 9 ! ,ea/4 ,!y j gr[ corn1 corn1
 corn1 ye> aft] ye>2  & t w get any l&  

out ( fix4 ,i f\nd t out ye>s ago 9     
,i[a4 ,i am a f>m] myself1 z ,i suppose 
y "k4 ,i f\nd y  c\ldn't gr[ corn on !  
same l& all ! "t4 ,b j rotate  ! crops2 
put clov] 9 ! rotation2 & !n y\r gr\nd w
  make corn aga91 z good z ev]4    ,b ,i
 und]/& t clov] refuses to gr[ on mo/ ( 
?is  ea/]n l&1 said ,p]cy4    ,oh1      
nons5se4 ,!y don't s[ x4 ,i tell y !y   
don't s[ x1 &  !y don't "k h[ to raise  
x4 ,x takes a little manure sometimes   
to />t x1 b x w gr[ all "r if !y w\ld   
only give x  half a *ance4 ,:y1 = ye>s !
 ,i[a f>m]s said blue grass  w\ldn't gr[
 9 ,i[a4 ,yes1 ,sir1 !y j knew x w\ldn't
 gr[  !re2 & !n ,i %[$ !m t blue grass 0
 actually gr[+  9 ,i[a1--actually gr[+  
along ! roadsides almo/  ev]y:]e1--blue 
grass t w\ld pa/ure a /e] to ! acre--j  
came 9 ( itself )\t be+ se$$4 ,no1 ,i   
tell y !y don't  s[ clov] d[n "h4 ,!y j 
say x won't gr[ & keep "r on  plant+    
corn1 corn1 corn1 until ! corn crop     
am\nts to no?+1  & !n !y let ! l& gr[ up
 9 bru%4    ,n[1 ,i d n wi% to take up m

 ( y\r "t1 said ,p]cy1 =  ,i "k h[ busy 
a man y mu/ be1 b ,i am ?9k+ ( buy+ a   
f>m1 or "s l&1 "h 9 ! ,ea/ & h come to y
 =  in=mation4 ,we h a small f>m 9      
,ill9ois & l& is r too  high-pric$ !re  
to ?9k ( buy+ m2 b ,i ?\ght ,i c\ld     
sell at a good price1 & buy a mu* l>g]  
f>m "h 9 ! ,ea/  ) "p ( ! money & /ill h
 en\gh left to build x up  )2 &1 ) !    
high price ( all k9ds ( f>m produce "h1 
we  ought to make x pay4    ,y c d x1   
said ! ,secret>y4 ,no d\bt ( x4 ,any l& 
t  ev] 0 any good is all "r yet if y'll 
gr[ clov]1 & y  c />t t ) a little      
manure if y ne$ x4 ,i h done x  9 ,i[a1 
& ,i "k :at ,i am talk+ ab\t4    ,n[ my 
,bureau ( ,soils c give y j ! in=mation 
y want4  ,we are mak+ a soil survey ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates1 & we h soil  maps (      
sev]al c\nties "r "h 9 ,m>yl&4 ,y c take
 t  map & pick out any k9d ( l& y       
want1--upl& or bottom  l&1--s&y soil1   
clay soil1 loam1 silt loam1 or any?+ y  
want4              ,,*apt] ,,xxi    ,,9 
,,! ,,(fice ,,( ,,! ,,*ief              

,,%[ ?is g5tleman to ! ,bureau ( ,soils1
 said ! ,secret>y to  ! boy :o came z he
 pu%$ a button4    ,all ! _w loves an   
optimi/1 said ,p]cy to himself z he     
foll[$ ! boy to ano!r (fice :]e he met !
 ,*ief ( !  ,bureau ( ,soils1 :o k9dly  
furni%$ him ) copies ( ! soil  maps (   
sev]al c\nties1 includ+ two 9 ,m>yl&1   
,pr9ce ,george1  :i* adjo9s ! ,di/rict (
 ,columbia1 & ,/4 ,m>y c\nty1 :i*  almo/
 adjo9s ,pr9ce ,george on ! ,s\?4    ,^!
 maps 7 accompani$ by ext5sive reports  
describ+ 9 "s  detail ! agricultural    
hi/ory ( ! c\nties & ! g5]al            
obs]vations t _h be5 made by ! soil     
surveyors4    ,i desire to le>n z mu* z 
,i c reg>d+ ! mo/ common upl&  soils1   
,p]cy expla9$4 ,n ! r\gh or brok5 l&1 b 
!  level or undulat+ l&s :i* are be/    
suit$ = cultivation4 ,i  am sure ^! maps
 & reports w be a v great help to me4   
,i ?9k y w f9d j :at y are look+ =1 said
 !  ,*ief4 ,y c spread ! maps out on !  
table !re & let me  "k if ,i c be ( any 
assi/ance4 ,y see ! leg5d on ! m>g9     

gives y ! "n ( e soil type1 & ! soils   
are fully  describ$ 9 ! reports4 ,"o ( !
 mo/ common upl&s soils 9  s\!rn ,pr9ce 
,george c\nty is ! ,leon>dt[n loam1 &   
?is type  is also ! mo/ ext5sive soil   
type 9 ,/4 ,m>y c\nty4    ,! same type  
is f\nd 9 ,virg9ia to "s ext5t4 ,:ile ! 
soil  has be5 run d[n by improp] me?ods 
( culture1 x has a v good  me*anical    
composition & is really an excell5t     
soil2 b x ne$s  crop rotation & m ?or\gh
 cultivation to br+ x back into a  high 
/ate ( f]tility4 ,! f>m]s are sl[ to    
take up advanc$  me?ods "h 9 ! ,ea/4 ,we
 h told !m :at !y ought to d1  b !y keep
 "r on 9 ! same old rut4    ,= two h\rs 
,p]cy buri$ himself ) ! maps & reports4 
,f9ally ! ,*ief came f 8 inn] (fice1 &  
f9d+ ,p]cy  /ill !re ask$ if he _h f\nd 
su* in=mation z he desir$4    ,i f9d mu*
 ( int]e/ & value1 b ,i d n f9d any     
complete  invoice ( ! plant food conta9$
 9 ^! diff]5t k9ds (  soil4    ,y mean  
an ultimate *emical analysis ( ! soil8  
ask$ !  ,*ief4    ,yes1 a *emical       

analysis to asc]ta9 ! absolute am\nt (  
plant  food 9 ! soil4 ,i ?9k ( x z an   
invoice2 b ,i see t y d  n report any   
su* analyses4    ,no1 we d n1 answ]$ !  
,*ief4 ,we h be5 inve/igat+ !  me*anical
 composition ( soils1 ! *emi/ry ( ! soil
 solution1  & ! adaptation ( crop to    
soil4 ,we f9d t f>m]s are n  gr[+ !     
crops !y %\ld gr[2 namely1 ! crops to   
:i* _!  soils are be/ adapt$4 ,=        
example1 !y try to gr[ corn on l&  t is 
n adapt$ to corn4    ,x seems to me1    
said ,p]cy1 t our f>m]s are always try+ 
to  f9d a crop t is adapt$ to _! soil4  
,d[n 9 ',egypt1' :i*  cov]s ab\t "o-?ird
 ( ,ill9ois1 ! f>m]s once rais$ s mu*   
corn t ! p f ! swampy prairie w5t d[n   
!re to buy  corn1 & h5ce ! "n ',egypt'  
became appli$ to ,s\!rn  ,ill9ois4 ,b   
!re came a "t :5 ! soil refus$ to gr[   
su*  crops ( corn2 ! f>m]s !n f\nd t    
:eat 0 adapt$ to !  soil4 ,lat] ! :eat  
yields decreas$ until ! crop became     
unpr(itable2 & ! f>m]s s\ght = ano!r    
crop adapt$ to a  /ill m deplet$ soil4  

,timo?y 0 select$1 & = _m ye>s  x prov$ 
a pr(itable crop2 b ( late ye>s timo?y  
likewise has  decreas$ 9 yield until !re
 mu/ be ano!r *ange2 & n[ :ole  sections
 ( ',egypt' are gr[+ r$ top z ! only    
pr(itable crop4  ,aft] r$ top1 !n :at8  
,i don't "k1 b x looks z ?\gh x  w\ld be
 spr\ts & scrub bru%1 & f9al l&         
ab&onm5t1 a  repetition ( ! hi/ory ( ^! 
old l&s ( ,virg9ia &  ,m>yl&4    ,well1 
c't !y gr[ corn aft] r$ top8 ask$ !     
,*ief4    ,_m ( !m try x _m times1      
repli$ ,p]cy1 & ! yield is  ab\t tw5ty  
bu%els p] acre1 :]eas ! virg9 soil      
easily  produc$ sixty to eighty bu%els4 
,& !y c't gr[ :eat z !y once did8       
,no1 :eat aft] timo?y or r$ top n[      
yields f five to twelve  bu%els p] acre1
 :ile !y once grew tw5ty to ?irty bu%els
 (  :eat p] acre ye> aft] ye>4    ,if !y
 rotate _! crops1 !y w\ld probably yield
 z well z  ev]1 said ! ,*ief4    ,no1 t1
 too1 has be5 tri$1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,!    
,ill9ois  ,exp]im5t ,/ation has practic$
 a f\r-ye> rotation ( corn1  c[peas1    

:eat1 & clov] on an exp]im5t field on ! 
common  prairie soil d[n 9 ',egypt1' & !
 av]age yield ( :eat has  be5 only      
twelve bu%els p] acre dur+ ! la/ f\r    
ye>s1 b  :5 legume crops 7 pl[$ "u &    
lime/one & phosphorus  appli$1 ! av]age 
yield dur+ ! same f\r ye>s 0  tw5ty-sev5
 bu%els p] acre4    ,probably ! increase
 0 all produc$ by ! gre5 manure1        
sugge/$ ! ,*ief4 ,organic matt] has a   
great influ5ce on !  control ( ! moi/ure
 supply4    ,t 0 te/$1 said ,p]cy4 ,!   
gre5 manure alone increas$ !  av]age    
yield to only f\rte5 bu%els :ile ! gre5 
manure &  lime/one toge!r rais$ ! av]age
 :eat yield to n9ete5  bu%els1 ! fur!r  
increase to tw5ty-sev5 bu%els hav+ be5  
produc$ by ! addition ( phosphorus4     
,well1 ,sir1 said ! ,*ief1 we h made bo?
 ext5sive int5sive  inve/igations       
conc]n+ ! *emi/ry ( ! soil solution by v
  delicate & s5sitive me?ods ( analysis 
we h develop$1 & we  h also conduct$    
culture exp]im5ts = tw5ty-day p]iods )  
:eat se$l+s 9 ! wat] extract ( soils f  

all p>ts ( !  ,unit$ ,/ates1 & ! results
 we h obta9$ h *ang$ !  ?\ght ( ! _w z  
to ! cause ( ! inf]tility ( soils4    ,b
 y h n made analyses = total plant food 
9 ! soils or  conduct$ actual field     
exp]im5ts ) crops gr[n to maturity8     
ask$ ,p]cy4    ,no1 we h n done t1      
answ]$ ! ,*ief4 ,^? are old  me?ods (   
inve/igation :i* h be5 tri$ = _m ye>s & 
yet no *emi/ c tell 9 advance :at w be !
 effect ( a  giv5 f]tiliz] ^u a giv5    
crop on a giv5 soil4    ,t is true1 said
 ,p]cy1 b nei!r c any m]*ant tell 9     
advance j :at effect w be produc$ on !  
next day's bus9ess  by ! addition ( a   
giv5 numb] ( a giv5 k9d ( %oes to a     
giv5 /ock on 8 %elves4 ,!re are _m      
factors involv$ 9 bo?  cases4    ,yes1 y
 are "r 9 t1 said ! ,*ief1 we are j     
beg9n+  to und]/& ! *emi/ry ( ! soil1 & 
we hope soon to h  v complete pro( ( !  
advanc$ ideas we already h conc]n+  !   
causes ( ! f]tility & inf]tility (      
soils4    ,ref]r+ to ! specific case ( !
 ,leon>dt[n loam (  ,m>yl&1 said ,p]cy1 

,i f9d ! foll[+ /atem5t on page #cc (  !
 ,report ( ! ,field ,op]ations ( !      
,bureau ( ,soils = #aijj4  ,aft]        
describ+ ! ,norfolk loam ( ,/4 ,m>y     
,c\nty1 ! writ]  says3    ',! ,leon>dt[n
 loam is a v mu* heavi] type ( soil4 ,x 
cov]s ab\t =ty-"o p] c5t4 ( ,/4 ,m>y    
,c\nty4 ,! soil is a  yell[ silty soil1 
resembl+ loess 9 texture1 und]laid by a 
clay  subsoil ) lay]s or pockets ( s&4  
,?is soil has be5  cultivat$ = upw>d (  
two hundr$ ye>s1 b x is n[ little  valu$
 & is cov]$ ) oak & p9e ov] mu* ( its   
area4 ,x is  wor? f #a to #c p] acre4 ,!
 cultivat$ areas produce small  crops ( 
corn1 :eat1 & an inf]ior grade (        
tobacco4'    ,! g5]ally l[ e/imation 9  
:i* ?is l& is held is probably  :olly   
unju/ifi$1 repli$ ! ,*ief4 ,!re are two 
or ?ree  f>ms 9 ! area :i*1 "u a high   
/ate ( cultivation )  intellig5t me?ods1
 w produce f tw5ty to ?irty bu%els (    
:eat p] acre & correspond+ crops ( corn4
 ,^? f>m]s are a  cr$it to ! c\ntry4 ,!y
 furni% ! t[ns ) good milk &  butt] &   

vegetables1 & !y also help to keep !    
t[ns clean  & sanit>y by haul+ out !    
animal excrem5ts1 & o!r wa/e  & g>bage t
 t5d to pollute ! air & wat] ( !        
village4    ,i c see h[ t might ma9ta9 !
 f]tility ( ^? f>ms1  said ,p]cy4 ,x    
seems t ! g5]al condition ( ?is k9d (   
l& is ab\t ! same 9 ,pr9ce ,george      
,c\nty4 ,on page #de ( !  #aija ,report 
( ! ,field ,op]ations ( ! ,bureau (     
,soils1 ,i h  not$ ! foll[+ /atem5t3    
',! ,leon>dt[n loam1 cov]+ #de1ggj acres
 ( ! area1 is !  ne>e/ approa* among !  
,m>yl& ,coa/al ,pla9 ,soils to ! heavy  
clays ( ! lime/one regions ( ,we/]n     
,m>yl& & ,p5nsylvania4  ,! surface is   
g5]ally level & ! dra9age fair4 ,! soil 
is  n adapt$ to tobacco1 & has          
consequ5tly be5 all[$ to gr[ up  to     
scrub =e/1 s t l>ge portions ( x are at 
pres5t  uncle>$4 ,su* unimprov$ l&s c be
 b\ght = #a4ej to #e4jj an  acre1 ev5 )9
 a few miles ( ! ,di/rict l9e4 ,! soil  
has  be5 badly neglect$1 & :5 cultivat$ 
! me?ods h n be5  su* z to promote      

f]tility4 ,:5 prop]ly h&l$1 z x is 9 a  
few places1 good yields ( :eat1 corn &  
grass are obta9$4'    ,t's "r1 said !   
,*ief1 exactly "r4 ,^u ! :ole x is  "o (
 ! mo/ promis+ soils ( ! locality1      
al?\gh x is n  consid]$ s by ! resid5t  
f>m]s4    ,y mean t x %\ld be h&l$ !    
same z is done by !  successful f>m]s ( 
,/4 ,m>y ,c\nty8 inquir$ ,p]cy4    ,yes1
 x ne$s ?or\gh cultivation & ! rotation 
( crops2 &  ! physical condition ( !    
soil ne$s to be improv$ by !  addition (
 lime & manure1 or gre5 crops turn$ "u4 
,i h be5 look+ ov] "s ( ! o!r ,reports (
 ,field  ,op]ations1 said ,p]cy4 ,i     
became int]e/$ 9 ! description (  a     
,virg9ia soil call$ ,port]s black loam4 
,i f9d ! foll[+  /atem5ts on page #baj (
 ! ,report = #aijb3    ',! ,port]s black
 loam occurs 9 all ! soil survey %eets1 
ext5d+ along ! top ( ! ma9 portion ( !  
,blue ,ridge  ,m\nta9s 9 "o cont9u\s    
area4 ,?is type consi/s ( ! broad  roll+
 tops & ! upp] slopes ( ! ma9 range ( ! 
,blue  ,ridge ,m\nta9s4 ,locally !      

,port]s black loam is call$ black  l& & 
pipp9 l&1 ! latt] t]m be+ appli$        
because1 (  all ! soils ( ! area1 x is  
pre-em95tly adapt$ to !  ,newt[n &      
,alb]m>le ,pipp94 ,?is black l& has long
 be5  recogniz$ z ! mo/ f]tile ( !      
m\nta9 soils4 ,x c be  work$ ye> aft]   
ye> )\t app>5t impairm5t ( its f]tility4
  ,:eat w9t] kills1 ! loose soils heav+ 
badly "u influ5ce (  fro/4 ,! areas lie 
at too high elevations = corn4 ,oats d  
well1  mak+ l>ge yields4 ,iri% potatoes1
 ev5 "u ord9>y culture1  w yield f two  
hundr$ to ?ree hundr$ bu%els p] acre4 ,x
  se$s 9 blue grass naturally1 :i* af=ds
 excell5t pa/urage4  ,clov] & o!r       
grasses w also gr[ luxuriantly ^u x4 ,! 
areas occupi$ by ?is soil are mo/ly     
cle>$4'    ,yes1 ,sir1 said ! ,*ief1 !  
,pott]s black loam is a f9e  soil--loose
 & por\s z /at$ 9 ! ,report4 ,y see x   
has a  good physical condition4    ,!re 
is "o o!r description 9 ?is ,report =   
#aijc t is (  special int]e/ to me1 said
 ,p]cy4 ,?is relates to a type ( soil   

:i* ! surveyors f\nd 9 ! l[ level areas 
( prairie l& 9  ,mc,lean ,c\nty1        
,ill9ois1 & :i* !y h call$ ,miami black 
clay  loam4 ,i ?9k we h sev]al acres ( !
 same k9d ( soil on our  own little f>m4
 ,i f\nd ! foll[+ /atem5ts on page #ghg3
    ',:5 ! fir/ settl]s came to ,mc,lean
 ,c\nty !y f\nd ! areas  occupi$ by !   
,miami black clay loam wet & swampy1 &  
be=e  ^! areas c\ld be br\ght "u        
cultivation x 0 necess>y to  remove !   
excess ( moi/ure4 ,) ! exception ( a few
 l>ge  dit*es = outlets1 tile dra9s h   
tak5 ! place ( op5  dit*es4 ,dra9age    
sy/ems 9 "s in/ances h co/ z mu* z #be  
an acre1 b ! v productive "* ( ! soil1 &
 !  increase 9 ! yields fully ju/ify !  
exp5se4 ,!re are few  soils m productive
 ?an ! ,miami black clay loam4 ,"s areas
  h be5 cropp$ almo/ cont9u\sly 9 corn =
 ne>ly fifty ye>s  )\t mu* dim9ution 9 !
 yields4'    ,n[ !re y are aga91 said ! 
,*ief4 ,dra9age1 t's all x  ne$$4 ,y see
 x's a simple matt]2 & t's :at !        
,leon>dt[n loam ne$s 9 places4 ,give x  

good dra9age & good  cultivation ) a    
rotation ( crops1 & y'll get results all
  "r4    ,has ! ,bureau ( ,soils tri$ ^!
 me?ods on any ( ?is soil  ne> ,wa%+ton8
 ask$ ,p]cy4    ,no use1 repli$ ! ,*ief4
 ,we've got ! sci5tific facts &         
besides1 z ,i told y1 "s few f>ms are   
kept up 9 bo? ,pr9ce  ,george & ,/4 ,m>y
 c\nties & !y are z good demon/rations z
  anyone c\ld want4 ,n[ ,i sugge/ t y   
meet "s ( our  sci5ti/s4                
,,*apt] ,,xxii    ,,! ,,*emi/',s        
,,laboratory            ,,! ,*ief %[$   
,p]cy into ! laboratories ( ! ,bureau & 
introduc$ him to ! soil physici/ & !    
soil *emi/4 ,p]cy 0  greatly int]e/$ 9 !
 v>i\s l9es ( "w 9 progress &  gladly   
accept$ an invitation to return aft]    
lun* & become  bett] acqua9t$ ) ! me?ods
 ( inve/igation us$4    ,9 ! aft]noon ! 
physici/ %[$ him h[ ! soil wat] c\ld  be
 remov$ f an ord9>y moi/ soil by        
c5trifugal =ce1 & !  *emi/ 0 gr[+ :eat  
se$l+s 9 small quantities ( ?is  wat] & 
9 wat] extracts conta9$ 9 bottles4 ,!   

se$l+s 7  all[$ to gr[ = tw5ty days & !n
 o!r se$l+s 7  />t$ 9 ! same solution & 
also 9 fre% solution1 & x 0  v app>5t t 
9 "s cases ! :eat grew bett] 9 ! fre%   
solutions4    ,! *emi/ expla9$ t he also
 analyz$ ! soil solutions &  wat]       
extracts f diff]5t soils & t !re 0 no   
relation  betwe5 ! crop yields & !      
*emical composition ( ! soils4    ,b x  
seems to me1 said ,p]cy1 t y\r analysis 
ref]s to !  plant food dissolv$ 9 ! soil
 wat] only at ! "t :5 y  extract x4 ,h[ 
long a "t does x require to make !      
extraction8    ,z a rule we %ake ! soil 
) wat] = ?ree m9utes & !n  x takes tw5ty
 m9utes to sep>ate ! wat] f ! soil4 ,?is
  gives u ! plant food 9 solution & ) ! 
addition ( m  wat] ! nitrates1          
phosphoric acid1 & pota% 9 ! soil       
imm$iately dissolve suffici5tly give u a
 nutri5t solution ( !  same conc5tration
 z we _h be=e4 ,?us !re is always       
suffici5t  plant food 9 ! soil s long z 
!re is any ( ! orig9al  /ock4    ,t is  
surely quick "w1 said ,p]cy1 b ,i wond] 

if ! corn  plant might n get some:at    
diff]5t results f ! soil  analysis :i* x
 makes4    ,h[ d y mean8    ,did y ev]  
plant a field ( corn & !n cultivate x & 
wat*  x gr[ ) increas+ rapidity1 until  
along ab\t ! ,f\r? (  ,july e leaf seem$
 to nod its appreciation & ?anks z y    
/irr$ ! soil2 & to %[ its gratitude1    
too1 by gr[+ ab\t  five in*es e         
tw5ty-f\r h\rs :5 ! nights 7 w>m8       
,no1 repli$ ! ,*emi/1 ,i h nev] _h any  
exp]i5ce ( t  sort4 ,i am devot+ my life
 to ! m sci5tific inve/igations  relat+ 
to ! fundam5tal laws :i* und]lie ^! soil
 f]tility  problems4    ,well1 ,i 0 only
 ?9k+1 ,p]cy cont9u$1 t y analyze a     
fraction ( a p\nd ( soil 9 a few m9utes1
 :ile ! corn plant  analyzes ab\t a ton 
( soil by a sort ( cont9u\s process1 :i*
  cov]s tw5ty-f\r h\rs e day = ab\t "o  
hundr$ & tw5ty  days1 & x takes into    
acc\nt e *ange 9 temp]ature &  moi/ure1 
! a]ation ) any v>iation produc$ by     
cultivation1  & also ! *anges br\ght    
ab\t by ! nitrify+ bact]ia &  all o!r   

ag5cies t promote ! decomposition ( !   
soil &  ! lib]ation ( plant food1       
includ+ ! action ^u !  insoluble        
phosphates & o!r m9]als ( ! c>bonic acid
 exhal$  by ! roots ( ! corn plants1 !  
nitric acid produc$ by !  process (     
nitrification1 & ! v>i\s acids result+ f
 !  decay ( organic matt] conta9$ 9 !   
soil4    ,i am v famili> ) ! lit]ature (
 ! :ole subject ( soil  f]tility1 repli$
 ! ,*emi/1 & our !ories are be+  accept$
 ev]y:]e4 ,i h j return$ f a lecture t\r
  ext5d+ f ,florida to ,mi*igan1 & our  
ideas & me?ods are  be+ v g5]ally       
adopt$1 n only 9 ?is c\ntry b also 9    
,europe4    ,! ,*ief ( ! ,bureau v k9dly
 p]mitt$ me to look ov] !  maps &       
reports relat+ to ! soils ( ,m>yl& &    
,virg9ia1  said ,p]cy1 b 9 ?is lit]ature
 ,i f\nd no data z to ! am\nt  ( plant  
food conta9$ 9 ! v>i\s soil types t h   
be5  f\nd 9 ! surveys4 ,may ,i ask if ! 
,bureau has made any analyses  to       
asc]ta9 ! total am\nts ( ! diff]5t      
ess5tial plant food  elem5ts conta9$ 9  

^! diff]5t soils8    ,no1 ! ,*emi/      
repli$1 a *emical analysis gives        
practically no  in=mation conc]n+ !     
f]tility ( ! soil4 ,we h made no        
ultimate analyses ( soils1 al?\gh we h  
us$ ! same me?ods  ( analysis 9 a /udy (
 ! p>tial composition ( ! soil          
sep>ates1 or p>ticles ( diff]5t grades1 
su* z ! s&1 !  silt1 & ! clay4    ,& h y
 also det]m9$ ! p]c5tages ( s&1 silt1 & 
clay 9 ! soils !mselves8    ,oh1 yes1 ! 
physical composition ( ! soil is a matt]
 ( v  great importance1 & ?is is always 
det]m9$ & report$ =  e soil4 ,did y n   
see t 9 ! ,reports y exam9$ ?is  morn+8 
,i ?9k ,i did notice x1 ,p]cy repli$1 b 
x is s easy = !  f>m] himself to tell a 
s&y soil f a clay soil t ,i did n       
appreciate ! value ( ^? physical        
analyses4    ,9 any case1 ,i %all be v  
glad to "k :at results 7  obta9$ f !    
*emical analysis ( ! soil sep>ates to   
:i*  y ref]r$4    ,^? results are all   
report$ 9 ,bullet9 ,no4 #ed ( ! ,bureau 
(  ,soils1 said ! ,*emi/1 & ,i h extra  

copies "r "h &  w be glad to pres5t y ) 
"o4 ,& let me give y our  ,bullet9 #bb  
also4 ,?is w enable y to get a cle> idea
 ( !  pr9ciples we are develop+ :i* are 
solv+ ! soil f]tility  problems t h     
completely baffl$ ! sci5ti/s h]et(ore4  
,,*apt] ,,xxiii    ,,ma!matics ,,appli$ 
,,to ,,agriculture            ,,p]cy    
left ! ,bureau ( ,soils ) a feel+ ( deep
 appreciation  = ! uni=m c\rtesy &      
k9dness t _h be5 accord$ him1  b ) a    
firm conviction t ! laboratory sci5ti/s 
7 too  f> remov$ f ! actual conditions  
exi/+ 9 ! cultivat$  field4 ,he s\ght ! 
quiet ( 8 room at ! hotel 9 ord] to     
/udy ! bullet9s he _h receiv$4    ,ev5 )
 8 college tra9+ he f\nd x difficult to 
=m cle>  m5tal conceptions ( ! results (
 inve/igations report$ 9 !  bullet9s4   
,sometimes ! data 7 report$ 9 p]c5tages 
&  sometimes 9 p>ts p] million4 ,no     
reports gave ! am\nts ( !  elem5t       
phosphorus2 b ,,po#d 0 giv5 9 "s places 
& ,p#b,o#e 9  o!rs4 ,9 ,bullet9 ,no4    
#bb1 ! potassium & calcium 7 report$  z 

! elem5ts & ! nitrog5 9 t]ms ( ,,no#c1  
:ile pota%  7,k#bj71 quicklime 7,ca,o71 
& magnesia 7,mg,o7 7 report$ 9 ,bullet9 
#ed4    ,by a some:at complicat$        
ma!matical process1 he f9ally succe$$  9
 mak+ computations f ! p]c5tages ( !    
v>i\s comp\nds  report$ 9 ! soil        
sep>ates & f ! p]c5tages ( ^!  diff]5t  
sep>ates conta9$ 9 ! soils !mselves & f 
!  kn[n weights ( normal soils1 until he
 r$uc$ ! data to am\nts  p] acre ( pl[$ 
soil4    ,he 0 especially pleas$ to f9d 
t ! ess5tial data 7 at  h& n only = bo? 
! ,leon>dt[n loam & ! ,port]'s black    
loam1 b also = ! ,norfolk loam1 :i* he  
_h le>n$ f "o  ( ! soil maps 0 !        
pr9cipal type ( soil s\?we/ (           
,blairville on ,mr4 ,?ornton's f>m2 &1  
fur!rmore1 ! ,miami black  clay loam (  
,ill9ois 0 includ$4 ,p]cy knew ! black  
clay loam  0 a ri* soil1 = ! tea*] 9    
college _h said t ! m  common prairie l&
 & mo/ timb] l&s 7 mu* less durable &   
ne$$ ?or\gh inve/igation at once1 :ile !
 flat rec5tly  dra9$ heavy black l& c\ld

 wait a few ye>s if necess>y4    ,p]cy  
fir/ work$ out ! data = ! ,miami black  
clay loam4 ,!  *emi/ _h analyz$ ! soil  
sep>ates = only f\r con/itu5ts1  & !y   
%[$ ! foll[+ am\nts p] acre ( pl[$ soil 
to a  dep? ( six & two-?irds in*es1     
av]ag+ two million p\nds 9  weight3     
#b1igj p\nds ( phosphorus    #ch1ejj    
p\nds ( potassium    #ah1ddj p\nds (    
magnesium    #df1bjj p\nds ( calcium    
,he !n made ! computations = ! av]age ( 
! ,leon>dt[n  loam ( ,/4 ,m>y ,c\nty1   
,m>yl&1 ) results z foll[s3    #afj     
p\nds ( phosphorus    #ah1ejj p\nds (   
potassium    #c1dhj p\nds ( magnesium   
#a1jjj p\nds ( calcium    ,p]cy />$ at  
^! figures :5 he br\ght !m toge!r =     
comp>ison4 ,he !n *eck$ up 8            
computations to be sure !y 7  "r4       
,almo/ tw5ty times z mu* phosphorus6 he 
said to himself4 ,is x  possible8 ,& m  
?an =ty times z mu* calcium6 ,let me    
see6 ,x  takes "o hundr$ & sev5te5 p\nds
 ( calcium = f\r tons (  clov] hay4 ,!  
total am\nt 9 ! pl[$ soil ( ! ,leon>dt[n

  loam w\ld n be suffici5t = eight su*  
crops2 & six crops (  corn su* z we     
rais$ "o ye> on our sixte5 acres w\ld   
take m  phosphorus f ! l& ?an is n[ left
 9 ! pl[$ soil ( ?is  ,leon>dt[n loam4  
,! magnesium is n q s bad--ab\t "o-fif? 
z mu* z 9 our black soil1 & ! potassium 
is almo/ "o-half  z mu* z we h4    ,p]cy
 next turn$ to ! ,port]s black loam1 :i*
 he _h notic$  0 to be f\nd n _m miles f
 ,montpla94 ,he ?\ght he might  induce  
,mr4 ,we/ to drive ) him to ! upp]      
m\nta9 slope 9  ord] t !y might see t   
l&4 ,8 computations = !  ,port]s black  
loam gave ! foll[+ results3    #d1fcj   
p\nds ( phosphorus    #dh1cjj p\nds (   
potassium    #ab1cfj p\nds ( magnesium  
#bc1gjj p\nds ( calcium    ,he view$ ^! 
figures a mom5t ) evid5t satisfaction4  
,pl5ty ( ev]y?+ 9 ?is wond]ful 'pipp9   
l&1' he ?\ght4  ,big yields report$ =   
ev]y?+ suit$ to t altitude4 ',c be      
work$ ye> aft] ye> )\t app>5t impairm5t 
( its  f]tility1' s ! ,report /at$4 ,i  
%\ld ?9k x might1  especially s9ce clov]

 is "o ( ! crops gr[n4 ,bo? phosphorus  
& potassium are way above our be/ black 
l&4 ,magnesium  two-?irds & calcium     
"o-half ( our flat l&1 b /ill great]    
?an our common prairie1 accord+ to !    
av]age !y gave u at  college4 ,& no d\bt
 !re is pl5ty ( magnesian lime/one 9  ^!
 m\nta9s :i* c\ld be _h if ev] ne$$4 ,! 
soil surveyor  c]ta9ly did n say too mu*
 9 praise ( ! ,port]s black loam1       
consid]+ t its physical composition is  
also all "r4    ,he work$ out ! ,norfolk
 loam to see :at he w\ld get if he      
accept$ ,miss ,russell's d>e4 ,! foll[+ 
are ! figures3    #faj p\nds (          
phosphorus    #ac1bjj p\nds ( potassium 
#a1bjj p\nds ( magnesium    #c1dcj p\nds
 ( calcium    ,r l[ 9 ev]y?+1 said      
,p]cy1 comp>$ ) any soil ,i  "k t has a 
good reputation4 ,m uni=mly poor b n s  
extremely poor z ! ,leon>dt[n loam4     
,he wi%$ t ! nitrog5 _h be5 det]m9$ by !
 *emi/1 ev5  ?\gh he knew ! organic     
matt] & ! nitrog5 mu/ be v l[  9 ! poor 
soils1 b n[h]e 0 any su* record to be   

f\nd 9  ! bullet94 ,he f\nd ! /atem5t1  
h[ev]1 t all data 7  report$ on ! basis 
( ignit$ soil4    ,t w r$uce "s ( ^!    
am\nts ab\t "o-t5?1 he said to  himself4
 ,9 our physics "w 9 college1 good soils
 g5]ally lo/  ab\t t5 p] c5t4 9 weight  
by ignition1 ev5 aft] all  hygroscopic  
moi/ure _h be5 expell$2 b ^! v poor     
soils  hav5't mu* to lose1 ,i guess4 ,!y
 surely conta9 no c>bonates &  v little 
organic matt]1 al?\gh !y may conta9 "s  
comb9$  wat]4              ,,*apt]      
,,xxiv    ,,! ,,nation',s ,,capitol     
,,p]cy sp5t ?ree days 9 ,wa%+ton4    ,if
 ,i liv$ "h long1 he wrote 8 "m1 ,i ?9k 
,i %\ld  become z optimi/ic z !         
,secret>y ( ,agriculture1 ev5 ?\gh  !   
total produce ( ! orig9al ?irte5 /ates  
%\ld supply a  /ill small] fraction ( ! 
necessities ( life requir$ by _!        
population4 ,! ,congressional ,libr>y is
 by f> ! f9e/ /ructure  ,i h ev] se54 ,i
 _c help feel+ pr\d t ,i am an ,am]ican 
:5 ,i walk ?r\gh its halls & look ^u !  
portraits ( !  great m5 :o help$ to make

 our c\ntry truly great4    ,z ,i %ook  
h&s ) ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates at  
"o (  8 public receptions held 9 ! ',ea/
 ,room' ( ! ,:ite ,h\se1 ,i  wond]$ if  
!re 0 ano!r c\ntry on ! e>? :]e !       
humble/ subject c\ld ?us come face to   
face ) ! head ( a  mighty nation4 ,9 !  
,treasury ,build+ ,i 0 p]mitt$ to jo9 a 
small p>ty ( "s di/9ction & %>$ ) ea* ( 
!m !  privilege ( hold+ 9 my h&s = a    
mom5t eight million doll>s  9 gov]nm5t  
bonds4    ,i h visit$ _m ( ! great      
build+s1 ! ,capitol1 ( c\rse1  &        
,wa%+ton's monum5t1 :i* rises to a      
height ( #eee feet above  ! surr\nd+ l&1
 or practically #fjj feet above l[-wat] 
level  9 ! ,potomac4 ,!re are _m small] 
monum5ts erect$ 9 honor (  ,am]ican     
h]oes 9 v>i\s squ>es1 circles1 & p>ks   
?r\gh\t  ! ,city4    ,! zoological g>d5 
took a full half-day1 & ,i c\ld h sp5t  
a mu* long] "t !re4 ,!y told me ( a     
frightful occurr5ce  t happ5$ only la/  
week4 ,9 a pool ( wat] a v l>ge         
alligator is kept conf9$ by a l[ /\t    

iron f5ce4 ,a negro woman  0 lean+ ov] !
 f5ce hold+ h] baby 9 h] arms & look+   
at ! mon/] :o seem$ to be asleep2 :51   
)\t a mom5t's  w>n+1 he ?ru/ himself    
half out ( ! wat] & snapp$ !  baby f h] 
arms1 swall[+ x at "o gulp z he settl$  
back  into ! wat]4 ,i fe> ! report is   
true en\gh1 = !y h made  ! f5ce high] 9 
a v tempor>y mann]1 & ,i he>d x  m5tion$
 by a doz5 or m4    ,i leave ,wa%+ton by
 boat at five o'clock ?is aft]noon1 & ,i
  expect to l& at ,leon>dt[n1 ,/4 ,m>y  
c\nty1 ,m>yl&1 ab\t six  o'clock 9 !    
morn+1 :5 ! boat w be ready to leave t  
port4 ,x is a freight boat & /ops = h\rs
 at l>ge t[ns4    ,i am plann+ = a trip 
into ,new ,engl& next week4 ,i did n    
realize h[ easy x is to g !re until ,i  
look$ up ! tra9  s]vice4 ,9 less ?an    
twelve h\rs' "t1 "o c make ! trip f  !  
,virg9ia l9e1 ?r\gh ! ,di/rict (        
,columbia1 ,m>yl&1  ,delaw>e1           
,p5nsylvania1 ,new ,j]sey1 ,new ,york1  
,connecticut1 ,rhode  ,isl&1 & into     
,massa*usetts1--t5 diff]5t /ates1       

includ+ !  ,di/rict4 ,! trip f ,gal5a to
 ,cairo c h>dly be made 9 s  %ort a "t1 
n ev5 on ! limit$ ,ill9ois ,c5tral      
tra9s4    ,an h\r be=e leav+ ! ,wa%+ton 
hotel ,p]cy *anc$ to meet a             
,congressman :om he _h se5 on sev]al    
occasions at ! ,univ]sity  & :o _h spok5
 at ! alumni banquet at ! "t ( ,p]cy's  
graduation4    ,i'm v glad y introduc$  
y\rself1 ,mr4 ,john/on1 said he4  ,want 
to get a place d[n "h1 d y8 ,v likely ,i
 c help y  "s4 ,i've help$ sev]al fri5ds
 ( m9e to get good places4 ,:at  are y  
aft] 8    ,i am ?9k+ ( gett+ a place (  
ab\t ?ree hundr$ acres1  said ,p]cy1 &  
,i %all c]ta9ly appreciate any assi/ance
 or  in=mation y c give me4    ,:e-e-ew4
 ,:at are y up to8 ,want to sell u a    
site = ! new  ,gov]nm5t insane hospital1
 or go+ to lay out ano!r addition to  ! 
city8    ,nei!r1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,i am    
look+ = a piece ( *eap l&  t ,i c build 
up & make into a good f>m4    ,oh1 ho6  
said ! ,congressman4 ,t's x1 is x8      
,well1 n[ let me  tell y t y've /ruck ! 

wrong neck ( ! woods to f9d l&  t y c   
make a good f>m out (4 ,! l& ab\t "h is 
*eap  en\gh all "r--*eap] ?an ! votes ( 
"s politicians1 b x  c't be built up    
into good f>ms4 ,don't attempt !        
impossible1 my  fri5d4 ,if y want *eap  
l& = t[n sites or insane hospitals1  "r 
"h's ! c\ntry to l& 92 b if y want a    
good f>m1  y /ay "r 9 ,ill9ois1 or else 
foll[ ,horace ,greeley's advice  & 'g   
,we/4'4 ,t's a good sugge/ion = y1 too4 
,j g ,we/  & get ?ree hundr$ & tw5ty    
acres ( ! ri*e/ soil ly+ out  ( doors4  
,!re is n mu* l& left 9 ! ,we/ :]e !    
ra9fall is  suffici5t = good crops1 said
 ,p]cy4    ,!n take irrigat$ l&4 ,!     
,gov]nm5t is gett+ "u way "s  big       
irrigation projects1 & y ought to get 9 
on ! gr\nd floor  on "o ( ^? tracts4 ,x 
is a fact t ! apples f "s (  ^? irrigat$
 f>ms sometimes br+ m ?an #ejj an acre4 
,i don't d\bt t1 said ,p]cy4 ,an        
illu/ration or example c  usually be    
f\nd to prove almo/ any?+4 ,i "k t !    
,p]r9e  ,bro!rs1 :o conduct a fruit f>m 

d[n 9 ',egypt1' actually  receiv$ #hjj  
p] acre = ! apples gr[n on ?irte5 acres 
"o  ye>2 & !re is pl5ty ( su* l& 9      
,egypt t c be b\ght  = less ?an #dj an  
acre1 & ne> to ! great m>kets4 ,i am    
told1  h[ev]1 t !re are f a doz5 to a   
hundr$ applicants =  e f>m op5$ to      
settlem5t 9 ! ,we/ 9 ^! ye>s1 & x  is   
e/imat$ t all ( ! arid l&s t c ev] be   
put "u  irrigation 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates w  
provide homes = no m ?an  our regul>    
increase 9 population 9 five ye>s1 & t !
 only  o!r rema9+ ri* l&s--! swamp      
areas--w be occupi$ by !  increase ( t5 
ye>s 9 our population4 ,x has seem$ to  
me t x  is high "t we came back to ^!   
p>tially worn-out ,ea/]n l&s  & beg9 to 
build !m up4 ,"h ! ra9fall is abundant1 
!  climate is f9e1 & ! m>kets are ! be/1
 & !re are  millions ( acres ( ^! ,ea/]n
 l&s t lie z nicely =  f>m+ z ! ,we/]n  
prairies4 ,:y %\ld !y n be built up     
into good f>ms8    ,n[1 let me give y a 
little fa!rly advice1 said !            
,congressman1 lay+ 8 h& on ,p]cy's      

%\ld]4 ,i tell y ?is  l& nev] 0 any     
good4 ,if ! ,ea/ & ,s\? hadn't be5      
settl$  fir/1 !y nev] w\ld h be5 settl$4
 ,poor l& rema9s poor  l&1 & good l&    
rema9s good l&2 & if y want to f>m good 
l&1 y bett] /ay "r 9 ! corn belt4 ,y c't
 gr[  any?+ on ^! ,ea/]n l&s )\t        
f]tiliz] & ! m y  f]tilize ! m y mu/1 & 
/ill ! l& rema9s z poor z  ev]4 ,j leave
 (f ! f]tiliz] "o ye> & y\r crop is n   
wor? h>ve/+4 ,^! l&s nev] 7 any good &  
!y nev]  w be4    ,b t is h>dly 9 accord
 ) :at ! p n[ liv+ on  ^! old ,ea/]n    
f>ms report = ! conditions ( agriculture
 9  ! times ( _! ance/ors4    ,oh1 yes1 
,i "k p are always talk+ ab\t _!        
ance/ors1  & especially ,virg9ians2 b1  
,caes>6 ,i wond] :at _!  ance/ors w\ld  
?9k ( !m6 ,y c't af=d to take any /ock 9
  ! ance/ry ( ^! old ,virg9ians4    ,i  
call to m9d t ! hi/orical records give  
mu* in=mation  along ?is l9e1 said      
,p]cy4 ,x is record$ t mills =  gr9d+   
corn & :eat 7 common1 t ! fl\r ( ,m\nt  
,v]non  0 pack$ "u ! eye ( ,wa%+ton1 &  

we are told t b>rels  ( fl\r be>+ 8 br& 
pass$ 9 ! export m>kets )\t  inspection4
 ,hi/ory records t ! plantations (      
,virg9ia usually  pass$ f fa!r to son1  
accord+ to ! law ( entail1 & t  ! heads 
( families liv$ l lords1 keep+ _! /ables
 (  blood$ horses & roll+ to *ur* or t[n
 9 _! coa* & six1  ) outrid]s on        
horseback4 ,_! spaci\s mansions 7       
sometimes  built ( import$ brick2 &1 )91
 ! gr& /aircases1 !  mantles1 & !       
wa9scot rea*+ f floor to ceil+1 7 (     
solid mahogany1 elaborately c>v$ &      
panel$4 ,! sidebo>ds %one  ) gold &     
silv] plate1 & ! tables 7 load$ ) !     
luxuries f bo? ! ,new & ! ,old ,_w1 &   
pl5ty ( ^!  old mansions /ill exi/ 9    
dilapidat$ condition4    ,t all s\nds   
good = hi/ory1 said ! ,congressman1 b ! 
hi/orian probably got 8 in=mation f "s (
 ^! old  ,virg9ians ^: only religion is 
ance/ral wor%ip4 ,if ! l&s  7 ev] any   
good !y'd be good n[4 ,good l&s /ay     
good4 ,z an  ,ill9ois man1 y ought to "k
 t4 ,my fa!r settl$ 9 ,ill9ois  & ,i    

tell y 8 l& is bett] to-day ?an x 0 !   
day he took  x f ! ,gov]nm5t4    ,my    
gr&fa!r also took l& f ! ,gov]nm5t1 said
 ,p]cy1  b ! l& t he fir/ put "u        
cultivation is n produc+  z good crops  
n[ z x us$ to1 ev5 ?\gh--    ,!n x mu/  
be y don't f>m x "r4 ,( c\rse y don't   
want  to corn y\r l& to dea?4 ,i liv$ on
 ! f>m long en\gh to le>n  t2 b if y'll 
only gr[ two or ?ree crops ( corn & !n  
*ange to a crop ( oats1 y'll f9d y\r l& 
ready = corn  aga92 &1 if y'll s[ clov] 
) ! oats & pl[ ! clov]  "u ! next spr+1 
y'll f9d ! l& w gr[ m corn ?an  ev] y\r 
gr&fa!r grew on x4    ,b h[ c we ma9ta9 
! supply ( plant food 9 ! soil by  m]ely
 sub/itut+ oats = corn once 9 ?ree or   
f\r ye>s &  turn+ "u p]haps a ton (     
clov] z gre5 manure4 ,t am\nt  ( clov]  
w\ld conta9 no m nitrog5 ?an #dj bu%els 
( corn  w\ld remove f ! soil1 & ( c\rse 
! clov] has no p[] to  add any          
phosphorus or o!r m9]al elem5ts4    ,oh1
 yes4 ,i've he>d all ab\t t sort ( talk4
 ,y "k ,i'm a ,u4  ( ,i4 man myself4 ,i 

/udi$ *emi/ry 9 ! ,univ]sity "u a man   
:o knew m 9 a m9ute ?an all ! 'tommy    
rot' y've be5  fill$ up )4 ,i also liv$ 
on an ,ill9ois f>m1 & ,i speak f        
practical exp]i5ce4 ,i "k :at ,i am     
talk+ ab\t1 & ,i don't  c>e a rap = all 
! !ories t c be /ack$ up by y\r  mod]n  
college pr(essor1 :o w\ldn't "k a pumpk9
 if he met "o  roll+ d[n hill4 ,i tell y
 ,god ,almighty nev] made ! black corn  
belt l& to be worn out1 & he doesn't    
create p on ?is e>?  to let 'em />ve to 
dea?4 ,don't y und]/& t8    ,i am afraid
 t ,i d n1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,i h receiv$ no
 su*  direct communication2 b ,i saw a  
lett] writt5 f ,*9a by a  mission>y     
describ+ ! fam9e-/rick5 di/ricts 9 :i*  
he 0  locat$4 ,he wrote ! lett] 9       
,febru>y & said t at t "t  ! only       
practical ?+ to d 9 t di/rict 0 to let  
f\r  hundr$ ?\s& p />ve & try to get se$
 gra9 = !  rema9d] to plant ! spr+      
crops4 ,i h a ,h&book ( ,indian         
,agriculture writt5 by a pr(essor (     
agriculture & agricultural  *emi/ry at  

"o ( ! colleges 9 ,india4 ,i got x f "o 
( !  ,h9du /ud5ts :o att5d$ ! ,univ]sity
 :5 ,i 0 !re4 ,?is  book /ates t fam9e1 
local or g5]al1 has be5 ! ord] ( !  day 
9 ,india1 & p>ticul>ly )9 rec5t ye>s4 ,x
 also /ates  t 9 "o ( ! wor/ fam9es 9   
,india t5 million p di$ (  />vation )9  
n9e mon?s4 ,! av]age wage ( ! labor+ man
  9 ,india1 accord+ to ! ,gov]nm5tal    
/ati/ics1 is fifty c5ts a  mon?1 & 9    
fam9e ye>s ! price ( :eat has ris5 to z 
high  z #c4fj a bu%el4 ,?is writ] /ates 
t ! mo/ rec5t ( all  fam9es2 namely1 t  
prevail+ 9 mo/ p>ts ( ,india f #ahig to 
#aijj1 0 sev]] ?an ! fam9e ( #ahgd to   
#ahgh4 ,no1 ,sir1 ,i am n  sure t ,i    
und]/& j :at ,god's int5tions are       
conc]n+ !  corn belt1 b x is record$ t !
 ,"l helps him :o helps  himself1 & t   
man %\ld e>n 8 bread by ! sweat ( 8     
br[4 ,if ,god made ! common soil 9      
,am]ica ) a limit$ am\nt  ( phosphorus 9
 x1 ,he also /or$ great deposits (      
natural rock  phosphate 9 ! m9es (      
sev]al ,/ates1 & p]haps int5d$ t  man   

%\ld e>n 8 bread by gr9d+ t rock &      
apply+ x to  ! soil4 ,possibly !        
,almighty int5d$--    ,n[1 ,i'm v sorry1
 ,mr4 ,john/on1 b ,i h an engagem5t :i* 
,i  mu/ keep1 & y'll h to excuse me j   
n[4 ,i'm mighty glad to  h met y & ,i'd 
l to talk ) y = an h\r m along  ?is l9e2
 b y take my advice & /ick to ! corn    
belt l&4  ,above all1 don't beg9 to use 
phosphates or any sort ( comm]cial      
f]tiliz]2 !y'll ru9 any l& 9 a few ye>s2
 t's my op9ion4  ,b !n1 e man has a "r  
to 8 own op9ion4 & p]haps y  h a diff]5t
 notion4 ,eh8    ,i ?9k no man has a "r 
to an op9ion :i* is contr>y to  fact1   
,p]cy repli$4 ,?is :ole "q is "o ( facts
 & n  ( op9ions4 ,"o fact is wor? m ?an 
a wagonload ( incorrect  op9ions4 ,b ,i 
mu/ n deta9 y long]4 ,i am v glad to h  
met y "h4 ,9 l>ge measure ! /atesm5 (   
,am]ica mu/ be>  ! responsibility = !   
future condition ( agriculture & !  o!r 
great indu/ries ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 all (
 :i* dep5d  ^u agriculture = _! support 
& prosp]ity4 ,good bye4    ,i'll agree )

 y !re all "r2 ! f>m] fe$s !m all4      
,good bye4              ,,*apt] ,,xxv   
,a ,,lesson ,,on ,,tobacco              
,,p]cy f\nd ,leon>dt[n almo/ 9 ! c5t] ( 
,/4 ,m>y c\nty1  situat$ on ,breton bay1
 an arm ( ! l[] ,potomac4    ,f ! data  
record$ on ! back ( 8 map ( ,m>yl&1     
,p]cy  not$ t a population ( f\r hundr$ 
& fifty-f\r f\nd support  9 ?is old     
c\nty seat1 accord+ to ! c5sus ( ,i     
#ijj4 ,aft]  sp5d+ ! day 9 ! c\ntry1 he 
f\nd himself wond]+ h[ ev5  t numb] ( p 
c\ld be support$1 & !n rememb]$ t  !re  
is "o indu/ry ( "s importance 9 ! ,unit$
 ,/ates :i*  exi/s indep5d5t (          
agriculture1 an indu/ry :i* prec$$      
agriculture1 & :i* evid5tly has also    
succe$$ agriculture to a  v consid]able 
ext5t 9 "s places2 namely1 fi%+4        
,clams1 oy/]s & fi%1 & 9 ?is ord]1 he   
said to himself1  app>5tly con/itute !  
means ( support = "s ( ^!  p4    ,& yet 
! c\ntry 0 n depopulat$1 al?\gh v mu* ( 
!  arable l& 0 ab&on$ = agricultural    
purposes4 ,a f>m ( a  hundr$ acres might

 h t5 acres "u cultivation1 ?is be+ z   
mu* z ! f>m] c\ld keep up1 z 0 commonly 
/at$4 ,?is  meant t all ( ! f>m manure &
 o!r refuse t c\ld be  secur$ f ! entire
 f>m or haul$ f ! village1 toge!r  ) :at
 comm]cial f]tiliz] ! f>m] 0 able to    
buy1 w\ld  n enable him to keep m ?an t5
 acres ( l& 9 a /ate (  productiv5ess t 
ju/ifi$ its cultivation4 ,tobacco1 corn1
 :eat  & c[peas 7 ! pr9cipal crops4     
,corn 0 ! pr9cipal article  ( food1 )   
:eat bread m or less common4 ,! c[peas &
 corn  fodd] usually kept "o or m c[s   
?r\gh ! w9t] :5 !y  c\ld n secure a liv+
 9 ! bru%4 ,tobacco1 ! pr9cipal money   
crop1 0 dep5d$ on to buy clo?+1 &       
groc]ies1 :i*  includ$ m or less fi% &  
pork1 al?\gh "s f>m]s rais$  _! own     
meat1 9 "p by fatt5+ hogs on ! acorns t 
fell  9 ! autumn f ! scrub oak trees4   
,"o f>m ( "o hundr$ & n9ety acres own$  
by an old lady1 :o  liv$ 9 ! ne>by      
c\ntry village 0 r5t$ = #ajj a ye>1  :i*
 am\nt$ to ab\t fifty-two & "o-half c5ts
 an acres z !  gross income to ! l&[n]4 

,aft] ! taxes 7 paid1 ab\t  ?irty c5ts  
an acre rema9$ = repairs on build+s &   
f5ces  & int]e/ on ! inve/m5t4    ,p]cy 
sp5t "s "t on a five hundr$ acre f>m    
belong+ to an  old g5tleman :o /ill gave
 8 "n z ,f4 ,all]ton ,jones1 a man  ^:  
fa!r _h be5 prom95t 9 ! community4      
,accord+ to !  c\nty soil map :i* _h be5
 pres5t$ to ,p]cy by ! ,bureau (        
,soils1 ! soil ( ?is f>m 0 all          
,leon>dt[n loam1 except ab\t  =ty acres 
:i* occupi$ ! sides ( a n>r[ valley a   
b5d (  :i* cut ! f>m on ! s\? side4     
,my fa!r _h ?is :ole f>m "u cultivation1
 said ,mr4 ,jones1  except ! hillsides4 
,b :at's ! use8 ,we get along ) a good  
deal less "w1 & ,i've f\nd x bett] to   
cultivate less gr\nd  dur+ ! =ty odd    
ye>s ,i've _h to meet ! bills4 ,b ,i've 
kept  up m ( my l& ?an mo/ ( my         
neighbors4 ,i reckon ,i've got  ab\t    
eighty acres ( good cle>$ l& yet on ?is 
f>m1 & !  leaves & p9e ne$les we rake up
 :]e ! trees gr[ on ! old  fields make a
 good f]tiliz] = ! l& we aim to         

cultivate1 &  ,i get a good _m loads (  
manure f fri5ds :o live 9 !  village &  
keep a c[ or a horse4    ,! la/ crop ,i 
rais$ on t ea/ field1 :]e y see ^?      
scrub p9es1 0 9 #ahha4 ,i f9i%$         
cultivat+ corn !re ! day  ,i he>d ab\t  
,presid5t ,g>field be+ %ot2 & x 0 a     
mighty hot  ,july day too4 ,my neighbor1
 ,se? ,:itmore1 :o di$ ab\t t5 ye>s     
ago1 came along f ! village & wait$ = me
 to come to !  end ( ! r[ d[n by ! road 
& he told me t ,g>field 0  %ot4 ,we bo? 
all[$ ! corn w\ld be a pretty fair crop 
& :5  ,i ga!r$ ! fodd] t fall !re 0 a "r
 sm>t ( a corn  crop4 ,yes1 ,sir1 x's   
pretty good l&1 b we don't ne$ mu* corn1
  no h[1 & we c make m money out (      
tobacco4 ,( c\rse x  takes lots ( manure
 & f]tiliz] to gr[ a good pat* (        
tobacco1  b good tobacco always br+s    
good money4    ,ab\t h[ mu* money d y   
get = an acre ( tobacco8 ask$  ,p]cy4   
,t v>ies a lot ) ! quality &            
price--sometimes  #ajj--sometimes #cjj1 
:5 ! tru/ don't hold ! price d[n on  u4 

,we c raise good tobacco & good tobacco 
br+s u good money4  ,we c always manure 
an acre or two = tobacco & get our      
groc]ies & "s clo!s n[ & !n1 & t's ab\t 
all  anybody gets 9 ?is _w1 ,i reckon4  
,b taxes are mighty high1 ,i  tell y4   
,ab\t #ge to #hj ,i h to pay4 ,are taxes
 high out ,we/8    ,we pay ab\t =ty to  
fifty c5ts an acre 9 ! corn belt1 ,p]cy 
repli$2 b1 9 a c\rse ,i took 9          
economics1 ,i le>n$ t !  taxes d n v>y 9
 proportion to l& values4 ,poor l&s1 if 
inhabit$1 mu/ always pay heavy taxes2   
:]eas1 l>ge areas ( good  l& c>ry light]
 taxes comp>$ ) _! e>n+ capacity4 ,y    
mu/ provide y\r regul> exp5ses = c\nty  
(fic]s1 c\nty  c\r?\se1 jail1 &         
poorh\se1 ab\t ! same z we d4 ,y\r roads
  & bridges co/ z mu* z ours2 & ! s*ools
 9 ! ,s\? mu/  co/ m ?an ours1 = a      
complete d\ble sy/em ( s*ools is        
usually provid$4    ,b did y say t y    
paid fifty c5ts an acre 9 taxes8 ask$   
,mr4 ,jones4    ,yes1 ab\t t1 9 ! corn  
belt1 repli$ ,p]cy1 b n s mu*  9 ,s\!rn 

,ill9ois :]e ! l& is poor4 ,i ?9k !     
f>m]s 9  t section pay taxes z l[ z     
y\rs4 ,p]haps tw5ty c5ts an  acre4    ,d
 y mean to say t y h poor l& 9 ,ill9ois8
    ,yes1 ! common prairie l& ( ,s\!rn  
,ill9ois mu/ be call$  poor z comp>$ ) !
 corn belt l&4 ,!re is a good deal (  l&
 9 ,s\!rn ,ill9ois t 0 put "u           
cultivation be=e  #ahbj1 & eighty crops 
mu/ h made a heavy draft ^u ! /ore  (   
plant food orig9ally conta9$ 9 ^? soils4
    ,only s9ce #ahbj8 ,:y1 we began to  
till ! soil "r "h1 ,"y  ,man1 9 ,/4 ,m>y
 ,c\nty1 9 #afcd & don't y "k1 ,sir1 t  
we  _h a rebellion "h z e>ly z #afde8   
,yes1 ,sir1 t 0 "o  hundr$ & sev5ty-five
 ye>s be=e #ahbj4 ,s y've rais$ only    
eighty crops & ! l& is already gett+    
poor1 & we've rais$  two hundr$ & fifty 
crops--well1 maybe1 n q s _m1 =  we've  
be5 giv+ our l& a good deal ( re/ = !   
la/ fifty or  sixty ye>s2 b my gr&fa!r  
us$ to raise tw5ty-five bu%els (  :eat  
to ! acre ) ! help ( a hundr$ p\nds (   
l&-pla/]1  & ,i've no d\bt ,i c\ld d x  

aga9 today if ,i c>$ to raise  :eat1 b  
"o acre ( tobacco is wor? t5 ( :eat1 s  
:y %\ld  ,i bo!r ) :eat8    ,tw5ty-five 
bu%els ( :eat p] acre1 repeat$ ,p]cy1   
half to  himself4 ,! total supply (     
phosphorus /ill rema9+ 9 !  pl[$ soil   
w\ld be suffici5t = only tw5ty m crops l
  t4 ,two hundr$ ye>s ( su* crops w\ld  
require #afjj p\nds (  phosphorus1 mak+ 
ne>ly #ahjj p\nds at ! beg9n+1 if x all 
came f ! pl[$ soil4 ,t is "o & a half   
times z mu* z  is n[ conta9$ 9 our      
common corn belt prairie l&4    ,m /uff 
9 our l& ?an 9 y\rs1 did y say8 que/ion$
 !  old man4 ,i told y we _h pretty good
 soil "h1 b ,i've always  all[$ y\r soil
 0 bett]1 b maybe n4 ,i tell y manure   
la/s  on ?is l&4 ,y c see :]e y put x = 
nigh tw5ty ye>s4  ,!n we re/ our l& "s &
 t helps a sight1 & if ! price  /ays up 
we make good money on tobacco4 ,i'm     
sorry y\r l& is  gett+ s poor out ,we/1 
especially if y c't raise tobacco4  ,ev]
 tri$ tobacco1 ,"y ,man8--go%1 b y rem9d
 me ( "o (  !m ,gov]nm5t fell[s :o came 

driv+ along "h once :5 ,bob  & 8 bro!rs 
7 pl[+ corn "r "h ab\t ?ree ye>s ago4   
,bob's my t5ant's nigg]1 & he a9't no   
fool ei!r1 ev5 if he is  color$2 b !n1  
to tell ! tru?1 he a9't mu* color$4     
,well1 ,i  0 sitt+ "u a tree "r "h smok+
 & keep+ an eye on  ! nigg]s unbekn[n/  
to !m :5 "o ( !m ,gov]nm5t fell[s  /opp$
 8 horse z ,bob 0 turn+ ! end1 & says he
 to ,bob3    ',y\r corn seems to be     
look+ mighty yell[8'    ',yes1 suh1'    
says ,bob4 ',yes1 suh1 we done plant$   
yell[ corn4'    ',well1 ,i mean x looks 
z ?\gh y won't get m ?an half a  crop1' 
says he4    ',i reckon n1' says ,bob4   
',! l&lord1 he done gets ! o!r  half4'  
,) t ! fell[ says to ,bob3    ',x seems 
to me y're mighty ne> a fool4'    ',yes1
 suh1' says ,bob1 '& ,i'm mighty fe>$   
,i'll cat* x if ,i  don't get a go9'4'  
,! fell[ j gave 8 horse a cut & drove   
on1 b ,i lik$ to  di$4 ,he'd be5 "h two 
or ?ree times pe/]+ me ) que/ions  ab\t 
rais+ tobacco4 ,say1 y a9't "o ( !m     
,gov]nm5t  fell[s1 are y8 ,!y 7 travell+

 all ar\nd ov] ?is c\nty  ?ree ye>s ago1
 le>n+ h[ we rais$ tobacco & all k9ds ( 
crops4 ,!y _h aug]s & said !y 7         
inve/igat+ soils1 b ,i  nev] he>d no?+ (
 'em s9ce4 ,h y got an aug] to          
inve/igate soils )8    ,p]cy 0 compell$ 
to admit t he _h an aug] & t he 0  try+ 
to le>n all he c\ld ab\t ! soil4    ,he 
_h driv5 to ,mr4 ,jones' f>m because 8  
l& happ5$ to be  situat$ 9 a l>ge area (
 ,leon>dt[n loam1 & he felt free to  /op
 & talk ) him because he _h f\nd him    
lean+ aga9/ !  f5ce1 smok+ a cob pipe1  
app>5tly try+ to decide :at to d  ) "s  
small %ocks ( corn scatt]$ ov] a field (
 ab\t  fifte5 acres4    ,p]cy /epp$ to !
 buggy & drew out 8 soil aug]1 !n       
return$ to ! corn field & begun to bore 
a hole ne> :]e ,mr4  ,jones 0 /&+4      
,t's ! ?+1 said he1 ! same k9d ( an aug]
 !m  fell[s _h ?ree ye>s ago4 ,/ill bor+
 holes1 are y8 ,want to  bore ar\nd ov] 
my f>m aga91 d y8    ,p]cy repli$ t he  
w\ld be glad to make bor+s 9 sev]al     
places 9 ord] t he might see ab\t :at ! 

soil & subsoil  7 l 9 t k9d ( l&4       
,t's all "r1 ,"y ,man4 ,j bore z _m     
holes z y please4  ,i suppose y'd r d t 
?an "w2 b y'll h to excuse  me4 ,i've   
got a lot to d today1 & x's already     
gett+ late4 ,i  c't take "t aga9 to tell
 y fell[s h[ to raise tobacco4 ,good    
day4              ,,*apt] ,,xxvi        
,,ano!r ,,lesson ,,on ,,tobacco         
,,! old man _h /uck 8 cob pipe 9 a      
pocket & fill$ 8 m\?  ) a *ew ( tobacco4
    ,he walk$ by ,p]cy's buggy ) !      
tobacco juice drizzl+ f !  corn]s ( 8   
m\?1 & turn$ d[n ! road t[>d ! h\se4    
,p]cy f9i%$ bor+ ! hole & !n return$ to 
! buggy4    ,*ri/1 t old man eats       
tobacco l a bea/6 exclaim$ !  driv] z   
,p]cy approa*$4    ,are y speak+ to me8 
ask$ ,p]cy4    ,:y1 c]ta9ly4    ,t is n 
my "n1 please1 admoni%$ ,p]cy1 b ,i c   
tell  y t ,i "k ,him well & t ,he is my 
be/ fri5d4    ,:at1 old ,al ,jones8     
,no1--,*ri/1 repli$ ,p]cy1 ) a griev$   
expression pla9ly  disc]nible4    ,oh1  
said ! driv]4    ,!y drove pa/ ! ,jones 

resid5ce & out into ! field beyond4  ,! 
h\se "o might h ?\ght des]t$ except = ! 
well-beat5  pa?s & ! pres5ce ( *ick5s 9 
! y>d4 ,x 0 a l>ge  /ructure ) two & a  
half /ories4 ,! cornice & w9d[  trimm+s 
reveal$ ! beauty & weal? ( =m] days4    
,r>e %rubs  /ill grew 9 ! spaci\s front 
y>d1 & gn>l$ remnants (  or*>d trees 7  
to be se5 9 ! re>4 ,a doz5 o!r build+s1 
l>ge & small1 occupi$ ! backgr\nd1 "s ) 
! ro(s p>tly  fall51 o!rs evid5tly /ill 
9 use4    ,h[ old d y suppose ^! build+s
 are8 ask$ ,p]cy ( !  driv]4    ,ab\t a 
hundr$ ye>s1 he repli$1 & ,i reckon     
!y've _h no  pa9t nor fix9' s9ce !y 0   
built1 'cept !y h to give "s  ( 'em new 
%+les n[ & !n or !y'd all fall to pieces
 l  ! old b>ns back yond]4    ,p]cy     
exam9$ ! soil 9 sev]al places on !      
,jones f>m & on  o!r f>ms 9 !           
neighborhood4 ,!y lun*$ on crack]s &    
cann$  beans at a c\ntry /ore & made a m
 ext5d$ drive 9 !  aft]noon4    ,x is a 
f9e soil1 ,p]cy said to ! driv]1 z !y   
/>t$ =  ,leon>dt[n4 ,x conta9s en\gh s& 

= easy tillage & quick  dra9age1 & en\gh
 clay to hold any?+ t might be appli$ to
  x4    ,t's "r1 said ! driv]4 ,:]e !y  
put pl5ty ( manure  & f]tiliz] !y raise 
tobacco ?ree foot high & fifte5  hundr$ 
p\nds to ! acre1 b :]e !y run ! tobacco 
r[s  beyond ! manur$ l& s's to be sure &
 n lose any manure1 :y  ! /uff won't gr[
 six in*es high & x j turns yell[ &     
seems to dry up1 no matt] if x ra9s e   
day4 ,say1 ,mi/]1 w\ld  y m9d tell+ me  
if y're a prea*]8    ,oh1 no1 repli$    
,p]cy1 --,i am n a prea*]1 any m ?an e  
,*ri/ian mu/ be loyal to ! "n4    ,well1
 anyway1 ,i've le>n$ a lesson ,i'll try 
to rememb]4 ,i nev]  ?\ght be=e ab\t h[ 
x might hurt o!r p :5 ,i swe>4 ,i  don't
 mean no?+ by x4 ,x's j a habit2 b y\r  
say+ ,*ri/  is y\r fri5d makes me feel t
 ,i h no bus9ess talk+ ab\t  anybody's  
fri5d1 any m ?an ,i'd l to he> anybody  
else use my  "m's "n z a by-^w4 ,i      
reckon nobody has any "r to use  ,*ri/'s
 "n 'cept ,*ri/ians or !m z wants to be 
,*ri/ians4 ,i  reckon we'd nev] he>d !  

"n if x hadn't a be5 = !  ,*ri/ians4    
,b ,i don't h s _m bad habits4 ,i don't 
dr9k1 nor smoke1 nor  *ew2 & ,i don't   
want to4 ,my fa!r smok$ "s & *ew$ a lot1
  & ,i "k ! smell ( tobacco us$ to make 
my "m ab\t z sick  z %e c\ld be2 b %e _h
 to /& x1 or at lea/ %e did /&  x till  
fa!r di$2 & n[ %e lives ) me1 & ,i'm    
mighty glad  %e don't h to smell no m   
tobacco    ,%e (t5 speaks ( x--"m does2 
& %e says %e's s ?ankful  %e's got a boy
 t don't use tobacco4 ,%e says m5 t use 
tobacco don't "k h[ bad x is = o!r folks
 to smell 'em4 ,:y1  sometimes ,i come  
home :5 ,i've j be5 driv+ a man "s place
  9 ! c\ntry1 rid+ along l y & ,i are   
n[1 & he a  smok+ or *ew+1 or at lea/ 8 
clo!s soak$ full ( ! vile  odor2 & :5 ,i
 get home "m says1 ',my6 b y mu/ h _h an
  old /9k pot along ) y to-day4' ,%e c  
smell x on my  clo!s1 & ,i j hang my    
coat out 9 ! %$ till ! sc5t gets  (f f  
x4    ,no1 ,sir1 ,i don't want any      
tobacco = me1 & ,i don't "k z ,i'd  c>e 
to raise ! /uff = o!r folks to saturate 

!mselves )  ei!r2 & e kid is all[$ to   
use x n[adays1 or at lea/  mo/ ( !m get 
x4 ,x's easy en\gh to get x4 ,:y1 a kid 
c't  keep away f gett+ ^! cig>ettes1 if 
he tries4 ,!y're  ev]y:]e4 ,e kid has   
hip pockets full2 & ,i "k blam$ well  t 
"s smoke s _m cig>ettes !y get s !y     
ar5't m ?an  half bright4 ,x's a fact1  
,sir1--pl5ty ( 'em too2 & "s old m51  l 
,al ,jones1 are j s soak$ 9 tobacco !y  
seem ab\t half  dead4 ,c\rse x a9't l   
:iskey1 b ,i ?9k x's worse ?an be]  if  
be] didn't make "o want :iskey lat]4    
,b z ,i 0 say+1 ,i feel t ,i h no       
bus9ess say+ ?+s  ab\t1--ab\t anybody y 
call y\r fri5d1 & ,i ?9k ,i'll j  swe>  
(f swe>+1 if ,i c4    ,y c if y w j let 
,him be y\r fri5d4    ,well1 ,i don't "k
 mu* ab\t t1 0 ! sl[ reply4 ,t  takes   
fai?1 & ,i don't h mu* fai? 9 "s ( !    
*ur*  memb]s ,i "k4    ,t us$ to tr\ble 
me also1 said ,p]cy1 until "o "t !      
?\ght impress$ itself ^u me t ev5 ,*ri/ 
himself did all  ,8 great "w ) "o ( !   
twelve a traitor2 & ?is ?\ght  always   

comes to me n[ :5 self-respect+ m5      
object to unit+  ) organiz$ ,*ri/ianity 
because ( ^? :o may be reg>d$ z         
traitors or hypocrites1 b n ( su*       
flagrant "* z to  insure expulsion f !  
,*ur*8    ,d y believe 9 miracles8 ask$ 
! driv]4    ,oh1 yes1 said ,p]cy1 9 su* 
miracles z ! gr[? ( ! corn  plant4      
,:y1 t isn't any miracle4 ,ev]ybody     
und]/&s all ab\t t4    ,n ev]ybody1     
repli$ ,p]cy4 ,!re is only ,"o :o       
und]/&s  x4 ,!re is only "o great       
miracle1 & t is ! miracle (  life4 ,x is
 said t m5 adult]ate c(fee1 ev5 to !    
ext5t (  mak+ ! bean or b]ry s ne>ly l !
 natural t x requires  an exp]t to      
detect ! fraud2 b d y ?9k an imitation  
se$  w\ld gr[8    ,no1 x w\ldn't gr[1   
said ! driv]4    ,n only t1 said ,p]cy1 
b we may h a natural & p]fect  gra9 (   
corn & x c nev] be made to gr[ by any or
 all ( !  k & skill ( m51 if = a s+le   
in/ant ! life  pr9ciple has left !      
k]nel1 :i* may easily result by *ang+   
its temp]ature a few degrees above or   

bel[ ! usual range4 ,!  sp>k ( life     
returns to ,god :o gave x1 & man is z   
helpless to  re/ore x z :5 he fir/ walk$
 ! e>?4    ,:at miracle d y f9d h>d to  
accept8 ask$ ,p]cy4    ,h[ c\ld ,jesus  
"k t ,laz>us _h di$ :5 he 0 on ! o!r    
side ( ! m\nta98    ,i don't "k1 ,p]cy  
repli$2 p]haps by "s sort ( wireless    
message :i* 8 s\l c\ld receive4 ,i don't
 "k h[1 b x 0  no great] miracle ?an x  
w\ld h be5 !n to h done :at ,i  did la/ 
week4    ,! driv] turn$ to look squ>ely 
at ,p]cy z ?\gh 9 d\bt (  8 sanity1 b a 
k9dly smile reassur$ him4    ,our tra9  
com+ into ,c9c9nati ran 9 two sections1 
,p]cy  cont9u$1 & ! section beh9d u 0   
wreck$1 ?ree travell]s  be+ kill$ & ab\t
 fifte5 o!rs w\nd$4 ,i 0 sure my "m     
w\ld he> ( ! wreck be=e ,i c\ld rea* h] 
) a lett]1 &  s ,i talk$ ) h] f         
,c9c9nati ov] ! long di/ance 'phone1  ) 
:i* we h always _h connection s9ce ,i   
fir/ w5t away to  college4 ,yes1 ,i     
talk$ ) h]1 &1 ?\gh sep>at$ by a di/ance
  ?ree times ! entire l5g? ( ,pale/9e1  

,i di/9ctly he>d &  recogniz$ my "m's   
voice4 ,oh1 yes1 ,i believe 9 miracles2 
b  t is a matt] ( small consequ5ce4 ,!  
important ?+ is t  we h fai? 9 ,god &   
fai? 9 ,jesus ,*ri/1 8 ,son4    ,well1  
t's :at tr\bles me1 said ! driv]4 ,h['s 
"o to get  fai?8    ,!re are two me?ods 
( receiv+ fai?1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,fai?     
come? by pray]4 ,yes1 ,sir1 ,i believe  
t4 ,&1 fai? come? by  he>+4 ,he>+ :at8  
,he>+ by ! ,^w ( ,god2 he>+ ^?  :o h    
/udi$ ,8 ,^w & :o te/ify ( ,him2 & he>+ 
)  an e> ready to receive ! tru?4       
,,*apt] ,,xxvii    ,,eighte5 ,,to ,,"o  
,,two days lat] ,p]cy 0 9 ,rhode ,isl&  
visit+ a f>m own$ by  ,samuel ,robb9s1  
"o ( ! mo/ progressive & successful     
f>m]s  ( t ,/ate4    ,mr4 ,robb9s' f>m  
lay 9 :at appe>$ to be an anci5t valley1
  sev]al miles 9 wid?1 al?\gh only a    
small /ream n[ w9ds  ?r\gh x to ! sea   
sev5 miles away4    ,s y are f ,ill9ois1
 said ,mr4 ,robb9s1 aft] ,p]cy _h       
introduc$ himself & expla9$ ! nature ( 8
 visit4 ,!  pap]s h a good deal to say  

ab\t ! corn y gr[ 9 ,ill9ois2  b h y    
notic$ t ! ,gov]nm5t reports %[ our     
av]age  yield ( corn 9 ,new ,engl& is   
high] ?an y\rs 9 ,ill9ois8    ,yes1     
,sir1 ,p]cy repli$1 ,i h notic$ t & ,i h
 come to  ,rhode ,isl& to le>n h[ to    
raise m corn p] acre4 ,i h  notic$1     
h[ev]1 t ,new ,engl& corn does n occupy 
a l>ge  acreage4    ,well1 n[1 we c\nt  
corn z "o ( our big crops1 next to hay4 
,y'll see pl5ty ( corn fields "r "h 9   
,rhode ,isl&4    ,w\ld y believe t we   
actually raise m corn on "o f>m 9       
,ill9ois ?an ! total corn crop ( ,rhode 
,isl&8    ,y don't tell6    ,yes1 said  
,p]cy1 ! ,isaac ,funk f>m 9 ,mc,lean    
,c\nty gr[s m  corn on sev5 ?\s& acres a
 ye>1 ) an av]age yield c]ta9ly  above  
fifty bu%els p] acre1 & surely mak+ a   
total above  #cej1jjj bu%els2 :ile !    
,/ate ( ,rhode ,isl& gr[s corn on  ne>ly
 t5 ?\s& acres ) an av]age yield (      
?irty-two  bu%els1 mak+ a total yield ( 
ab\t #cbj1jjj bu%els4    ,well1 ,i'll   
give x up2 b ,i'd l to "k h[ mu* corn y 

raise  9 ! :ole ,/ate ( ,ill9ois4       
,our av]age production1 said ,p]cy1 is  
ab\t equal to ! total  production (     
,ma9e1 ,new ,hamp%ire1 ,v]mont1         
,massa*usetts1 ,rhode  ,isl&1           
,connecticut1 ,new ,york1 ,new ,j]sey1  
,p5nsylvania1 ,delaw>e1  ,m>yl&1        
,virg9ia1 ,nor? & ,s\? ,c>ol9a1         
,georgia1 ,florida1  ,alabama1 &        
,mississippi4    ,eighte5 ( u6 exclaim$ 
,mr4 ,robb9s1 :o _h c\nt$ on 8  f+]s f  
,new ,york to ,mississippi4 ,& y come to
 ,rhode ,isl&  to le>n h[ to raise corn8
    ,yes1 ,i came to le>n h[ y raise m  
?an ?irty-five bu%els (  corn p] acre z 
an av]age = ,new ,engl&1 :ile we raise  
less  ?an ?irty-five bu%els z an av]age 
9 ,ill9ois1 & :ile  ,georgia1 a l>g]    
,/ate ?an ,ill9ois1 raises only elev5   
bu%els  p] acre z a t5 ye> av]age4      
,ill9ois is a new ,/ate1 b ,i call  to  
m9d t ,rog] ,williams settl$ 9 ,rhode   
,isl& 9 #afcf & t  he 0 jo9$ by _m o!rs 
com+ n only f ,massa*usetts b  also f   
o!r sections4 ,i assume t mu* ( ! l& 9  

,rhode  ,isl& has be5 f>m$ = #bej ye>s1 
& ! fact t y are  /ill produc+ m ?an    
?irty bu%els ( corn p] acre1 z an       
av]age1 is1 x seems to me1 a fact (     
great significance4 ,i suppose  y use   
all ! manure y c make f ! crops y raise 
&  p]haps use "s comm]cial f]tiliz]     
also4 ,i %\ld l to "k  :at yield ( corn 
y produce )\t any manure or f]tiliz]8   
,we don't produce any1 said ,mr4        
,robb9s2 at lea/ we "k we  w\ldn't      
produce any corn )\t f]tiliz+ ! l& 9 "o 
way or  ano!r4 ,if y w walk ov] "h a    
little ways y c see =  y\rself4 ,i      
didn't h q en\gh manure to f9i% ?is     
field &  ,i _h no m "t to haul seawe$ s 
,i plant$ )\t gett+ any  manure on a few
 rods 9 "o corn]1 & ! corn !re w\ldn't  
make  ?ree bu%els f an acre4 ,i didn't  
bo!r to try to cut x1 b  ! c[s w get :at
 little fodd] !re is z soon z ,i c get  
! %ocks out ( ! field & turn 'em 9 = a  
few days to pick  up :at !y c4    ,p]cy 
exam9$ ! corn plants /ill /&+ 9 ! corn] 
( !  field4 ,!y _h gr[n to a height (   

ab\t two feet4 ,mo/ ( !m  _h tassels &  
_m ( !m appe>$ to h little e>s1 b       
really _h only husks conta9+ no e>4 ,9 a
 few places :]e !  hill conta9$ only "o 
plant a little nubb9 ( corn c\ld be     
f\nd4    ,i don't mean to let any ( my  
l& get z poor z ?is field 01  cont9u$   
,mr4 ,robb9s1 b ,i j c\ldn't get to x1 &
 ,i left x  9 hay ab\t two ye>s long]   
?an ,i %\ld h done4 ,la/ ye> 0  fir/    
class = hay b ?is field _h be5 d[n s    
long x 0  h>dly wor? cutt+4    ,ab\t :at
 yield d y get f ! manur$ l&8 inquir$   
,p]cy4    ,9 a fair ye> ,i get ab\t =ty 
bu%els1 & t's ab\t :at ,i  am gett+ ?is 
ye> f my be/ fields4 ,y see !re's lots (
  corn 9 ^! %ocks4 ,!re's ab\t an av]age
 e>1 & we get five  or six e>s to !     
hill4    ,eight-r[ fl9t1 said ,p]cy1 z  
he took ! e> 9 8 h& &  drew a celluloid 
pap] knife f 8 ve/ pocket ) a six-in*   
scale m>k$ on "o side4    ,yes1 ,sir1   
our regul> ,rhode ,isl& ,:ite ,cap4     
,j five in*es long4 ,weight ab\t ?ree   
ounces8    ,p]haps4 ,we c\nt on ab\t f\r

 hundr$ e>s to ! bu%el4 ,if we  get f\r 
?\s& hills to ! acre "o e> to ! hill    
w\ld give  u t5 bu%els p] acre1 s y see 
we only h to h f\r e>s  to ! hill to    
make our =ty bu%els4 ,a good _m hills h 
five  to six e>s1 b !n ( c\rse1 "s hills
 don't h mu* ( any1  s ,i suppose my    
corn makes an av]age ( f\r e>s ab\t l t4
    ,i suppose y fe$ all ( ! corn y     
raise 9 ord] to produce z  mu* manure z 
possible4    ,fe$ t corn6 ,n mu* we     
don't4 ,:y1 corn l t br+s u  close on to
 a doll> a bu%el4 ,no1 ,sir1 we don't   
fe$ ?is corn4  ,x's all us$ = meal4 ,x  
makes ! be/ k9d ( corn meal4 ,no1 we    
buy corn = fe$2 we/]n corn4 ,oh1 we fe$ 
lots ( corn2 ?ree  times z mu* z we     
raise2 b we don't fe$ doll> corn1 :5 we 
c buy we/]n corn = sev5ty-five or eighty
 c5ts4    ,i sell corn & ,i sell        
potatoes2 t's all except ! milk4 ,i keep
  mo/ ( my l& 9 mead[ & pa/ure & fe$    
ev]y?+ ,i raise  except ! corn &        
potatoes4 ,& milk is a good product ) u4
 ,we  av]age ab\t sixty c5ts a p\nd =   

butt] fat1 & x's ready  money e mon?2 &1
 ( c\rse1 we ne$ x e mon? to pay =  fe$4
    ,!n y produce on ! f>m all ! manure 
y use1 sugge/$  ,p]cy1 b ,i ?9k y       
m5tion$ haul+ seawe$4    ,yes1 & ,i haul
 "s manure1 too1 :5 ,i c get x2 b       
usually  !re are ?ree or f\r f>m]s ready
 to take e load ( t[n  manure4    ,y get
 x f t[n = ! haul+8    ,well1 ,i guess  
n1 said ,mr4 ,robb9s emphatically & )   
app>5t  a/oni%m5t at su* a "q4 ,i don't 
?9k ,i w\ld haul seawe$  sev5 miles if  
,i c\ld get manure 9 t[n = no?+4 ,manure
 is  wor? #a4ej a ton ,iy+ 9 ! liv]y    
/able1 & !re are pl5ty  to take x at t  
"r along4 ,i'd a little r pay t ?an     
haul seawe$2 b ! manure won't beg9 to g 
ar\nd1 & s  !re's no?+ left = u b       
seawe$2 &1 if we c\ldn't get  t1 ! ,"l  
only kn[s :at we c\ld d4    ,h[ mu*     
seawe$ c y haul to a load1 & ab\t h[ _m 
loads  d y apply to ! acre8    ,:5 !    
roads are good we haul a cord & a qu>t]1
 & we put  t5 or twelve loads to ! acre 
= corn & !n use "s  comm]cial f]tiliz]4 

,d y "k h[ mu* a cord ( ! seawe$ w\ld   
weigh8    ,yes1 a cord weighs ab\t a ton
 & a half4    ,!n y apply ab\t tw5ty    
tons ( seawe$ to ! acre = corn8    ,yes1
 b "s use less & "s m2 probably t's ab\t
 an  av]age4 ,haul+ seawe$'s a big job &
 a bad job4 ,we h to />t  f home long   
be=e daylight s z to get !re & get ! we$
  :ile ! tide is out1 & !n we get back )
 our load ab\t two  o'clock 9 !         
aft]noon2 &1 by ! "t we eat & fe$ !     
team1  & get ! load to ! field & spread1
 !re isn't mu* "t left  t day1          
especially :5 y've got to pile out ( b$ 
ab\t two  o'clock ! next morn+ & hike (f
 = ano!r load4    ,!n y use "s f]tiliz] 
9 addition to ! seawe$8 ,may ,i ask  h[ 
mu* f]tiliz] y apply to ! acre & ab\t h[
 mu* x  co/s p] ton8    ,:]e we spread  
seawe$ = corn1 we add ab\t f\r hundr$ & 
fifty p\nds p] acre ( f]tiliz] t co/s me
 #bf a ton1 b ,i  h ! ag5cy & get x "s  
*eap] ?an mo/ h to pay4 ,!n  = potatoes 
we apply ab\t #aejj p\nds ( a special   
potato  f]tiliz] t co/s me #cd a ton4   

,! f]tiliz] co/s y ab\t #f an acre = !  
corn crop & #be  = potatoes1 said ,p]cy2
 & !n y h ! co/ ( !  seawe$4 ,i %\ld ?9k
 y w\ld ne$ to c\nt ab\t #be or #cj an  
acre = ! exp5se ( haul+ seawe$4    ,yes1
 all ( t if we _h to pay = ! "w1 b (    
c\rse we  c haul seawe$ m or less :5 !  
f>m "w isn't cr[d+1 &  we don't c\nt s  
mu* on ! exp5se4 ,x doesn't take ! ca%1 
except may be a little = a boy to drive 
"o team :5 we haul two  loads at a "t2 &
 we don't use seawe$ = potatoes4 ,! corn
  crop w g5]ally m'n pay = x & !        
f]tiliz] too2 &  ! seawe$ helps = ?ree  
or f\r ye>s1 especially = grass4  ,!re's
 good pr(it 9 potatoes1 too1 :5 we get a
 crop1 b  !y're risky1 consid]+ ! money 
we h to pay = f]tiliz]4                 
,,*apt] ,,xxviii    ,,f>m] ,,or         
,,pr(essor            ,,aft] leav+      
,rhode ,isl&1 ,p]cy sp5t two days 9 &   
ab\t  ,bo/on1 & !n return$ to           
,connecticut = a day4 ,! wea!r _h  turn$
 cold2 ! gr\nd _h froz5 & ! fall+ sn[   
rem9d$ him  t x 0 ! day be=e ,?anksgiv+4

    ,f ,new ,london he took a night boat
 to ,new ,york1 & !n took  passage on a 
,coa/ ,l9e vessel f ,new ,york to       
,norfolk4    ,! wea!r _h cle>$ & ! w9d  
decreas$ until x 0 sc>cely  great] ?an !
 spe$ ( ! %ip4    ,:e!r or n ! d9+ room 
s]vice 0 extraord9>y because (  ! day1  
,p]cy 0 soon conv9c$ t ! only way to    
travel 0 by  boat4 ,he regrett$ only t 8
 "m 0 n ) him to enjoy  t day4 ,= h\rs  
!y coa/$ s\?w>d )9 easy view ( !  ,new  
,j]sey %ore1 dott$ "h & !re ) cities1   
t[ns1 &  villages4 ,light h\ses m>k$ !  
rocky po9ts :]e dang] once  lurk$ = ! m5
 ( ! sea4    ,! sea itself 0 ( con/ant  
int]e/2 & hundr$s ( craft 7  pass$ or   
met4 ,"h a full-rigg$ sail+ vessel      
lazily drift+  ) ! w9d2 !re a giant     
little tug puff+ 9 ! opposite  direction
 ) a /r+ ( b>ges 9 t[ load$ almo/ to !  
wat]'s edge4    ,norfolk 0 rea*$ e>ly ! 
next morn+1 & be=e noon ,p]cy  pass$    
?r\gh ,pet]sburg on 8 way to ,montpla94 
,he *ang$ c>s  at ,lyn*burg & arriv$ at 
,montpla9 be=e d>k4 ,9 accordance  ) a  

promise to ,mr4 ,we/ he _h notifi$ him (
 8 plans4    ,w\ld ,adelaide met him1 & 
if s w\ld %e h ! family c>riage  & aga9 
insi/ ^u 8 rid+ 9 ! re> seat8 ,he _h    
f\nd  ^! que/ions 9 8 m9d repeat$ly s9ce
 he left ,new ,london1  ) no v def9ite  
purpose be=e him except to arrive at    
,montpla9 at ! appo9t$ "t4    ,yes1 x 0 
! family c>riage4 ,he saw ! f>m team ti$
 across  ! /reet f ! depot4 ,z he left !
 tra9 he caught a glimpse  ( ,adelaide  
/&+ ) ! gr\p ( p :o 7 wait+ to  bo>d !  
tra94 ,%e ext5d$ h] h& z he rea*$ h]    
side4    ,mr4 ,john/on1 meet my c\s91   
,pr(essor ,b>/[4    ,i am glad to meet  
y1 ,pr(essor1 said ,p]cy1 z he %ook h&s 
) a tall "y man ab\t 8 own age4 ,p]cy   
not$ 8 h&some  face & g5tlemanly be>+4  
,miss ,adelaide calls me c\s91 said     
,b>/[1 because my aunt  m>ri$ h] uncle4 
,well1 ,sir1 if we're n c\s9s1 !n ,i'm  
,miss ,we/ & n ,miss  ,adelaide4 ,is t  
too mu* = an abs5t-m9d$ pr(essor to     
rememb]8    ,i am afraid x is1 said     
,b>/[1 & ,i am sure ,i w\ld r be  c\s9s4

    ,pr(essor ,b>/[ leaves on ?is tra91 
,adelaide expla9$ to  ,p]cy2 excuse me1 
please4    ,p]cy rais$ 8 hat z he /epp$ 
back f ! cr[d & wait$  = ! p>t+ ( ! two4
 ,he 0 sure t ,b>/[ held h] h&  long]   
?an 0 necess>y1 & he also notic$ t h]   
face flu%$  z %e rejo9$ him aft] ! tra9 
/>t$4    ,w y take ! re> seat8 %e ask$4 
z !y rea*$ !  c>riage4    ,if y s pref]4
    ,t seat is = our gue/s1 s ,i don't  
pref]1 came h] reply1  :i* left ,p]cy   
:olly 9 ! d>k z to h] wi%es4    ,!n let 
me be y\r coa*man r ?an y\r gue/4    ,if
 y s pref]1 %e repeat$1 & )\t wait+ =   
assi/ance  quickly m\nt$ to ! front     
seat1 leav+ him to occupy !  driv]'s    
seat beside h]4    ,capta9 & ,mrs4 ,/one
 ( ,montpla9 7 ) u = ,?anksgiv+  & ,i   
came ) ! c>riage to take !m home4       
,pr(essor ,b>/[  has also be5 sp5d+ 8   
,?anksgiv+ vacation visit+ )  papa4     
,?ank y1 said ,p]cy1 z he took ! l9es & 
turn$ ! horses  t[>d ,we/ov]4    ,y are 
c]ta9ly welcome to drive ?is team if y  
enjoy x4    ,i ?ank y = t also1 said    

,p]cy4 ,adelaide not$ ! ^w  also1 b %e  
only rem>k$ t %e hop$ he _h enjoy$ 8    
travels1 ?\gh %e c\ld n und]/& :at      
pleasure he c\ld f9d  9 visit+ old      
worn-out f>ms4    ,( all ?+s1 %e        
cont9u$1 x seems to me t f>m+ is !  la/ 
t anyone w\ld want to und]take4    ,x is
 bo? ! fir/ & ! la/1 said ,p]cy4 ,z y   
"k1 :5  our ance/ors came to ,am]ica1   
agriculture 0 ! fir/ great  indu/ry !y 7
 able to develop4 ,o!r indu/ries &      
pr(essions  foll[ agriculture & mu/ be  
support$ 9 l>ge measure by !            
agricultural indu/ry4 ,m]*ants1 lawy]s1 
doctors & tea*]s are  9 a s5se          
agricultural p>asites4    ,an h\r be=e  
he w\ld n h includ$ tea*]s 9 ?is class2 
=1 next to ! "m 9 ! home1 he felt t !   
tea*] 9 !  s*ool is ! greate/ necessity 
= ! highe/ developm5t ( !  agricultural 
classes4    ,)\t agriculture1 he        
cont9u$1 ,am]ica c\ld nev] h be5        
develop$1 &1 unless ! prosp]ity (       
,am]ican agriculture c be  ma9ta9$1     
pov]ty is ! only future = ?is great     

nation4 ,!  soil is ! greate/ s\rce (   
weal?1 & x is ! mo/ p]man5t  =m ( weal?4
 ,! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture at ,wa%+ton
 told me a  few days ago t eighty-six p]
 c5t4 ( ! raw mat]ials us$ 9  all our   
manufactur+ indu/ry are produc$ f !     
soil4    ,yes1 agriculture is c]ta9ly ! 
fir/ indu/ry 9 ?is c\ntry2  & ,i am     
fully conv9c$ t to re/ore ! f]tility ( !
  deplet$ soils ( ! ,ea/ & ,s\?1 & ev5  
to ma9ta9 !  productive p[] ( ! great   
agricultural regions ( ! ,we/1  des]ves 
& w require ! be/ ?\ght ( ! mo/         
influ5tial  p ( ,am]ica4    ,?r\gh\t !  
l5g? & bread? ( ?is l&1 ! almo/         
univ]sal purpose ( ! f>m]s is to "w ! l&
 = all !y  c get ) practically no ?\ght 
( p]man5cy4 ,! mo/ common  rem>k ( !    
corn belt f>m] is t 8 l& doesn't %[ mu* 
we> yet2 & x is hold+ up pretty well1 or
 z well z c\ld be  expect$2 or t he ?9ks
 x w la/ z long z he does4 ,all         
recognize t ! l& _c hold up "u ! sy/ems 
( f>m+  t are be+ practic$1 & ^! sy/ems 
are ess5tially ! same  z h be5 foll[$ 9 

,am]ica s9ce #afjg4 ,:at ! ,s\!rn  f>m] 
did ) slave labor1 ! ,we/]n f>m] is n[  
do+ )  ! gang pl[1 ! two-r[ cultivator1 
& ! f\r-horse disks &  h>r[s4 ,9        
addition he tile-dra9s 8 l& :i* helps to
 insure  l>g] crops & m rapid soil      
depletion4 ,he ev5 uses clov] z a  soil 
/imulant1 & spreads ! f>m f]tiliz] z    
?9ly z  possible ) a ma*9e made = !     
purpose 9 ord] to secure bo?  its plant 
food value & its /imulat+ effect4       
,positive soil  enri*m5t is practically 
unkn[n 9 ! great corn belt4    ,robb]y  
is a h>% ^w2 & yet ! f>m]s & l&[n]s (   
,am]ica are & always h be5 soil robb]s2 
& !y n only rob  ! nation ( !           
possibility ( p]man5t prosp]ity1 b !y   
ev5  rob !mselves ( ! v com=ts ( life 9 
_! old age &  _! *ildr5 & gr&*ildr5 ( a 
rightful inh]itance4    ,worse ?an all  
?is1 or at lea/ m lam5table1 is ! fact t
  x ne$ n be4 ,! soils ( ,virg9ia ne$ n 
h become worn out  & ab&on$2 because !  
e>? & ! air are fill$ ) !  elem5ts (    
plant food t are ess5tial to !          

re/oration &  p]man5t ma9t5ance ( ! high
 productive capacity ( ^!  soils4       
,moreov] !re is m pr(it & great]        
prosp]ity = !  pres5t l&[n] 9 a possible
 practicable sy/em ( positive soil      
improvem5t ?an "u any sy/em :i* leads to
 ultimate depletion  & ab&onm5t ( ! l&4 
,! pr(it 9 f>m+ lies fir/ ( all 9 secur+
 l>ge crop  yields4 ,x co/s =ty bu%els (
 corn p] acre 9 ,ill9ois to raise  !    
crop & pay ! r5t = ! l& or int]e/ &     
taxes on !  inve/m5t4 ,) l& wor? #aej an
 acre1 x w require #h to pay  ! int]e/ &
 taxes4 ,ano!r #h w be requir$ to raise 
!  crop & h>ve/ & m>ket x1 ev5 ) v      
inadequate provision  made = ma9ta9+ !  
productive p[] ( ! soil1 su* z a  cat*  
crop ( clov]1 or a v light dress+ ( f>m 
f]tiliz]4 ,a  =ty-bu%el crop ( corn at  
=ty c5ts a bu%el1 :i* is ab\t  ! t5 ye> 
av]age price = ,ill9ois1 w\ld br+ only  
#af an  acre1 & ?is w\ld leave no pr(it 
:atev]4    ,a crop ( fifty bu%els w\ld  
leave only t5 bu%els z pr(it2  b1 if we 
c\ld d\ble ! yield & ?us produce a      

hundr$ bu%els  p] acre1 ! pr(it w\ld n  
be d\bl$ only1 b x w\ld be six  times z 
great z f ! fifty bu%el crop4 ,9 o!r    
words1 #ajj  bu%els ( corn f "o acre    
w\ld yield practically ! same  pr(it z  
fifty bu%els p] acre f six acres1 simply
 because x  requires ! fir/ =ty bu%els f
 ea* acre to pay = ! fix$  *>ges or     
regul> exp5se4    ,x is n ! am\nt ( crop
 ! f>m] h&les1 b ! am\nt (  actual pr(it
 t det]m9es 8 prosp]ity4 ,x requires    
pr(it to  build ! new home or repair !  
old "o1 to provide ! home )  ! com=ts & 
conv5i5ces t are n[ to be _h 9 ! c\ntry 
z well z 9 ! city2 to s5d ! boys & girls
 to college2 to  provide = ! exp5se (   
travel & ! luxuries ( ! home4    ,p]cy  
/opp$ himself ) an apology4    ,i hope y
 w p>don me1 ,miss ,we/4 ,i =get t ?is  
subject  may be ( no int]e/ to y1 & ,i h
 completely monopoliz$ !  conv]sation4  
,i am glad y h told me s mu*1 %e repli$4
 ,i am deeply  int]e/$ 9 :at y h be5    
say+4 ,i nev] realiz$ t  agriculture    
c\ld involve su* v important que/ions 9 

reg>d to  our national prosp]ity4 ,i    
only "k t our f>m has furni%$ u  ) a    
liv+ b !re has be5 v little ( :at y call
  pr(it4 ,we *ildr5 c\ld nev] h gone    
away to s*ool except t  we 7 enabl$ to  
take advantage ( "s unusual             
opportunities4 ,my  bro!r almo/ e>n$ 8  
exp5ses z commiss>y 9 a bo>d+ club  at  
college4 ,he felt t he c\ld n come home 
= ,?anksgiv+  because he _h a *ance to  
e>n some?+ & ,i h miss$ him s  mu*4 ,mo/
 f>m]s get b>ely en\gh f _! f>ms 9 ^!   
p>ts  to furni% !m a mode/ liv+ & pay _!
 taxes4    ,t rem9ds me ( y\r /atem5t t 
f>m+ is ! la/ ?+  t y w\ld expect anyone
 to und]take4 ,9 a l>ge s5se t is  9    
accordance ) ! hi/ory ( all great       
agricultural c\ntries4  ,aft] ! great   
wave ( easy spoilation ( ! l& has pass$1
 &  ! f>m]s rea* a condition "u :i* !y  
ne$ mo/ ( :at  !y produce = _! own      
consumption1 ! p>asites are !mselves    
=c$ to produce _! own food4 ,! l&s      
become divid$ into  small] hold+s & !   
agricultural inhabitants increase       

rapidly  9 proportion to ! urban        
population :i* mu/ dep5d ^u !  pr(its f 
second>y pursuits = a liv+4 ,?us        
n9ety-five p]  c5t4 ( ! ?ree hundr$     
million p ( ,india belong  pr9cipally to
 ! agricultural classes1 & ! f>ms (     
,india  av]age ab\t two to ?ree acres 9 
size4 ,f>m+ !re is 9 no  s5se a         
pr(it-yield+ bus9ess1 b x is only a     
means (  exi/5ce4 ,! p live ^u :at !y   
raise1 s f> z !y c1  al?\gh1 z y mu/ "k1
 ,india is almo/ nev] free f fam9e4  ,9 
,russia1 ! situation is b little bett]1 
= fam9e foll[s if  ! yield ( :eat falls 
two bu%els bel[ ! av]age4 ,special      
ag5ts ( ! ,bureau ( ,/ati/ics ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates ,dep>tm5t  ( ,agriculture report
 t at lea/ "o fam9e ye> occurs 9 ea*    
five ye> p]iod1 & sometimes ev5 two2 t !
 fam9e ye>s are  s frequ5t !y are       
recogniz$ z a p]man5t feature ( ,russian
  agriculture4    ,b c\ldn't ^? poor    
/>v+ p d "s o!r k9d ( "w  & ?us e>n a   
bett] liv+8 ask$ ,adelaide4    ,no4     
,agriculture is ! only hope1 said ,p]cy4

 ,! soil is !  brea/ ( ,"m ,e>?1 f :i*  
h] *ildr5 mu/ always draw  _! n\ri%m5t1 
or p]i%4 ,x is ! 'la/ ?+1' z y truly    
said4 ,aside f hunt+ & fi%+1 !re is no  
s\rce ( food  except ! soil1 &1 :5 ?is  
is insuffici5t = ! p :o  produce x 9 !  
c\ntry1 ,god pity ! poor p :o live 9 !  
cities4 ,b let u n talk ( ?is m4 ,i     
ought n to h tak5  up ! "t ( our ride   
?r\gh ?is beautiful sc5]y ) a  subject  
:i* t5ds always t[>d ! s]i\s4 ,! leaves 
are all  gone 9 ,new ,engl&1 b "h !y h  
only tak5 on _! mo/  beautiful colors4  
',:at is s r>e z a day 9 ,june8' c\ld n[
 well  be answ]$1 'a day 9 ,novemb] 9   
,pi$mont1 ,virg9ia4'    ,d y "k if y\r  
fa!r receiv$ a lett] = me f !  *emi/ to 
:om ,i s5t ! soil samples8    ,yes1 x   
came 9 ,w$nesday's mail1 & !re is a     
lett] f !  ,univ]sity ( ,ill9ois & two  
o!rs t ,gr&ma says mu/ be f  a lady4    
,papa says he is anxi\s to "k :at       
results w\ld be f\nd  9 ! *emi/'s       
report4 ,may ,i li/5 :ile y tell papa   
ab\t x8  ,inde$1 ,i am extremely int]e/$

 to "k if any?+ c be done to  make our  
f>m produce su* crops z x us$ to :5     
gr&mo!r 0  a little girl4    ,/ill ,i   
fe> y w f9d x a v tiresome subject1 said
 ,p]cy4  ,x is1 z a rule1 n an easy     
matt] to adopt a sy/em ( p]man5t        
improvem5t on l& t has be5 deplet$ by a 
c5tury or m (  exhau/ive husb&ry4 b y w 
be v welcome n only to  li/5 b to c\nsel
 also4 ,my "m c measure difficulties 9  
advance bett] ?an mo/ m52 & ,i believe x
 is true t wom5  w delib]ately plan &   
foll[ a c\rse involv+ great]  h>d%ip &  
privation ?an m5 w\ld und]take4 ,i _c   
conceive  ( any man do+ :at my "m has   
done = me4    ,adelaide glanc$ at ,p]cy 
z he spoke ( 8 "m4 ,some?+ 9  8 words or
 voice seem$ to reveal to h] a dep? (   
feel+1 a  weal? ( affection ak9 to      
rev]5ce1 su* z %e _h nev]  recogniz$    
be=e4              ,,*apt] ,,xxix    ,,!
 ,,ultimate ,,comp>ison                 
,,wilkes 0 at ! side gate to meet       
,adelaide & ,p]cy1 & !  gr&mo!r /ood at 
! door z !y rea*$ ! v]&a4    ,lucky = u 

y got back be=e ! ,?anksgiv+ scraps are 
all  gone1 %e said to ,p]cy1 b ,i       
suppose ev5 our ,?anksgiv+ f>e  w be    
poor pick+ aft] y've be5 liv+ 9 ,wa%+ton
 &  ,bo/on4    ,ev5 ! ,?anksgiv+ d9n] on
 ! boat 0 n equal to ?is1  said ,p]cy1 z
 !y sat d[n to ! table load$ ) su* an   
abundance ( good ?+s z is r>ely se5     
except on ! f>m]'s  table4 ,! scraps1 if
 su* !re 71 _h no appe>ance ( be+       
left-ov]s1 & !re 0 mon/] turkey1 br[n$  
to p]fection &  sizzl+ hot1 plac$ be=e  
,mr4 ,we/ ready = ! c>v+ knife4    ,p]cy
 _h op5$ ! lett] f ! *emi/1 b said to   
,mr4 ,we/  t x w\ld take him an h\r or m
 to compute ! results to !  =m ( !      
actual elem5ts & r$uce !m to p\nds p]   
acre 9  ord] to make possible a direct  
comp>ison betwe5 ! requirem5ts  ( crops1
 on ! "o h&1 & ! invoice ( ! soil &     
application ( plant food 9 manure &     
f]tiliz]s1 on ! o!r  h&4    ,please let 
me help y make ! computations1 said     
,adelaide1 mu*  to ! surprise ( h]      
p>5ts1 :o knew t %e took no int]e/  9   

affairs p]ta9+ to f>m+4 ,i l ma!matics &
 w  promise n to make any mi/akes if y w
 tell me h[ to d "s  ( ! figur+4        
,?ank y1 said ,p]cy4 ,) y\r help x w    
take only half !  "t t ,i %\ld require  
alone4    ,?is prov$ to be correct1 = 9 
half an h\r aft] supp] !y _h  ! results 
9 simplifi$ =m4 ,ev5 ! "m & gr&mo!r     
jo9$ ! circle z ,p]cy began to discuss !
 results ) ,mr4  ,we/    ,n[ "h is !    
invoice1 said ,p]cy1 ( ! surface soil f 
an  acre ( l& :]e we collect$ ! fir/    
composite sample1--!  l& :i* y said _h n
 be5 cropp$ s9ce y c\ld rememb]4  ,?is  
soil conta9s plant food z foll[s3       
#a1ddj p\nds ( nitrog5  #chj p\nds (    
phosphorus  #ae1gfj p\nds ( potassium   
#c1cdj p\nds ( magnesium  #aj1dbj p\nds 
( calcium    ,i'd l to "k h[ ^! am\nts  
comp>e ) :at y\r ,ill9ois  soil conta9s1
 said ,mr4 ,we/4    ,we h sev]al diff]5t
 k9ds ( soil 9 ,ill9ois1 repli$  ,p]cy4 
,! common corn belt prairie soil is     
call$ br[n silt loam4  ,x conta9s1 z an 
av]age1 #ejjj p\nds ( nitrog5 & #abjj   

p\nds  ( phosphorus1 or ne>ly f\r times 
z mu* ( ea* ( ^?  elem5ts z ?is ,virg9ia
 soil :i* y say is too poor to          
cultivate4    ,i wrote to ! ,ill9ois    
,exp]im5t ,/ation be=e ,i left ,wa%+ton 
to see if ,i c\ld get ! av]age          
composition ( ! heavi] prairie  soil1   
:i* occupies ! v flat areas t 7         
orig9ally  swampy1 & "o ( ! lett]s y _h 
receiv$ = me gives #hjjj  p\nds (       
nitrog5 & #bjjj p\nds ( phosphorus z !  
g5]al  av]age = t soil4 ,t is our mo/   
productive l&1 & x  conta9s ab\t five   
times z mu* ( ^! two v important        
elem5ts z y\r poore/ l&4    ,our m      
common ,ill9ois prairie conta9s ab\t    
#ce1jjj p\nds (  potassium1 #i1jjj p\nds
 ( magnesium1 & ,i #a1jjj p\nds (       
calcium4  ,?is is m ?an twice z mu*     
potassium & ne>ly ?ree times z  mu*     
magnesium z 9 y\r poore/ l&1 b ! calcium
 cont5t is  ab\t ! same 9 y\r soil z 9  
ours4 ,h[ev]1 z y w  rememb]1 y\r soil  
is di/9ctly acid & consequ5tly m>k$ly 9 
ne$ ( lime1 ! magnesium & calcium       

evid5tly be+ conta9$ 9  "p 9 ! =m ( acid
 silicates ) no c>bonates2 :]eas1 our   
br[n silt loam is a neutral soil & our  
black clay loam conta9s  mu* calcium    
c>bonate1 ! same comp\nd z pure         
lime/one4    ,i am anxi\s to "k ab\t our
 be/ l&1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,:at  did !    
*emi/ f9d 9 ! soil f ! slope :]e we get 
!  be/ corn aft] break+ up ! old        
pa/ures8    ,he f\nd ! foll[+ am\nts 9 !
 surface soil1 said ,p]cy4    #hjj p\nds
 ( nitrog5    #a1ffj p\nds ( phosphorus 
#cd1 #ajj p\nds ( potassium    #h1ejj   
p\nds ( magnesium    #ac1ajj p\nds (    
calcium    ,ri* 9 ev]y?+ b nitrog51     
,p]cy cont9u$1 ri*] ?an our  common     
prairies 9 phosphorus & calcium1 & ne>ly
 z ri* 9  potassium & magnesium2 b v1 v 
poor 9 nitrog54 ,legume  plants ought to
 gr[ well on t l&1 because ! m9]als are 
pres5t 9 abundance1 &1 :ile lack (      
nitrog5 9 ! soil w  limit ! yield ( all 
gra9s & grasses1 !re is no nitrog5      
limit = ! legume plants if infect$ ) !  
prop]  nitrog5-fix+ bact]ia1 provid$1 ( 

c\rse1 t ! soil is n  acid4 ,y w        
rememb]1 h[ev]1 t ev5 ?is slop+ l& is  m
 or less acid1 al?\gh "h & !re we f\nd  
pieces (  undecompos$ lime/one4 ,) a    
lib]al use ( gr\nd lime/one1 any        
legumes suit$ to ?is soil & climate     
ought to gr[ luxuriantly on  ^? slopes4 
,t rem9ds me t we are greatly tr\bl$ )  
,japan clov] on  ^? slopes1 said ,mr4   
,we/4 ,( c\rse x makes good pa/ure = a  
few mon?s1 b x doesn't come s e>ly 9 !  
spr+ z blue grass  & x is kill$ ) ! fir/
 heavy fro/ 9 ! fall4 ,we l  blue grass 
mu* bett] = t reason1 b :5 we se$ d[n = 
mead[ & pa/ure1 ! ,japan clov] always   
cr[ds out ! timo?y  & blue grass on ^?  
slopes4    ,& :5 y pl[ "u ! ,japan      
clov]1 y get "o or two good  crops (    
gra91 said ,p]cy1 because ?is clov] has 
/or$ up "s  mu* ne$$ nitrog5 & ! soil is
 ri* 9 all o!r necess>y  elem5ts4 ,h y  
ev] tri$ alfalfa on t k9d ( l&8 ,t is  a
 crop t ought to d well !re1 especially 
if lime/one 7  appli$4    ,yes1 ,i h    
tri$ alfalfa1 repli$ ,mr4 ,we/1 & ,i    

tri$ x on a  /rip t ran across "o ( ^?  
/eep slopes2 b x fail$  completely1 &1 z
 ,i rememb] x1 x 0 poor] on t hillside  
?an on ! m level l&4    ,did y inoculate
 x8 ,p]cy ask$4    ,inoculate x8 ,no4 ,i
 didn't d any?+ to x1 b j s[ x !  same z
 ,i s[ r$ clov]4    ,:at does x mean to 
inoculate x8 ask$ ,adelaide4    ,x means
 to put "s bugs on x1 said ! gr&mo!r2 "s
 g]ms  or microbes1 or :atev] !y are    
call$4 ,don't y rememb]1  ,adelaide1 t  
,i told y ab\t t :5 ,i read x 9 !       
magaz9e  a :ile ago8 ,don't y rememb] t 
somebody 0 mak+ x & a  man c\ld c>ry    
en\gh 9 8 ve/ pocket to f]tilize an acre
 &  he want$ #b a package4 ,*>les said t
 #a4ej a hundr$ 0 m  ?an he c\ld af=d to
 pay = f]tiliz]1 & he didn't c>e to  pay
 #b = a ve/ pocket package4 ,isn't t !  
/uff1 ,mr4  ,john/on8    ,x li/5s l x1 z
 ! ,sw$es say1 said ,p]cy1 b !          
adv]tisem5ts ( ^! g]m cultures put out  
by comm]cial  int]e/s are usually v     
mislead+4 ,! safe/ & be/ & lea/         
exp5sive me?od ( inoculat+ a field =    

alfalfa is to use  infe/$ soil tak5 f "s
 old alfalfa field or f a pat* (  gr\nd 
:]e ! common sweet clov]1 or mellilotus1
 has be5  gr[+ = sev]al ye>s4 ,i saw !  
sweet clov] gr[+ along !  railroad ne>  
,montpla91 & !re is "o pat* on !        
roadside  "r :]e--:5 y ent] ! valley on 
! way to ! /ation4    ,"r :]e ,adelaide 
sma%$ t nigg]'s eye ) h] heel &  help$  
,mr4 ,john/on capture !m bo?1 broke 9 ! 
gr&mo!r4  ,t's ! only good ?+ ,i c say =
 h] peg heel$ %oes4    ,adelaide color$ 
& ,p]cy n[ und]/ood :at _h be5 a puzzle 
to  him4    ,! same bact]ia1 he w5t on  
quickly1 live ^u bo? ! sweet  clov] & ! 
alfalfa1 or at lea/ !y are              
int]*angeable4 ,^!  bact]ia are n a     
f]tiliz] 9 any ord9>y s5se1 b !y are  m 
9 ! nature ( a disease1 a k9d (         
tub]culosis1 z x 72  except t !y d mu* m
 good ?an h>m4 ,!y attack ! v  t5d] "y  
roots ( ! alfalfa & fe$ ^u ! nutriti\s  
sap1  tak+ f x ! phosphorus & o!r m9]als
 & also ! sug>  or o!r c>bohydrates ne$$
 = _! own n\ri%m5t1 s9ce !y  h no p[] to

 secure c>bon & oxyg5 f ! air1 z is done
  by all plants ) gre5 leaves4 ,on ! o!r
 h&1 ^! bact]ia  h p[] to take ! free   
nitrog5 ( ! air1 :i* ent]s !  pores ( ! 
soil to "s ext5t1 & cause x to comb9e ) 
food  mat]ials :i* are secur$ f !       
alfalfa sap1 & ?us !  bact]ia secure =  
!mselves bo? nitrog5 & ! o!r ess5tial   
plant foods4 ,! alfalfa root or rootlet 
becomes enl>g$ at !  po9t attack$ by !  
bact]ia1 & a sort ( w>t or tub]cle is   
=m$ :i* resembles a t9y potato1 z l>ge z
 clov] se$ on  clov] or alfalfa1 &1     
s+ul>ly1 ab\t z l>ge z peas on  c[peas  
or soy beans4 ,on plants t are sp>sely  
infect$1 ^!  tub]cles develop to a l>ge 
size & (t5 9 clu/]s4 ,:ile !  bact]ia   
!mselves are extremely small & c be se5 
only by !  aid ( a p[]ful microscope1 ! 
tub]cles 9 :i* !y live are  easily se51 
& !y are suffici5t to enable u to "k    
:e!r  ! plants are infect$4    ,i wi% y 
w\ld tell me ! diff]5ce betwe5 ! words  
inoculat$ & infect$1 said ,adelaide4    
,inoculat$ is us$ 9 ! active s5se &     

infect$ 9 !  passive1 said ,p]cy4 ,?us !
 r$ clov] gr[+ 9 ! field is  infect$ if 
!re are tub]cles on its roots1 al?\gh x 
may nev]  h be5 inoculat$2 & we         
inoculate alfalfa because x w\ld n  be  
likely to become infect$ )\t direct     
inoculation4    ,"u favorable           
conditions1 cont9u$ ,p]cy1 ^! bact]ia   
multiply ) trem5d\s rapidity1 some:at z 
! g]ms ( small  pox or yell[ fev]       
multiply if all[$ to d s4 ,a s+le       
tub]cle  may conta9 a million g]ms :i*  
if di/ribut$ uni=mly ov] an  acre w\ld  
furni% m ?an tw5ty bact]ia = e squ>e    
foot4    ,!re1 ,*>les1 said ! gr&mo!r1  
w\ldn't a ve/ pocketful  ( ^? bugs or   
g]ms be a big en\gh dose = "o acre8     
,well1 b !y're n a f]tiliz]1 ,"m1 said  
,mr4 ,we/1 &  besides ,mr4 ,john/on says
 x is bett] to use ! infect$ sweet      
clov] soil & !re is no ne$ ( pay+ #b an 
acre = some?+  we knew no?+ ab\t1 &     
especially on l& t is n wor? m  ?an #b  
an acre4    ,i don't c>e :at x's wor?1  
%e repli$1 "s ( x co/ y\r  gr&fa!r #fh  

an acre1 & x w nev] be sold = any #b1   
:ile  ,i h any say s ab\t x4    ,!y     
wait$ = ,p]cy to proce$4    ,!          
individual bact]ia are v %ort-liv$1 he  
cont9u$1 &  products ( decay soon beg9  
to accumulate 9 ! tub]cles4 ,^!         
products conta91 9 comb9$ =m1 nitrog5   
:i* ! bact]ia h  tak5 f ! air1 & 9 ?is  
=m x is tak5 f ! tub]cles  & absorb$    
?r\gh ! roots into ! ho/ plant & ?us    
s]ves  z a s\rce ( nitrog5 = all ( !    
agricultural legumes4    ,x %\ld be kept
 9 m9d1 ( c\rse1 t ! r$ clov] has "o    
k9d ( nitrog5-fix+ bact]ia1 t ! c[pea   
has a diff]5t  k9d1 & t ! soy bean      
bact]ia are /ill diff]5t1 :ile a  f\r?  
k9d lives on ! roots ( alfalfa & sweet  
clov]4    ,h[ mu* infect$ sweet clov]   
soil w\ld ,i ne$ to inoculate an  acre (
 l& = alfalfa8 ask$ ,mr4 ,we/4    ,if ! 
soil is ?or\ghly infect$1 a hundr$ p\nds
 to ! acre  w d v well if appli$ at !   
same "t ! alfalfa se$ is  s[n &         
imm$iately h>r[$ 9 ) ! se$4 ,if all[$ to
 lie  = sev]al h\rs or days expos$ to ! 

sun%9e aft] be+ spread  ov] ! l& !      
bact]ia w be de/roy$1 = l mo/  bact]ia1 
su* z ^? :i* lurk 9 milk pails to s\r ! 
milk1  !y are kill$ by ! sun%9e4        
,t's "r1 said ! gr&mo!r4 ,t's ! way to  
/]ilize  milk pails & pans & crocks4 ,i 
l crocks bett] ?an pans4 ,!y  don't h   
any sort ( jo9ts to dig out4    ,(      
c\rse1 cont9u$ ,p]cy1 a wagon load (    
infect$ soil w  make a m p]fect         
inoculation ?an a hundr$ p\nds1 & :]e x 
co/s no?+ b ! haul+ x is well to use a  
lib]al am\nt4    ,h[ deep %\ld x be     
tak58 ask$ ,mr4 ,we/4    ,ab\t ! same   
dep? z y w\ld pl[4 ,! tub]cles are mo/ly
  )9 six or eight in*es ( ! surface4 ,! 
bact]ia dep5d ^u  ! nitrog5 ( ! air &   
?is mu/ ent] ! surface soil4  ,sometimes
 9 wet wea!r ! tub]cles c be f\nd almo/ 
at !  surface ( ! gr\nd1 & :5 ! gr\nd   
cracks "o c (t5 f9d  tub]cles /ick+ out 
9 ! cracks an in* or two b5ea? !        
surface b protect$ f direct sun%9e4     
,^! bact]ia h p[] to furni% v l>ge      
am\nts ( nitrog5  to su* a crop z       

alfalfa4 ,! ,ill9ois ,/ation reports    
hav+ gr[n  eight & "o-half tons (       
alfalfa p] acre 9 "o season4 ,x 0       
h>ve/$ 9 f\r cutt+s4 ,! hay itself 0    
wor? at lea/ #f a  ton above all        
exp5ses1 :i* w\ld br+ #ea an acre net   
pr(it =  "o ye>4 ,( c\rse ?is 0 above ! 
av]age1 :i* is only ab\t  f\r & "o-half 
tons ov] a s]ies ( sev]al ye>s4 ,b      
suppose  y c save only ?ree tons & get  
#f a ton net = x1 z y  c\ld easily d by 
fe$+ x to y\r cattle & %eep4 ,t w\ld    
br+ #ah an acre or six p] c5t4 int]e/ on
 #cjj l&4 ,i am  altoge!r confid5t t ?is
 c\ld be done on y\r slop+  hillsides1 )
 _! ri* supplies ( phosphorus & o!r     
m9]al  foods1 provid$1 ( c\rse1 t y use 
pl5ty ( gr\nd lime/one  & ?or\ghly      
inoculate ! soil4    ,well1 ,i %all     
c]ta9ly try alfalfa aga91 said ,mr4     
,we/1 & if  ,i c gr[ su* crops ( alfalfa
 z y ?9k on ! hillsides1 ,i  c h mu* m  
f>m manure produc$ = ! improvem5t ( !   
re/ ( ! l&4 ,by ! way :at did t *emi/   
f9d 9 t  sample y took ( ! o!r l& :]e x 

does n wa% s mu* z  on ! /eep] slopes4  
,he f\nd ! foll[+3    #a1jcj p\nds (    
nitrog5  #a1bgj p\nds ( phosphorus      
#af1ejj p\nds ( potassium  #g1dfj p\nds 
( magnesium  #af1ajj p\nds ( calcium    
,well1 ! phosphorus is n s l[1 said ,mr4
 ,we/4    ,fully equal to t 9 our #aej  
,ill9ois prairie1 repli$ ,p]cy1  & aga9 
! calcium is m ?an ours1 ) magnesium n  
f>  bel[1 & potassium half our supply4  
,nitrog5 is pla9ly ! mo/  s]i\s problem 
on mo/ ( ?is f>m1 & lime/one & legumes  
mu/  solve t problem if prop]ly us$4    
,d y ?9k ?is l& c\ld be made z valuable 
z ! ,ill9ois  l& j by a lib]al use (    
lime/one & legumes8 ask$  ,adelaide4    
,i %\ld h "s d\bt ab\t t1 ,p]cy repli$4 
,y\r v  level upl&s t nei!r lose nor    
receive mat]ial f surface  wa%+ are v   
defici5t 9 phosphorus & mu* poor] ?an   
ours  9 potassium & magnesium2 & y\r    
undulat+ & /eeply slop+  l&s are m or   
less brok51 ) _m rock outcrops on !     
po9ts  & "s impassable gullies1 :i* z a 
rule compel ! cultivation  ( ! l& 9     

small irregul> fields4 ,a ?ree-corn]$   
field (  f two to fifte5 acres c nev] h 
q ! same value p]  acre z ! l& :]e =ty  
or eighty acres ( corn c be gr[n 9  a   
body ) no necessity ( omitt+ a s+le     
hill4 ,!n !re is  "s unavoidable loss f 
surface wa%+1 s t to ma9ta9 !  supply ( 
organic matt] & nitrog5 w require a l>g]
 use (  legumes ?an on level l& ( equal 
ri*ness4 ,9 addition to ?is is  !       
initial diff]5ce 9 humus cont5t4 ,?is is
 well measur$ by  ! nitrog5 cont5t4     
,:ile y\r soil conta9s eight hundr$     
p\nds  ( nitrog5 on ! /eep] slopes & "o 
?\s& p\nds on !  m g5tly undulat+ areas1
 ours conta9s five ?\s& p\nds 9  ! br[n 
silt loam & eight ?\s& p\nds 9 ! heavi] 
black  clay loam4 ,?is means t our      
,ill9ois prairie soil conta9s f  five to
 t5 times z mu* humus1 or organic matt]1
 z y\r be/  upl& soil4 ,to supply ?is   
diff]5ce 9 humus w\ld require !         
addition ( f f\r hundr$ to eight hundr$ 
tons p] acre (  av]age f>m manure1 or ! 
pl[+ "u ( "o hundr$ to two  hundr$ tons 

( air-dry clov]4 ,?is repres5ts ! great 
res]ve (  ! ,ill9ois prairie soils above
 ! total supplies rema9+ 9  y\r soils4  
,our f>m]s are /ill produc+ crops v     
l>gely by draw+ on  ?is res]ve4 ,( c\rse
 mo/ ( ?is great supply ( humus is v    
old4 ,x repres5ts ! organic residues mo/
 resi/ant to  decomposition2 &1 :]e corn
 & oats are gr[n exclusively1 !  soil   
has rea*$ a condition on _m f>ms "u :i* 
!  decomposition ( ! res]ve organic     
matt] is s sl[ t !  nitrog5 lib]at$ f   
its own decay & ! m9]als lib]at$  f !   
soil by ! action ( ! decomposition      
products are n  suffici5t to meet !     
requirem5ts ( l>ge crops1 & = ?is       
reason alone "s ( our l&s t are /ill ri*
 are said to be  run d[n2 b !y only     
require a mod]ate use ( clov] or f>m    
manure or o!r fre% & active organic     
matt] to at once re/ore  _!             
productiv5ess to a po9t almo/ equal to !
 yields f !  virg9 soil4 ,"s ,ill9ois   
f>m]s :o h discov]$ ?is app>5t          
re/oration h jump$ to ! conclusion t !y 

h solv$ !  problem ( p]man5tly ma9ta9+ !
 f]tility ( ! soil2 & ,i  judge f a     
rem>k made by ! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture
 t "s  ,i[a f>m]s h ! same mi/ak5       
notions4    ,^! fre% supplies ( active  
organic matt] s]ve prim>ily z  soil     
/imulants1 ha/5+ ! lib]ation ( nitrog5 f
 !  organic res]ve & ( m9]als f !       
inorganic soil mat]ials4    ,:]e "o ( ! 
,ea/]n f>m]s has manag$ a f>m "u !      
rotation sy/em ) ! occasional use (     
clov] or light  applications ( f>m      
manure1--:]e ?is has be5 cont9u$ until  
! great res]ve is l>gely gone1 & !      
phosphorus supply greatly  deplet$1 !n !
 l& is truly run d[n1 b n until !n4     
,f9ally1 l&-pla/] & quick-lime1 /ill m  
p[]ful soil  /imulants1 are (t5 br\ght  
into ! sy/em to br+ ab\t a m  complete  
exhau/ion ( ! soil res]ves1 & la/ly !   
use (  small am\nts ( high-pric$        
comm]cial f]tiliz]s s]ves to put  ! l& 9
 suitable condition = ultimate ab&onm5t4
    ,d y mean t comm]cial f]tiliz]s     
injure ! soil8 ask$ ,mr4  ,we/4         

,well1 to "s ext5t !y injure ! soil     
because !y t5d to  de/roy ! lime/one &  
increase ! acidity ( ! soil1 & also     
because !y conta9 m or less manufactur$ 
l&-pla/] & ?us  s]ve z soil /imulants2 b
 ! *ief po9t to keep 9 m9d  conc]n+ !   
use ( ! common s-call$ complete         
comm]cial  f]tiliz] is t !y are too     
exp5sive to p]mit _! use 9  suffici5t   
quantities to positively enri* ! soil4  
,?us ! f>m]  may apply two hundr$ p\nds 
( su* a f]tiliz] at a co/ ( #c4jj  an   
acre1 & !n h>ve/ a crop ( :eat1 two     
crops ( hay1 pa/ure  = ano!r ye> or two1
 pl[ up ! gr\nds = corn1 apply ano!r    
two hundr$ p\nds = ! corn crop1 foll[ ) 
a crop ( oats1  & !n repeat4 ,he ?us    
h>ve/s five crops & pa/ures a ye> or    
two & applies p]haps f\r hundr$ p\nds ( 
f]tiliz] at a co/  ( #f4jj4    ,z an    
av]age ( ! mo/ common comm]cial         
f]tiliz]s sold to !  f>m]s 9 ! ,ea/]n & 
,s\!rn ,/ates1 ! f\r hundr$ p\nds  w\ld 
add to ! soil sev5 p\nds ( nitrog51     
f\rte5 p\nds (  phosphorus & sev5 p\nds 

( potassium1 :ile a s+le  fifty-bu%el   
crop ( corn w remove f ! soil t5 times z
  mu* nitrog51 five times z mu*         
potassium1 & ne>ly z mu*  phosphorus z !
 total am\nts appli$ 9 ?is six-ye> or   
sev5-ye> rotation4    ,9 ?is mann] !    
f>m] ext5ds ! "t dur+ :i* he c take  f !
 soil crops ^: value exce$ _! co/4 ,he  
applies only  "o-f\r? or possibly       
"o-half z mu* ( ! mo/ defici5t  elem5t z
 ! crops h>ve/$ require1 & ?us he       
cont9ues = a  long] "t to '"w ! l& = all
 t's 9 x6 '    ,well1 isn't t ! limit8  
said ,adelaide1 ) emphasis on !  isn't1 
= :i* %e receiv$ a disapprov+ look f h] 
"m1  s f> z h] almo/ angel-face c\ld    
give su* a look4    ,s f> z human +5uity
 has yet devis$1 repli$ ,p]cy1 ?is      
sy/em appe>s to be ! limit2 b ?is limit 
has n yet be5  rea*$ on any ,we/ov]     
soil4 ,if anyone c devise a me?od =     
ext5d+ ?is limit he %\ld apply x on a   
type ( soil cov]+  m ?an two-fif?s ( !  
total area ( ,/4 ,m>y ,c\nty & m  ?an   
#de1jjj acres ( ,pr9ce ,george ,c\nty1  

,m>yl&1 "s ( :i*  almo/ adjo9s !        
,di/rict ( ,columbia4 ,?is soil has be5 
r$uc$  9 f]tility until x conta9s only  
"o-?ird z mu* phosphorus z  y\r poore/  
l&4 ,i f\nd a ,we/]n man :o _h come d[n 
to  ,m>yl& a few ye>s ago4 ,he saw t    
beautiful almo/ level upl&  soil1 & x   
look$ s good to him t he b\ght & kept   
buy+  until he _h 'squ>$ out' a tract ( 
elev5 hundr$ acres4 ,he  /ill _h left   
money en\gh to f5ce ! f>m & to put !    
build+s 9 good repair4 ,he 0 a live-/ock
 f>m] f ! ,we/  :o j knew f 8 own       
exp]i5ce & f t ( ! ,secret>y  (         
,agriculture1 9 ! use ( a little clov]  
or f>m manure 9  unlock+ ! great res]ves
 ( an almo/ virg9 soil1 t all 8  ,m>yl& 
f>m ne$$ 0 clov] se$ & live /ock4 ,%eep 
especially he knew to be great produc]s 
( f]tility4    ,he s[$ ! clov] & grass  
se$ & !y g]m9at$ well4 ,he  ev5 secur$ a
 f9e cat*1 b x fail$ to hold1 z we say  
out  ,we/4 ,he tri$ aga9 & aga91 & fail$
 z (t5 z he tri$4 ,he  %[$ me 8 be/     
clov] on a field t _h receiv$ "s manure 

made f fe$ "p ( :i* 0 pur*as$1 & t _h   
also  receiv$ five hundr$ p\nds p] acre 
( hydrat$ lime1 :i* he 0  f9ally p]suad$
 to use1 aft] becom+ conv9c$ t          
clov]-gr[+ on old ab&on$ l& 0 n exactly 
z easy z  clov]-gr[+ on a 'run-d[n' f>m 
( almo/ virg9 soil 9 !  ,we/4    ,& 0 ! 
clov] good aft] t treatm5t8 ask$ ,mr4   
,we/4    ,no1 n good1 said ,p]cy1 b 9 "s
 places :]e ! manure _h  be5 appli$ to !
 high po9ts1 z is ! cu/om ( ! ,we/]n    
f>m]1 ! yield ( clov]1 we$s1 & f\l grass
 toge!r mu/  h be5 ne>ly a half ton to !
 acre4 ,=tunately he wait$ to  fully    
/ock 8 f>m ) cattle & %eep until he %\ld
 h "s  assurance ( produc+ suffici5t fe$
 to keep !m = a "t at  lea/1 in/ead (   
mak+ ! common mi/ake ( ! less exp]i5c$  
f>m] :o goes to ! c\ntry f ! city1 & :o 
imag9es t1  if he has pl5ty ( /ock on ! 
f>m1 !y mu/ ( necessity  produce        
abundance ( manure ) :i* to enri* 8 l& =
 !  production ( abundant crops4        
,well1 n[ y'll h to %[ me1 said !       
gr&mo!r4 ,to my  way ( ?9k+ t's a pretty

 good k9d ( a notion = a f>m]  to h1 &  
,i'd l to "k :at's wrong ) x4    ,aga9 a
 %ad[ seem$ to cross ! sweet face z !   
"m's glance  turn$ f gr&ma to ,adelaide4
    ,! sy/em has "s m]it1 repli$ ,p]cy1 
b x />ts at !  wrong po9t 9 ! circle4   
,cattle & %eep mu/ fir/ h fe$  be=e !y c
 produce ! f]tiliz] ) :i* to enri* !    
soil2 & p :o w\ld raise /ock on poor l& 
%\ld always  produce a good supply (    
food be=e !y procure ! /ock  requir+ to 
be f$4 ,!re is probably no m direct r\te
 to  f9ancial disa/] ?an = "o to insi/  
^u ov]-/ock+ a f>m  t is ess5tially worn
 out4    ,b doesn't pa/ur+ enri* ! soil8
 ask$ ! gr&mo!r4    ,pa/ur+ may enri* ! 
soil only 9 a s+le elem5t ( plant  food1
 said ,p]cy4 ,9 all o!r elem5ts simple  
pa/ur+ mu/  always contribute t[>d soil 
depletion4 ,if ! pa/ure h]bage  conta9s 
a suffici5t proportion ( legume plants s
 t !  fixation ( free nitrog5 exce$s !  
utilization ( nitrog5 9  animal gr[?1 !n
 ! soil w be enri*$ 9 t elem5t1  al?\gh 
) ! same gr[? ( plants x w\ld be enri*$ 

m  rapidly )\t pa/ur+2 = animals are n  
made out ( no?+4  ,meat1 milk1 & wool   
are all highly nitrog5\s products4      
,on ! o!r h& no am\nt ( pa/ur+ c add to 
! soil a  s+le p\nd ( any "o ( ! six    
m9]al elem5ts1 & phosphorus1  :i* is    
normally ! mo/ limit$ ( all ^! elem5ts1 
is  ab/ract$ f ! soil & reta9$ by !     
animals 9 v  consid]able am\nts4 ,z an  
av]age "o-f\r? ( ! phosphorus  conta9$ 9
 ! food consum$ is reta9$ 9 ! animal    
products1  especially 9 bone1 fle%1 &   
milk4    ,well1 ,i didn't "k t milk     
conta9$ phosphorus1 said ,mr4 ,we/1     
al?\gh ,i did "k1 ( c\rse1 t phosphorus 
mu/ be conta9$  9 bone4    ,b1 z y "k1  
said ,p]cy1 milk is ! only food ( "y    
animals1 & !y mu/ secure _! bone food f 
! milk4  ,fur!rmore1 ! complete analysis
 ( milk %[s t x conta9s  v consid]able  
quantities4 ,!re are also records (     
dige/ion  exp]im5ts 9 :i* less ?an      
"o-half ( ! phosphorus 9 !  food consum$
 0 recov]$ 9 ! total manural excrem5ts4 
,z a  matt] ( fact !re is a "t 9 ! life 

( ! "y "m1 z  ) ! two-ye> old c[1 =     
example1 :5 %e mu/ ab/ract f  ! food %e 
consumes suffici5t phosphorus = !       
n\ri%m5t (  ?ree gr[+ animals1--h] own  
immature body1 a suckl+ calf1 &  ano!r  
calf z yet unborn4    ,( c\rse ! organic
 matt] ( ! soil %\ld increase "u        
pa/ur+1 especially "u conditions t make 
possible an  accumulation ( nitrog52 b  
"h too ! animals make no  contribution  
t[>d any su* accumulation4 ,) ! same    
gr[? (  plants ! accumulation ( organic 
matt] w\ld be mu* m rapid  )\t live     
/ock4    ,x is kn[n absolutely b n      
g5]ally t live /ock de/roy  ab\t        
two-?irds ( ! organic matt] conta9$ 9 ! 
food !y  consume4 ,) gra9s ! proportion 
is high]1 & ) co>se  =age x is l[]1 b z 
an av]age ab\t two-?irds ( ! dry  matt] 
9 t5d] "y grass or clov] or 9 a mix$1   
well-balanc$  ration ( gra9 & hay is    
dige/$ & ?us practically de/roy$  s f> z
 ! production ( organic matt] is        
conc]n$4    ,?is y c\ld easily v]ify    
y\rself1 ,mr4 ,we/1 by fe$+ two  ?\s&   

p\nds ( any suitable ration1 su* z corn 
& clov] hay1  collect+ & dry+ ! total   
excrem5t1 :i* w be f\nd to  weigh ab\t  
sev5 hundr$ p\nds1 if x conta9s no high]
  p]c5tage ( moi/ure ?an 0 conta9$ 9 !  
two ?\s& p\nds  ( food consum$4    ,(   
c\rse "o %\ld n =get t ! liquid excrem5t
 conta9s  m nitrog5 & m potassium ?an ! 
solid1 & t mu* (  ?is c be sav$ &       
return$ to ! l& by use ( pl5ty (        
absorb5t b$d+1 & 9 pa/ur+ !re is no     
dang] ( any loss  f ?is s\rce4    ,t is 
"o great tr\ble ) u1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,we
 nev] h  z mu* b$d+ z we c\ld use to    
advantage1 & x is altoge!r  too exp5sive
 to p]mit u to ?9k ( buy+ /raw4         
,probably x w\ld be mu* less exp5sive = 
y to buy gr\nd  lime/one & !n use good  
alfalfa hay = b$d+1 said ,p]cy4 ,i  mean
 exactly :at ,i say1 he cont9u$4 ,(     
c\rse ,i d n advise  y to use good      
alfalfa hay 9 t way1 b x w\ld be a *eap 
s\rce ( v valuable b$d+1 & x w\ld make  
an extremely  valuable manure4 ,h[ev]1  
,i %\ld n hesitate to make lib]al use  (

 p>tially spoil$ alfalfa hay = b$d+1 & y
 are q  likely to h m or less su* hay2 =
 "u favorable  conditions1 su* z y c    
easily h ) y\r soil & climate1  alfalfa 
comes on ) a ru% 9 ! spr+1 & (t5 ! fir/ 
crop  %\ld be cut be=e ! wea!r is       
suitable = mak+ hay4 ,!re  %\ld be v    
little or no delay at ?is "t1 because ! 
fir/  cutt+ %\ld be remov$ 9 ord] t x   
may be out ( ! way (  ! second crop1 :i*
 comes =w>d /ill m rapidly "u normal    
conditions4    ,"s ( our ,ill9ois f>m]s 
make /r5u\s objection to tak+  c>e ( an 
alfalfa field t produces #ej wor? ( !   
ri*e/ &  mo/ valuable hay1 because x    
int]f]es too mu* ) ! prop]  c>e ( a #be 
corn crop1 :i* !y someh[ feel requires &
  des]ves all _! "t & att5tion4    ,"s (
 our ,virg9ia f>m]s h s5t to ,ill9ois = 
_! se$  corn1 said ,mr4 ,we/2 & !y      
report v good results z a rule1         
especially on l& t has be5 kept up4 ,on 
our poor l& ,i ?9k  ! native corn does  
bett] ?an ! ,we/]n se$4    ,p]haps t is 
because x is us$ to x1 sugge/$ ,p]cy1   

us$  to mak+ ! /ruggle = itself on poor 
l&4 ,fight+ = all x  gets1 s to speak4  
,y "k ! high-br$ animals _c hold _!  own
 ) ! scrubs :5 x comes to paw+ ! sn[ (f 
! dead  wild grass = a liv+ 9 ! w9t]1 z 
cattle mu/ d sometimes  on ! pla9s ( !  
,nor?we/4    ,well1 !re may be some?+ 9 
t1 respond$ ,mr4 ,we/1 b !  we/]n se$   
corn c]ta9ly looks f9e4    ,yes1 t is   
true1 said ,p]cy4 ,our f>m]s h made m>k$
  improvem5t 9 se$ corn2 !y also und]/& 
v well h[ to gr[  corn4 ,!y "k h[ & :5  
to prep>e ! gr\nd1 h[ & :5 to  plant2 & 
h[ & :5 to cultivate4 ,:5 ,ill9ois f>m]s
 g to  ,i[a to buy l&1 ! ,i[a real e/ate
 m5 usually take !m to see  a f>m t is  
own$ & op]at$ by a =m] ,ill9oisan1 & !y 
insi/ t !re are no o!r f>m]s :o "k h[ to
 raise corn  q s well z ! ,ill9ois f>m]4
 ,p]haps ! ,ill9ois real  e/ate man w\ld
 tell a simil> /ory to ! ,i[a f>m] if he
 ev]  came !re to buy l&1 b ',we/w>d !  
,c\rse ( ,empire takes its  ,way' & !   
man once gone we/ kn[s ! ea/ no m1      
except z a  m>ket = 8 surplus products  

or a good place 9 :i* to sp5d  8 surplus
 ca%4    ,b1 "h4 ,we mu/ f9i% our /udy (
 ! data t ,miss ,adelaide  s k9dly help$
 me to compute4    ,x 0 ! fir/ "t t he  
_h spok5 h] "n 9 h] pres5ce2  & %e met 8
 glance z %e rais$ h] eyes4    ,:at's 9 
a "n8 ,:at's 9 a glance8    ,p]cy       
proce$$ )\t delay2 & ,adelaide li/5$ z  
be=e1 h]  droop+ la%es protect+ h] eyes 
almo/ entirely f ! view (  o!rs4 ,! fa!r
 & "m he>d no "n spok5 & saw no eyes    
meet1 & yet z ,p]cy cont9u$ speak+ a    
second self seem$ to be  ?9k+ diff]5t   
?\ghts & he 0 consci\s ( a /rong desire 
to look long] ?an an in/ant into ^?     
captivat+ eyes4    ,a side glance1 z %e 
let h] la%es droop1 reveal$ to ,adelaide
  t gr&ma alone _h he>d & se54 ,b ,p]cy 
0 a v  common-place man4 ,c]ta9ly he _h 
no su* face z _h held h]  glance = m ?an
 an in/ant z ! aft]noon tra9 began to   
move  f ! depot plat=m4 ,p]cy 0 slightly
 above ! av]age height  & solidly built1
 b he 0 n tall4 ,8 face _h (t5 be5      
describ$ z a p]fect blank4 ,no "o saw   

any?+ ( :at lay  )9 by m]ely look+ into 
8 eyes1 & yet !re 0 a c]ta9             
indescribable some?+ t appeal$ to "o f  
^? eyes4 ,an  eld]ly ,g]man lady once   
rem>k$ to 8 "m3 ,ihr ,sohn hat s  etwas 
gutes im ,auge4    ,p]cy 0 n poli%$ 9   
mann]1 ,adelaide admitt$4 ,pr(essor     
,b>/[ _h said t he delib]at$ = half an  
h\r z to :e!r  he %\ld br+ 8 cawds1 =   
use on ,?anksgiv+ day1 because he  fe>$ 
t ! cu/om 9 ,vi'g9ia might n be ! same z
 9  ,no'? ,cahl9a2 :ile %e d\bt$ v mu*  
if ,p]cy _h any c>ds  :atev]4 ,%e _h    
nev] he>d x said t he 0 /rong z an ox  &
 quick z lightn+1 b p]haps %e knew x z  
well z 8  s*oolmates ev] _h4 ,%e _h n   
he>d t "o ( ! college  pr(essors1 not$ =
 8 %ort-cut expressions1 _h once told 8 
class t he wi%$ !y w\ld all keep _! ?9k+
 app>atus  9 z good repair z ,john/on's4
 ,"o ?+ %e did "k 0 t  ,p]cy's voice _h 
be5 tra9$ to talk to a woman1 & t no o!r
  voice _h ev] spok5 h] "n z he did4    
,res]ve =ce8 dep? (  manhood8 confid5ce 
9 8 own words8 absolute decision8 weal? 

(  t5d]ness8 p]si/5t endurance8 unfail+ 
loyalty8 b\ndless  affection8 ,deep 9 h]
 he>t ,adelaide felt t ^! 7 among !     
attributes reveal$ 9 ,p]cy's voice4 ,:5 
he spoke all li/5$4  ,8 voice 0 l[-pit*$
 b ri* 9 tone & volume &  s9c]ity1--t 0 
! ^w4--,! :ole man seem$ to feel &      
speak :5 he spoke4 ,he surely c h no    
secrets4 ,8 "m mu/  "k all t he kn[s ( 8
 own self2 b 7 ^? lett]s f  8 "m8 ,!    
h&writ+ 0 v mod]n4 ,ev5 h] fa!r made an 
old-fa%ion$ ,c & ,w 9 sign+ 8 own "n4   
,_h he n look$ at  ! writ+ on bo? ^?    
lett]s be=e he notic$ ! o!rs8 &  :y did 
he rema9 s long 9 8 room be=e com+ d[n  
to d9n]8  ,_h he n be5 9 college--9 a   
great ,univ]sity :]e !re 7  hundr$s ( ! 
brighte/ girls ( 8 own ,/ate8 ,b :y %\ld
 any  girl be int]e/$ 9 f>m+8 ,tea*+ is 
su* a cultur$  pr(ession4    ,only a    
mom5t--j :ile he 0 sort+ ! pap]s ^u :i* 
!y  _h made ! computations1 b a hundr$  
?\ghts _h pass$ ?r\gh  h] m9d4 ,n[ he 0 
speak+4    ,y rememb] we took a sample (
 ! subsoil on ! slop+ l&4  ,?is soil is 

evid5tly residual1 =m$ 9 place f !      
dis9tegration ( ! und]ly+ rock4 ,! soil 
may repres5t only a  small "p ( !       
orig9al rock1 because ( ! loss by lea*+4
  ,"h are ! am\nts ( plant food f\nd 9  
two million p\nds (  ! subsoil3    #eij 
p\nds ( nitrog5  #a1ihj p\nds (         
phosphorus  #cg1idj p\nds ( potassium   
#bd1hjh p\nds ( magnesium  #ca1cbj p\nds
 ( calcium    ,a spl5did subsoil1 ,p]cy 
cont9u$4 ,i "k ( none bett] 9  ,ill9ois1
 except t we sometimes h m calcium 9 !  
=m (  c>bonate1 & ev5 some:at m         
potassium 9 places2 b ?is mu/  be a f9e 
subsoil = alfalfa1 :]e ! b$ rock is n   
too ne>  ! surface4 ,( c\rse !re is b   
little nitrog5 9 ! subsoil1  b t is true
 ( all normal soils1 because ! nitrog5  
is  conta9$ only 9 ! organic matt]1 & t 
decreases rapidly  ) dep? & usually     
becomes insuffici5t to color ! soil bel[
  #ah in*es4    ,n[1 began ,mr4 ,we/1 f 
^! diff]5t analyses or invoices1  & f   
y\r discussion ( ^! results1 ,i take x t
 y w\ld  n advise me to pur*ase any     

comm]cial f]tiliz] = use on !  l& we are
 /ill us+ 9 my rotation2 b y ?9k we %\ld
 make  l>ge use ( lime/one & legume     
crops4    ,yes1 ,sir4 ,phosphorus is    
m>k$ly defici5t only 9 ! v level  upl&  
:i* has be5 all[$ to rema9 uncle>$ =    
fifty ye>s or  m1 & nitrog5 is c]ta9ly !
 limit+ elem5t on ! l& y  are try+ to   
keep 9 y\r rotation4 ,:ile y _c hope to 
put  into y\r soil any su* res]ve (     
sl[-act+ organic matt] z we  /ill h 9   
our comp>atively new soils ( ! ,we/1 we 
may keep  9 m9d t a small am\nt (       
quick-act+ fre% organic matt] is  m     
effective ?an a l>ge supply ( :at we    
might call embalm$  mat]ial t decomposes
 v1 v sl[ly unless assi/$ by !  addition
 ( m active organic matt]4 ,x frequ5tly 
happ5s t  "o soil conta9+ a l>ge res]ve 
( old humus1 & h5ce %[+  m organic c>bon
 & m nitrog51 by ! ultimate invoice1 ?an
  ano!r soil1 is1 nev]!less1 less       
productive1 because ! o!r  soil conta9s 
a l>g] am\nt ( fre% organic matt] :i*   
decays  quickly & ?us furni%es m nitrog5

 & lib]ates m ( !  o!r elem5ts f !      
insoluble m9]als ( ! soil because (  !  
great] abundance ( ! active products (  
organic decay4    ,i ?9k y %\ld keep 9  
m9d1 h[ev]1 t1 = e  tw5ty-five bu%els ( 
corn y wi% to produce1 y %\ld return  to
 ! soil "o ton ( clov] or f\r tons (    
av]age f>m manure1  & t = "o ton (      
produce haul$ to ! b>ns & f$1 y  w      
probably n return to ! l& m ?an "o ton (
 manure4              ,,*apt] ,,xxx     
,,/one ,,s\p            ,,! next =5oon  
,p]cy & ,mr4 ,we/ sp5t "s "t mak+ "s    
fur!r te/s ) hydro*loric acid & litmus  
pap] 9 diff]5t  places on ! f>m2 b !    
result only confirm$ ! previ\s          
exam9ations4    ,i nev] be=e saw any su*
 light z n[ appe>s1 said ,mr4 ,we/4  ,x 
seems to me t = ! fir/ "t 9 ! hi/ory (  
,we/ov]1  cov]+ ab\t two c5turies1 a    
real plan c be intellig5tly made  bas$  
^u def9ite in=mation look+ t[>d !       
positive  improvem5t ( ! soil4 ,:ile y h
 be5 away1 ,i h be5  look+ up ! lime    
matt]4 ,i f9d t a lime is be+ adv]tis$1 

& sold 9 small am\nts1 t is call$       
hydrat$ lime1 & x is  especially prep>$ 
z an agricultural lime4 ,x is recomm5d$ 
by  "s deal]s z be+ fully equal to !    
ord9>y comm]cial  f]tiliz] :i* sells at 
ab\t #be a ton1 :ile ?is hydrat$        
agricultural lime c be b\ght = #h a ton1
 & ,i ?9k = a  little less 9 l>g]       
am\nts4 ,y m5tion$ also t y _h se5  "s  
"o :o _h us$ hydrat$ lime1 b x didn't   
seem to make mu*  ( a clov] crop4 ,(    
c\rse1 ,i und]/& f :at y said t  8 soil 
conta9$ only "o hundr$ & sixty p\nds (  
phosphorus1  & ,i take x t lime alone   
c\ld n m>k$ly improve 8 soil2  b /ill ,i
 w\ld l to "k :y1 if he has "o hundr$ & 
sixty  p\nds ( phosphorus 9 8 pl[$ soil1
 he c\ld n produce a few  good crops (  
clov]4 ,,h[ mu* phosphorus does x       
require = a ton  ( clov]8    ,"o ton (  
clov] conta9s only five p\nds (         
phosphorus1 ,p]cy  repli$1 & ( c\rse !  
roots mu/ also require "s phosphorus1   
al?\gh aft] ! crop is produc$ & remov$1 
! phosphorus  conta9$ 9 ! roots rema9s =

 ! b5efit ( subsequ5t crops4  ,?us we   
might suppose ! l& :i* conta9s "o hundr$
 & sixty  p\nds ( phosphorus ought to   
furni% ! phosphorus ne$$ = a  ?ree ton  
crop ( clov] e ye> = t5 ye>s2 b 9 actual
  practice no su* results are secur$4 ,!
 invoice ( ! plant food  9 ! soil is a  
matt] ( v great importance1 = x reveals 
!  ma!matical possibilities1 b ano!r    
matt] ( almo/ equal  importance is !    
problem ( lib]at+ plant food f ?is      
supply  suffici5t = ! crops to be       
produc$ ye> by ye>4    ,decay+ or active
 organic matt] is "o ( ! great factors 9
  ! lib]ation ( plant food1 & und\bt$ly 
! ext5sion or  di/ribution ( ! root     
sy/em ( ! gr[+ plant is ano!r v  pot5t  
factor4 ,if ! root surfaces come 9      
contact ) "o p]  c5t4 ( ! total surface 
( ! soil p>ticles 9 ! pl[$ soil1  !n we 
might conceive ( a relation%ip :]eby "o 
p] c5t4 (  ! phosphorus 9 t soil w\ld be
 dissolv$ or lib]at$ f !  insoluble     
m9]als & ?us become available z food = !
 gr[+  crop4 ,we "k t ! rate ( lib]ation

 v>ies greatly1 )  diff]5t soils &      
seasons1 & crops also diff] 9 _! p[] to 
assi/ !mselves 9 ! extraction ( m9]al   
plant food f !  soil4 ,! pres5ce (      
lime/one enc\rages ! developm5t (  c]ta9
 soil organisms :i* t5d to ha/5 "s      
decomposition  process4 ,b1 all ?+s     
consid]$1 x may be said1 speak+ v       
g5]ally1 t ! equival5t ( ab\t "o p] c5t4
 ( ! total  phosphorus conta9$ 9 ! pl[$ 
soil does become available =  ! crops "u
 av]age conditions4 ,on ?is basis "o    
hundr$ &  sixty p\nds ( phosphorus w\ld 
furni% ab\t "o & "o-half  p\nds = !     
crops dur+ "o season4 ,b 9 su* a soil ! 
phosphorus /ill rema9+ may be ! mo/     
difficultly soluble1 &  ! supply (      
decay+ organic matt] may be extremely   
l[1 s t  possibly less ?an "o p\nd p]   
acre w\ld become available1 &  ?is w\ld 
meet ! ne$s ( less ?an f\r hundr$ p\nds 
p] acre  ( clov] hay4 ,fur!rmore1 !     
supply gr[s less & less )  e crop       
remov$4    ,) y\r ord9>y soil1 c>ry+    
twelve hundr$ & sev5ty p\nds  (         

phosphorus1 p]haps y may be able by a   
lib]al use ( decay+  organic matt] to   
lib]ate t5 or fifte5 p\nds ( phosphorus1
 or  suffici5t = a crop ( =ty to sixty  
bu%els ( corn2 &1 ) a  subsoil ri*] 9   
phosphorus ?an ! surface1 & ) m or less 
( ! p>tially deplet$ surface remov$ by  
erosion ye> by ye>1  ! supply (         
phosphorus is ?us p]man5tly provid$ =   
unless !  b$ rock is br\ght too ne> !   
surface4 ,x is d\btful if !  direct     
addition ( phosphorus to y\r slop+ l&s w
 ev] be  necess>y or pr(itable4 ,c]ta9ly
 su* addition is n advisable  until y h 
br\ght ! l& to z high a /ate ( f]tility 
z  is practicable by means ( lime/one1  
legumes1 & manure4    ,t seems cle>ly to
 be ! case ) mo/ ( ! l& n[ "u           
cultivation on ?is f>m1 said ,mr4 ,we/  
,c y tell me any?+  ab\t ?is hydrat$    
lime8    ,i c tell y x is correctly     
nam$1 ,p]cy repli$4 ,hydrat$  means     
wat]$1 & an inve/m5t 9 hydrat$ lime is  
prop]ly  class$ ) o!r wat]$ inve/m5ts4  
,if y pref] to use  hydrat$ lime ,i w\ld

 sugge/ t y buy fre% burn$ lump lime  & 
d ! hydrat+ y\rself1 :i* only requires t
 y add  eighte5 p\nds ( wat] to ea*     
fifty-six p\nds ( quick lime2 9  o!r    
words1 t y slack ! lime by add+ wat] 9 !
 prop]  proportion4 ,bo? quick lime &   
hydrat$ lime are kn[n z cau/ic  lime4   
,web/] says t ! ^w cau/ic means 'capable
 (  de/roy+ ! texture ( any?+ or eat+   
away its sub/ance by  *emical action4'  
,?is def9ition is correct = cau/ic lime1
 z y c easily  det]m9e by keep+ y\r h& 9
 a bucket ( slack$ lime a few  m9utes4  
,cau/ic lime eats away ! organic matt] (
 ! soil4 ,9  an exp]im5t conduct$ by !  
,p5nsylvania ,exp]im5t ,/ation1  dur+ a 
p]iod ( sixte5 ye>s1 eight tons (       
hydrat$ lime  de/roy$ organic matt]     
equival5t to ?irty-sev5 tons ( f>m      
manure1 z comp>$ ) ! use ( equival5t    
applications (  gr\nd lime/one2 &1 z an 
av]age ( ! sixte5 ye>s1 e ton  ( cau/ic 
lime appli$ lib]at$ sev5 doll>s' wor? ( 
organic  nitrog51 z comp>$ ) gr\nd      
lime/one4 ,t ?is mu*  lib]at$ nitrog5 0 

ess5tially wa/$ & lo/ is evid5c$ by  !  
fact t l>g] crops 7 produc$ :]e gr\nd   
lime/one 0  us$ ?an :]e burn$ lime 0    
appli$4    ,! lime/one mu/ be qu>ri$    
:e!r us$ = gr9d+ or =  burn+1 & ! gr9d+ 
c be done = tw5ty-five c5ts a ton  :]e a
 l>ge equipm5t ) p[]ful ma*9]y is us$ & 
:]e  *eap fuel is provid$1 z ne> ! coal 
m9+ di/ricts4 ,x ne$  n be v f9ely      
gr\nd4 ,if gr\nd to pass a sieve )      
twelve  me%es to ! l9e> in*1 x is v     
satisfactory1 provid$ t  all ( ! f9e du/
 produc$ 9 ! gr9d+ is includ$ 9 !       
product4 ,y see ! soil acids are        
slightly soluble & !y attack  ! lime/one
 p>ticles & are ?us !mselves de/roy$ or 
neutraliz$4 ,if1 h[ev]1 y ev] wi% to use
 raw rock phosphate1  insi/ ^u its be+  
suffici5tly f9e-gr\nd t at lea/ n9ety   
p] c5t4 ( x w pass ?r\gh a sieve ) t5   
?\s& me%es  to ! squ>e in*1 ?is be+ no  
f9] ?an is requir$ = !  basic slag      
phosphate1 ( :i* sev]al million tons are
 n[ be+  us$ ea* ye> 9 ! ,european      
c\ntries4 ,l ! raw rock  phosphate1 !   

slag gives ! be/ results only :5 us$ 9  
connection ) pl5ty ( decay+ organic     
matt]4    ,t rem9ds me1 said ,mr4 ,we/1 
( :at "o ( ! f]tiliz]  ag5ts said ab\t  
raw phosphate4 ,he said ! use ( raw     
phosphate  ) f>m manure rem9d$ him (    
'/one s\p1' :i* 0 made by  putt+ a clean
 r\nd /one 9 ! kettle ) "s wat]4 ,pepp] 
& salt 7 add$1 !n "s potatoes & o!r     
vegetables1 a  piece ( butt] & a few    
scraps ( meat4 ',/one s\p1' ?us made1  0
 a v satisfactory s\p4 ,he said t 9     
practically all ( !  te/s ( raw         
phosphate conduct$ by ! v>i\s ,/ate     
,exp]im5t  ,/ations1 manure has be5 us$ 
z a means ( supply+ organic  matt] to   
lib]ate ! phosphorus f ! raw rock1 b 9  
su*  l>ge quantity z to be entirely     
impracticable = ! av]age  f>m] to use on
 8 own fields2 & 8 op9ion 0 t ! entire  
b5efit 0 due to ! manure4 ,he _h a      
little booklet entitl$  ',available or  
,unavailable ,plant ,food--,:i*8'       
publi%$ by !  ,national ,f]tiliz]       
,association1 & said ,i c\ld get a copy 

by  address+ ! ,secret>y at ,na%ville1  
,t5nessee4    ,=tunately1 said ,p]cy1   
?is is n a "q ( op9ion b  "o ( fact2 & x
 has be5 discov]$ t ! f]tiliz] ag5ts  :o
 are long on op9ions & %ort on facts    
pref] to sell f\r tons  ( complete      
f]tiliz] = #hj1 or ev5 two tons ( acid  
phosphate  = #cj1 r ?an to sell "o ton (
 raw phosphate1 conta9+  ! same am\nt ( 
phosphorus1 = #g4ej4 ,9 ! manufacture ( 
acidulat$ f]tiliz]s1 "o ton ( raw       
phosphate1 conta9+ ab\t  two hundr$ &   
fifty p\nds ( ! elem5t phosphorus1 is   
mix$  ) "o ton ( sulfuric acid to make  
two tons ( acid phosphate2  &1 z a rule1
 ^! two tons ( acid phosphate are mix$ )
 two  tons ( fill] to make f\r tons (   
complete f]tiliz]4 ,a favorite  fill] is
 dri$ peat1 :i* is tak5 f "s ( ! peat   
bogs1 z  at ,manito1 ,ill9ois1 & %ipp$ 9
 tra9 loads to ! f]tiliz]  factories4 ,!
 peat is n consid]$ wor? haul+ onto ! l&
 9  ,ill9ois1 ev5 :]e ! f>m]s c get x = 
no?+2 b x  conta9s "s organic nitrog51  
&1 by ! addition ( a little  potassium  

salt1 ! ag5t is enabl$ to call ! product
 a  'complete' f]tiliz]4    ,exp]im5ts )
 ! use ( raw rock phosphate h be5       
conduct$  by ! ,/ate ,agricultural      
,exp]im5t ,/ations ov] p]iods ( twelve  
ye>s 9 ,m>yl&1 elev5 ye>s 9 ,rhode      
,isl&1 tw5ty-"o ye>s  79 two s]ies7 9   
,massa*usetts1 f\rte5 ye>s 79 two s]ies7
 9  ,ma9e1 twelve ye>s 9 ,p5nsylvania1  
?irte5 ye>s 9 ,ohio1 f\r  ye>s 9        
,indiana1 & f f\r to six ye>s on a doz5 
diff]5t  exp]im5t fields 9 diff]5t p>ts 
( ,ill9ois4    ,i h "h "s quotations    
tak5 f ! directors ( sev]al (  ^!       
exp]im5t /ations :i* fairly repres5t !  
op9ions :i*  !y h express$ conc]n+ _!   
own inve/igations4 ,?us !  ,m>yl&       
director says3    ',! results obta9$ ) !
 insoluble phosphates has co/  usually  
less ?an "o-half z mu* z t ) ! soluble  
phosphates4 ,insoluble ,s\? ,c>ol9a     
phosphate rock produc$ a  high] total   
av]age yield ?an dissolv$ ,s\? ,c>ol9a  
rock4'    ,! ,rhode ,isl& director      
comm5ts z foll[s3    ' ,) ! pea1 oat1   

summ] squa%1 crimson clov]1 ,japanese   
millet1 gold5 millet1 :ite podd$ ,adzuka
 bean1 soy bean1 &  potato1 raw         
phosphate gave v good results2 b ) !    
flat  turnip1 table beet1 & cabbage x 0 
relatively v ineffici5t4'    ,! foll[+  
/atem5t is f ! ,massa*usetts director3  
',x is possible to produce pr(itable    
crops ( mo/ k9ds by  lib]al use (       
natural phosphates1 & 9 a long s]ies (  
ye>s  !re might be a consid]able money  
sav+ 9 dep5d+ at lea/ 9  "p ^u ^! r ?an 
^u ! high] pric$ dissolv$  phosphates4' 
,! director ( ! ,ma9e ,/ate ,exp]im5t   
,/ation gives u !  foll[+3    ',= ! fir/
 ye> ! l>ge/ increase ( crop 0 produc$  
by  soluble phosphate4 ,= ! second &    
?ird ye>s )\t fur!r  addition (         
f]tiliz]s1 bett] results 7 obta9$ f !   
plots  :]e /able manure & insoluble     
phosphates _h be5 us$4'    ,! /able     
manure & insoluble phosphates "h ref]r$ 
to 7  n appli$ toge!r1 b on sep>ate     
plots4 ,9 de$1 ! raw  phosphate 0 n us$ 
9 connection ) manure ei!r 9 ,m>yl&1    

,rhode ,isl&1 ,massa*usetts1 ,ma9e1     
,p5nsylvania1 or ,indiana2 & 9  !       
ext5sive exp]im5ts 9 progress 9 ,ill9ois
 ! raw phosphate  has be5 us$1 z a rule1
 n ) f>m manure1 b ) gre5  manures2 &   
:]ev] manure has be5 us$ 9 connection ) 
!  raw phosphate1 z 9 ,ohio1 ! comp>ison
 is made ) ! same  am\nts ( manure      
appli$ )\t phosphate4    ,! ,p5nsylvania
 ,report = #ahie1 page #baj1 conta9s !  
foll[+  /atem5t3    ',! ye>ly av]age = !
 twelve ye>s gives u a ga9 p] acre  (   
#b4hc f insoluble gr\nd bone1 #b4de f   
insoluble ,s\?  ,c>ol9e rock1 #a4fa f   
rev]t$ phosphate1 & #dh c5ts f  soluble 
phosphate1 ?us giv+ u consid]ably bett] 
results f  ! two =ms ( insoluble        
phosphate ?an f ! rev]t$ or  soluble    
=ms4'    ,! ,indiana director reports z 
foll[s3    ',x w be se5 t dur+ ! fir/ & 
second ye>s ! rock  phosphate produc$   
little effect1 :ile ! acid phosphate v  
mat]ially increas$ ! yields4 ,dur+ !    
?ird & f\r?  seasons1 h[ev]1 ! rock     
produc$ v /rik+ results1 ev5  =g+ ahead 

( ! acid4 ,?is & v simil> inve/igations 
9  progress lead u to believe t rock    
phosphate is a *eap &  effective s\rce (
 phosphorus :]e imm$iate returns are n  
requir$4    ,9 ! ,ohio exp]im5ts eight  
tons ( manure p] acre 7 appli$  once e  
?ree ye>s 9 a ?ree-ye> rotation ( corn1 
:eat1 &  clov]1 ?ree diff]5t fields be+ 
us$1 s t e crop might  be gr[n e ye>4 ,!
 av]age yields = ! ?irte5 ye>s :]e      
manure alone 0 us$ 73    #ec4a bu%els ( 
corn  #bj4f bu%els ( :eat  #a4fc tons ( 
hay    ,! av]age yields on ! unf]tiliz$ 
l& 73    #cb4b bu%els ( corn  #aa4d     
bu%els ( :eat  #a4af tons ( hay    ,if !
 corn is wor? #ce c5ts a bu%el1 ! :eat  
#gj c5ts1 & !  hay #f a ton1 9 addition 
to ! exp5se ( h>ve/+ &  m>ket+1 !n !    
total value ( ! manure spread on ! l& is
  #b4jg a ton4    ,:]e #a4bj wor? ( raw 
phosphate 7#cbj p\nds7 7 add$ 9         
connection ) ! manure ! av]age yields 7 
z foll[s3    #fa4d bu%els ( corn  #bf4c 
bu%els ( :eat  #b4bc tons ( hay    ,&   
:]e #b4dj wor? ( acid phosphate 7#cbj   

p\nds7 7 us$ )  ! same am\nt & k9d (    
manure ! foll[+ av]age yields 7  secur$3
    #fj4d bu%els ( corn  #bf4e bu%els ( 
:eat  #b4af tons ( hay    ,^! are !     
actual yield1 & by any me?od (          
computation yet  propos$1 ea* doll>     
inve/$ 9 raw phosphate has paid back mu*
  m ?an has a doll> inve/$ 9 acid       
phosphate4    ,& 0 ! use ( ! raw        
phosphate really pr(itable8 ask$ ,mr4   
,we/4    ,well1 y might figure t out =  
y\rself1 ,p]cy repli$1  pref]ably us+ ! 
av]age prices = y\r own locality = corn1
  :eat & clov]4 ,z ,i figure x at prices
 bel[ ! t5-ye>  av]age = ,ill9ois1 ! raw
 phosphate paid ab\t eight hundr$ p]    
c5t4 net on ! inve/m5t4    ,eight hundr$
 p] c5t6 ,y mu/ mean eight p] c5t4 net4 
,no1 ,sir1 ,i mean eight hundr$ p] c5t4 
net1 b y _h bett]  take ! data & make   
y\r own computations4 ,b does x n seem  
/range t1 ) su* positive k z ?is        
available1 _m  ( ! ,ill9ois l&[n]s :o h 
manag$ to sell (f en\gh (  _! orig9al   
/ock ( f]tility 9 gra9 or /ock at good  

prices  to enable !m to m ?an pay = _!  
l&s1 %\ld cont9ue to  inve/ _! surplus 9
 m l& ) hope t x w pay !m  eight p] c5t4
 int]e/1 :5 !y c\ld secure _m times t   
mu* int]e/ f inve/+ 9 ! p]man5t         
improvem5t ( !  l& !y already own8      
,p]haps x is n s /range1 repli$ ,mr4    
,we/4 ,i fe> t "s  ( _! ance/ors did !  
same ?+ 9 ,virg9ia & o!r ,ea/]n  ,/ates 
until ! l& became poor1 & !n ( c\rse !y 
7  'l& poor4' ,b1 say1 t '/one s\p'     
w\ldn't be s bad =  ^? ,ohio l&[n]s1    
w\ld x8 ,i %\ld ?9k !y w\ld avail       
!mselves ( ! positive in=mation f _!    
exp]im5t  /ation4 ,speak+ ( s\p1 ,i     
wond] if x isn't "t = lun*6 ,b  tell me2
 are ! ,ill9ois f>m]s do+ any?+ ) raw   
phosphate8    ,yes1 !y are do+ some?+1 b
 by no means z mu* z !y  ought4 ,ab\t   
two mon?s ago a gr\p ( ! lead+ f>m]s f  
our  section ( ! ,/ate w5t up to ,urbana
 to look ov] ! exp]im5t  fields1 "s (   
:i* h be5 c>ri$ on s9ce #ahgj4 ,! l& is 
! typical corn belt prairie1 &          
consequ5tly ! results %\ld  be ( v wide 

application4 ,well1 z a result ( t day's
  inspection ( ! actual field results1  
an ev5 twelve c>loads (  raw phosphate 7
 ord]$ by ^? f>m]s ^u _! return home2  &
 ,i le>n$ ( ano!r community :]e t5      
c>loads 7 ord]$  at once aft] a simil>  
visit4 ,z an av]age ( ! la/ ?ree ye>s  !
 yield ( corn on ^? old fields has be5  
#bc bu%els p] acre  :]e corn has be5    
gr[n e ye> )\t f]tiliz+1 #eh bu%els  :]e
 a ?ree-ye> rotation ( corn1 oats &     
clov] is foll[$1  & 9 ! same rotation   
:]e organic matt]1 lime/one1 &          
phosphorus h be5 appli$ ! av]age yield  
has be5 #hg bu%els  9 gra9 f>m+ & #ib   
bu%els 9 live-/ock f>m+4    ,i att5d$ ! 
,/ate ,f>m]s' ,in/itute la/ ,febru>y1 & 
!re ,i  met _m m5 :o h _h sev]al ye>s'  
exp]i5ce ) ! raw  rock4 ,usually !y put 
on "o ton p] acre z an initial          
application  & pl[ x "u ) a good gr[? ( 
clov]2 &1 aft]w>d1  ab\t "o ?\s& p\nds  
p] acre e f\r ye>s w be ample to        
gradually increase ! absolute total     
supply ( phosphorus 9 !  soil1 ev5 ?\gh 

l>ge crops are remov$4    ,a good _m (  
our ?9k+ f>m]s are n[ us+ "o or two c>s 
( raw phosphate e ye>1 & !y are figur+  
h>d to keep up  ! organic matt] &       
nitrog54 ,! mo/ enc\rag+ ?+ is !  v m>k$
 b5efit ( ! phosphate to ! clov] crop1 &
 (  c\rse m clov] means m corn 9 gra9   
f>m+1 & m corn  & clov] means m manure 9
 live-/ock f>m+4    ,on ! ,ill9ois      
fields advantage is tak5 ( ^! relations 
9 !  develop+ ( sy/ems ( p]man5t        
agriculture4 ,y see1 if !  phosphate    
produces m clov]1 !n m clov] c be pl[$  
"u  on t l&2 or1 if ! crops are f$1 !n m
 manure c be  return$ to ! phosphat$ l& 
?an to ! l& n treat$ )  phosphate & n   
produc+ s l>ge crops4 ,really !         
phosphate is  n giv5 full cr$it = :at x 
has accompli%$ 9 ! ,ohio  exp]im5ts2    
because1 :ile ! l& receiv+ phosphat$    
manure has  produc$ ab\t "o-f\r? l>g]   
crops ?an ! l& receiv+ !  untreat$      
manure1 ! actual am\nts ( manure appli$ 
h be5 !  same1 :]eas "o-f\r? m manure c 
be produc$ f !  phosphat$ l& & if ?is   

increas$ supply ( manure 7 return$  to !
 l& x w\ld increase ! supply ( nitrog5 &
 ?us make  /ill l>g] crop yields        
possible4    ,t is surely ! way x w\ld  
"w out 9 practical f>m+1  said ,mr4     
,we/4 ,i ?9k ,i did n tell t #d4hj a ton
 is !  l[e/ quotation ,i h be5 able to  
get z yet = gr\nd lime/one  deliv]$ at  
,blue ,m\nd ,/ation4    ,t w\ld make its
 use prohibitive1 said ,p]cy4 ,y ought  
to get  x = j "o-f\r? ( t1 or = #a4bj a 
ton4 ,9 ,ill9ois we  c get x deliv]$ a  
hundr$ miles f ! qu>ry = #a4bj a  ton4  
,x co/s no m = a ?irty-ton c> ( gr\nd   
lime/one ?an  ! f>m] receives = a c[2 & 
! co/ ( a c> ( f9e-gr\nd  natural       
phosphate is ab\t equal to ! price ( "o 
horse4    ,( c\rse1 our lime/one        
supplies are ess5tially inexhau/ible1   
said ,mr4 ,we/1 b is t also true ( our  
natural phosphate  deposits8    ,x is n 
true ( ! high-grade phosphate1 repli$   
,p]cy2 =1  accord+ to ! in=mation       
furni%$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates  ,geological 
,survey1 x is evid5t t ! kn[n supplies (

 our  high-grade phosphate w be         
practically exhau/$ 9 fifty ye>s if  our
 exportation cont9ues to increase at !  
prevail+ rate4 ,aft]  t is gone we may  
!n draw ^u our l[-grade phosphate       
deposits1  :i* ?\gh probably n          
inexhau/ible are kn[n to be exce$+ly    
ext5sive4              ,,*apt] ,,xxxi   
,,!ories ,,v]sus ,,facts                
,,p]cy plann$ to walk to ,blue ,m\nd to 
take ! ?ree-?irty tra9  t ,saturday     
aft]noon2 b ,adelaide's p>5ts bo? insi/$
 t  %e w\ld will+ly drive to ! /ation1 &
 ! gr&mo!r  discov]$ t %e ne$$ a c]ta9  
k9d ( ?read :i* ,adelaide  c\ld !n also 
get at ! /ore4    ,c]ta9ly1 said        
,adelaide1 ) "s m]rim5t1 ,i always enjoy
 our  dep>t+ gue/s to ! tra94    ,v     
well1 repli$ ,p]cy4 ,if y mu/ g to get !
 ?read &  w p]mit me to be ! coa*man1 ,i
 %all be satisfi$1 = y  w be home e>ly4 
,!n we w take ! colts & buckbo>d1 & ,i  
%all be home 9  less ?an tw5ty m9utes   
aft] y\r tra9 leaves ! /ation4    ,i ?9k
 ,i h miss$ sev]al days ( y\r beautiful 

',indian  ,summ]1' because ( my trip to 
! ,nor?1 ,p]cy rem>k$ to ,mr4  ,we/ z !y
 sat on ! broad v]&a wait+ = ! h\r ( two
  ?irty :5 ! colts 7 to be ready = !    
drive4    ,i wi% y might h be5 ) u :ile 
,pr(essor ,b>/[ 0  "h1 repli$ ,mr4 ,we/1
 n only because ( ! mild autumn  wea!r  
we h _h1 b also because ,pr(essor ,b>/[ 
has "s  ideas ab\t que/ions ( soil      
f]tility t are v diff]5t f  ^? y hold4  
,he says a "y man f ,wa%+ton gave a     
lecture  at 8 college d[n 9 ,nor?       
,c>ol9a1 9 :i* he in=m$ !m  t ! cause ( 
inf]tility ( soils is a poison\s        
sub/ance  excret$ by ! plant itself1 & t
 ?is c be ov]come by  *ang+ f "o crop to
 ano!r because ! excrete ( "o plant1    
:ile poison\s to t plant1 w n be        
poison\s to o!r plants  ( a diff]5t k9d4
 ,?us1 by rotation ( crops1 good crops  
c\ld be  gr[n indef9itely on ! same l&  
)\t ! addition ( plant  food4 ,he said t
 ! soil wat] alone dissolv$ pl5ty (     
plant  food f all soils = ! production (
 good crops1 & t !  supply ( plant food 

w be p]man5tly ma9ta9$1 because !  plant
 food conta9$ 9 ! subsoil f> bel[ :]e ! 
roots g is  be+ br\ght to ! surface by !
 rise ( ! capill>y moi/ure1  & t !re is 
9 fact a /eady t5d5cy t[>d an           
accumulation  ( plant food 9 ! surface  
soil4 ,he said t x is nev]  necess>y to 
apply f]tiliz+ mat]ial to any soil = !  
purpose  ( increas+ ! supply ( plant    
food 9 t soil4 ,he admitt$  t           
applications ( f]tiliz]s sometimes      
produce increas$ crop  yields1 b t !    
effect 0 due to ! p[] ( ! f]tiliz]  to  
de/roy ! toxic sub/ances excret$ by !   
plants1 & ?is is  really ! pr9cipal     
effect ( pota%1 phosphates1 & nitrates1 
&  also ( f>m manure & gre5 manures4    
,humus1 he said1 is "o ( !  v be/       
sub/ances = de/roy+ ^! toxic excrete    
al?\gh  !y _h "s o!r ?+s :i* 7 z good or
 bett] ?an any  sore ( f]tiliz+         
mat]ials4 ,he m5tion$ especially a      
sub/ance  call$ pyrogallol1 :i* co/     
#b4jj a p\nd1 & ( c\rse x c\ld  n be    
appli$ on a l>ge scale2 b x 0 z good a  

f]tiliz] z  any?+1 al?\gh x conta9s no?+
 b c>bon1 oxyg51 &  hydrog51 :i*1 z y   
expla9$ to me :5 y 7 "h be=e1  ! plants 
secure 9 abundance f air & wat]4 ,?is   
in=mation  _h be5 secur$ 9 !            
laboratories at ,wa%+ton by gr[+ :eat   
se$l+s 9 wat] culture = tw5ty-day       
p]iods4    ,i h already he>d some?+ ( ^?
 !ories1 said ,p]cy1 b  ,i %all be glad 
to h y tell me m ab\t !m4 ,z ,i und]/&  
!m1 we ne$ only to rotate & cultivate & 
our l&s %\ld  always cont9ue to produce 
b\ntiful crops4 ,is t correct8    ,i    
und]/& t is ! !ory1 repli$ ,mr4 ,we/1 b 
,i "k x  is n correct = my gr&fa!r us$  
to gr[ two or ?ree times z  mu* :eat p] 
acre z ,i c gr[1 & ,i rotate mu* m ?an  
he  did4 ,9 fact ,i c gr[ only t5 to    
fifte5 bu%els ( :eat p]  acre once 9 t5 
ye>s1 :]eas he grew f tw5ty-five to =ty 
bu%els p] acre 9 a five-ye> rotation2 & 
,i don't see t !re  is any p>ticul>     
connection betwe5 ! gr[+ ( :eat se$l+s  
9 small pots or bottles = a few         
tw5ty-day p]iods & !  gr[+ ( crops 9    

soils dur+ successive seasons4 ,no1 ,i  
don't  take any /ock 9 _! !ories4 ,i ?9k
 !y are wat]$1 or  p]haps ,i %\ld say   
hydrat$1 9 def]5ce to sci5ce4 ,b ,i     
w\ld l to "k ab\t ?is "q ( plant food   
com+ up f  bel[4 ,t w\ld be a happy     
solution ( ! f]tiliz] problem4    ,x is 
true1 said ,p]cy1 t soluble salts are   
br\ght to !  surface 9 ! rise ( moi/ure 
by capill>ity 9 times ( p>tial  dr\?2 & 
9 ! arid regions :]e ! small am\nt (    
wat] t  falls 9 ra9 or sn[ leaves ! soil
 only by evaporation1 because  !re is   
nev] en\gh to produce und]dra9age1 !    
salts t5d to  accumulate at ! surface4  
,! alkali conditions 9 ! arid or        
semi>id regions ( ! ,we/ are ?us        
produc$4 ,b 9 humid  sections :]e m or  
less ( ! ra9fall leaves ! soil z        
und]dra9age ! regul> loss by lea*+ is s 
mu* 9 excess (  ! rise by capill>ity t  
soils :i* are n affect$ by erosion  or  
ov]fl[ /eadily decrease 9 f]tility ev5  
"u natural  conditions1 ) no cultivation
 & no removal ( crops4 ,( c\rse  ?is    

applies at fir/ only to ! m9]al plant   
foods1 z phosphorus  potassium1         
magnesium1 & calcium4 ,:ile m9]al       
supplies are  abundant 9 ! surface soil1
 !re may be a l>ge acumulation (        
organic matt] & nitrog51 especially     
because ( ! gr[? (  wild legumes1 :i*   
are v num]\s & 9 places v abundant1     
especially on "s ( ! virg9 prairies ( ! 
,we/4 ,h[ev]1 z  ! process ( lea*+      
proce$s !re comes a "t :5 ! gr[?  ( !   
native vegetation is limit$ because ( a 
defici5cy 9 "s  ess5tial m9]al plant    
food1 su* z phosphorus1 or ! lime/one   
completely disappe>s & soil acidity     
develops :i* greatly  less5s ! gr[? ( ! 
legumes4    ,decomposition ( organic    
matt] beg9s almo/ z soon z any "p  ( !  
plant ceases to live1 & !re is c]ta9 to 
come a "t  :5 ! rate ( decomposition &  
loss exce$s ! rate ( fixation  &        
accumulation2 & f t "t on ! organic     
matt] &  nitrog5 z well z ! m9]al plant 
foods cont9ue to decrease 9  ! surface1 
until f9ally ! natural b>r5s are        

develop$1 su*  z are f\nd 9 diff]5t     
sections ( ! ,_w & 9 "s places  ev5 :]e 
! ra9fall is suffici5t = abundant crops4
    ,yes1 ,sir1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,i "k t 
is true4 ,i h visit$  ,t5nessee & ,i "k 
!re are "s ext5sive areas !re (         
practically level upl& :i* h always be5 
consid]$ too poor  to ju/ify putt+ "u   
cultivation1 & !y are call$ !  ',b>r5s'4
    ,i "k ab\t ^? b>r5 l&s1 too1 said   
,p]cy4 ,our tea*] (  soil f]tility 9    
college told u t a f>m is m ?an a piece 
( ! e>?'s surface4 ,he said if we only  
want$ to get a l>ge  level tract ( upl& 
:]e ! climate is mild & ! ra9fall       
abundant & :]e all sorts ( crops d well 
on good soil1  includ+ ! wond]ful cotton
 crop :i* br+s a hundr$ doll>s  = a ?\s&
 p\nds1 :ile corn br+s =ty doll>s = a   
hundr$  bu%els1--well1 he said we c\ld g
 to ! ,highl& ,rim ( ,t5nessee  :]e1    
accord+ to analyses report$ 9 #ahig by !
 ,t5nessee  ,exp]im5t ,/ation1 ! surface
 soil ( ! ',b>r5s' conta9s  eighty-sev5 
p\nds ( phosphorus & ! subsoil sixty-"o 

p\nds  ( phosphorus p] acre1 c\nt+ two  
million p\nds ( soil 9 ea*  case4 ,he   
said1 if we didn't l t we might g into !
 ,great  ,c5tral ,bas9 ( ,t5nessee or ! 
fam\s ,blue ,grass ,region (  ,k5tucky &
 f9d l& t is /ill extremely productive &
 m  valuable ?an ev]1 ev5 aft] a hundr$ 
ye>s ( cultivation1 &  buy l& conta9+ f 
?ree ?\s& to fifte5 ?\s& p\nds  (       
phosphorus p] acre4    ,i "k bo? ( ^?   
sections v well1 said ,mr4 ,we/4 ,b     
doesn't x seem /range t ! sci5ti/s at   
,wa%+ton w\ld  tea* z !y d8 ,:y doesn't 
! plant food accumulate 9 !  surface    
soil ( ^? b>r5s8 ,surely !y h be5 ly+   
!re  long en\gh1 ) no crops :atev]      
remov$1 s t !y ought to  h become v ri*4
 ,i wi% ,i _h kn[n ab\t _! phosphorus   
cont5t s ,i c\ld h told ,pr(essor ,b>/[4
 ,he 0 q c>ri$  away ) ! ,wa%+ton !ory4 
,y ought n = a mom5t call x ! ',wa%+ton'
 !ory1 said  ,p]cy2 & nei!r is x        
promulgat$ by sci5ti/s1 b r by  two or  
?ree !ori/s :o are upheld by our greate/
 liv+  optimi/4 ,sci5ce1 ,sir1 is a ^w  

to be spok5 ( always ) !  greate/       
respect4 ,( c\rse y "k its mean+8       
,yes1 ,i "k x comes f ! ,lat9 scire1 to 
"k4    ,!n sci5ce means k2 x does n mean
 !ory or  hypo!sis1 b absolute &        
positive k4 ,is !re any  unc]ta9ty z to 
! in/ant :5 ! next eclipse w appe>8 ,no1
  none :atev]4 ,sci5ce means k1 & m5 are
 sci5ti/s only  s f> z !y h absolute k1 
& to t ext5t e  f>m] is a sci5ti/4      
,nev]!less ! errone\s tea*+ s widely    
promulgat$ by !  f$]al ,bureau ( ,soils 
is und\bt$ly a mo/ pot5t influ5ce  aga9/
 ! adoption ( sy/ems ( positive soil    
improvem5t 9 !  ,unit$ ,/ates1 because x
 is dissem9at$ f ! position (  highe/   
au?ority4 ,o!r peoples h ru9$ o!r l&s1 b
 9 no  o!r c\ntry has ! p[]ful factor ( 
gov]nm5t influ5ce ev]  be5 us$ to       
enc\rage ! f>m]s to ru9 _! l&s4         
,,*apt] ,,xxxii    ,,guess+ ,,& ,,gass+ 
,,z we 7 rid+ to ,montpla9 ye/]day1 said
 ,adelaide to ,p]cy1  soon aft] !y />t$ 
= ,blue ,m\nd1 ,pr(essor ,b>/[ told me  
t 9 8 op9ion all t 0 ne$$ to r$eem ^!   

old l&s (  ,virg9ia & ! ,c>ol9as is     
pl5ty ( effici5t labor1 su* z he  ?9ks  
we _h be=e ! w>4 ,i "k papa does n agree
 ) him 9  t1 b ,pr(essor said t soils d 
n we> out if well  cultivat$1 t 9 ,new  
,engl& !y gr[ z l>ge crops z ev]1  & t 9
 ,europe1 on ! olde/ l&s ! crop yields  
are v  mu* l>g] ?an 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 &
 9 fact t ! ,european  c\ntries are     
produc+ ab\t twice z l>ge crops z !y did
 a  hundr$ ye>s ago4 ,he ?9ks x is      
because !y d _! "w m  ?or\ghly ?an we d4
 ,he says t 'a little f>m well till$' is
  ! key to ! solution ( our             
difficulties4    ,t might seem to be a  
good guess z to ! probable relation (   
cause & effect1 repli$ ,p]cy1 b we ought
 n to ov]look "s  well kn[n facts t h an
 important be>+4 ,x is exactly a  hundr$
 ye>s s9ce ,de,saussure ( ,france1 fir/ 
gave to ! _w a  cle> & correct & almo/  
complete /atem5t conc]n+ !  requirem5ts 
( plants = plant food & ! natural s\rces
 (  supply4 ,sir ,humphrey ,davy1 ,b>on 
von ,liebig1 ,lawes & ,gilb]t1 &        

,hellriegel foll[$ ,de,saussure &       
completely fill$ ! n9ete5?  c5tury )    
accumulat$ sci5tific facts relat+ to    
soils &  plant gr[?4    ,sir ,john      
,b5nett ,lawes1 ! f\nd] ( ! ,ro?am/$    
,exp]im5t  ,/ation1 ! olde/ 9 ! _w1 on 8
 own private e/ate at  ,h>p5d51 ,engl&1 
began 8 inve/igations 9 ! int]e/ (      
practical agricultural sci5ce soon aft] 
com+ into possession (  ,ro?am/$ 9      
#ahcd4 ,9 #ahdc he associat$ ) him 9 !  
"w  ,doctor ,joseph ,h5ry ,gilb]t1 & =  
fifty-sev5 ye>s ^? two  great m5 labor$ 
toge!r ga!r+ agricultural facts4 ,sir   
,john  di$ 9 #aijj1 & ,sir ,h5ry !      
foll[+ ye>4    ,t ! p ( ,europe h made  
"s use ( ! sci5ce ?us  evolv$ is evid5t 
f ! simple fact t !y are tak+ out (  !  
,unit$ ,/ates e ye> ab\t a million tons 
( our be/  phosphate rock = :i* !y pay u
 at ! po9t ( %ipm5t ab\t  five millions 
doll>s2 :]eas1 if ?is same phosphate 7  
appli$  to our own soils t already suff]
 = want ( phosphorus1 x  w\ld make      
possible ! production ( ne>ly a billion 

doll>s'  wor? ( corn above :at ^! soils 
c ev] produce )\t !  addition (         
phosphorus4 ,& our phosphate is only a  
"p ( !  phosphate import$ into ,europe4 
,!y also produce rock phosphate  f      
,european m9es1 & great quantities (    
slag phosphate f  _! phosphatic iron    
ores4    ,!y fe$ _! own crops & l>ge    
am\nts ( import$ food  /uffs1 & utilize 
all f]tiliz+ mat]ials ?us provid$ = !   
improvem5t ( _! own l&s4 ,legume crops  
are gr[n 9 great  abundance & are (t5   
pl[$ "u to help ! l&4    ,d y wond] :y !
 :eat yield 9 ,engl& is m ?an ?irty     
bu%els p] acre :ile t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
is less ?an  f\rte5 bu%els8 ,because    
,engl& produces only fifty million      
bu%els ( :eat1 :ile %e imports two      
hundr$ million bu%els (  :eat1 "o hundr$
 million bu%els ( corn1 ne>ly a billion 
p\nds  ( oil cake1 & o!r food /uffs1 f  
:i* l>ge quantities (  manure are made2 
&1 9 addition to ?is1 ,engl& imports &  
uses  mu* phosphate & o!r comm]cial     
plant food mat]ials4    ,g]many imports 

great quantities ( :eat1 corn1 oil cake1
 &  phosphates1 & ?us enri*es h]        
cultivat$ soil1 & ,g]many's  pr9cipal   
export is two billion p\nds ( sug>1 :i* 
conta9s no  plant food ( value1 b only  
c>bon1 oxyg51 & hydrog51 secur$  f air &
 wat] by ! sug> beet4    ,d5m>k produces
 f\r million bu%els ( :eat1 imports five
  million bu%els ( :eat1 fifte5 million 
bu%els ( corn1 fifte5  million bu%els ( 
b>ley1 eight hundr$ million p\nds ( oil 
cake1  eight hundr$ million p\nds ( mill
 fe$1 & o!r food /uffs1  phosphate1     
etc41 & exports "o hundr$ & sev5ty-five 
million  p\nds ( butt]1 :i* conta9s no  
plant food ( value1 b sells  = mu* m ?an
 ^! imports co/4    ,italy applies to h]
 soils e ye> ab\t a million tons (      
phosphates1 :i* conta9 ne>ly twice z mu*
 phosphorus z is  remov$ f ! l& 9 all ! 
crops h>ve/$ & sold f !  f>ms ( ,italy4 
,! v good yields ( ! crops ( ,new ,engl&
 are attributable  to l>ge use (        
f]tiliz+ mat]ials1 9 "p made f food     
/uffs  %ipp$ 9 f ! ,we/2 & ! high       

developm5t ( c]ta9 l&s  ( ,europe & ,new
 ,engl& has be5 possible "u ! sy/em     
foll[$ only because ! areas conc]n$ are 
small4 ,?us1 !  av]age acreage ( corn 9 
,rhode ,isl& & ,connecticut is less ?an 
?ree t[n%ips1 or less ?an "o-t5? z mu*  
corn l& 9 ! two  ,/ates z ! area ( s+le 
c\nties 9 ! ,ill9ois corn belt4    ,did 
y ev] he> ( ! ',egypt' we h out ,we/1   
,miss ,we/8    ,out ,we/1 ,miss ,we/1 %e
 repeat$4 ,t is too mu* repetition  ( ! 
same ^w to make a good s5t5ce4 ,i l     
',miss ,adelaide'  bett]2 ,i d get tir$ 
( he>+ ,we/ & ,we/ov] ov] & ov]4  ,yes1 
,i h he>d ( ! ',egypt' y h out ,we/4 ,is
 x ne>  ,ill9ois8    ,ne> ,ill9ois8 ,:y1
 ,miss ,adelaide1 ,i am surpris$ t y    
%\ld  ev5 "k ab\t ! crop yields ( ,rhode
 ,isl& & n "k :]e  ',egypt' is4 ,let me 
in=m y t ',egypt' is 9 ,ill9ois1 & our  
',egypt' is a c\ntry z l>ge z ?irte5    
/ates ! size ( ,rhode  ,isl&4 ,cairo is 
! ,capital1 & ,alex&ria1 ,!bes1 & ,joppa
 are  all ne> by4 ,tamm & ,buncombe1 &  
,goreville & ,omega are also  among our 

promis+ cities ( ',egypt1' al?\gh y may 
n s  easily associate !m ) ! anci5t _w4 
,well ,i "k :]e ,cairo is1 ,adelaide    
repli$1 b if y\r ',egypt'  is on ! map y
 w h to %[ me4 ,i "k n[ t ',egypt' is  9
 ,s\!rn ,ill9ois1 b h[ d y sep>ate      
',egypt' f ! re/  ( ! ,/ate8    ,we make
 no su* sep>ation1 said ,p]cy4 ,b to f9d
 ',egypt' on  ! map1 y ne$ only take !  
,/ate ( ,ill9ois & subtract  !refrom all
 t "p ( ! corn belt situat$ betwe5 !    
,mississippi ,riv] & ! we/ l9e (        
,indiana4 ,! s\!rn po9t  ( ',egypt' is  
at ,cairo1 ! ,capital1 & x is b\nd$ on !
 ea/1  s\?1 & we/1 by ! ,waba%1 ! ,ohio1
 & ! ,mississippi2 b  ! nor? l9e is n   
only imag9>y1 b x is movable4 ,9 fact x 
is always j a few miles f>!r s\?1 b ,i  
?9k all  ',egyptians' w agree t a s& b> 
:i* is be+ =m$ bel[  ,cairo betwe5 !    
,ohio & ! ,mississippi is truly         
',egyptian '  t]ritory4 ,if y ev] visit 
9 ! ,we/ d n fail to see ',egypt4'    ,i
 really hope ,i may1 sometime1 %e       
repli$4 ,we h relatives :o  claim to    

live 9 ,t5nessee1 ,k5tucky1 & ,miss\ri1 
b ,i ?9k  possibly !y may all be        
',egyptians1' f :at y h told me  ab\t ! 
va/ area ( t great fairy empire4 ,i "k  
,i w\ld  de>ly love to g !re4           
',egypt' is ! :eat belt & ! fruit belt (
 ,ill9ois1 ,p]cy  cont9u$4 ,"o ( ! gr&  
old m5 ( ,ill9ois1 ,colonel ,n4 ,b4     
,morrison1 :o 0 = ye>s a tru/ee ( !     
,/ate ,univ]sity1 us$  to be call$ ^u = 
an address :5ev] he 0 pres5t at         
,convocation4 ,he always /at$ pr\dly t  
he liv$ 9 ! ',he>t (  ,egypt4' ,he said 
! soil !re 0 n s ri* p]haps z 9 !  corn 
belt1 b t ) pl5ty ( h>d "w !y 7 able to 
live  & to produce ! f9e/ fruit & !     
greate/ m5 9 ,am]ica4 ,he  said !y _h to
 "w bo? ! top & bottom ( _! soil1 & he  
expla9$ t !y h>ve/$ :eat & apples f !   
top1 &  !n w5t d[n ab\t #fjj feet &     
h>ve/$ t5 ?\s& tons (  coal to ! acre1 &
 /ill left en\gh to support ! e>?4 ,i h 
he>d him say t :5 he 0 born !re 0 n a   
mile ( railroad  9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & t 
he _h dur+ 8 own lifetime1  witness$ !  

practical agricultural ru9 ( almo/ :ole 
,/ates4 ,he  us$ to plead = ! ,univ]sity
 to s5d "s ( h] sci5tific m5  to help !m
 to solve ! problem ( re/or+ ! f]tility 
(  _! soils d[n 9 ',egypt'2 & ,i am glad
 to say t f9ally !  ,/ate appropriat$   
suffici5t funds s t ! ,ill9ois ,exp]im5t
  ,/ation is rapidly secur+ ! exact     
in=mation ne$$ to make  ^? ,s\!rn       
,ill9ois l&s ri*] ?an !y ev] 74    ,i   
sp5t sev]al days 9 ',egypt' la/ mon? &  
,i am plann+ to  make ano!r trip d[n !re
 next week be=e decid+ def9itely  ab\t  
pur*as+ our poor l& f>m4 ,i am n sure b 
! l& (  ',egypt' is z poor z we ought to
 try to build up consid]+ our  limit$   
means4    ,oh1 d y ?9k s8 ,b ,papa's l& 
is n s poor is x8    ,no1 x is n s poor 
9 m9]al plant food on ! slop+ areas1  b 
ev5 !re x is extremely poor 9 humus &   
nitrog54 ,h[ev]1  ,i fe> ,i c\ld n enjoy
 f>m+ 9 irregul> pat*es ( five or t5    
acres1 & ! level l&s ( ,virg9ia & ,m>yl&
 are s  exce$+ly poor1 t mu* "t & money 
& "w w be requir$  to put !m on a pay+  

basis4 ,!re w\ld be no pleasure or      
satisfaction 9 m]ely robb+ o!r f>ms to  
build up m9e1 z "s  ( ! prosp]\s truck  
f>m]s & dairym5 are do+4 ,i %\ld  want  
to practice a sy/em ( soil improvem5t ( 
unlimit$  application s t x w\ld n be a 
curse to ! agricultural  p1 z is ! case 
) ! man :o builds up 8 f>m only at  !   
exp5se ( o!r f>ms4    ,we h be5 speak+ (
 ! developm5t ( agriculture on !  small 
tracts ( cultivable l& 9 ! great        
manufactur+ ,/ates (  ,new ,engl&4 ,b1  
if we w\ld make a fair comp>ison ) a    
,/ate  l ,ill9ois1 we %\ld consid] "s   
great agricultural ,/ate1 z  ,georgia1 =
 example1 :i* is also "o ( ! orig9al    
?irte54  ,georgia is a l>g] ,/ate ?an   
,ill9ois1 & ,georgia cultivates z  _m   
acres ( corn & cotton z we cultivate 9  
corn4 ,b ,georgia  l& _c be cov]$ )     
f]tiliz] made f ,ill9ois corn1 nor  ev5 
) seawe$ & fi%-scrap f ! ocean4 ,h]     
agriculture  mu/ be an indep5d5t        
agriculture1 j z ! agriculture (        
,russia1 ,india1 & ,*9a mu/ be1 j z !   

agriculture (  ,ill9ois mu/ be1 & z !   
agriculture ( all ! great  agricultural 
,/ates mu/ be4 ,:at is ! result to date8
 ,! av]age  yield ( corn 9 ,georgia is  
d[n to #aa bu%els p] acre4 ,?is is n  = 
half ( "o t[n%ip1 b ! av]age ( f\r      
million acres =  ! la/ t5 ye>s2 & ?is 9 
spite ( ! fact t ,georgia out  m = !    
common acidulat$ manufactur$ s-call$    
complete  comm]cial f]tiliz] ?an any o!r
 ,/ate4    ,t is appall+1 said          
,adelaide1 b /ill "s l>g] c\ntries  are 
build+ up _! l&s1 su* z ^? ( ,europe4   
,9 l>ge "p by ! same me?ods z ! ,new    
,engl& truck]s &  dairym5 are foll[+1 he
 repli$1 & 9 comp>ison ) !  area &      
res\rces ( _! colonies & ( ! o!r great  
new  c\ntries ^u :i* !y draw = food &   
f]tiliz]1 !y are  fairly comp>able ) !  
,new ,engl& ,/ates 9 ?is c\ntry4 ,ev5  !
 ,empire ( ,g]many is only f\r-fif?s z  
l>ge z ,texas4 ,!  only c\ntry ( ,europe
 at all comp>able ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates is  
,russia1 & 9 t great c\ntry ! av]age    
yield ( :eat = !  la/ tw5ty ye>s is     

eight & "o-f\r? bu%els p] acre1 ev5     
?\gh1 z a g5]al practice1 ! l& is all[$ 
to lie fall[  e ?ird ye>4 ,! av]age     
yield = ! five fam9e ye>s t  h occurr$  
dur+ ! tw5ty-ye> p]iod 0 six & "o-qu>t] 
bu%els ( :eat p] acre4    ,t is wret*$1 
said ,adelaide1 ,i "k ab\t ! ,russian   
fam9es  = we h made contributions ?r\gh 
our *ur* = _! relief1  b t condition c  
surely nev] come to ?is great ri* new   
c\ntry1 c x8    ,x w come j z c]ta9ly z 
we all[ our soil f]tility to  decrease &
 our population to increase4 ,z a nation
 we h  sc>cely lift$ a h& yet to /op !  
wa/e ( f]tility or to  re/ore exhau/$   
l&s2 practically e ef=t put =? by !     
,f$]al gov]nm5t along agricultural l9es 
hav+ be5 direct$  t[>d bett] se$s1      
control ( injuri\s insects & fung\s     
diseases1 exploitation ( new l&s by     
dra9age & irrigation1  popul>ly call$   
'reclamation1' al?\gh appli$ only to ri*
 virg9  soils :i* c c]ta9ly be br\ght "u
 cultivation at any future  "t ei!r by !
 ,gov]nm5t or by private ent]prise4 ,b  

:y  %\ld n ! ,f$]al gov]nm5t make all   
necess>y provisions to  furni% gr\nd    
lime/one & phosphate rock at ! actual   
co/ (  qu>ry+1 gr9d+1 & transport+1 9   
ord] t f>m]s on  ^! old deplet$ soils   
may be enc\rag$ to adopt sy/ems ( soil  
improvem5t2 or ev5 compell$ to adopt su*
 sy/ems1 j z !y  are compell$ to build  
s*ool h\ses1 bridges1 & battle%ips8     
,p]haps ! ,gov]nm5t w\ld d ?is1 said    
,adelaide1 if !  ,secret>y (            
,agriculture w\ld recomm5d x4    ,i h   
he>d ( ! 'big if1' ,p]cy repli$ sl[ly1 b
 ,i am  afraid ?is if w beat ! record = 
bigness4 ,8 soil  !ori/s cont9ue to     
assure him t soils d n we> out1 no      
matt] h[ heavily cropp$1 if !y are only 
rotat$ & cultivat$2  & to support _!    
!ories !y h =sak5 ! data f !  mo/       
c>efully conduct$ & long cont9u$        
sci5tific  inve/igations1 & indulg$ 9 a 
game ( guess+ t !  increas+             
productiv5ess ( a few small c\ntries (  
,europe is n  due to any necess>y       
addition ( plant food4    ,b "h is !    

depot1 & ,i h tak5 almo/ an h\r to drive
  ?ree miles4 ,if ,i _h hurri$1 y might 
h be5 back home by ?is  "t4 ,i am afraid
 ,i h be5 selfi% 9 all[+ ! team to walk 
ne>ly all ( ! way1 b !y w at lea/ be    
fre% = ! home  trip :i* y promis$ to    
make 9 less ?an tw5ty m9utes1 ,i        
rememb]4 ,n[ if y w hold ! l9es1 ,i w   
run into ! /ore  to get ! ?read4 ,i     
rememb] ! k9d2 ,i (t5 d su* err&s =  "m4
    ,i w wait :ile y get y\r ticket &   
f9d out if ! tra9 is  on "t1 said       
,adelaide1 z ,p]cy return$ ) ! ?read4   
,at lea/ fifty m9utes late1 he report$1 
& ! ag5t said he  0 glad ( x = he w\ld  
ne$ ab\t t "t to make out su* a         
long-jo9t$ ticket z ,i want4 ,i am r    
glad too1 = ,i c wat*  y to ! turn 9 !  
road on ! hill1 :i* mu/ be a mile or  m1
 & ,i w "t y4 ,y c h six m9utes to make 
t  corn]4    ,y mean ,i c h six m9utes  
to get out ( sight1 %e  sugge/$4    ,i  
?9k y are out ( sight1 he v5tur$4       
,adelaide r$d5$4 ,i %all h to tell "m   
:at slang y use1  %e said4    ,i hope y 

w1 he retort$1 = ,i h wat*$ h] wat* y  &
 ,i am sure %e w agree ) me4 ,b ,i d    
feel t ,i owe y a  s9c]e apology = tak+ 
up ! "t we h _h toge!r )  ?is long      
discussion ( ! ?+s t are ( su* special  
int]e/  to me4 ,i h be5 alone ) my "m s 
mu* & %e is always s  ready & s able1 ,i
 may add1 to discuss any sort ( bus9ess 
matt]  t ,i fe> ,i h be5 =getful ( y\r  
=be>ance4    ,b y really h n1 ,adelaide 
repli$4 ,i keep books = papa1  & ,i am v
 mu* int]e/$ 9 ^! social & economic     
que/ions  :i* are s fundam5tal to !     
p]petuity ( our ,/ate & ,national       
prosp]ity4 ,i h be5 bo? ent]ta9$ &      
in/ruct$ by ^!  discussions2 & ,i might 
say1 honor$1 too1 t y d n consid]  me   
too "y & fooli% to talk ( s]i\s         
subjects4    ,i am sure x is k9d ( y to 
make good excuses = me4 ,y h  at any    
rate reliev$ my m9d ( "s burd51 b ,i am 
sure y are  ! only woman ,i h ev] kn[n1 
except my "m1 :o c\ld endure            
discussions ( ?is sort4 ,i h s greatly  
enjoy$ ! few %ort  visits ,i h _h ) y4  

,i wi% ,i might write to y & ,i %all  be
 s mu* int]e/$ to le>n :at success y\r  
fa!r has if he  beg9s a sy/em ( soil    
improvem5t4 ,w\ld x be presum+ to hope  
t ,i might he> f y also8    ,i am papa's
 /5ograph]1 %e repli$1 & p]haps he w    
dictate & ,i w write4 ,we w be glad to  
he> ( y\r safe  return1--& y1--y might  
ask papa4 ,n[1 ,i %all soon be out (    
sight4    ,please don't1 begg$ ,p]cy4 ,x
 is /ill =ty-five m9utes 'at  lea/1'    
be=e ! tra9 comes4 ,let me g a piece )  
y4 ,i w  leave my suit case "h & ) no?+ 
to c>ry ,i %all easily  walk a mile 9   
tw5ty m9utes4 ,may ,i drive1 please8    
,no1 ,i w drive4 ,i want to ask y ano!r 
"q1 & ,i am  afraid y w\ld drive too    
fa/4    ,y m5tion$ "s long-cont9u$      
sci5tific inve/igations :i* ,i  assum$  
ref]r$ to ! yield ( crops4 ,:at 7 !y8   
,i meant su* inve/igations z ^? at      
,ro?am/$ & also ^?  conduct$ at         
,p5nsylvania ,/ate ,college4 ,i h "s ( !
 exact  data "h 9 my note book4    ,9   
#ahdh1 ,sir ,john ,lawes & ,sir ,h5ry   

,gilb]t began at ,ro?am/$1  ,engl&1 two 
f\r-ye> rotations4 ,"o 0 turnips1 b>ley1
 fall[1  & :eat2 & ! o!r 0 turnips1     
b>ley1 clov]1 & :eat4  ,:5ev] ! clov]   
fail$1 :i* has be5 frequ5t1 beans 7     
sub/itut$1 9 ord] t a legume crop %\ld  
be gr[n e  f\r? ye>4    ,! av]age ( !   
la/ tw5ty ye>s repres5ts ! av]age yields
  ab\t fifty ye>s f ! beg9n+ ( ?is      
rotation4    ,9 ! legume sy/em1 z an    
av]age ( ! la/ tw5ty ye>s1 !  use (     
m9]al plant food has increas$ ! yield ( 
turnips f  less ?an "o-half ton to m ?an
 twelve tons2 increas$ ! yield  ( b>ley 
f ?irte5 & sev5-t5?s bu%els to tw5ty-two
 &  two-t5?s bu%els2 increas$ ! yield ( 
clov] 7:5 gr[n7 f  less ?an "o-half ton 
to almo/ two tons2 increas$ ! yield (   
beans 7:5 gr[n7 f sixte5 bu%els to      
tw5ty-eight &  ?ree-t5?s bu%els2 &      
increas$ ! yield ( :eat f  tw5ty-f\r &  
?ree-t5?s bu%els to ?irty-eight &       
f\r-t5?s  bu%els p] acre4    ,9 ! legume
 sy/em ! m9]als appli$ h m ?an d\bl$  ! 
value ( ! crops produc$1 h paid _! co/1 

& made a  net pr(it ( "o hundr$ & =ty p]
 c5t4 on ! inve/m5t1 9  direct comp>ison
 ) ! unf]tiliz$ l&4    ,if we comp>e !  
av]age yield ( turnips1 b>ley1 clov]1 & 
:eat ( ! la/ tw5ty ye>s ) ! yield (     
turnips 9 #ahdh1  b>ley 9 #ahdi1 clov] 9
 #ahej & :eat 9 #ahea we f9d t on !     
unf]tiliz$ l& 9 ?is rotation ( crops 9  
fifty ye>s ! yield  ( turnips has       
decreas$ f t5 tons to "o-half ton1 & !  
yield ( b>ley has decreas$ f =ty-six to 
f\rte5 bu%els1  ! yield ( clov] has     
decreas$ f two & eight-t5?s tons p]     
acre to less ?an "o-half ton1 :ile !    
yield ( :eat has  decreas$ only f ?irty 
bu%els to tw5ty-f\r bu%els4 ,z a  g5]al 
av]age ! late yields are only "o-?ird z 
l>ge z !y  7 fifty ye>s be=e on ! same  
l&4 ,:eat gr[n once 9 f\r  ye>s has be5 
! only crop wor? rais+ on ! unf]tiliz$  
l&  dur+ ! la/ tw5ty ye>s1 & ev5 ! :eat 
crop has di/9ctly  decreas$ 9 yield2    
al?\gh :]e m9]al plant food 0 appli$  ! 
yield has increas$ f ?irty bu%els1 9    
#ahhea to  ?irty-eight bu%els z an      

av]age ( ! la/ tw5ty ye>s4 ,9 !  fall[  
rotation on ! unf]tiliz$ l& ! yield (   
:eat av]ag$  ?irty-f\r & five-t5?s      
bu%els dur+ ! fir/ tw5ty ye>s  7#ahdh to
 #ahfg7 & tw5ty-?ree & five-t5?s bu%els 
dur+ !  la/ tw5ty ye>s4    ,on ano!r    
,ro?am/$ field ! phosphorus actually    
remov$ 9  fifty-five crops f            
well-f]tiliz$ l& is two-?irds z mu* z  !
 total phosphorus n[ conta9$ 9 ! pl[$   
soil ( adjo9+  untreat$ l&4    ,9 ! e>ly
 #hj's ! ,p5nsylvania ,agricultural     
,exp]im5t ,/ation  began a f\r-ye> crop 
rotation1 includ+ corn1 oats1 :eat1 &   
mix$ clov] & timo?y4    ,!re are five   
plots 9 ea* ( f\r diff]5t fields t h    
receiv$ no applications ( plant food f !
 beg9n+4 ,?us1  e ye> ! crops are       
c>efully h>ve/$ & weigh$ f tw5ty        
measur$ plots ( gr\nd t receive no      
treatm5t except !  rotation ( crops4 ,! 
diff]5ce betwe5 ! av]age ( ! fir/       
twelve ye>s & ! av]age ( ! second twelve
 ye>s %\ld  repres5t ! actual *ange 9   
productive p[] dur+ a p]iod (  twelve   

ye>s4 ,^! av]ages %[ t ! yield ( corn   
has  decreas$ f =ty-"o & sev5-t5?s      
bu%els to tw5ty-sev5  & sev5-t5?s       
bu%els2 t ! yield ( oats has decreas$ f 
?irty-six & sev5-t5?s bu%els to         
tw5ty-five bu%els2 t !  yield ( :eat has
 decreas$ only f ?irte5 & ?ree-t5?s     
bu%els to twelve & eight-t5?s bu%els2 & 
t ! yield (  hay has decreas$ f ?ree    
?\s& sev5ty p\nds to two ?\s&  "o hundr$
 & eighty p\nds4    ,z a g5]al av]age ( 
^! f\r crops ! annual value (  produce f
 "o acre has decreas$ f #aa4je to #h4ah4
 ,"h we  h in=mation :i* is almo/ if n q
 equal 9 value to t  f ! ,agdell        
rotation field at ,ro?am/$4 ,:ile !     
,ro?am/$  exp]im5ts cov] a p]iod ( sixty
 ye>s1 ea* crop 0 gr[n b  once 9 f\r    
ye>s2 :]eas1 9 ! ,p5nsylvania exp]im5ts1
 !re  h be5 f\r diff]5t s]ies ( plots1 s
 t 9 tw5ty-f\r  ye>s !re h be5 tw5ty-f\r
 crops ( corn1 tw5ty-f\r crops  ( oats1 
tw5ty-f\r crops ( :eat1 & tw5ty-f\r     
crops ( hay4    ,"u ?is f\r-ye> rotation
 ! value ( ! crops produc$ has  decreas$

 tw5ty-six p] c5t4 9 twelve ye>s4 ,:at  
influ5ce w  impress t fact ^u ! m9ds (  
,am]ican l&[n]s8 ,a loss  am\nt+ to m   
?an "o-f\r? ( ! productive p[] ( !  l& 9
 a rotation ) clov] se$$ e f\r? ye>6    
,?is "o  fact is ! ma!matical result (  
f\r hundr$ & eighty o!r  facts obta9$ f 
tw5ty diff]5t pieces ( measur$ l& dur+  
a p]iod ( tw5ty-f\r ye>s4    ,z an      
av]age ( ^! tw5ty-f\r ye>s1 ! addition (
 m9]al  plant food produc$ increases 9  
crop yields above ! unf]tiliz$  l& z    
foll[s3    ,corn increas$ =ty-five p]   
c5t4  ,oats increas$ ?irty-two p] c5t4  
,:eat increas$ =ty-two p] c5t4  ,hay    
increas$ sev5ty-sev5 p] c5t4    ,z a    
g5]al av]age ( ! f\r crops = ! tw5ty-f\r
 ye>s1  ! produce :]e m9]al plant food  
is appli$1 0 =ty-n9e p]  c5t4 above !   
yields ( ! unf]tiliz$ l&1 al?\gh ! same 
rotation ( crops 0 practic$ 9 bo? cases4
    ,^? are "s ( ! absolute facts (     
sci5ce secur$ f  practical application 9
 ! adoption & developm5t ( def9ite      
sy/ems ( p]man5t prosp]\s agriculture1 &

 !y %\ld be made  to s]ve ?is greate/ & 
mo/ important indu/ry j z !  e/abli%$   
facts ( ma!matical & physical sci5ce are
 made to  s]ve 9 eng9e]+4    ,i am glad 
to "k ab\t ^? long-cont9u$ exp]im5ts1   
said  ,adelaide4 ,!y are ( fasc9at+     
int]e/4 ,i h be5 s sorry  = gr&ma1 & =  
papa & mamma1 because ( _! increas+     
disc\ragem5t ov] our f>m4 ,i d hope we  
may pr(it f ?is fund  ( accumulat$      
in=mation :i* has already be5 secur$ f  
long  ye>s ( inve/igation4 ,surely we   
mu/ endeavor to avoid 9 ,am]ica  ! awful
 conditions t already exi/ 9 ! old]     
agricultural  c\ntries1 :]e ! l&s are   
deplet$ & ! p are br\ght  to great]     
pov]ty ?an ev5 "h 9 ,virg9ia4    ,b we h
 already rea*$ ! turn1 & y h a mile to  
walk4  ,h[ mu* "t h y8    ,?irty m9utes 
yet1 said ,p]cy4 ,wait j a mom5t4 ,h y  
read  ,l9coln's /ories8    ,_m ( !m1    
yes4    ,"h is ! be/ "o he ev] told2 ,i 
h copi$ x on a c>d4 ,he  told x to a    
meet+ ( f>m]s at ! close ( an address 9 
:i*  he urg$ !m to /udy ! sci5ce (      

agriculture & to adopt  bett] me?ods (  
f>m+3    ',an ,ea/]n mon>* once *>g$ 8  
wise m5 to inv5t him a  s5t5ce to be ev]
 9 view1 & :i* %\ld be true &           
appropriate 9 all times & situations4   
,!y pres5t$ him !  words1 ,& ?is1 too1  
%all pass away4 ,h[ mu* x expresses6 ,h[
  *a/5+ 9 ! h\r ( pride6 ,h[ consol+ 9 !
 dep?s (  affliction6 ,& ?is1 too1 %all 
pass away4 ,& yet1 let u hope1  x is n q
 true4 ,let u hope1 r1 t by ! be/       
cultivation ( ! physical _w b5ea? &     
ar\nd u1 & !  be/ intellectual & moral  
_w )9 u1 we %all secure an  individual1 
social1 & political prosp]ity &         
happ9ess1 ^:  c\rse %all be onw>d &     
upw>d1 & :i*1 :ile ! e>?  endures1 %all 
n pass away4'    ,i agree ) y t x is 8  
be/ /ory1 said ,adelaide1 z  ,p]cy f9i%$
 read+ & plac$ ! c>d 9 h] h&4 ,n[ y  mu/
 g or ,i %all insi/ ^u tak+ y back to ! 
/ation4    ,i %all /& "h & "t y till y  
rea* ! next turn1 he  repli$4 ,!n y w be
 9 sight ( ,we/ov]4 ,"o6 ,two6 ,?ree6   
,g6              ,,*apt] ,,xxxiii    ,,!

 ,,diagnosis ,,& ,,prescription         
,,w9t]b9e1 ,,ill9ois1    ,decemb] #d1 #a
 #ijc    ,mr4 ,t4 ,o4 ,?ornton1         
,blairville1 ,,va4    ,,my ,,de>        
,,sir3--,i beg to report t ,i return$   
home a few days ago  & f\nd my "m well &
 busy z usual4 ,we h def9itely  decid$ t
 we w n accept y\r k9d (f] to sell u a  
"p (  y\r f>m1 b we appreciate nev]!less
 ! sacrifice1 at lea/  f ! /&po9t (     
s5tim5t1 :i* ,mrs4 ,?ornton & ,miss     
,russell 7 will+ to make1 9 ord] to     
p]mit u to secure su* a  f>m z we might 
want 9 a spl5did situation4    ,z a     
matt] ( fact we are ?9k+ v s]i\sly (    
pur*as+ a  f>m 9 ,s\!rn ,ill9ois4 ,my "m
 mu* pref]s to rema9 9  ,ill9ois1 & = "s
 reasons ,i h ! same pref]5ce on h]     
acc\nt4    ,:ile 9 ,wa%+ton ,i 0 =tunate
 en\gh to f9d t a soil  survey _h be5   
complet$ = y\r c\nty & also t a p>tial  
ultimate analysis _h be5 made ( ! common
 loam soil ( y\r  f>m1 su* z we sampl$4 
,foll[+ are ! numb] ( p\nds p]  acre = !
 surface soil to a dep? ( six &         

two-?irds  in*es1--t is1 = two million  
p\nds ( soil4    #faj p\nds ( phosphorus
    #ac1bjj p\nds ( potassium    #a1bjj 
p\nds ( magnesium    #c1dcj p\nds (     
calcium    ,z comp>$ ) a normal f]tile  
soil1 y\r l& is v defici5t  9 phosphorus
 & magnesium1 &1 z y "k1 ! soil is acid4
 ,x  is bett] suppli$ ) potassium ?an ) 
any o!r important  elem5t4    ,i w\ld   
sugge/ t y make lib]al use ( magnesian  
lime/one1--at lea/ two tons p] acre e   
f\r or five  ye>s1--& ! initial         
application might bett] be five or ev5  
t5  tons p] acre if y are ready to make 
su* an inve/m5t4    ,i am sorry t !     
nitrog5 cont5t ( ! soil 0 n det]m9$1  or
 at lea/ n publi%$ 9 ! bullet94 ,!re c  
be no d\bt1  h[ev]1 t y\r soil is       
extremely defici5t 9 organic matt] &    
nitrog51 & y w und]/& t lib]al use %\ld 
be made (  legume crops4 ,! kn[n nitrog5
 cont5t ( legumes & o!r crops  w be a   
help to y 9 plann+ y\r crop rotation & !
  disposition ( ! crops gr[n4    ,z to  
phosphorus1 x is safe to say t 9 ! long 

run f9e-gr\nd  rock phosphate w prove ! 
be/ inve/m5t2 b = a few ye>s  x might be
 be/ to make "s use ( acid phosphate 9  
addition to  ! raw rock1 at lea/ until y
 are ready to beg9 turn+ "u  m organic  
matt] ) ! phosphate4    ,!re is only "o 
o!r sugge/ion3 ,if y wi% to make a />t  
t[>d bett] crops z soon z possible1 y   
may well use "s  ka9it1--say six hundr$ 
p\nds p] acre e f\r or five ye>s1       
pref]ably appli$ ) ! phosphate4 ,9 !    
abs5ce ( decay+  organic matt]1 !       
potassium ( ! soil becomes available v  
sl[ly4 ,! ka9it furni%es bo? potassium &
 magnesium 9 soluble  =m & x also       
conta9s sulfur & *lor94 ,z soon z y c   
provide pl5ty ( decay+ organic matt] y w
 probably  discont9ue ! use ( bo? ka9it 
& acid phosphate4 ,if y sell  only gra9s
 & animal products1 ! am\nt ( potassium 
sold f  ! f>m is v small comp>$ ) y\r   
supply ( t elem5t1  :i* w\ld be         
suffici5t = "o hundr$ bu%els ( corn p]  
acre  = sev5 hundr$ ye>s4    ,i h "s    
d\bt if x w be wor? ! exp5se involv$ to 

h  ! samples ( subsurface & subsoil     
analyz$ at ?is "t2 b y  might save !m = 
future use if desir$4    ,i %all always 
appreciate ! k9dness %[n me by be+      
p]mitt$  to enjoy y\r hospitality & to  
pr(it f ! in=mation y  7 s able to give 
me conc]n+ ! hi/ory & g5]al "*  ( y\r   
l&s4    ,my "m asks to h h] k9d reg>ds  
ext5d$ to y & y\rs4    ,v s9c]ely y\rs1 
,,p]cy ,,john/on4    ,,we/ov]1 ,janu>y  
#b1 #aijd4 ,p]cy ,john/on1 ,esq41       
,w9t]b9e1 ,ill4    ,,my ,,de>           
,,fri5d3--,we 7 all pleas$ to receive   
y\r lett]  in=m+ u ( y\r safe j\rney    
back to ,ill9ois4 ,i _h hop$ t  y might 
f9d a piece ( l& "h 9 ! ,ea/ :i* w\ld   
suit  y2 b ,i am n surpris$ t y & y\r "m
 %\ld pref]  to rema9 9 ,ill9ois1       
because ( y\r =m] associations & y\r    
bett] k ( ! ,we/]n conditions4 ,nor!rn  
m5 :o come  ,s\? (t5 h s]i\s difficulty 
to manage our negro labor4    ,i am     
surpris$1 h[ev]1 t y 7 able to pur*ase1 
ev5 9  ,s\!rn ,ill9ois1 su* prairie l& z
 y describe = ! price  ( #ah p] acre4 ,i

 suppos$ #aij an acre = y\r corn belt   
f>m 0  a good price1 al?\gh x is        
commonly report$ to u t ,ill9ois  l& is 
sell+ = #aej to #bjj an acre4    ,n[1 9 
reg>d to correspond5ce ) ,adelaide1 let 
me say t we  c\ld h no objection :atev]1
 except t x might be  misund]/ood1 m    
especially1 ( c\rse1 by ,pr(essor ,b>/[4
 ,i  d n ?9k ,i m5tion$ x to y1 b ! fact
 is t !  ,pr(essor & ,adelaide are      
ess5tially betro!d4 ,i d n "k t  ! f9al 
details are p]fect$1 b d\btless !y are1 
= !y  h be5 mu* toge!r dur+ ! ,*ri/mas  
weeks4 ,! ,b>/[s1 z  y probably "k1 are 
/ill among ! mo/ prom95t p (  ,nor?     
,c>ol9a4 ,adelaide is "y yet & we       
respect h] retic5ce1  b h] "m & ,i h bo?
 giv5 our cons5t & ,pr(essor  ,b>/[ has 
e reason to be satisfi$ ) ! reception he
  inv>iably receives f ,adelaide4    ,i 
only m5tion ?is matt] to y t y may      
und]/& :y  misund]/&+ might arise 9 case
 ( su* correspond5ce z y  sugge/1 ev5   
?\gh1 z ,adelaide has expla9$1 %e has v 
naturally become int]e/$ tempor>ily 9 "s

 ( ! economic &  social que/ions relat+ 
to agriculture1 & w\ld unque/ionably    
read y\r lett]s conc]n+ ^! /ate &       
national problems )  cont9u$ int]e/4 ,i 
%all hope1 h[ev]1 t %e may /ill h  t    
satisfaction1 = ,i am v deeply int]e/$ 9
 all su*  que/ions1 & ,i am p>ticul>ly  
int]e/$ to "k m ( !  details ( y\r s\!rn
 ,ill9ois f>m1 includ+ ! invoice ( !    
soil1 :i* y say has be5 tak5 by y\r     
,exp]im5t ,/ation1 &  especially y\r    
def9ite plans = ! improvem5t ( ! l&4 ,i 
hope ! "n y h *os5 = y\r f>m is n s     
appropriate z  x w\ld be = "s ( our old 
,virg9ia f>ms4    ,i %all also be "u    
r5ew$ obligation to y if ,i may         
occasionally submit que/ions conc]n+ !  
be/ plans = !  re/oration ( ,we/ov] to  
its =m] productiv5ess4 ,i h decid$  at  
lea/ to make ano!r trial ) alfalfa next 
summ]1 foll[+  ! valuable sugge/ions y  
gave me4    ,9 clos+ let me r5ew my     
assurance ( our deep gratitude = !      
special s]vice y s nobly r5d]$ :5 fi5di%
 dang]  ?reat5$ my daught]4 ,we %all    

always reg>d y z a g5tleman (  ! highe/ 
type4 ,v respectfully y\rs1    ,,*>les  
,,we/4    ,p]cy read ?is lett] hurri$ly 
to ! end1 & !n sl[ly r]ead  x4 ,8 "m    
notic$ t he abs5t-m9d$ly replac$ ! lett]
  9 ! envelope in/ead ( read+ x to h] z 
0 8 cu/om4  ,h[ev]1 he laid ! lett] by  
h] plate & talk$ ) h] ab\t  ! corn-%ell+
 :i* 0 to beg9 z soon z ! corn %ell]    
c\ld be br\ght f ! neighbor's :]e ,p]cy 
_h be5 help+ to  haul ! corn f ! %ell]  
to elevator at ,w9t]b9e4 ,d9n]  f9i%$1  
he hurri$ out to complete ! prep>ations 
= !  aft]noon's "w4 ,we h no "r to foll[
 him4 ,8 "m only  saw t he w5t to !     
little gran>y :]e a few loads ( corn  7 
to be /or$ = future use4 ,yes1 %e saw t 
he clos$ !  door z he ent]$4 ,n ev5 8 "m
 c\ld see h] son aga9 a  *ild4 ,wom5 &  
*ildr5 weep1 n m54 ,! he>t /r+s draw    
tight & tight] until !y te> or snap4 ,! 
body is rack$ )  ! angui% ( ! m9d4 ,! =m
 reels & s9ks to ! floor4 ,!  head b[s  
l[4 ,p5t up te>s fall l ra94--,no1 t _c 
be4  ,m5 d n %$ te>s4 ,if !y are m5tal  

c[>ds & physical  brutes !y pass f h5ce 
by a %ort & easy r\te & leave !  burd5s 
( life to _! wives & mo!rs & disgrac$   
families4  ,if !y are ,*ri/ian m5 !y    
seek ! only s\rce ( help4    ,mrs4      
,john/on wat*$ & wait$--x seem$ an h\r1 
b 0 only a  qu>t] ( t "t till ! gran>y  
door op5$ & %e saw ,p]cy  pass to ! b>n 
) a /ep :i* satisfi$ h] "m's eye4    ,%e
 drew out ! lett]1 & f a life habit (   
mak+ sure1  press$ ! envelope to see t x
 conta9$ no?+ m4 ,%e  not$ a slip (     
crumpl$ pap] & drew x out4 ,^u x 0      
writt5  9 a p5cil$ scrawl3    ,h] gr&ma 
has n cons5t$4    ,%e read ! lett]1 /ood
 = a mom5t z 9 m$itation1 !n  replac$ ! 
slip & lett] 9 ! envelope1 & laid x on  
,p]cy's  desk4 ,! lett] 0 pla9ly a man's
 h&writ+4 ,! envelope 0  address$ 9 a   
bold h& t 0 cle>ly n ,mr4 ,we/'s writ+4 
,,*apt] ,,xxxiv    ,,plann+ ,,= ,,life  
,,he>t-,,(-,,egypt1 ,,ill9ois1 ,june    
#af1 #aijd4    ,mr4 ,*>les ,we/1        
,blue ,m\nd1 ,va4    ,,my ,,de>         
,,sir3--,i h delay$ writ+ to y 9 reg>d  

to ! plans  = ,poorl& ,f>m1 until ,i    
c\ld feel t we are able at lea/ to  make
 an outl9e ( t5tative nature4 ,! labor  
problem ( a f>m (  ?ree hundr$ & tw5ty  
acres is ( c\rse v diff]5t f t  on =ty  
acres1 & we are n yet fully decid$      
reg>d+ our crop  rotation & !           
disposition ( ! crops produc$ 7or hop$  
=74 ,i  realize t to rebuild 9 my life  
:at ano!r has torn d[n dur+  8 life is a
 task ! end ( :i* c h>dly be ev5 dimly  
=e%ad[$4 ,"s fri5ds are already beg9n+  
to ask me :at  results ,i am gett+1 & !y
 app>5tly feel t we mu/ succe$  or fail 
) a trial ( a full season4 ,i h said to 
!m t ,i  h no objection :atev] to       
discuss+ our plans at any "t1 s  f> z we
 are yet able to make plans1 b t ,i %all
 n be ready  to discuss results ) anyone
 until we beg9 to secure crop yields  9 
! ?ird rotation4 ,?is means t ,i am n   
expect+ !  b5efits ( a six-ye> rotation 
( crops be=e ! rotation has  be5        
actually practic$4 ,y w und]/& ( c\rse  
t1 if all  y\r l& _h be5 cropp$ ) little

 or no *ange1 = all its  hi/ory1 y w\ld 
require six or eight ye>s' "t be=e y    
w\ld  be able to gr[ a crop ( corn on l&
 t _h be5 pa/ur$ =  six or eight ye>s2 b
 "s p seem to take x = grant$ t  "o c   
adopt a six-ye> rotation & enjoy ! full 
b5efits ( x  ! fir/ season4    ,i       
rememb] t y 7 surpris$ t ,i c\ld buy a  
level upl&  f>m ev5 9 ?is "p ( ,ill9ois 
= #ah an acre2 b y w  probably be m     
surpris$ to le>n t ?is f>m _h n paid !  
previ\s own]s two p] c5t4 int]e/ on #ah 
an acre z an av]age  ( ! la/ five ye>s4 
,9 fact1 sixty acres ( x _h gr[n no     
crops = ! la/ five ye>s4 ,x 0 l>gely    
manag$ by t5ants on  ! basis ( %>e r5t1 
& because ( ?is ,i h be5 able to  secure
 ! records ( sev]al ye>s4    ,i at lea/ 
_h "s satisfaction 9 pur*as+ ?is f>m1 = 
!  real e/ate m5 7 left )\t a s+le talk+
 po9t4 ,i  insi/$ t ,i want$ ! poore/   
prairie f>m 9 ,egypt1 &  :5ev] !y began 
to tell me t ! soil on a c]ta9 f>m 0    
really above ! av]age1 or t ! l& _h be5 
well c>$ =  until rec5tly1 or t x _h be5

 f]tiliz$ a good deal1 etc41 ,i  at once
 in=m$ !m t any advantage ( t sort      
completely  disqualifi$ any f>m = me2 & 
t !y ne$ n talk to me  ab\t any f>ms    
except ^? t repres5t$ ! poore/ & mo/    
abus$ 9 ,s\!rn ,ill9ois4    ,i may say1 
h[ev]1 t #bj an acre is ab\t ! av]age   
price (  ! av]age l&4 ,i _h an option on
 a ?ree hundr$ & sixty acre  f>m corn]+ 
! corporation limits ( ! ,c\nty ,seat = 
#cj an  acre1 & all agre$ t ! f>m 0     
above ! av]age 9 quality4               
,he>t-(-,egypt is a small /ation on !   
d\ble track ( !  ,*icago-,new ,orleans  
l9e ( ! ,ill9ois ,c5tral1 & !re are     
?ree o!r railroads pass+ ?r\gh our      
,c\nty ,seat4 ,poorl& ,f>m  is less ?an 
two miles f ,he>t-(-,egypt & only five  
miles f  ! ,c\nty ,seat1 ) level roads  
to bo?4    ,z to ! soil1 ,i may say t 9 
"s respects x is poor] ?an  y\rs1 b 9   
o!rs n s poor4 ,! am\nt ( plant food    
conta9$  9 six & two-?irds in*es ( !    
surface soil ( an acre1  repres5t+ two  
million p\nds ( soil1 are z foll[s3     

#b1hhj p\nds ( nitrog5    #hdj p\nds (  
phosphorus    #bd1idj p\nds ( potassium 
#f1gdj p\nds ( magnesium    #ad1ffj     
p\nds ( calcium    ,by ref]r+ to !      
invoice ( y\r mo/ common l&1 y w see  t 
,we/ov] is ri*] 9 phosphorus1 9         
magnesium1 & 9 calcium1  ?an ,poorl&    
,f>m4 ,b1 :ile y\r soil conta9s a half m
 (  t r>e elem5t phosphorus1 ours       
conta9s a half m ( !  abundant elem5t   
potassium4 ,9 ! supply ( nitrog5 we h a 
di/9ct advantage1 because our soil      
conta9s ne>ly ?ree times z  mu* z y\r   
mo/ common cultivat$ l&1 & ev5 twice z  
mu* z  y\r level upl& soil1 :i* y       
consid] too poor = f>m+1 b  9 :i*       
phosphorus & n nitrog5 mu/ be ! fir/    
limit+  elem5t1 ! same z ) ours4    ,!  
fact is t ! nitrog5 problem 9 ! ,ea/ 0  
"o ( !  reasons :y we h *os5 to locate 9
 ,s\!rn ,ill9ois4 ,i am  confid5t t !   
level l&s ,i saw ab\t ,blairville & ov] 
9  ,m>yl& are m defici5t 9 organic matt]
 & nitrog5 ?an y\r  uncultivat$ level   
upl&1 & probably ev5 m defici5t ?an  y\r

 common g5tly slop+ cultivat$ l&s1      
because ( y\r long  rotation ) mu*      
opportunity = nitrog5 fixation by su*   
legumes  w gr[ 9 y\r mead[s & pa/ures1  
includ+ ! r$ clov]  :i* y regul>ly s[1 !
 :ite clov]1 :i* is v p]si/5t1  & !     
,japan clov]1 :i* x seems to me has     
really b5efit$ y  m ?an ! o!rs4    ,to  
me a diff]5ce 9 nitrog5 cont5t ( two    
?\s& p\nds p]  acre signifies a good    
deal4 ,x pla9ly signifies a hundr$ ye>s'
 (  work+ ! soil = all t's 9 x1 beyond  
:at has yet be5  done to our ,egypt4 ,! 
co/ ( two ?\s& p\nds ( nitrog5 9  sodium
 nitrate w\ld be at lea/ #cjj & ev5 t   
w\ld n  include ! organic matt]1 :i* has
 value = its own sake because  ( ! p[] (
 its decomposition products to lib]ate !
 m9]al  elem5ts f ! soil1 z witness !   
mo/ common upl& soils (  ,/4 ,m>y c\nty1
 ,m>yl&1 ) a phosphorus cont5t r$uc$ to 
"o  hundr$ & sixty p\nds p] acre 9 two  
million p\nds ( !  ignit$ soil4 ,!      
t5-in* pl[s ( ,m>yl&1 ! twelve-in* (    
,s\!rn ,ill9ois1 ! f\rte5-in* ( ! corn  

belt1 & !  sixte5-in* ( ! new] regions (
 ! ,nor?we/1 signify  some?+ z to !     
influ5ce ( organic matt] ^u ! horsep[]  
requir$ 9 tillage2 & ! organic matt]    
also has a value because  x increases ! 
p[] ( ! soil to absorb & reta9 moi/ure &
  to resi/ surface wa%+ & runn+ toge!r  
to =m ! h>d  surface cru/4    ,to ?9k ( 
apply+ two ?\s& p\nds ( nitrog5 by pl[+ 
"u two hundr$ tons ( manure or =ty tons 
( clov] p] acre at  lea/ requires a big 
?9k1 z my ,sw$e man w\ld say4    ,(     
c\rse1 ) our we/]n life & cosmopolitan  
population1 :]e  a man's a man = a' t1  
"m feels t x w\ld n be easy  = u to fit 
into y\r some:at di/9ctly /ratifi$      
society4 ,we  w\ld n be color$ if we    
c\ld1 & p]haps we c\ld n be  ari/ocratic
 if we w\ld2 & ! opportunity to become1 
or1 p]haps  ,i %\ld say1 to rema91 poor 
:ite tra%1 ?\gh wide op51 is  n v       
allur+4 ,i realize1 ( c\rse1 t !re are  
"s  :ole-s\l$ p l ! ,we/'s & ,?ornton's1
 b ,i also f\nd  "s ( ! tribe ( ,jones1 
& ,i h mu* d\bt z to ! social  /&+ ( "o 

:o w\ld feel oblig$ to demon/rate t he  
c\ld  spread m manure 9 a day ?an 8 hir$
 nigg]4    ,my ,sw$e & ,i are l bro!rs2 
we clean /ables toge!r & talk  politics1
 sci5ce1 & agriculture4 ,9 fact he is z 
mu* int]e/$  z ,i am 9 ! build+ up (    
,poorl& ,f>m1 & has already  contribut$ 
"s v practical sugge/ions4 ,i pay him   
mod]ate  wages & a small p]c5tage ( !   
f>m receipts aft] d$uct+  c]ta9 exp5ses 
:i* he c help to keep z l[ z possible1  
su*  z = labor1 repairs1 & pur*ase ( fe$
 & new tools1 b  )\t d$uct+ ! taxes or  
int]e/ on inve/m5t or ! co/ (  any      
p]man5t improvem5ts1 su* z ! exp5se =   
lime/one1  phosphate1 new f5ces &       
build+s1 & bre$+ /ock4    ,ref]r+ aga9  
to ! invoice ( ! soil1 ,i may say t !   
p]c5tage ( ! m9]al plant foods increases
 ) dep?1 ! same  z 9 y\r soil1 b n to   
su* an ext5t1 & ) "o exception4  ,!     
phosphorus cont5t ( our surface soil is 
great] ?an t (  ! subsurface1 b bel[ !  
subsurface ! phosphorus aga9  increases4
 ,?is is probably due to ! fact t !     

prairie grasses  t grew "h = c5turies   
extract$ "s phosphorus f !  subsurface 9
 :i* _! roots f$ to "s ext5t1 & left x 9
  ! organic residues :i* accumulat$ 9 ! 
surface soil4    ,aside f ! diff]5ce 9  
organic matt]1 ! physical "*  ( our soil
 is di/9ctly inf]ior to ! loam soils    
ab\t  ,blairville & ,leon>dt[n4 ,we h a 
v satisfactory silt loam  surface1 b !  
/ructure ( our subsoil is q             
objectionable4 ,x  is a tight clay ?r\gh
 :i* wat] passes v sl[ly1 s sl[ly  t !  
practicability ( us+ tile-dra9age is    
/ill que/ion$  by ! ,/ate ,univ]sity1   
al?\gh ! exp]im5ts :i* !  ,univ]sity    
soil inve/igators h already />t$ 9      
sev]al  c\nties "h 9 ,egypt w ultimately
 furni% u positive  k along ?is l9e4    
,z = me1 ,i purpose mak+ no exp]im5ts1  
:atev]4 ,i d n see  h[ ,i or any o!r    
f>m] c af=d to put our limit$ funds into
  exp]im5ts1 especially :5 we (t5 lack !
 facilities = tak+  ! exact & complete  
data t are ne$$4 ,x takes "t & labor  & 
"s equipm5t to make accurate            

measurem5ts1 to weigh e  p\nd ( f]tiliz]
 appli$ & e crop c>efully h>ve/$ f      
measur$ & c>efully se$$ areas1          
especially select$ because (  _! uni=m &
 repres5tative "*4 ,i ?9k ?is is public 
bus9ess & x is be/ done by ! ,/ate = !  
b5efit ( all4    ,i h he>d n>r[         
politicians call x class legislation to 
appropriate funds = su* agricultural    
inve/igations1 b ! fact  is t to        
inve/igate ! soil & to insure an        
abundant use (  lime/one1 phosphate1 or 
o!r necess>y mat]ials requir$ = !       
improvem5t & p]man5t ma9t5ance ( !      
f]tility ( ! soil  is legislation = all 
! p1 bo? n[ & h]eaft]4 ,w\ld  t our     
,/atesm5 w\ld ?9k z mu* ( ma9ta9+ ?is   
mo/  important national res\rce1 z !y d 
( ma9ta9+ our national  honor by means (
 battle%ips & an army & navy support$ at
 an  exp5se ( ?ree hundr$ million doll>s
 a ye>1 suffici5t to  furni% t5 tons (  
lime/one to e acre ( ,virg9ia l&1 an    
am\nt tw5ty times ! ,nation's           
appropriation = agriculture2 &  ev5 ?is 

is l>gely us$ 9 gett+ new l&s ready = ! 
ble$+ process1 in/ead ( reviv+ ^? t h   
be5  practically bl$ to dea?4    ,z =   
me1 ,i %all simply take ! results :i*   
prove pr(itable on  ! accurately        
conduct$ exp]im5t fields ( ! ,univ]sity 
(  ,ill9ois1 "o ( :i* is locat$ only    
sev5 miles f ,poorl&  ,f>m1 & on ! same 
type ( soil1 ,i %all try to pr(it by t  
positive in=mation1 & await !           
accumulation ( conclusive data  relat+  
to tile-dra9age & o!r possible          
improvem5ts (  unc]ta9 practicability = 
,egypt4    ,say1 b our soil is acid6 ,! 
,univ]sity soil survey m5 say t  !      
acidity is positive 9 ! surface1        
comp>ative 9 !  subsurface1 & sup]lative
 9 ! subsoil4 ,two ( !m insi/$  t !     
subsoil has an acid ta/e4 ,! analysis ( 
a set ( soil  samples collect$ ne>      
,he>t-(-,egypt %[s t to neutralize !    
acidity ( ! surface soil w require sev5 
hundr$ & eighty  p\nds ( lime/one p]    
acre1 :ile ?ree tons are requir$ = !    
fir/ tw5ty in*es1 & sixte5 tons = ! next

 tw5ty in*es4  ,! tight clay /ratum     
rea*es f ab\t tw5ty to ?irty-six  in*es4
 ,above ?is is a fl\r-l gray lay] v>y+ 9
 ?ickness  f an in* to t5 in*es1 b bel[ 
! tight clay ! subsoil  seems to be m   
por\s1 & ,i am hop+ t we may lay tile j 
bel[ ! tight clay & !n puncture t clay  
/ratum ) r$  clov] roots & ?us improve !
 physical condition ( ! soil4 ,i  ask$  
,mr4 ,secor1 a fri5d :o op]ates a coal  
m9e1--& f>ms =  recreation1--if he ?\ght
 alfalfa c\ld be rais$ on ?is type (    
soil4 ,he repli$3 ,t dep5ds on :at k9d (
 a gimlet x has on  its tap root4    ,"s
 ( ! f>m]s d[n "h tell me confid5tially 
t h>dpan  has be5 f\nd on _! neighbors' 
f>ms1 b ,i h n talk$ )  any "o :o has   
any on 8 own f>m4 ,i am v glad !        
,univ]sity  has settl$ ! matt] v mu* to 
! com=t ( u ,egyptians1  by report+ t no
 true h>dpan exi/s 9 ,ill9ois1 al?\gh   
!re are ext5sive areas und]la9 ) tight  
clay1 ( :om1 z x  71 we are :i*4    ,i  
am glad t ! nitrog5-fix+ & nitrify+     
bact]ia d  bus9ess *icfly 9 ! surface   

soil1 because we are n prep>$ to        
correct ! acidity to any v great dep?4  
,! pres5t plan is to practice a six-ye> 
rotation on six  =ty-acre fields1 z     
foll[s3    ,fir/ ye>--,corn 7& legume   
cat* crop74    ,second ye>--,"p oats or 
b>ley1 "p c[peas or soy beans4    ,?ird 
ye>--,:eat4    ,f\r? ye>--,clov]1 or    
clov] & timo?y4    ,fif? ye>--,:eat1 or 
clov] & timo?y4    ,six? ye>--,clov]1 or
 clov] & timo?y4    ,?is plan may be a  
gra9 sy/em :]e :eat is gr[n ! fif? ye>1 
only clov] se$ be+ h>ve/$ ! f\r? & six? 
ye>s1 or x  may be *ang$ to a live-/ock 
sy/em by hav+ clov] & timo?y  = pa/ure &
 mead[ ! la/ ?ree ye>s1 :i* may be be/ =
 a  "t1 p]haps1 if we f9d x too h>d to  
c>e = eighty acres (  :eat on poorly    
dra9$ l&4    ,9 some:at great] detail ! 
sy/em may be develop$ we hope ab\t  z   
foll[s3    ,fir/ ye>3 ,corn1 ) mix$     
legumes1 se$$ at ! "t ( ! la/           
cultivation1 on p]haps "o-half ( !      
field4 ,^! legumes may  include "s      
c[peas & soy beans & "s sweet clov]1 b t

  is n yet fully decid$ ^u4    ,second  
ye>3 ,oats 7"p b>ley1 p]haps7 on tw5ty  
acres1 c[peas on  t5 acres1 & soy beans 
on t5 acres4 ,! peas & beans are to be  
se$$ on ! tw5ty acres :]e ! cat* crop ( 
legumes is to be  pl[$ "u z late 9 !    
spr+ z practicable4    ,?ird ye>3 ,:eat 
) alsike on tw5ty acres & r$ clov] on ! 
o!r tw5ty1 se$$ 9 ! e>ly spr+4 ,if      
necess>y to prev5t  ! clov] or we$s f   
se$+1 ! field w be clipp$ ab\t  ! la/ ( 
,augu/4    ,f\r? ye>3 ,h>ve/ ! r$ clov] 
= hay & ! alsike = se$1  & apply        
lime/one aft] pl[+ e>ly = :eat4    ,fif?
 ye>3 ,:eat1 ) alsike & r$ clov] se$$ & 
clipp$ z  be=e4    ,six? ye>3 ,pa/ure 9 
e>ly summ]1 !n clip if necess>y to      
secure uni=mity1 & lat] h>ve/ ! r$ clov]
 = se$4 ,manure  may be appli$ to any "p
 ( ?is field f ! "t ( :eat  h>ve/ !     
previ\s ye> until ! close ( ! pa/ure    
p]iod4  ,!n x may be appli$ to ! alsike 
only until ! r$ clov] se$  crop is      
remov$1 & !n aga9 to any "p ( ! field1  
:i* may  also be us$ = fall pa/ure4 ,to 

?is field ! ?re%$ clov]  /raw & all o!r 
/raw n ne$$ = fe$ & b$d+ w be  appli$4  
,! application ( raw phosphate w be made
 to ?is  field1 & all ( ?is mat]ial pl[$
 "u = corn4    ,! second six ye>s is to 
be a repetition ( ! fir/1 except t  !   
alsike & r$ clov] w be int]*ang$1 s z to
 avoid !  developm5t ( clov] sickness if
 possible2 & to keep ! soil  uni=m we   
may int]*ange ! oats ) ! peas & beans4  
,?is sy/em provides = ! foll[+ crops ea*
 ye>3    #dj acres ( corn2    #bj acres 
( oats2    #aj acres ( c[peas = hay     
#aj acres ( soy beans = se$    #hj acres
 ( :eat    #bj acres ( r$ clov] = hay   
#bj acres ( alsike = se$    #bj acres ( 
r$ clov] = se$    #bj acres ( alsike =  
pa/ure1 except f ,june to ,augu/4    ,we
 also h "s p]man5t pa/ure :i* we may use
 at any "t  t may seem be/4 ,if necess>y
 we may cut all ! clov] = hay  ! f\r?   
ye>1 & we may pa/ure all summ] ! six?   
ye>4 ,we  c pa/ure ! corn /alks dur+ !  
fall & w9t] :5 !  gr\nd is 9 suitable   
condition4    ,we plan to raise our own 

horses & p]haps "s to sell4 ,9  addition
 we may raise a few dairy c[s = m>ket1 b
 w d  little dairy+ ourselves4    ,we   
expect to sell :eat & "s corn1 & if     
successful we %all  sell "s soy beans1  
alsike se$1 & r$ clov] se$4    ,h[ soon 
we %all be able to get ?is sy/em fully  
"u way ,i %all  n try to pr$ict2 b we   
%all "w t[>d ?is end unless we  ?9k we h
 good reason to modify ! plan4    ,i    
hope to make ! initial application (    
lime/one five tons p]  acre1 b aft] !   
fir/ six ye>s ?is w be r$uc$ to two or  
?ree tons4 ,i also plan to apply at lea/
 "o ton p] acre (  f9e-gr\nd raw        
phosphate e six ye>s until ! phosphorus 
cont5t ( ! pl[$ soil approa*es two ?\s& 
p\nds p] acre1  aft] :i* ! applications 
w probably be r$uc$ to ab\t  "o-half ton
 p] acre ea* rotation4    ,!re are ?ree 
?+s t "m & ,i are fully decid$ ^u3      
,fir/1 t we %all use gr\nd lime/one 9   
suffici5t am\nts to  make ! soil a      
suitable home = clov]4    ,second1 t we 
%all apply f9e-gr\nd rock phosphate 9   

su*  am\nts z to positively enri* our   
soil 9 t v defici5t  elem5t4    ,?ird1 t
 we %all res]ve a ?ree-rod /rip across e
  =ty-acre field z an untreat$ *eck /rip
 to :i* nei!r  lime/one nor phosphate   
%all ev] be appli$1 & t we %all  res]ve 
ano!r ?ree-rod /rip to :i* lime/one is  
appli$  )\t phosphate1 :ile ! rema9+    
?irty-sev5 acres are to  receive bo?    
lime/one & phosphate4    ,?us we %all   
always h ! satisfaction ( see+ :atev]   
cle>ly app>5t effects are produc$ by ?is
 fundam5tal treatm5t1  ev5 ?\gh we may n
 be able to bo!r ) h>ve/+ ^! *eck  /rips
 sep>ate f ! re/ ( ! field4    ,we h    
bas$ our decision reg>d+ ! use ( gr\nd  
lime/one  v l>gely ^u ! long-cont9u$ "w 
( ! ,p5nsylvania  ,agricultural         
,exp]im5t ,/ation z to ! comp>ative     
effects (  gr\nd lime/one & burn$ lime1 
:i* is support$1 to be sure1 by  all    
comp>ative te/s s f> z our ,ill9ois soil
 inve/igators h  be5 able to le>n4    ,!
 practicability & economy ( us+ !       
f9egr\nd natural  phosphate has be5 ev5 

m conclusively e/abli%$1 z y  already   
"k1 by ! concordant results ( half a    
doz5 /ate  exp]im5t /ations4 ,!re are   
only two objections to ! use ( !  raw   
phosphate4 ,"o ( ^! is ! %ort-sight$    
plan or policy (  ! av]age f>m]1 & ! o!r
 is ! comb9$ influ5ce ( ab\t  f\r-hundr$
 f]tiliz] manufactur]s :o pref] to sell1
 q  naturally1 p]haps1 two tons ( acid  
phosphate = #cj1 or f\r tons  ( s-call$ 
complete f]tiliz] = #gj to #ij1 r ?an to
  see ! f>m] buy direct f ! phosphate   
m9e "o ton (  f9e-gr\nd raw rock        
phosphate 9 :i* he receives ! same am\nt
  ( phosphorus1 at a co/ ( #g to #i4    
,until we c provide a great] abundance (
 decay+ organic matt]  we may make "s   
tempor>y use ( ka9it1 9 case ! exp]im5ts
  conduct$ by ! /ate %[ t x is pr(itable
 to d s4    ,9 a laboratory exp]im5t1   
made at college x 0 %[n t :5  raw       
phosphate 0 %ak5 ) wat] & !n filt]$1 !  
filtrate  conta9$ practically no        
dissolv$ phosphorus2 b1 if a dilute     
solution ( su* salts z exi/ 9 ka9it 0   

us$ 9 place ( pure  wat]1 !n ! filtrate 
w\ld conta9 v appreciable am\nts (      
phosphorus4    ,9 addition to ?is       
b5efit1 ! ka9it w furni% "s readily     
available potassium1 magnesium1 &       
sulfur2 &1 by pur*as+  ka9it 9 c>load   
lots1 ! potassium w co/ u less ?an x    
w\ld 9 ! =m ( ! m exp5sive potassium    
*lorid or  potassium sulfate pur*as$ 9  
ton lots4 ,( c\rse we d n ne$  ?is 9    
ord] to add to our total /ock (         
potassium1 b m  especially ,i ?9k to    
assi/ 9 lib]at+ phosphorus f ! raw      
phosphate :i* is naturally conta9$ 9 !  
soil & :i* we  %all also apply to !     
soil1 unless ! ,gov]nm5t p]mits !       
f]tiliz] tru/s to get su* complete      
control ( our great natural  phosphate  
deposits t !y make x impossible = f>m]s 
to  secure ! f9e-gr\nd rock at a        
reasonable co/1 :i* ought n1 ,i  w\ld   
say1 to be m ?an "o hundr$ p] c5t4 net  
pr(it above  ! exp5se ( m9+1 gr9d+1 &   
transportation4 ,we may feel  safe ^u ! 
matt] ( transportation rates1 = !       

railroads are  op]at$ by m5 ( l>ge en\gh
 vision to see t ! positive &  p]man5t  
ma9t5ance ( ! f]tility ( ! soil is ! key
 to  _! own cont9u$ prosp]ity1 & "s ( !m
 are already  beg9n+ to und]/& t !      
supply ( phosphorus is ! ma/]  key to ! 
:ole indu/rial /ructure ( ,am]ica2 =1 ) 
a  fail+ supply ( phosphorus1 nei!r     
agriculture nor any dep5d5t  indu/ry c  
p]man5tly prosp] 9 ?is great c\ntry4    
,if we reta9 ! /raw on ! f>m & sell only
 ! gra91 !  supply ( potassium 9 !      
surface soil ( ,poorl& ,f>m is          
suffici5t to meet ! ne$s ( a fifty bu%el
 crop ( :eat p]  acre e ye> = n9ete5    
hundr$ & tw5ty ye>s1 or long]  ?an ! "t 
t has pass$ s9ce ! ,ma/] walk$ among m5 
on  ! e>?2 :]eas1 ! total phosphorus    
cont5t ( ! same soil is  suffici5t =    
only sev5ty su* crops1 or = z long z !  
full  life ( "o man4 ,keep 9 m9d t      
,poorl& ,f>m is ne>  ,he>t-(-,egypt1 & t
 ?is is ! common soil ( our ,egyptian   
,empire1 :i* conta9s m cultivable l& ?an
 all ,new ,engl&1  has ! climate (      

,virg9ia1 & a network ( railroads       
sc>cely  equall$ 9 any o!r section ( ?is
 c\ntry1 & 9 addition x is  m ?an half  
surr\nd$ by great navigable riv]s4      
,on ,poorl& ,f>m !re are sev5 =ty-acre  
fields :i* are at  lea/ z ne>ly level z 
!y ought to be to p]mit good surface    
dra9age1 & !re is no ne$ t a s+le hill (
 corn %\ld be  omitt$ on any "o ( ^!    
sev5 fields2 & ,i am confid5t t  ) an   
adequate supply ( raw phosphate rock &  
magnesian  lime/one & a lib]al use (    
legume crops ?is l& c be made to  pay   
int]e/ on #cjj an acre4    ,:y n8 ,at   
,ro?am/$1 ,engl&1 !y h av]ag$           
?irty-eight &  f\r-t5?s bu%els ( :eat p]
 acre dur+ ! la/ tw5ty ye>s  9 an       
exp]im5t ext5d+ ov] sixty ye>s1 & !y h  
done ?is  )\t a =kful ( manure or a p\nd
 ( pur*as$ nitrog54 ,:y  n8 ,! :eat     
alone f eighty acres ( l&1 if x yield$  
=ty  bu%els p] acre & sold at #a a      
bu%el1 w\ld pay ne>ly five p]  c5t4     
int]e/ on #cjj an acre = ! entire two   
hundr$ & =ty  acres us$ 9 my sugge/$    

rotation4    ,aye1 b !re is "o o!r v    
ess5tial requirem5t3 ,to wit1 a  _w (   
"w4    ,hop+ to he> f y1 & especially   
ab\t y\r alfalfa1 ,i am1    ,v s9c]ely  
y\rs1    ,,p]cy ,,john/on4              
,,*apt] ,,xxxv    ,,seal$ ,,lips        
,no "o realiz$ m ?an ,p]cy ,john/on t   
tol]ation ( life  itself 0 possible to  
him only because ( ! _w ( "w t he  f\nd 
always at h& 9 connection ) 8 abid+ fai?
 &  int]e/ 9 ! upbuild+ ( ,poorl& ,f>m4 
,he _h accept$  ,adelaide's sweet smile 
& lack ( app>5t disapproval )  confid5ce
 t he might at lea/ h an opportunity to 
try to w9  h] love4 ,z he 0 p]mitt$ at !
 p>t+ to look = m ?an  an in/ant into ^?
 allur+ eyes1 he felt s sure t !y       
express$ some?+ m ?an fri5d%ip or       
gratitude = him4 ,he  _h felt ! m       
confid5ce because he ?\ght he knew t %e 
w\ld n p]mit him to humiliate himself by
 ask+ & fail+ to  receive f h] fa!r     
p]mission to write to h]1 :5 %e c\ld    
easily 9 h] own womanly way h disc\rag$ 
su* a ?\ght at  once4 ,_h %e n insi/$ ^u

 driv+ sl[ly back to ! turn 9  ! road1 &
 did he n feel ! abs5ce ( a previ\s     
res]ve8    ,oh1 mislead+ imag9ation4 ,! 
w is truly ! fa!r ( ?\ght  & fai?4 ,p]cy
 knew z he p>t$ f ,adelaide t he _h left
  ) h] ! love ( he>t & m9d ( "o ^: life 
_h develop$  9 him ! "* :i* does no?+ by
 halves4 ,8 love _h  multipli$ ) !      
di/ance z he j\rney$ we/w>d1 ) a great  
new pleasure :i* life seem$ to hold be=e
 him & ) a  p>donable confid5ce 9 its   
a*ievem5t4    ,he _h writt5 ,mr4 ,we/ a 
week aft] 8 return 9 a way :i* w\ld  n  
fail ( und]/&+ if 8 hopes 7 ju/ifi$4 ,! 
belat$  reply :i* rea*$ him aft]        
holidays 0 accept$ z f9al4 ,8  pride 0  
humiliat$ & ! sweete/ dream ( 8 life    
abruptly  end$4 ,he felt ! m helpless & 
! m deeply w\nd$ because  ( ,mr4 ,we/'s 
ref]5ce to 8 special s]vice 9 !         
protection he  _h once r5d]$ to         
,adelaide4 ,x cont9ually rem9d$ him t1 z
  ! highe/ type ( g5tleman1 he %\ld d   
no?+ t c\ld be  con/ru$ z an endeavor to
 take advantage ( ! consid]ation to  :i*

 t act might seem to entitle him4 ,b\nd 
& buri$ 9 !  deepe/ dungeon1 wait+ only 
= ! ann\ncem5t f 8 ( !  day ( 8         
execution4 ,?is 0 8 m5tal attitude z !  
mon?s  pass$ & he began to receive an   
occasional lett] f ,mr4 ,we/1  9 ea* (  
:i* he look$ = ! news ( ,adelaide's     
m>riage4    ,9 ,mrs4 ,john/on a feel+ ( 
hatr$ _h develop$ = ,adelaide4 ,%e  0   
c]ta9 t %e _h m>r$ ! happ9ess ( h] son4 
,!  he>tlessness ( a flirt :o c\ld      
trifle ) ! affection ( "o  :o _h a "r to
 assume 9 h] an honor equal to 8 own    
des]v$  only to be hat$ ) ev5 righte\s  
hatr$4 ,%e saw ! scrawl$  note :i* %e   
knew ,p]cy _h n se51 b :at did x        
signify8 ,an  ecc5tric old lady's p5*ant
 = mat* mak+8 ,p]haps %e 0  ev5 m guilty
 ?an ! girl 9 attempt+ to lead ,p]cy to 
see 9  ,adelaide m ?an he ought4 ,%e    
might ev5 take an old flirt's  delight 9
 ! m]e numb] ( conque/s made by h]      
gr&daught]4  ,or 0 ! scrawl$ note slipp$
 into ! envelope by a prank-  play+     
f\rte5-ye>-old bro!r8 ,9 any case 0 x   

wise t  ,p]cy %\ld see ! note8 ,%e c\ld 
probably d no?+ bett] ?an  to leave x ) 
! lett]4 ,ev5 if ! girl 7 wor?y1 ,p]cy  
c\ld nev] hope to w9 "o ( h] class1 ^:  
pride ( ance/ry is  _! bread ( life4 ,x 
might n h be5 q s1 p]haps1 if  ,p]cy _h 
only select$ "s m respect$ pr(ession4   
,:y %\ld  n he h become a college       
pr(essor8              ,,*apt] ,,xxxvi  
,,h>d ,,times            ,,:5 ,p]cy & 8 
"m rea*$ ,poorl& ,f>m 9 ,m>* !y f\nd  a 
small frame h\se ne$+ only %+les1 pa9t1 
& pap] to make  x a fairly com=table    
home1 until !y %\ld be able to add su*  
conv5i5ces z ,p]cy knew c\ld be in/all$ 
9 ! c\ntry z well  z 9 ! city4 ,f ! sale
 ( corn & "s o!r produce !y  7 able to  
add to ! residue ( #a1hdj1 :i* repres5t$
 !  diff]5ce betwe5 ! co/ ( ?ree hundr$ 
& tw5ty acres 9  ,egypt & ! sell+ price 
( =ty acres 9 ! corn belt4 ,an ev5      
#c1jjj 0 left 9 ! sav+s bank at         
,w9t]b9e4    ,if we c live1 said ,p]cy1 
j z ! o!r ',egyptians' mu/  live1 & save
 our #c1jjj = lime/one & phosphate1 ,i  

believe we  %all w9 out4 ,?r\gh ! ef=ts 
( ! ,agricultural ,college &  ! ,gov]nor
 ( ! ,/ate ! convicts 9 ! ,s\!rn        
,ill9ois  ,p5it5ti>y h be5 put to qu>ry+
 /one1 & l>ge cru%]s  & gr9d]s h be5    
in/all$1 & ! ,/ate ,bo>d ( ,prison      
,indu/ries is already beg9n+ to %ip     
gr\nd lime/one direct to  f>m]s at sixty
 c5ts a ton 9 bulk 9 box c>s4 ,! entire 
,ill9ois ,freight ,association gave an  
audi5ce to ! ,w>d5 ( !  ,p5it5ti>y &    
repres5tatives f ! ,agricultural        
,college & a  uni=m freight rate has be5
 grant$ ( "o-half c5t p] ton p]  mile4  
,?is w enable u to secure gr\nd lime/one
 deliv]$ at  ,he>t-(-,egypt = #a4bb-a_/b
 p] ton4    ,n[1 to apply five tons p]  
acre on two hundr$ & =ty acres  w       
require "o ?\s& two hundr$ tons & t w   
co/ u  #a1egj 9 ca%1 less p]haps ! #gj1 
:i* we save on roads & !  untreat$ *eck 
/rips :i* ,i want to leave4 ,to apply "o
 ton (  phosphate p] acre to ! same six 
fields w co/ ab\t #a1fjj4 ,(  c\rse1 ,i 
%all n beg9 to apply phosphate until    

aft] ,i h  appli$ ! lime/one & get "s   
clov] or manure to mix ) !  phosphate :5
 ,i pl[ x "u2 & ,i hope ) ! help ( !    
lime/one we %all get "s clov] & "s      
increase 9 ! o!r  crops4 ,9 any case !  
#c1jjj & int]e/ we w get = :at we  c    
leave 9 ! bank dur+ ! six or eight ye>s 
x w take to  get ! rotation & treatm5t  
"u way w pay = ! initial  co/ ( ! fir/  
applications ( bo? lime/one & phosphate2
 &  we %all hope t by t "t ! f>m w br+ u
 some?+  m ?an a liv+4    ,! c>load (   
effects %ipp$ f ,w9t]b9e to             
,he>t-(-,egypt  includ$ two horses1 a   
c[1 a few bre$+ hogs1 & "s *ick5s2  also
 a supply ( corn & oats suffici5t = !   
summ]'s fe$  gra94    ,aft] ! exp5ses ( 
%ipp+ 7 paid1 less ?an #cej 7  deposit$ 
9 ! bank at ! ,c\nty ,seat4 ,( ?is #bej 
7 us$ =  ! pur*ase ( ano!r team4 ,hay 0 
b\ght f a neighbor &  "s old hay t _h   
be5 disc>d$ by ! bal]s1 :o _h  pur*as$1 
bal$1 & sold ! previ\s hay crop f       
,poorl& ,f>m1  ,p]cy ga!r$ up & sav$ =  
b$d+4    ,he pl[$ =ty acres ( ! l& t _h 

n be5 cropp$ = five  ye>s1 &1 aft] "s   
s]i\s delays on acc\nt ( wet wea!r1     
plant$ ! field 9 corn1 us+ ! ,*ampion   
,:ite ,pe>l v>iety1  be cause !         
,exp]im5t ,/ation _h f\nd x to be "o ( !
 be/  v>ieties = poor l&4    ,i w\ldn't 
plant t corn if y w\ld give me ! se$1 a 
neighbor _h said to him4 ,see h[ big !  
cob is2 & ! tip is  n well fill$ out1 & 
!re is too mu* space betwe5 ! r[s4 ,i   
tell y !re's too mu* cob 9 x = me4 ,i   
want to raise corn &  n corn cob4    ,x 
c]ta9ly is n a good %[ e>1 said ,p]cy1 b
 :at ,i want  mo/ is bu%els ( %ell$ corn
 p] acre4 ,p]haps ^! big k]nels  w help 
to give ! "y plant a good />t1 & p]haps 
!  piece ( cob ext5d+ f ! tip w make    
room = m k]nels  if ! soil c be built up
 s z to furni% ! plant food to make  !m4
 ,! cob is l>ge b x is cov]$ ) gra9s all
 ! way  ar\nd2 &1 if ^? k]nels ( corn 7 
putty1 we c\ld ma% !m  d[n a little & h 
less space betwe5 ! r[s1 b x w\ld  make 
no m corn on ! e>4 ,h[ev]1 my *ief      
reason = plant+  ! ,*ampion ,:ite ,pe>l 

is t ?is v>iety has produc$ m  %ell$    
corn p] acre ?an any o!r 9 ! ,univ]sity 
exp]im5ts  on ! gray prairie soil (     
',egypt4'    ,!re 7 only sixte5 acres ( 
corn gr[n on ! entire f>m 9  #aijc & ?is
 yield$ ?irte5 bu%els p] acre1 z ,p]cy  
le>n$  f ! %>e ( ! crop receiv$ by !    
previ\s l&[n]4    ,9 #aijd ! ,*ampion   
,:ite ,pe>l yield$ tw5ty bu%els p] acre1
 z  ne>ly z c\ld be det]m9$ by weigh+ ! 
corn f a few %ocks  on a small truck    
scale ,p]cy _h br\ght f ! nor?4 ,he     
numb]$  8 six =ty-acre fields f "o to   
six4 ,=ty ,no4 #g 0 occupi$  by twelve  
acres ( apple or*>d1 eight acres (      
pa/ure1 & tw5ty  acres ( old mead[4 ,by 
gett+ eighty rods ( f5c+ x 0  possible  
to include tw5ty-eight acres 9 ! pa/ure1
 al?\gh "o  hundr$ & n9ety-two rods (   
f5c+ _h be5 requir$ to surr\nd  !       
eight-acre pa/ure4 ,! rema9d] ( ! f>m 0 
9 pat*es1  includ+ ab\t fifte5 acres on 
"o corn] cross$ by a little  valley &   
cov]$ ) trees1 a tract :i* ,p]cy & 8 "m 
treasur$ above any ( ! =ty-acre fields4 

,:ile ! week 0  always fill$ ) "w1 !re 7
 _m h\rs ( real pleasure  f\nd 9 !      
wood's pa/ure on ! ,sunday aft]noons4   
,=ty ,no4 ,i 0 left to lie out1 & ,no4  
#b rais$ only twelve  acres ( c[peas4   
,no4 #c 0 pl[$ dur+ ! summ] & se$$ to   
timo?y 9 ! e>ly fall4 ,no4 #d 0 9 corn &
 ,nos4 #e & #f 7  left 9 mead[1 two     
pat*es ( n9e & sixte5 acres previ\sly 9 
c[peas & corn hav+ be5 se$$ to timo?y 9 
ord]1 z ,p]cy  said1 to squ>e out !     
=ty-acre fields4 ,ab\t fifty acres (  l&
 7 cut ov] = ab\t sixte5 tons ( hay4 ,! 
corn 0 all  put 9 %ock1 & ! fodd] z well
 z ! gra9 us$ = fe$1 !  refuse f ! fodd]
 & poor hay s]v+ z b$d+4 ,ab\t ?ree     
tons ( c[pea hay ( excell5t quality 7   
secur$ f ! twelve  acres1 & fifty b>rels
 ( apples 7 put 9 /orage4    ,ano!r c[ &
 eight calves 7 b\ght1 & dur+ ! w9t]1   
"s butt]1 two small bun*es ( ! la/      
spr+'s pigs1 & !  apple crop 7 sold4 ,a 
few eggs _h be5 sold almo/ e week  s9ce 
! previ\s ,m>*4    ,9 #aije ,no4 #a 0   
r5t$ = corn on %>es & produc$ ab\t six  

hundr$ bu%els ( :i* ,p]cy receiv$       
"o-?ird4 ,no4 #b yield$  f\r hundr$ &   
eighty-f\r bu%els ( oats4 ,no4 #c       
produc$  f\rte5 tons ( poor hay4 ,no4 #d
 0 re/$ & prep>$ =  :eat1 gr\nd lime/one
 hav+ be5 appli$4 ,no4 #e 0 fall-pl[$  f
 old mead[ & well prep>$ & plant$ to    
corn 9 good "t2  b1 aft] ! second       
cultivation1 heavy ra9s set 9 & cont9u$ 
until ! corn 0 s]i\sly damag$ on ! flat 
areas ( ! field1  ! m s z he _h n fully 
und]/ood ! importance ( keep+  furr[s   
op5 ) outlets at ! head-l&s ?r\gh :i* ! 
excess  surface wat] c\ld pass (f       
quickly "u su* wea!r conditions4        
,pat*es ( ! field aggregat+ at lea/ five
 acres 7 s poorly  surface dra9$ t !    
corn 0 dr[n$ out1 & fifte5 acres  m 7 s 
wet z to greatly injure ! crop4 ,h[ev]1 
on !  bett] dra9$ p>ts ( ! field :]e !  
corn 0 giv5 fur!r  cultivation ! yield 0
 good & ab\t #a1jjj bu%els ( s\nd corn  
7 ga!r$ f ! =ty acres4    ,a mixture (  
timo?y1 r$top & we$s 0 cut = hay on ,no4
 #f1 !  yield be+ bett] ?an half a ton  

p] acre4    ,! apples 7 a fair crop1 & !
 total sales f t crop  am\nt$ to #gej1 b
 ab\t half ( ?is _h be5 exp5d$ =  trimm+
 & spray+ ! trees1 a spray+ outfit1     
b>rels1  pick+1 pack+1 freight & cold   
/orage4 ,a good bun* ( hogs  7 sold4    
,ano!r ye> pass$4 ,oats 7 gr[n on ,no4  
#a & on "p ( ,no4 #b1  yield+ elev5     
bu%els p] acre4    ,no4 #c yield$       
"o-?ird ( a ton ( hay p] acre4    ,:eat 
0 gr[n on ,no4 #d1 & clov]1 ! fir/ ! l& 
_h kn[n  9 _m ye>s1 if ev]1 0 se$$ 9 !  
spr+1--tw5ty acres (  r$ clov] & tw5ty (
 alsike4    ,! fifty-f\r acres ( :eat1  
includ+ f\rte5 acres on ,no4 #b1  yield$
 sev5 & "o-half bu%els p] acre4 ,soy    
beans 7 plant$  on ,no4 #e1 b wet wea!r 
s]i\sly int]f]r$ & only "p ( !  field 0 
cut = hay4 ,lime/one 0 appli$1 b heavy  
cont9u$  ra9s prev5t$ ! se$+ ( :eat4    
,no4 #f produc$ ab\t tw5ty-sev5 bu%els  
p] acre ( corn4    ,two lots ( hogs 7   
sold = ab\t #hjj1 & "s "y /e]s  increas$
 ! receipts by ne>ly #ajj4    ,mrs4     
,john/on cont9u$ to buy ! groc]ies )    

eggs & butt]2  b x 0 necess>y to buy "s 
hay1 & ! labor bill 0 heavy4    ,no4 #e 
jo9$ ! tw5ty-eight acre pa/ure & on two 
o!r sides x  jo9$ neighbors' f>ms :]e   
l9e f5ces 7 up1 & on ! o!r  side lay    
,no4 #d4    ,p]cy 0 try+ to get ready to
 pa/ure ! clov] on ,no4 #d1 & a  mile ( 
new f5c+ 0 requir$4 ,! mat]ials 7 b\ght 
& !  f5ce built1 & :5 f9i%$ x also      
complet$ ! f5c+  requir$ to enclose ,no4
 #e4 ,! tw5ty-eight acre pa/ure 0       
inadequate = sixte5 head ( cattle & ! "y
 /ock 0 kept  9 a hir$ pa/ure4 ,unless  
he c\ld produce m fe$1 ,p]cy saw  t !   
f>m w\ld soon be ov]/ock$1 = "s colts 7 
gr[+  & eight c[s 7 n[ giv+ milk4    ,8 
hope 0 9 ! clov]1 b z ! fall came on !  
r$ clov]  0 f\nd to h fail$ almo/       
completely1 & ! alsike 0  "o-half a /&4 
,z ! r$ clov] _h be5 se$$ on ! unlim$   
/rip !re 0 no way ( kn[+ :e!r ! lime/one
 _h ev5  b5efit$ ! alsike4 ,! neighbors 
_h se5 j z good clov]  )\t putt+ on any 
( t /uff4    ,!re 7 no apples1 b !      
spray+ _h co/ z mu* z ev]1 &  "s team "w

 _h be5 hir$4    ,?ree ye>s ( ! h>de/   
"w2 lime/one on two =ties1 b only  tw5ty
 acres ( poor clov] on "o & no :eat se$$
 on ! o!r4  ,! neighbors knew ! clov]   
w\ld w9t] kill4 ,! bills =  pa/ur+      
am\nt$ to z mu* z ! butt] _h br\ght2 = !
  tw5ty-eight-acre pa/ure _h be5 v poor4
 ,! fe$ = ! c[s  = w9t] consi/$ ( corn  
fodd]1 /raw & poor hay1 & n  en\gh ( t4 
,!y _h to d x--draw #aej f ! ,w9t]b9e   
res]ve1 besides  :at _h be5 us$ =       
lime/one4 ,"p ( x mu/ g = clov]  se$1 = 
clov] mu/ be se$$ be=e x c\ld be gr[n4  
,! small  b>n mu/ also be enl>g$1 b ) ! 
lea/ possible exp5se4    ,x 0 ,febru>y4 
,wet sn[1 wat]1 & almo/ bottomless mud  
cov]$  ! e>?4 ,) f\r horses on ! wagon1 
,p]cy _h work$ ne>ly  all day br++ 9 two
 jags ( poor hay f ! /ack 9 !  field4 ,x
 0 all ! little m[ w\ld hold4    ,he _h 
f9i%$ ! *ores late & came 9 ) ! milk4   
,put on "s dry clo!s & y\r new %oes1    
said 8 "m1  :ile ,i /ra9 ! milk & take  
up ! supp]4 ,!re is a lett]  on ! table4
 ,i h>dly see h[ ! mail man gets along  

?r\gh ^!  roads4 ,!y mu/ be worse ?an   
,george ,rog]s ,cl>k f\nd on 8 trip  f  
,kaskaskia to ,v9c5nes4 ,!y say 8 r\te  
pass$ across only a  few miles f !      
pres5t site ( ,he>t-(-,egypt4 ,i suppose
 !  lett] is f ,mr4 ,we/4    ,p]cy f9i%$
 wa%+ 8 h&s1 & op5$ ! lett]4 ,two c>ds  
fell to ! table z he drew ! lett] f !   
envelope4    ,he pick$ up "o ( ! c>ds1 &
 read x al\d to 8 "m3    ,mr4 & ,mrs4   
,/rongwor? ,b>/[    ,at home aft] ,m>*  
,i1 #aijg    #adbb ,college ,av5ue      
,raleigh1 ,n4 ,c4    ,) ,gr&ma's        
,complim5ts1 0 p5cil$ across ! top ( !  
c>d4 ,p]cy glanc$ at ! o!r c>d & read ! 
pla9 l9es3    ,ann\nce ! m>riage ( _!   
daught]    ,did 8 eyes blurr8 ,he laid !
 "o c>d ov] ! o!r1 scann$ ,mr4  ,we/'s  
lett] hurri$ly1 replac$ x ) ! c>ds 9 !  
envelope1  & laid ! lett] at 8 "m's     
plate4    ,p]cy replac$ 8 rubb] boots ) 
%oes1 & 8 wet1 heavy coat  ) a dry "o4  
,y rememb] ! lett] ,i _h f ! ,college8  
he ask$1 z he  took 8 seat at ! table4  
,yes1 ,i rememb]1 %e repli$1 b !        

,in/itute 0 to beg9  to-day4    ,i "k1  
said ,p]cy1 b ,ho>d & ,t]ry bo? speak   
to-morr[1--,t]ry 9 ! morn+ & ! ,gov]nor 
9 ! aft]noon1  & !y are ! m5 ! ,pr(essor
 especially want$ me to he>1 if  ,i     
c\ld4 ,i ?9k ,i'll 'phone to ,bronson's 
& ask ,roscoe to come  ov] & d ! *ores  
to-morr[ noon4 ,i c get back by n9e     
to-morr[ night4    ,b1 ,de>1 h[ 9 ! _w c
 y get to ,olney to he> ,mr4 ,t]ry      
speak to-morr[ morn+8    ,!re is a tra9 
ea/ ab\t eight o'clock1 he repli$4 ,(   
c\rse  ! roads are too awful to ?9k (   
driv+ to ! /ation1  especially s9ce !   
m>es ought n to be us$ mu*4 ,i put f\r  
on  ! wagon to-day & tri$ to be z c>eful
 z possible b x does  n seem "r to use  
!m4 ,i c manage all "r4 ,i w get up a   
little e>ly 9 ! morn+ & get ?+s 9 %ape s
 ,i c leave  "h by daylight & ,i am sure
 ,i c make ! ,b4  ,o4 /ation by  eight  
o'clock easily4 ,i w we> my rubb] boots 
& c>ry my %oes  9 a bundle4 ,i c *ange  
at ! depot & put my boots on aga9  :5 ,i
 get back !re at sev5 at night4 ,if x   

cle>s up1 ,i w  h ! moon to help com+   
home4    ,b1 ,p]cy1 y d n mean to walk  
five miles & back ?r\gh all  ?is mud &  
wat]8    ,i wi% y w\ld n worry1 ,"m4    
,!re is grass along ! sides  mo/ ( !    
way1 & ,i am us$ to ! mud & wat]4 ,i w  
spy out  ! be/ track z ,i g 9 ! morn+ & 
j foll[ my own trail  com+ back4    ,!n 
x is "t we 7 asleep1 repli$ ! "m4       
,,*apt] ,,xxxvii    ,,h>d] ,,times      
,,! ,/ate ,sup]9t5d5t ( ,f>m]s'         
,in/itutes call$ ! meet+  to ord] soon  
aft] ,p]cy ent]$ ! ,op]a ,h\se at ,olney
 ab\t t5  o'clock ! next morn+4         
,div9e bless+ w be invok$ by ,doctor ,t4
 ,e4 ,sisson1 pa/or (  ! ,fir/ ,me?odi/ 
,*ur* ( ,olney3    ,oh1 ,?\1 ^: pres5ce 
bright all space do? occupy & all       
motion guide1 all life imp>t1 we come   
?is morn+ 9 ! capacity  ( ?is ,f>m]s'   
,in/itute to ?ank !e = ,?y m]cies & =   
,?y  bless+s1 & to invoke ,?y pres5ce & 
,?y cont9u$ favor4 ,z  ,?\ ) ,?y pres5ce
 ha/ surr\nd$ all =ms ( creation & all  
/ages ( be+ ) ! provid5ces ( welf>e &   

developm5t &  grace1 s we pray1 our     
,fa!r1 = guidance ?r\gh ! sessions (    
?is in/itute1 = ! provid5ces ( ,?y love 
& ,?y wisdom  div9e z x reveals itself 9
 ! op5 field1 9 ! or*>d1 9  ! g>d51 br++
 =? ^? ?+s :i* repl5i% ! e>?  ) food &  
fill ! m\?s ( our hungry ones ) bread4  
,we ?ank ,!e = ?is l>g] k :i* has come  
to ! m9ds  ( m51 because !y h be5 le>n+ 
to /udy ,?y works & to  walk clos] to   
,!e4 ,wilt ,?\1 ,heav5ly ,fa!r1 cont9ue 
to  enlight5 ?is body ( m5 & wom5 t are 
repres5t$ 9 ?is  great field ( ! _w's   
busy hive s t ! />v+ millions  ( ! _w1  
n[ 9 our cities riot+ = bread1 & 9 ! va/
  nations :]e !y are cry+ = food1 may be
 f$4 ,we pray ,!e1  reveal su*          
improvem5t ( k to ^! :o are will+ to get
  close to ,!e to le>n ,?y secrets & "k 
,?y wisdom1 z t unto  all %all be giv5  
pl5ty1 = repl5i%+ our physical ne$s4 ,& 
help u to "k1 our ,fa!r1 z we le>n ,?y w
 & seek to d ,?y  w & live 9 ! high]    
c\rts ( k & wid] circles (  ?\ght1 s    
%all ,god reveal himself unto u4    ,our

 ,fa!r1 we ?ank ,!e = all ! developm5ts 
& great  s\rces ( utility t come ?r\gh !
 means ( ?is in/itute 9  ! developm5t ( 
! res\rces ( ?is c\ntry1 ?is great ,/ate
  & adjo9+ /ates ?r\gh ! l5g? & bread? (
 ?is favor$  nation4 ,we pray1 ,heav5ly 
,fa!r1 :ile /udy+ all ^!  repl5i%m5ts & 
seek+ to def5d !m f ! inroads ( evil1  (
 ! ru/ & ! mildew & ! worm1 we pray also
 = !  beautiful homes1 = ! s\ls ( !     
*ildr5 giv5 to our homes1  t we may /udy
 _! m5tal & spiritual be+ 9 su* a way z 
%all keep all h>m & evil & wrong f ?is  
life ( ours1 &  s to "w 9 ! field ( ,?y 
provid5ces1 reveal$ 9 h& &  m9d & he>t &
 relation%ips1 ( s*ool & *ur* & /ate &  
f>m1 & all ! activities ( ?is life's    
great "w1 z t good  %all be our         
inh]itance4    ,we pray ,!e1 ,heav5ly   
,fa!r1 to be ) ! (fic]s ( ?is  in/itute4
 ,give ,?y /r5g?1 ,?y pres5ce1 & ,?y    
disc]nm5t to  ^! :o p>ticipate 9 ! "w1 !
 memb]%ip & onlook]s1 &  ^? :o come to  
le>n4 ,we pray ,!e1 give u ! revelation 
( ,?y  wisdom to repl5i% & build up e   

human family1 & to ,!e all  praise %all 
be giv5 to-day = ?is bless+ & = ,?y     
cont9u$  favor2 & n only to-day b       
to-morr[ & ! day aft] &  ?r\gh all      
et]nity ! praise %all be ,?9e1 9 ! "n ( 
,him  :o came into ?is _w to give u !   
life ( ! k (  ,god4 ,am54    ,x may be1 
said ! ,*airman1 t a ,/ate ,f>m]s'      
,in/itute  sometimes ex]cises a little  
arbitr>y p[] 9 select+ subjects  we want
 to speak (4 ,i ?9k c\nty in/itutes     
might adopt ! same  plan to advantage1 &
 assign ! topic !y wi% discuss$4    ,!  
topic assign$ our speak] to-day is ',:at
 ,i did & h[ ,i did  x4' ,x may s\nd    
egoti/ical1 b ,i want to relieve !      
speak] (  t imputation1 because !       
subject 0 select$ by ! ,in/itute4       
,all[ me to pres5t ,mr4 ,t]ry1 :o ne$s  
no introduction to an  audi5ce (        
,am]ican f>m]s3    ,mr4 ,t]ry began to  
speak3    ,?irty-six ye>s ago la/ fall1 
he said1 my wife & ,i b\ght &  mov$ onto
 ! f>m :]e we n[ reside4 ,we w5t on !re 
9 debt  #c1gjj1 on :i* we _h to pay sev5

 p] c5t4 int]e/4 ,i _h "o  horse1 an old
 "o1 & x _h ! heaves1 a "o-horse h>ness1
 & a  "o-horse wagon1 ?ree tillage      
implem5ts1 & n9e c[s t 7  paid =2 & a   
wife & two babies1 b no money4 ,n[ t 0 !
  condition 9 :i* we />t$ on ?is f>m1   
?irty-six ye>s ago1 9  debt heavily1 &  
no money2 b t is n ! wor/ ( x4 ,if x  _h
 be5 z good soil z y h 9 "s p>ts ( ?is  
,/ate1 we  %\ld h be5 all "r4 ,h[ ab\t !
 soil8 ,= sixty ye>s  f>m]s _h be5 runn+
 x d[n until x c\ld sc>cely produce     
any?+4 ,we _h a t5ant on ! place "o ye>1
 be=e we c\ld  arrange to move on1 aft] 
we got x4 ,!y got eight bu%els ( :eat   
p] acre1 & he said to me1 ',t is a      
pretty good yield1 don't y  ?9k1 = ?is  
old f>m8' ,oh1 fri5ds1 ,i didn't ?9k    
s2--nev]  ought to h b\ght ?is          
f>m2--didn't "k any bett]1--born &      
br\ght up 9 t[n1 my fa!r a m9i/]1 & ,i  
?\ght a f>m 0 a  f>m4 ,b ,i le>n$ "s ?+s
 aft] a:ile4 ,t t5ant m[$ ov]  probably 
=ty acres ( l&4 7,we orig9ally b\ght "o 
hundr$ &  tw5ty-five47 ,he put ! hay 9 !

 b>n4 ,x measur$ twelve tons4  ,half ( t
 0 we$s4 ,mo/ ( ! hay he cut d[n 9 a    
swale4  ,!re wasn't any?+ wor? consid]+ 
on ! upl&4 ,t 0 !  condition ( ! l&4    
,h[ ab\t ! build+s8 ,! h\se _h be5 us$  
ab\t sixty ye>s1  an old /ory-&-a-half  
h\se4 ,dilapidat$1 oh1 my6 ,e "t !  ra9 
came1 we _h to take e pan up/airs & set 
x to cat* !  wat]4 ,we did n h any money
 to put on m %+les4 ,x 0 out  ( ! "q1 we
 c\ldn't d x4 ,h[ ab\t ! doory>d8 ,x 0 a
  c[ y>d4 ,!y us$ x = a milk+ y>d1 =    
ye>s & ye>s4 ,y  c imag9e h[ x look$4 ,!
 b>n 0 9 su* condition t  cattle 7 j z  
well (f outdoors z 94 ,! ro( leak$      
t]ribly4 ,! t5ants _h burn$ up ! doors &
 any bo>ds !y  c\ld take (f easily4 ,!y 
7 too lazy to take (f any t came  (f    
h>d4 ,!y burn$ all ! f5ces 9 rea*4      
,n[ fri5ds1 t 0 ! f>m we mov$ onto & !  
condition x  0 94 ,"s ( y w "k we saw "s
 pretty h>d times = a  :ile4 ,"t & aga9 
,i 0 oblig$ to take my team1 aft] we got
  two horses 7! second ,i borr[$ ( a    
relative1 x 0 ! only way  ,i c\ld get   

"o71 & g to t[n to d "s little job haul+
 to  get "s money to get some?+ to eat4 
,t is ! way we />t$  f>m+4 ,i rememb]1  
aft] ?ree or f\r ye>s1 meet+ ,dr4 ,w4   
,i4  ,*amb]la94 ,"s ( y "k him4 ,he     
said3 ',t]ry1 if y %\ld  get a new hat1 
!re w\ldn't anybody "k y4 ,y\r clo!s we>
  l ! *ildr5 ( ,israel's4' ,!y _h to    
we>4 ,no "o knew h[  h>d up we 74 ,x 0 n
 be/ to let !m "k4 ,t money 0  borr[$ ( 
a fri5d 9 ,detroit1 secur$ on a life    
insurance policy4  ,we did n let anybody
 "k h[ h>d up we really 74 ,my wife rode
  to t[n 7to *ur* :5 %e w5t71 9 ! same  
wagon we haul$ out  manure 91 = a "t4   
,"t & aga9 %e _h be5 to t[n :5 %e  said 
%e c\ld n d )\t some?+ any long] & came 
back  )\t x4 ,cr$it 0 good4 ,we c\ld h  
b\ght x4 ,we didn't d>e  to4    ,n[1    
fri5ds1 a doz5 ye>s f ! "t we />t$ on t 
f>m1  "u ^! circum/ances1 we 7 gett+ f  
"o hundr$ &  fifty to two hundr$ & fifty
 bu%els ( m]*antable potatoes p]  acre  
"r along--n a s+le ye>1 b on !          
av]age--v>y+1 (  c\rse1 some:at ) !     

season4 ,we 7 gett+ f f\r to five  tons 
( clov] hay 9 a season1 f two cutt+s1 ( 
c\rse1 p]  acre4 ,we 7 gett+ f          
?irty-?ree to ?irty-eight bu%els (  :eat
 p] acre1 n "o ye>1 b = five ye>s we    
av]ag$  ?irty-five bu%els p] acre1 & "r 
on t same f>m4 ,no  f]tility _h be5     
br\ght on to x1 practically1 f !        
outside4  ,a man )\t any money1 9 debt =
 ! l& #c1gjj1 0 able to d  ?is4 ,n[1 h[ 
did he d x8 ,t is ! "q ,i h be5 ask$  to
 talk ^u4 ,i h told y briefly some?+ l  
:at we h  accompli%$4 ,i might say1     
fur!r1 ! old h\se ,i told y t we  liv$ 9
 = f\rte5 ye>s :ile we 7 build+ up !    
f]tility  ( ?is soil1 we sold = #aj1    
aft] we got ?r\gh ) x4 ,x is  n[ a horse
 b>n on ! f>m ( our next neighbor & has 
be5  cov]$ ov]4    ,elev5 ye>s f ! "t we
 />t$ we paid ! la/ #ejj ( our  debt1   
all dug out ( t f>m1 n #be f any o!r    
s\rce4  ,?irte5 ye>s f ! "t we />t$1 we 
c>ri$ (f ! fir/  prize ( #ej (f]$ by !  
,/ate ,bo>d ( ,agriculture ( ,ohio1 =  !
 be/ detail$ report ( ! be/ & mo/       

pr(itably manag$  small f>m 9 !         
/ate1--only ?irte5 ye>s f ! "t we  />t$ 
on t rund[n l&1 & no f]tility br\ght f !
  outside2 )\t any money2 & mean:ile we 
_h to live4    ,n[ ,i _h arrang$ ) !    
t5ant ! fir/ ye>1 be=e we w5t  on !re1  
to se$ d[n a c]ta9 field4 ,x _h be5 "u !
 pl[  = "s "t4 ,i want$ x se$$ s ,i c\ld
 h "s l& to m[  & he se$$ half ( x4 ,x 0
 only a little lot1 ab\t five  acres4   
,he se$$ half ) timo?y & left ! o!r     
half4 ,t 0  8 way ( do+ ?+s1 anyway4 ,:5
 we mov$ onto ! f>m lat] ,i  naturally  
want$ to f9i% t se$+ & get t field 9 "s 
sort ( %ape = m[+4 ,i w5t to my next    
neighbor1 :o lives  !re yet1 & ask$ him 
:at ,i _h bett] use4 ,i didn't "k       
any?+1 practitically1 ab\t f>m+1 & he   
advis$ me to try  "s clov] se$4 ,he     
said3 ',s f> z ,i "k1 none 0 ev] s[n on 
t f>m4 ,!y h s[$ timo?y ev]la/+ly1      
ev]ybody1 because  x is *eap4 ,i knew   
timo?y w\ldn't gr[ !re to am\nt to      
any?+ ,if ,i 7 9 y\r place ,i w\ld try  
"s clov]4'    ,i got ! l& prep>$ & s[$ t

 clov] alone1 s z to give  x a *ance4 ,i
 did h s5se en\gh to m[ (f ! we$s :5 !y 
got six or eight or t5 in*es high       
p]haps1 s t ! clov]  c\ld h a little    
bett] *ance to gr[4 ,x happ5$ to be a v 
wet season4 ,i rememb] t di/9ctly4 ,?is 
0 a lot ne> to !  b>n4 ,i suppose :at   
little manure !y _h haul$ out _h be5    
mo/ly put on ?is l&4 ,) ^! favor+       
conditions ! result  0 fairly good4 ,(  
c\rse n half :at we got lat]1 b we got  
q a little clov] & :5 ,i came to m[ x1 &
 to m[ t  timo?y at ! o!r end1 ,i c\ld  
see ,i c\ld draw ! rake two or  ?ree    
times z f> 9 ! timo?y z 9 ! clov]4 ,!re 
0 m  clov] on an acre4 ,a load ( timo?y 
w\ld g 9 & a load (  clov]4 ,:5 ,i f$ x 
to ! c[s 9 w9t] ,i notic$ :5 fe$+  clov]
 = a numb] ( days !y gave m milk4 ,i    
didn't "k :y4  ,i don't "k z anybody    
knew :y !n4 ,!re wasn't an exp]im5t     
/ation 9 ! l&4 ,we 7 foll[+ our own     
notions4 ,b ! c[s  gave m milk2 ,i c\ld 
see t pla9ly4    ,a little lat] ,i _h an
 exp]im5t =c$ on me by accid5t4 ,i tell 

y j h[ x came ab\t4 ,x result$ 9 putt+ a
 good _m  ?\s&s 9 our pockets & ,i hope 
millions 9 ! pockets ( !  f>m]s (       
,am]ica4 ,lat] ,i want$ to plant corn on
 ?is field1 &1  z ,i want$ to gr[ j z   
good corn z ,i c\ld1 ,i got out :at     
manure we sav$ & put x on ! l& prep>+ = 
pl[+4 ,i knew  !re w\ldn't be m ?an half
 en\gh to g ov] ! field4 ,i said  to    
myself1 if !re 0 any good corn1 ,i w\ld 
l x next to !  road :]e p w\ld see x4   
,w\ldn't any ( y d x8 ,i didn't  h a    
doll> to hire any help4 ,i paid "o doll>
 t ye> =  help1 & x 0 awful h>d to get t
 doll>4 ,i began spread+  t manure next 
to ! road4 ,! back half ( ! field 0     
ne>ly  out ( sight4 ,:5 ,i got half way 
back !re wasn't any manure left  & !    
back half didn't get any4 ,n[ x s happ5$
 t !  timo?y 0 on ! front end ( ! field1
 & x got ! manure4  ,! clov] on ! back  
half didn't get any4 ,x came ab\t 9 !   
simple way ,i told y (4 ,naturally ,i   
didn't expect mu* corn :]e  ,i hadn't   
put any manure1 b :at 0 my surprise to  

f9d x 0  j ab\t z good on t clov] end ( 
! field )\t any  dress+ z on ! timo?y   
end ) :at ,i _h be5 able to put on4  ,x 
is only "r ,i %\ld say !re wasn't mu* ( 
! manure ,x 0  poor 9 quality because we
 c\ldn't get gra9 = ! c[s :5 we  c\ldn't
 get en\gh = ourselves to eat4 ,!re     
wasn't mu* manure  & x 0 pretty poor1 b 
su* z x 0 t 0 ! result4 ,m  hay to !    
acre1 bett] hay1 increas$ f]tility1 "s  
way1 by  gr[+ ?is clov]6    ,n[ let u g 
back a little4 ,i ?9k x 0 ! second spr+ 
aft]  we mov$ onto ! place t ,i happ5$  
to be cross+ ! f>m (  my next neighbor1 
,mr4 ,holcombe1 n[ dead4 ,i f\nd him    
pl[+4 ,he  _h be5 ar\nd a piece ( l&1 ,i
 %\ld judge five acres1 half a  doz5    
times4 ,he 0 sitt+ on ! pl[1 tir$       
out1--too old to "w  anyway4 ,he said1  
',i wi% y w\ld take ?is l& & put 9 "s   
crop on ! %>es2 ,i want to get rid ( !  
"w2 ,i c't d x1  & w\ld l to let y h x 9
 "s way4 ,all ,i want is t x  %\ld be   
left s ,i c se$ x d[n 9 ! fall aga94'   
,x 0 an old piece ( sod he _h m[$ 9 !   

old ea/]n way  until x w\ldn't gr[ any?+
 any long]4 ,i don't suppose he got a   
qu>t] ( a ton ( hay to ! acre4 ,he want$
 x pl[$ s he c\ld  re-se$ x4 ,i didn't  
"k ! value ( ! l&1 b1 fooli%ly  p]haps1 
z mo/ p ?\ght1 (f]$ him five doll>s an  
acre  = ! use ( x4 ,i hadn't en\gh to d 
at home4 ,i didn't h my  l& 9 %ape s ,i 
c\ld d mu*4 ,we 7 work+ along z fa/ z   
we c\ld4 ,i ?\ght ,i c\ld d well if ,i  
_h ?is job1 & c\ld  p]haps make some?+  
(f x4 ,he agre$ to x4    ,i w5t home &  
got my team & pl[1 & f9i%$ ! pl[+4 ,i   
rememb] mak+ ^? furr[s n>r[ & turn+ !   
gr\nd well1 a  little deep] ?an x _h be5
 pl[$ be=e4 ,i didn't realize :at  ,i 0 
do+1 !n4 ,i simply _h be5 br\ght up to d
 my "w well4  ,i ?\ght ,i 0 do+ a good  
job1 t 0 all4 ,:5 ,i 0 ?r\gh  pl[+ ,i   
got my old h>r[1 a spike-too?1 & h>r[$ !
 gr\nd4  ,i _h a roll]4 ,!y 7           
manufactur$ 9 our t[n4 ,! firm bur/$  & 
,i _h a *ance to buy "o v *eap4 ,i _h a 
roll]1 h>r[1  & pl[4 ,t 0 all ! tillage 
implem5ts4 ,! h>r[ _h mov$  ! lumps     

ar\nd a little4 ,i ran ! roll] ov] !    
lumps2 !n  h>r[$1 roll$1 & h>r[$4 ,:5 ! 
h>r[ w\ld n take hold1  ,i put a plank  
across & rode on x4 ,i work$ t l&       
alt]nately  until ,i _h ! surface z f9e 
& nice z ,i c\ld make x1 two or  ?ree   
in*es deep4 ,! h>r[ w\ld n take hold any
 long] & ,i  _h to quit4 ,by & by a ra9 
came4 ,i didn't "k any?+ ab\t h[  to    
till l&1--?is spr+ fall[ bus9ess--b ,i  
happ5$ to hit x  "r4 ,aft] x ra9$1 ,i   
said t h>r[ w take hold bett]  n[4 ,i   
load$ ! h>r[ & got on x1 & tore t gr\nd 
up  ?ree or f\r in*es deep4    ,! h>r[  
tee? 7 %>p4 ,i h>r[$ & roll$ x & my     
neighbor said1 ',t]ry1 y are ru9+ t l&1 
x w nev] gr[  any?+ any m1 x w all bl[  
away4' ,i rem9d$ him ( 8  b>ga92 ,i %\ld
 raise :at ,i pleas$ & take ! crop home4
 ,e  little :ile1 ,i c't rememb] h[ (t51
 ,i w\ld g ov] & h>r[  & roll t l&4 ,i  
probably pl[$ x ! fir/ week 9 ,april4   
,= two mon?s t 0 a sort ( sav+s bank =  
my "w4 ,i w\ld  run ov] & "w t l&1      
occasionally1 until1 ab\t ! fir/  week 9

 ,june1 ,i _h x prep>$ j z mell[ & f9e &
 nice z  x 0 possible to make x4 ,x 0   
nice en\gh = fl[] se$s4    ,i build$    
bett] !n ?an ,i knew4 ,i _h no idea :at 
! result  0 go+ to be4 ,:5 x 0 all      
ready1 ,i s[$ ,hung>ian grass  se$4 ,i  
wi% y c\ld h se5 ! crop4 ,x grew f\r & a
 half  or five feet high1 z ?ick z x    
c\ld /& on ! l&4 ,i believe  if ,i _h   
?r[n my /raw hat1 x w\ld h /aid on !    
top4 ,x 0  enorm\s = t l&4 ,i _h f\r big
 loads to ! acre4 ,y "k  :at y c put on 
a load ( ,hung>ian4 ,:5 ,i w5t by !     
own]'s  h\se ) ^? loads & took !m to our
 b>n1 he 0 out !re  & he look$ awfully  
s\r4 ,t man1 to my k1 _h nev]  gr[n half
 z mu* to ! acre s9ce ,i _h kn[n ( 8 be+
 on !  l&1 probably nev] m ?an "o-?ird z
 mu*4 ,old run-out  timo?y sod2 no      
manure1 no f]tiliz]1 no?+ b ! "w1--?is  
spr+ fall[+4 ,i enjoy$ ! matt] m1       
because he _h told  "s ( ! neighbors he 
_h got ! />t ( t t[n fell[2 ,i  w\ld    
nev] see five doll>s an acre back1 out (
 ! l&4 ,t 0  8 op9ion ( :at ,i c\ld     

raise4    ,hay 0 hay t fall1 aft] a dry 
season4 ,we live 9 a dairy  section4 ,! 
c[s 7 !re & _h to be f$4 ,i got #ah a   
ton =  t hay 9 our b>n1 some?+ l #gj p] 
acre4 ,i ?9k ! laugh  0 on ! o!r side4  
,t 0 my fir/ awak5+1 along ?is l9e  (   
tillage4 ,didn't "k h[ x came ab\t1     
didn't "k any?+  ab\t ! f]tility lock$  
up 9 ! soil1 j ! pla9 facts4 ,i  did s &
 s1 & got su* & su* results4 ,! next ye>
 ,*>lie  ,h>l[1 /ill liv+ !re1 said1 ',i
 wi% y w\ld put 9 "s  ,hung>ian = me ?is
 spr+4' ,i said1 ',:at "p ( ! crop8--,i 
%\ld want two-?irds4' ,he said he _h an 
(f] = half4 ,i said1  ',!n let him h x4'
 ,he repli$1 ',"o-?ird ( :at y w  raise 
is m ?an half ( :at he w raise4' ,he saw
 :at ,i did on  8 bro!r-9-law's f>m4    
,! foll[+ ye> ,i _h a piece ( l& ready  
to gr[ corn1 ,i _h  cle>$ out ! /umps & 
done ! be/ ,i c\ld to get x 9 %ape4  ,i 
pl[$ x j z soon z ! gr\nd 0 dry en\gh1  
ab\t !  fir/ ( ,april1 t is4 ,i work$ x 
e little :ile j z  ne>ly z ,i c\ld z !  
,hung>ian l& _h be5 work$1 ,i h>r[$  &  

roll$1 let x re/ a :ile1 !n h>r[$ &     
roll$4 ,i kept x  up until my next door 
neighbor1 ,mr4 ,croy1 _h plant$ 8 corn1 
&  x 0 f\r in*es high & gr[+ pretty     
well4 ,ours wasn't  plant$4 ,a neighbor 
came & said1 ',i am sorry = y1 ,t]ry1 y 
don't "k :at y are ab\t4 ,y are fool+   
away y\r "t4 ,y\r  corn ought to h be5 9
 be=e ?is4' ,i 0 h>r[+ &  roll+4 ,i 0   
det]m9$ to see :e!r ,i c\ld d x ov]     
aga94  ,"s ( ! neighbors said x c\ldn't 
be done aga94    ,! f\r? or fif? (      
,june--too late1 ord9>ily1 to plant corn
  ) u--,i put 9 ! crop4 ,i wi% y c\ld h 
se5 x gr[6 ,x  came up & grew f ! ^w    
',g4' ,9 f\r weeks x 0 ahead (  any corn
 ab\t4 ,x w5t ahead ( my neighbor's corn
 t 0 ?ree  or f\r in*es high :5 ours 0  
plant$4 ,we _h a crop t1 !  f>m 9 !     
condition t x 01 0 consid]$ z some?+    
rem>kable4 ,!y c\ldn't acc\nt = x1 nei!r
 c\ld ,i4 ,all ,i  knew 0 ,i _h be5     
work+ ! gr\nd s & s & gett+ su*  & su*  
results4    ,let u g back once m4 ,!    
fir/ ye> t ,i mov$ onto t  f>m1 ! fir/  

fall1 we _h n9e c[s1 & ,i want$ to save 
all (  ! manure4 ,n[1 !re wasn't an     
exp]im5tal /ation 9 ! l&4 ,i  didn't "k 
any?+ ab\t ! potassium or nitrog5 9 !   
liquid  manure1 b ,i _h se5 :]e x dropp$
 on ! l& & h[ !  grass grew4 ,i ?\ght x 
0 plant food1 & our l& 0 hungry4 ,i     
said1 ,i mu/ try & save ?is manure1 & n 
h x wa/$4 ,i  hadn't a doll>4 ,:at did  
,i d8 ,!re 0 an old /able !re t  w\ld   
hold t5 c[s4 ,x 0 9 t]rible %ape4 ,x _h 
a plank floor  t 0 all brok54 ,i tore x 
out4 ,i haul$ "s blue clay4 ,i  fill$ ! 
/able f\r or five in*es deep ) ! blue   
clay1 wet  x1 p\nd$ x d[n1 %ap$ x (f &  
got x level1 fix$ x up  ar\nd ! sides1  
sauc] %ape1 s x w\ld hold wat]4 ,!n ,i  
laid  d[n "s old bo>ds 7,i c\ldn't buy  
new ones71 & put 9 a lot (  /raw !re &  
put my c[s 94 ,i sav$ all t manure !    
fir/  ye>1 all t liquid4 ,i _h twice z  
mu*1 probably m1 f !  same numb] ( c[s z
 _h be5 sav$ on t f>m be=e1 & x  0 mu* m
 valuable4 ,t 0 ! beg9n+ ! fir/ w9t]1   
:5 ,i hadn't any?+4    ,= ! horse /able 

,i w5t to t[n & f\nd "s old billbo>ds4  
,x 0 new lumb]1 b _h be5 us$ =          
billbo>ds4 ,aft] !  circus ! own] (f]$  
to sell ! bo>ds *eap1 & to tru/ me4  ,he
 0 a c>p5t]1 & he jo9t$ !m4 ,we put !m  
crosswise on  ! old plank floor1 & :5 !y
 got wet !y swell$ & became  practically
 wat] tight4 ,i ev5 crawl$ "u & saw t   
!re 0  no liquid manure dropp+ d[n !re4 
,i drew sawdu/ & us$ =  b$d+4 ,i sav$ ! 
liquid ( ! horse /able4 ,i didn't "k x  
0 wor? ?ree times z mu*1 p\nd = p\nd1 z 
! solid4 ,i  didn't "k x 0 wor? two     
times z mu* 9 ! c[ /able1 p\nd  = p\nd1 
z ! solid4 ,i f\nd x out by exp]i5ce4   
,n[1 :5 ,i 0 9 t[n1 be=e go+ on ?is f>m1
 ,i work$ = ,s4  ,/raight  ,son1 ! !n   
great *eese & butt] k+s ( !  ,we/]n     
,res]ve4 ,i 0 gett+ ov] a ?\s& doll>s a 
ye> 9  _! (fice4 ,!y didn't want me to  
leave at all1 b my wife & ,i  took a    
notion to be indep5d5t1 to "w =         
ourselves1 & we  b\ght ?is old f>m4 ,we 
_h a *ance to "w = ourselves1 all  "r4  
,! fir/ ye> we work$ f e>ly 9 ! morn+   

until n9e  or t5 o'clock at night1 & !n 
we tumbl$ into b$1 too tir$ to  ?9k1 to 
get up & d x ov] aga94 ,i work$ 9 !     
field1 tak+  out /umps & do+ some?+1 z  
long z ,i c\ld see1 & !n  help$ my wife 
to milk4 ,we w\ld get our supp] along   
ab\t n9e or  t5 o'clock4 ,at ! end ( !  
ye> we _h n "o s+le doll>1  aft] pay+   
our int]e/ & taxes1--n "o doll> to %[ = 
our  "w4 ,d y wond] we 7 pretty         
disc\rag$8    ,i met ,mr4 ,/raight "o   
day4 ,he said3 ',t]ry1 ?+s are n go+  v 
well 9 ! (fice s9ce y left4 ,i wi% y    
w\ld come back4  ,y are n do+ mu* ov] on
 t f>m t ,i c see4 ,y are  hav+ a h>d   
"t4 ,i w gladly give y #a1bjj a ye> if y
 w  come back into our (fice4' ,x 0 a   
great temptation4 ,?9k :at x  meant4 ,to
 move back to t[n & h #ajj a mon?4 ,b ,i
 said1 ',no1  ,mr4 ,/raight2 ,i c't d   
x4' ,i don't des]ve any cr$it = x1      
fri5ds3 b ,i wasn't built t way4 ,i c't 
back out4 ,:5 ,i  und]take any?+ ,i h   
got to g ?r\gh4 ,i w\ld h be5  will+    
en\gh to leave t f>m1 if ,i _h made a   

success ( x1  aft] ,i made a success (  
x1 z ,i ?\ght !n2 b ,i wasn't  will+ to 
give up1 :ipp$--to ackn[l$ge t ,i _h    
und]tak5  t job & _h to back out & g    
back to t[n to make a liv+4    ,"s      
little incid5t sometimes w *ange ! :ole 
"* ( a  man's life4 ,i rememb]1 :5 we 7 
9 v h>d conditions1 we  7 sitt+ "u an   
apple tree 9 our door y>d "o ev5+4 ,x is
  !re yet4 ,two m5 f t[n w5t by4 ,"o (  
!m said to ! o!r1  ',:at is ,t]ry go+ to
 d8' ,! o!r said1 ',if ,t]ry /icks to x 
he w make some?+ out ( t old f>m4' ,j z 
quick z a  fla%1 fri5ds1 ,i said1 ',t]ry
 w /ick to x4'    ,y see :at condition  
we 7 94 ,i began to put all ^! matt]s   
toge!r4 ,i _h be5 taught h[ to4 ,9      
college ,i _h be5 tra9$ to  /udy & ?9k1 
( c\rse1--n to "w ) my h&s4 ,:5 ,i got  
onto ! "w at fir/ ,i work$ myself almo/ 
to dea? ) my  h&s1 & _h no "t to ?9k or 
/udy2 b gradually old me?ods  came ar\nd
 aga9 & ,i began to ?9k & /udy4 ,i said3
 ',"h1  m hay to ! acre1 bett] hay1     
increas$ f]tility by gr[+  t clov]1     

increas$ f]tility by work+ t soil s     
mu*4' ,i  didn't "k :y1 b !re 0 ! fact4 
',n[1 isn't x possible to  put ^! matt]s
 toge!r & s "w !m out z to build up !   
f]tility ( ?is f>m & make x blossom l ! 
rose8'    ,i began to "w x out4 ,:at 0 !
 fir/ /ep8 ,i sold eight or  n9e c[s to 
get a little money to />t1 ?us cutt+ (f 
practically our :ole s\rce ( income4    
,!re 0 no o!r way ,i  c\ld get any      
money4 ,we _h to d "s dra9+4 ,a "p ( !  
l&  we c\ld n d any?+ ) until x 0       
tile-dra9$4 ,x took  money to buy tile4 
,i _h to h a little help ab\t ! digg+1  
al?\gh ,i l to boa/ t ,i laid e tile on 
my f>m ) my  own h&s4 ,i buri$ e "o & "k
 x w /ay !re4 ,!y 7  all s\nd & h>d &   
good4 ,9 all ^! ye>s n "o has ev]       
fail$1 n "o dra9 or tile4 ,i work$ day  
aft] day1 9 ! ra91  wet to ! sk91       
because x _h to be done4 ,x 0 !         
f\ndation (  our success4    ,z ,i 0    
com+ "h ye/]day1 & pass$ s mu* ( y\r    
flat  l&1 9 ne$ ( dra9age1 ,i ?\ght1    
dra9age is ! f\ndation (  success = lots

 ( ^! p1 d[n "h 9 s\!rn ,ill9ois4  ,y   
c't d mu* until y h ! wat] out ( ! l&4  
,!n y  h a *ance to d some?+ ) tillage &
 manure-sav+ &  clov]4 ,b y ?r[ away y\r
 ef=ts :5 y try to d ?is "w  on l& t is 
9 ne$ ( dra9age4    ,z fa/ z possible we
 fix$ up ?is l&4 ,( c\rse1 x took  ye>s4
 ,we hadn't money1 & !re 7 _m ?+s t _h  
to be  done1--*ang+ fields1 gett+ out   
/umps1 do+ dra9age1--x all  took "t4 ,i 
_h my plans made & 0 work+ z fa/ z ,i   
c\ld4    ,two ?+s ,i did1 to keep life 9
 our bodies until we got ready to  make 
"s money4 ,"o 0 to cut (f e bit ( timb] 
on ! f>m4  ,our neighbors laugh$ at u & 
prophesi$ ra9 & all t4 ,!re  7 two ?+s 9
 my m9d4 ,we _h to h money to live on1 &
 ,i  manag$ to get q a little ( x 9 t   
way4 ,9 ! next place  we didn't h mu* ( 
a f>m1 & ,i want$ ! l& = tillage4 ,we  c
 buy wood ( ! neighbors to-day1 *eap]   
?an we sold ours1 s  we nev] lo/ any?+4 
,ano!r way we got "s money1 z we w5t    
along1 t help$ u1  0 rais+ =age crops4  
,i did n attempt to put 9 crops t       

requir$ mu* h& labor4 ,i rais$          
,hung>ian1 & ev]y?+ ,i c\ld  to be f$ to
 c[s4 ,9 our dairy+ section1 ) fe$ (t5  
sc>ce  9 ! fall1 f>m]s (t5 _h m /ock ?an
 !y c\ld w9t]4 ,we  c\ld pick up c[s    
*eaply on cr$it & hold !m4 ,i c\ld w9t] 
!m = p1 & ! manure we us$ z a top       
dress+1 to make  ! clov] gr[4 ,/>t+ ) a 
little piece ( l&1 we spread out  m & m1
 & got m & m enri*$1 & m & m  gr[+      
clov]1 & by & by we got all ! cultivat$ 
l& gr[+  x4 ,!n we 7 ready = bus9ess4   
,i am afraid to tell y ,ill9ois f>m]s1 )
 y\r great big  f>ms1 h[ l>ge our f>m 04
 ,we b\ght "o hundr$ & tw5ty-five       
acres4 ,we sold (f all b fifty-five4 ,t 
didn't help u1 = !  man :o b\ght x 0 s  
poor he didn't pay u = ov] ?irty  ye>s4 
,!n ! l& w5t up 9 price & he 0 able to  
sell x =  a good price & we got our     
money4 ,fifty-five acres 7 select$1  !  
be/ we c\ld = our purpose4 ,tw5ty acres 
7 s situat$ z  to h no value4           
,?irty-five acres 7 fairly good1        
tillable l&1  ! be/ we c\ld pick out4 ,i

 began a sy/em ( rotation1 aft] we  got 
! l& ready = x1 ( clov]1 potatoes1 &    
:eat4 ,my idea  0 to h ! clov] ga!r     
f]tility to gr[ potatoes & :eat4  ,i 0  
go+ to make use ( ! tillage to help out 
all ,i c\ld1 &  sold ! potatoes & :eat1 
& !n _h clov] aga91 & s on  ar\nd !     
circle4 ,ev]ybody said1 ( c\rse ,i w\ld 
fail4 ,i didn't  "k b ,i w\ld4 ,x 0 !   
only *ance & ,i _h to take x4    ,(     
c\rse x took q a :ile to get ?is ?+ go+4
 ,! fir/  ?ree or f\r ye>s didn't am\nt 
to mu*4 ,aft] six or eight ye>s  we 7   
surpris$ at ! result4 ,we 7 gett+ m ?an 
we hop$  =4 ,9 a doz5 ye>s ! :ole c\ntry
 0 surpris$4 ,i rememb]  :5 a report] 0 
s5t f ,albany1 ,new ,york1 to see :at we
 7  do+1 & report$ 9 ! ,c\ntry ,g5tlem54
 ,we _h visitors by  ! score f v>i\s    
/ates1 x made su* a /ir4 ,!y c\ldn't    
believe x 0 possible = a man to take l& 
z poor z t1 &  make x produce s well4   
,we _h "s !y c\ld see t _h n  be5 t\*$4 
,z ,i told y1 9 elev5 ye>s we 7 out (   
debt4  ,aft] ab\t t5 or elev5 ye>s we 7 

lay+ up a ?\s& doll>s  a ye>1 above all 
liv+ & runn+ exp5ses1 f ?is l&1  rais+  
potatoes & :eat4 ,x doesn't seem        
possible to y1 l>ge  f>m]s1 b y c't get 
ar\nd ! facts4 ,9 #ahhc we laid up      
#a1gjj f ! l&4 ,b ?is 0 a little extra4 
,we want$ to build a new h\se4 ,we _h   
liv$ 9 ! old %ell long  en\gh4 ,we _h ! 
money to pay ca% d[n = ! new h\se & to  
pay = ! furniture t w5t into x4 ,we paid
 #c1ejj ca% d[n1  t fall1 = ! h\se &    
furniture1 & e doll> tak5 out  ( ! l&4  
,only two or ?ree ye>s be=e t we paid ! 
la/ (  our debt4 ,i _h n done any talk+ 
or writ+ to speak (1 at t  "t4 ,i did n 
beg9 until #ahhb ,i nev] w5t to an      
in/itute1 &  nev] wrote an article = a  
pap]1 except :5 call$ ^u to d  x4 ,i    
nev] s\ght su* a job & pref] to /ay at  
home on my f>m4  ,x 0 only because ,i 0 
call$ to d ?is "w t ,i got into x4  ,=  
tw5ty-"o ye>s ,i 0 nev] at home "o week 
dur+ ! w9t]  season4 ,f>m]s call$ = me &
 ,i didn't feel t ,i c\ld refuse  to g4 
,n[1 h[ did we d x8 ,i told "s ( ! ?+s4 

,let u g d[n to  ! sci5ce ( ! matt]     
little1 n[4 ,i didn't "k any?+ ab\t  !  
sci5ce at ! "t4 ,t came lat]4 ,practice 
came fir/4 ,we  "k n[--( c\rse1 y all   
"k--t clov] has ! ability1  ?r\gh !     
little nodules t gr[ on ! roots1 to take
 ! free  nitrog5 out ( ! air to gr[     
itself4 ,y "k ab\t f\r-fif?s  ( ! air y 
are brea?+ is nitrog5 9 ! =m ( gas1 &   
clov] has ! ability to fe$ on t & make  
use ( x4 ,! o!r  plants h n4 ,i might   
illu/rate x 9 ?is way3 ,y c't eat       
grass2 at lea/1 y w\ldn't d v well on x4
 ,b ! /e] eats  grass & y eat ! /e]1 s y
 get ! grass1 don't y8 ,y\r  corn1 :eat1
 oats1 timo?y1 potatoes1 s f> z we "k1  
c't t\*  free nitrog5 9 ! air1 b clov] c
 & !n fe$ x to ^?  o!r crops4    ,let u 
look into h[ we got ! phosphorus4 ,on l&
 t w\ld n  gr[ ov] six to eight bu%els (
 :eat p] acre we h succe$$  once 9 gr[+ 
=ty-sev5 & ?ree-f\r?s bu%els to ! acre1 
on all ! l& s[$1 ( :eat t sold away     
above ! m>ket  price & weigh$ sixty-f\r 
p\nds to ! measur$ bu%el1 &  nev] put on

 a p\nd ( phosphorus4 ,we got x f t     
tillage we  told y ab\t4 ,our l& 9      
nor!a/]n ,ohio is n v good  naturally4  
,x is no?+ l :at y h 9 ?is /ate4 ,mo/ ( 
y "k t is ! poore/ l& we h 9 ! /ate 9   
g5]al1  b we h a fair %>e ( clay & s& 9 
ours4 ,t has help$  u wond]fully4 ,we h 
clay en\gh s t ) our tillage we c  make 
s f> all ! plant food available we want4
    ,n[1 a little m ab\t ! tillage4 ,i  
told y h[ we work$ !  surface ( t gr\nd 
& made x f9e & nice4 ,aft] five or six  
ye>s1 p]haps1 ( ?is k9d ( "w1 ,i got to 
?9k+ if ,i _h  "s tool t w\ld /ir t     
gr\nd to ! bottom ( ! pl[$  furr[ & mix 
x v deeply & ?or\ghly1 ,i might get /ill
  bett] results out ( ! tillage4 ,i     
happ5$ to be 9 t[n "o  morn+ 9 ! fall1  
:5 we _h "s :eat l& 7clov] sod7 pl[$  & 
prep>$ = :eat4 ,i _h h>r[$ & roll$ x &  
made x z  nice z ,i c\ld4--,x 0 :at !   
neighbors w\ld call all ready =  s[+ & m
 ?an ready4 ,9 t[n ,i saw a man try+ to 
sell a  two-horse cultivator4 ,i ?9k x 0
 made 9 ?is ,/ate4 ,x 0 !  fir/ "o ,i   

ev] saw--y c judge h[ long ago4 ,x 0 a  
big1  heavy1 cumb]some ?+1--a           
horse-kill]4 ,i ?\ght1 if ,i only _h  t1
 ,i knew ,i c\ld increase ! f]tility (  
our soil /ill m4  ,i hadn't any money4  
,we hadn't got f> en\gh t !re 0 a doll> 
to sp>e4 ,:at did ,i d8 ,i gave my note 
= #ej & took t  cultivator home ) me4 ,i
 c\ld h b\ght x = #ce 9 money1  b ,i    
didn't h x4 ,my wife didn't say a ^w :5 
,i got home4 ,i  h he>d s9ce t %e did a 
lot ( cry+ to ?9k ,i w\ld g 9  debt #ej 
m1 & all = t ?+4    ,i got home ab\t    
elev5 o'clock & y c well suspect t ,i   
c\ldn't eat any d9n] t day4 ,i hit*$ up 
& w5t "r to  "w1 & told my wife ,i      
c\ldn't /op = any d9n]4 ,i rode t       
cultivator t day & tore up t field 9 a  
way l& 0 nev]  torn up 9 our section    
be=e4 ,!re 0 no?+ to d x )4 ,!  soil    
w\ld roll up & tumble ov]4 ,aft] go+    
l5g?wise ,i w5t  crosswise4 ,a ?\s& hogs
 c\ldn't h made x r\gh]4 ,!  neighbors  
look$ on & said t ',t]ry w\ld d 'mo/    
any?+ if  y w\ld only let him ride4' ,! 

wor/ ( x 01 ,i really didn't  "k b :at  
!y 7 "r1 & all he w\ld get out ( x 0  ! 
rid+4 ,x 0 a s]i\s ?+4 ,i _h to wait    
until ! h>ve/  "t be=e ,i c\ld "k4      
,:at 0 ! result8 ,i got t5 bu%els ( :eat
 m p] acre ?an  _h ev] gr[n on ! l&     
be=e1 )\t any manure or f]tiliz]  hav+  
be5 appli$ s9ce x grew ! previ\s crop 9 
! rotation4  ,clov] _h be5 gr[n4 ,x 0 a 
clov] sod4 ,i didn't "k h[ mu*  came f !
 clov] & h[ mu* f ! tillage4 ,i didn't  
c>e1  !y w5t toge!r to get t result4 ,i 
ask$ "s ( ! old  settl]s h[ mu* _h be5  
gr[n !re p] acre dur+ _!  recollection4 
,!y said tw5ty-?ree bu%els 0 ! mo/ !y _h
  kn[n4 ,i got ?irty-?ree4 ,! neighbors 
said1 ',x happ5$ s1 y  c't d x aga94' ,y
 "k h[ !y talk1 to make out no?+ c  be  
done ) an old f>m4 ,i 0 int]e/$ 9 do+ x 
aga94 ,i paid  t note & _h a l>ge m>g9 (
 pr(it left1 y see1 out ( !  extra :eat4
 ,x all came "r4    ,! next ye> ,i took 
! next field 9 rotation & work$ x 9  !  
same way1 probably m4 ,i got ?irte5     
bu%els m :eat p]  acre ?an ev] grew     

be=e4 ,?irty-six bu%els ( :eat6 ,su* a  
?+ 0 nev] he>d ( 9 our section be=e2 l& 
t w\ld n  gr[ any?+ a doz5 ye>s ago4 ,d 
y wond] ,i h be5 an  en?usia/ on tillage
 s9ce !n8 ,:y1 !y call me a crank       
sometimes4 ,x is a good crank1 z x has  
turn$ out prosp]ity =  u4    ,aft] a "t 
,i began to ?9k1 c't we c>ry ?is matt] a
 little  fur!r8 ,p g5]ally don't        
cultivate _! crops m ?an two  or ?ree   
times 9 a season4 ,c ,i cultivate m to  
advantage8 ,i  began to try x1 six or   
eight times1 eight or t54 ,i ?9k !re  h 
be5 dry ye>s :5 ,i h cultivat$ our      
potatoes z _m z  fifte5 times4 ,i don't 
believe we ev] w5t ?r\gh !m :5 x  didn't
 pay4    ,i rememb] "o fall1 :5 x 0 a   
wet season4 ,:5 ! tops began  to die &  
got to ! po9t :]e ,i c\ld see ! space   
betwe5 !  r[s1 ,i />t$ ! cultivators    
aga94 ,i _h money !n to hire m5  & ,i   
hir$ pl5ty ( !m4 ,i />t$ to cultivate   
betwe5 ! r[s4  ,p said1 ' ,:at is !     
idiot do+ n[8' ,i said1 ',he is go+  to 
raise five bu%els m by do+ t "w1 t x :at

 he is  aft]4'    ,n[1 rememb]1 m hay to
 ! acre1 bett] hay1 increas$  f]tility  
by gr[+ clov]1 increas$ f]tility by     
work+ ?is  l& ov] & ov] 9 ! diff]5t ways
 ,i h told y (4 ,!y  us$ to s5d = me to 
talk on ?is subject1 be=e ,i knew any?+ 
ab\t x1 except t ,i _h done x4 ,9       
,wiscons91 "s tw5ty ye>s  ago1 ,i help$ 
at ! fir/ in/itute held 9 ! /ate4 ,!y   
s5t  = me to come up4 ,i told !m :at ,i 
0 do+ & h[ ,i ?\ght x  came ab\t1 :at ,i
 ?\ght clov] 0 do+ = me4 ,:5 ,i 0  ?r\gh
 ,i ask$ ,pr(essor ,h5ry1 :o 0 9 !      
audi5ce1 to tell  me1 hone/ly1 :at he   
?\ght ab\t my talk4 ,he said1 ',z a f>m]
 ,i  believe y are "r1 b z a sci5tific  
man ,i d>e n say s 9  public4'          
,pr(essor ,rob]ts came to my place "o   
"t1 to inve/igate a  little4 ,i knew :at
 he came =4 ,i %[$ him ar\nd1 & %[$ him 
! l& we _h n t\*$1 n to ?is day4 ,he 0 a
 surpris$  man4 ,i rememb] ! second crop
 ( clov] 0 at its be/4 ,x 0  above 8    
knees4 ,he says1 ',?is w make two tons (
 hay to !  acre1 & x is ! second crop4' 

,he didn't say b v little4 ,i  c\ldn't  
get him to talk mu*4 ,he w5t home &     
began t sy/em (  exp]im5ts at ,i?aca t  
has practically revolutioniz$ !         
agriculture ( ! ea/--exp]im5ts 9        
tillage4 ,pretty soon we _h  8 book on !
 f]tility ( ! soil4 ,i ?9k he got 8     
inspiration f :at he saw4 ,he said to   
himself1 seems to me1  ',t]ry has some?+
 t sci5tific m5 d n "k4' ,he got        
samples ( soil all ov] ! /ate4 ,!y      
analyz$ ! soil & f\nd  :at ! av]age soil
 ( ,new ,york conta9$4 ,!y f\nd ab\t f\r
  ?\s& five hundr$ p\nds ( nitrog51 six 
?\s& ?ree hundr$  p\nds ( phosphoric    
acid1 & tw5ty-f\r ?\s& p\nds ( pota%  9 
an av]age acre eight in*es deep2 & !y _h
 be5 buy+  pota% l>gely4 7,laught]47    
,! f>m we mov$ onto 0 ! old ,san=d      
home/ead4 ,old ,mr4  ,san=d liv$ !re &  
br\ght up a l>ge family4 ,i ?9k five (  
!m boys4 ,e "o ( ^! boys left ! f>m j z 
soon z  !y c\ld get away4 ,!re wasn't   
any?+ 9 f>m+ = !m4  ,aft] we _h be5 at  
"w a doz5 ye>s or m & got ?+s go+       

nicely1 !y came back 7"o ( !m lives 9   
,connecticut7 &  visit$ ! old home/ead4 
,i rememb] ,lor5zo said1 ',x seems l a  
miracle4 ,i don't "k h[ y did x4 ,we    
work$ f daylight to  d>k1 f "o ye>'s end
 to ano!r1 & nev] _h any?+4 ,we  boys   
us$ to be promis$ a holiday on ! ,f\r? (
 ,july if ! corn  0 all ho$4 ,t 0 all we
 got4 ,h[ on e>? h y done ^!  ?+s8'     
,fri5ds1 !re 7 ?ree f>ms we b\ght4 ,old 
,mr4 ,san=d didn't  "k any?+ ab\t b "o4 
,!re 0 ! air & ! soil &  !re 0 !        
subsoil4 ,he _h be5 work+ only ! soil1  
pl[+ x  ?ree or f\r in*es deep1 scrat*+ 
x ov]1 tak+ :at came1 &  e ye> less &   
less came4 ,! l& _h run d[n until !     
surface _h quit produc+4 ,we took ! same
 soil1 put 9 clov] &  took ! f]tility   
out ( ! upp] f>m1 ! air1 & out ( !  l[] 
"o1 ! subsoil1 & put x into ! second "o4
 ,we pl[$  ! surface soil a little deep]
 & deep] until we got x eight or  n9e   
in*es deep in/ead ( f\r4 ,we work$ x m &
 m1  sett+ m & m ( ! available plant    
food 9 ! soil free4  ,t is h[ we did x4 

,i say 'we' advis$ly1 because1 fri5ds1  
if ,i hadn't _h a wife  fully able &    
will+ to d h] "p1 & m1 ,i w\ld n h  ?is 
/ory to tell4              ,,*apt]      
,,xxxviii    ,,an ,,awak5+ ,,dream      
,,! *ores are all done1 said ,mrs4      
,john/on1 z ,p]cy began to  take d[n 8  
heavy "w-coat ab\t n9e o'clock t ev5+4  
,y ought n to h done !m1 he *id$ z he   
slipp$ 8 arm  ar\nd h] & drew h] to !   
s(a4    ,tell me ab\t ! ,in/itute1 %e   
said1 /rok+ ! hair f 8  =ehead4    ,he  
told h] ( ! pr(essors :o 7 !re f !      
,univ]sity &  briefly report$ !         
addresses he _h he>d4    ,& ,i v]ily    
believe1 he add$1 t if ,t]ry 7 to wake  
up  "s morn+ & f9d himself locat$ on !  
,b>r5s ( !  ,highl& ,rim ( ,t5nessee1 he
 w\ld />t out ) ! firm  conviction t all
 he w\ld ne$ to d to become a successful
  f>m] !re w\ld be to s[ clov] & !n '"w 
! l& = all  t's 9 x4' ,b1 aft] all1 x is
 n s /range1 p]haps1 t  "o :o has       
himself discov]$ & !n utiliz$ ! p[] (   
clov]  & tillage to re/ore & increase ! 

productive p[] ( l&  ri* 9 lime/one1    
phosphorus & all o!r ess5tial m9]al     
plant  food1 %\ld jump to ! fix$ & f9al 
conclusion t ! same  sy/em ( treatm5t is
 all t is ne$$ to make any & all l&     
productive4 ,! fact t ,t]ry's l& 7if    
equal to ! ne>by ,new  ,york l&7 conta9$
 two ?\s& ?ree hundr$ p\nds ( phosphorus
  9 ! pl[$ soil ( an acre :5 he began to
 "w x out1 :ile  ! soil ( ! ,t5nessee   
,b>r5s conta9s only ab\t "o  hundr$     
p\nds1 does n di/urb him or modify 8    
op9ion s long  z 8 p]sonal exp]i5ce is  
limit$ to 8 own l&4    ,t]ry's problem 0
 easi] ?an ,mr4 ,we/'s on 8 ,virg9ia    
f>m1  :]e ! soil is acid & h5ce lime/one
 mu/ be us$ lib]ally 9  ord] t clov] &  
o!r legumes may be gr[n successfully4   
,ev5  ! supply ( phosphorus & o!r m9]al 
elem5ts is probably  great] 9 ,t]ry's   
f>m 9 nor!a/]n ,ohio ?an 9 ! soil (     
,we/ov]4    ,our problem is ev5 m       
difficult1 because we mu/ n only        
increase ! supply ( active organic      
matt]1 al?\gh we h a  res]ve ( old humus

 f> above t conta9$ 9 ! ,t]ry or ,we/   
f>ms2 b 9 addition we ne$ m lime/one ?an
 ,mr4 ,we/ & !n  we mu/ add !           
phosphorus4 ,( c\rse ! surface wa%+ is a
  s]i\s factor on ,we/ov]1 b p]haps our 
tight clay subsoil is  worse4    ,b ,i  
le>n$ at lea/ two ?+s t ,i %all try to  
pr(it by4  ,"o ( ^! 0 f ,gov]nor ,ho>d's
 lecture on ',c[s ,v]sus ,c[s1  & ! man 
beh9d ! c['2 & ! o!r is t we mu/ d m  "w
 on ! l&4    ,oh1 ,p]cy1 ,i am s sorry y
 w5t4 ,h[ c y possibly d m  "w ?an y h  
be5 do+8    ,i may ne$ to hire m1 he    
repli$2 &1 ( c\rse1 t w  fur!r increase 
our exp5ses1 b1 x w surely pay to d well
  :at we try to d4    ,:5 does my boy   
expect to get m>ri$8 %e ask$1 s(tly1 z  
%e g5tly /rok$ 8 hair4    ,i am m>ri$1  
he repli$4    ,%e look$ at him 9 wond]4 
,"m m9e1 ,i ?\ght t y knew ,i 0 m>ri$4  
,y\r face is blank s9c]ity1 z usual1 %e 
said smil+1 b y  nev] deceive me ) y\r  
voice4 ,y\r voice reveals e attempt  at 
deception4 ,tell me :at y mean4    ,8   
voice 0 s9c]e n[4 ,i am m>ri$ to a f>m &

 labor+  toge!r ) ,god4 ,aft] he>+      
,t]ry's talk1 ,i am m ?an ev]  det]m9$  
to cont9ue to d my "p1 work+ 9 ! light z
 ,he  gives me ! p[] to see ! light4    
,p]cy1 de>1 %e ask$1 did y "k ! bride ^:
 w$d+  c>ds y receiv$ ye/]day8    ,don't
 y rememb] :at ,i told y ( ,adelaide    
,we/1 ,mr4 ,we/'s  daught]8 he qu]i$4   
,i ?\ght s1 said ! "m4 ,%e /epp$ to     
,p]cy's home-made  desk1 & f "o ( !     
pigeon holes1 drew out a bun* ( lett]s1 
& select$ ! top & bottom lett]s f !     
pile4    ,"h are ! fir/ & la/ lett]s y h
 receiv$ f ,mr4  ,we/4 ,did y ev] see   
?is8 ,%e drew out a crumpl$ piece (     
pap] & plac$ x 9 8 h&4    ,h] ,gr&ma _h 
n cons5t$1 he read4 ,:at does t mean8   
,i d n "k & ,i did n "k :5 ,i read x    
?ree ye>s ago4 ,x  came 9 y\r fir/ lett]
 f ,mr4 ,we/4 ,i ?\ght y _h n f\nd  x 9 
! envelope1 b y gave me ! lett] to read 
& ,i f\nd  x4 ,i left x 9 ! lett]1 b    
nev] till to-day did ,i feel t ,i  ought
 to m5tion x to y4 ,ye/]day y receiv$ a 
lett] ) two  c>ds2 b y read only "o ( !m

 to me4    ,b ,i saw ! o!r 0 only ! w$d+
 ann\ncem5t1 & ,i left  !m bo? 9 ! lett]
 = y to read4    ,& ,i read !m bo?1 %e  
said4 ,read ?is4    ,p]cy took ! c>d &  
sl[ly read3    ,mr4 & ,mrs4 ,cl>ance    
,voit    ,ann\nce ! m>riage ( _! daught]
    ,ameila ,l\ise    to    ,pr(essor   
,paul ,/rongwor? ,b>/[    ,%e wat*$ 8   
face b saw no sign4 ,%e kiss$ 8 =ehead &
  !n po9t$ to ! writ+1 ,) ,gr&ma's      
,complim5ts1 say+1  ,i d n "k :at ?is   
means1 b ,i ?\ght my boy might be  gett+
 too c>eless1 :5 he fails to read ev5 ! 
w$d+  ann\ncem5t ( college pr(essors1   
s5t to him by su* a good  fri5d z ,gr&ma
 ,we/ may int5d to be4    ,p]cy look$   
into 8 "m's face z if to read h] ?\ghts4
    ,i ?9k ,i und]/& :at y h 9 m9d1 he  
said4 ,mr4 ,we/ has  m5tion$ once or    
twice t ,adelaide 0 tea*+ s*ool1 b ,i   
suppos$ t %e 0 try+ to e>n en\gh to buy 
h] own w$d+  outfit4    ,p]haps t is    
true1 repli$ ! "m1 & p]haps %e is       
already m>ri$ or soon to be m>ri$2 b ,i 
?\ght y ought to  "k t %e _h n m>ri$    

,pr(essor ,b>/[1 le/ y might  allude to 
x 9 y\r lett]s to ,mr4 ,we/4            
,,*apt] ,,xxxix    ,,honey ,,)\t ,,wax  
,,well1 ,i reckon ! c[boy's gone back to
 't5d to 8 c[s1 rem>k$  ! gr&mo!r to    
,adelaide1 z %e return$ f tak+ ,p]cy to 
,blue ,m\nd & f\nd ! old lady sitt+ on !
 lawn b5*  app>5tly enjoy+ ! mild late  
,novemb] wea!r4 ,did y leave  him at !  
/ation or see him (f8    ,nei!r1        
,adelaide repli$1 sitt+ d[n beside h]4  
,! tra9 0  late1 & he insi/$ on com+    
back ) me to ! fir/ turn1 &  !n /ood &  
wat*$ till ,i came )9 sight ( home at ! 
next  turn4 ,i d\bt if he is back to !  
/ation yet4    ,he rem9ds me1 ,pet1 ( ! 
,lat9 def9ition y gave = s9c]e1  rem>k$ 
! gr&mo!r4 ,pure honey )\t wax1 wasn't  
x8    ,oh1 no1 ,gr&ma4 ,n pure honey4 ,x
 says no?+ ab\t honey4 ,s9e  is ! ,lat9 
= )\t1 & c]a means wax2 s t our ^w      
s9c]e1 tak5 lit]ally f ! ,lat91 means   
)\t wax4    ,oh1 yes1 ,i see n[2 b let  
me tell y1 ,adelaide1 ,i ?9k t  pr(essor
 ( y\rs is "r sm>t wax4    ,:y1 ,gr&ma6 

,i nev] he>d y say su* a ?+4 ,y "k papa 
&  mamma l ,pr(essor ,b>/[ & ,i ?9k ,i l
 him too1 &1--&  he has papa's cons5t1 &
 mamma's cons5t4    ,well1 y nev] he>d  
me say su* a ?+ be=e & y won't ev]  he> 
x aga91 b he hasn't got my cons5t4 ,i   
?9k he's "s wax1  b ,i reckon y ?9k he's
 "s honey1 & ,i "k he ?9ks he's  "s     
punk'ns4 ,( c\rse1 y\r fa!r w\ld l an   
,engli% or  ,scotti% nobleman = a       
son-9-law1 or at lea/ a college pr(essor
  ) a /r+ ( ance/ry rea*+ across ! wat]2
 b ! ,h5ry's  pref] to make _! own      
reputations z !y g along1 & ,i d\bt  if 
,patrick ev] saw ,engl& or ,scotl&4 ,i  
tell y1 ,adelaide1 a  p\nd ( gumption w 
make a bett] husb& ?an a %ipload (      
ance/ry1 & ,i j hope y w m ?an l y\r    
husb&1  t's all4    ,) t ! old lady     
arose & walk$ to ! h\se4                
,,*apt] ,,xl    ,,inspiration           
,,we/ov]1    ,m>* #ad1 #aijg4    ,mr4   
,p]cy ,john/on1    ,he>t-(-,egypt1 ,ill4
    ,,my ,,de> ,fri5d3--,we 7 delight$  
to receive y\r int]e/+  lett] ( ,m>* #b1

 describ+ ! ,f>m]'s ,in/itute4 ,i h be5 
to  two su* meet+s 9 ,virg9ia1 b !y are 
devot$ to fruit &  truck & dairy+1 & no 
"o seems to "k mu* ab\t our soils4 ,i   
appreciate m & m e ye> ! absolute k y   
help$ me to secure conc]n+ ,we/ov]1 :]e 
we _h be5 work+  9 ! d>k = two c5turies4
 ,i am sure y w succe$ on  ,poorl&      
,f>m1--j z confid5t z any "o c be 9     
advance (  actual a*ievem5t2 & ,i expect
 to see ! "t :5 ,ri*l& ,f>m  w be a m   
appropriate "n4    ,i only wi% y c\ld   
see my alfalfa4 ,i h be5 se$+ m e  ye> &
 n[ h sixty acres4 ,x has come ?r\gh    
w9t] 9 f9e  condition & x w be a f9e    
sight by ,ea/]4 ,"h's a /&+  invitation 
to take ,ea/] d9n] ) u1 or any o!r d9n]1
 =  t matt]1 if y ev] come ,ea/4    ,i  
am plann+ to s[ ab\t =ty acres m alfalfa
 ?is ye>4 ,a  writ] = ! ,bre$]'s        
,gazette visit$ u la/ summ]1 & he  said 
"s ( our alfalfa 0 z good z any he _h   
ev] se5 9  ,cali=nia4 ,he said gr\nd    
lime/one 0 pla9ly :at we ne$ =  alfalfa 
at ,we/ov]1 b he ?\ght "s phosphorus    

w\ld also help  on ! less roll+ areas1  
:]e ! alfalfa is n s good z :]e  y f\nd 
m phosphorus4    ,lime & raw rock       
phosphate make ! diff]5ce betwe5 clov] &
  no clov]4    ,i c get gr\nd lime/one =
 #b4ij a ton n[1 deliv]$ at ,blue  ,m\nd
 9 bulk 9 c>load lots4 ,we are hop+ to  
get x /ill l[]1  & ,i ?9k we w1 = "s ( !
 big lime manufactur]s1 su* z  ! company
 at ,riv]ton1 are mak+ plans to furni%  
gr\nd  lime/one2 & ! railroad companies 
are likely to make bett]  rates1 or !   
,/ate w d s = !m4    ,x is truly a      
lam5table situation1 :5 our hills &     
m\nta9s are  full ( all sorts (         
lime/one1 & our exhau/$ l&s are cry+  = 
t m ?an any?+ else4 ,we und]/&1 ev5     
bett] ?an  y1 t ev]ybody is poor 9 a    
c\ntry :]e ! l& is poor2 &  x %\ld be to
 ! greate/ int]e/ ( ! railroad companies
 z  well z to all o!r indu/ries1 to     
unite 9 an ef=t to make x  possible = e 
l&[n] to apply l>ge am\nts ( lime/one to
  8 l&1--! m ! bett]1--& no "o %\ld     
expect any l>ge  pr(it f ! bus9ess2 b   

wait till ! b5efit is produc$ on  !     
l&1--wait till ! f>m] has 8 increas$    
crops1 & "s  money f ! sale ( ^? crops4 
,!n ! railroads c make  pr(it haul+ ^?  
crops to m>ket & haul+ back ! necess>y  
supplies1 & ev5 ! luxuries1 :i* ! f>m]'s
 money w  enable him to buy & pay =4 ,!n
 ! factory :eels w turn2  =1 z y told u1
 ! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture reports t   
eighty-six p] c5t4 ( all ! manufactur$  
products are made f  agricultural raw   
mat]ials4    ,!re is no dang] b :at !   
railroads & manufactur]s &  comm]cial p 
w get _! %>e out ( ! produce f !  f>ms2 
b x is absolutely sure t1 :5 ! f>ms fail
 to  produce1 !n !re is no pr(it = any (
 !m1 & ! la/ man  to />ve out w be !    
f>m] himself1 = he c live on :at he     
raises ev5 ?\gh he has no?+ left to     
sell4    ,we are all well4 ,my son      
,*>les is /ill bookkeep+ = a ,ri*mond   
firm1 b he is becom+ greatly int]e/$ 9  
my alfalfa1 & says  he sometimes wi%es  
he _h tak5 an agricultural c\rse in/ead 
(  ! lit]>y at college4 ,8 gr&mo!r says 

%e reckons !  agricultural college c\ld 
give him ab\t all ! lit]ature he  ne$s  
keep+ books = a hides & tall[ :olesale  
company2 & ,i  am com+ to believe t %e  
is ab\t "r4 ,i /ill rememb] t  ! dative 
( indirect object is us$ ) mo/ ,lat9    
v]bs  comp\nd$ ) ad1 ante1 con1 91 int]1
 ob1 po/1 pre1 pro1 sub1  & sup]1 &     
sometimes circum2 b x w\ld h be5 j z    
easy = me to h le>n$ =ty ye>s ago t !   
ess5tial  elem5ts ( plant food are      
c>bon1 oxyg51 & hydrog52 nitrog51       
phosphorus1 & potassium2 magnesium1     
calcium1 iron & sulfur2 &  possibly     
*lor92 & ,i am sure t ! culture ( ,greek
 roots &  a k ( ,lat9 comp\nds h be5 (  
less value to me dur+  ! =ty ye>s ?an ! 
culture ( alfalfa roots & ev5 a meag]  k
 ( plant-food comp\nds h be5 dur+ ! la/ 
?ree  ye>s4    ,adelaide is tea*+2      
,frank is 9 ! academy2 & ! y\ng]  *ildr5
 are all 9 s*ool4    ,we %all always be 
glad to he> f y4    ,v respectfully     
y\rs1    ,,*>les ,,we/4    ,t is an     
exceptionally good lett]1 said ,mrs4    

,johnson1 z ,p]cy  f9i%$ read+4    ,n = 
,mr4 ,we/1 he repli$4 ,8 lett]s are     
always good1 always  helpful & enc\rag+1
 almo/ an inspiration to me4 ,mr4 ,we/  
is 9  _m ways a v exceptional man4 ,if  
he _h n be5 ti$ d[n all  8 life to a    
s-call$ worn-out f>m ( a ?\s& acres1 he 
might  j z well h be5 ! ,gov]nor ( !    
,/ate4 ,ev5 9 spite (  himself he has   
be5 practically =c$ to accept "s v      
responsible public (fices1 b ! f9ancial 
sacrifice 0 too  great to p]mit 8 reta9+
 !m v long4 ,i nev] realiz$ until  ,i 0 
ne>ly ?r\gh college t ! tru/ees ( our   
own ,univ]sity  devot$ a l>ge am\nt ( "t
 to t public s]vice ) no  f9ancial      
remun]ation :atev]4 ,!y are m]ely       
reimburs$ =  _! actual & necess>y       
travell+ exp5ses4    ,well1 if ,i 7 a "y
 man ab\t y\r age1 ?is lett] w\ld be an 
inspiration to me1 said 8 "m4    ,y mean
 8 sugge/ion ab\t *ang+ ! "n ( our f>m8 
,no1 ,i mean 8 possible sugge/ion ab\t  
*ang+ ! "n ( 8  daught]4    ,p]cy 0     
sil5t4    ,h[ c ,i tell any?+ f y\r     

blank face8 ,:y d y n  speak8    ,y w h 
to %[ me1 said ,p]cy4    ,w y accept 8  
invitation8    ,oh1 ,mr4 ,we/ always    
closes 8 lett]s ) an invitation = me to 
visit !m if ,i ev] come ,ea/4 ,!re is   
no?+ exceptional or  unusual 9 t4    ,! 
lett] is v exceptional1 %e repeat$1     
insomu* t if  !re is no und]/&+ !re is  
no misund]/&+1 & if !re  is "s          
misund]/&+ !re 0 no int5tion4 ,:5 ,mrs4 
,b>ton  says3 ',d come ov] :5 y c1' !re 
is no invitation int5d$  & no acceptance
 expect$2 b :5 ,mrs4 ,mc,knight says3   
',c't y  & y\r son come ov] & take supp]
 ) u ,?ursday  ev5+1'--well t is an     
invitation to come4 ,9 ! case ( ,mr4    
,we/'s lett]1 p]haps y _h an invitation 
to sp5d ! ,ea/]  vacation at ,we/ov] :5 
8 daught] w be at home1--& p]haps  n4   
,p]cy 0 sil5t & 8 "m quietly wait$4     
,9 any case1 he said1 ,i _c af=d to g   
?is spr+4 ,we nev]  7 s %ort ( funds4 ,i
 almo/ begrudg$ ! railroad f>e ,i paid  
to g to ! ,in/itute4    ,i h agre$ to   
agree ) y reg>d+ ! matt] ( hir+ m  help 

on ! f>m if y ne$ x1 %e said2 = x is    
easily  possible to lose by sav+4 ,!re  
are "s ?+s :i* %\ld nev]  be influ5c$ by
 f9ancial consid]ations4 ,x is m ?an    
?ree  ye>s s9ce y\r ,ea/]n trip4 ,y ne$ 
a re/ & a *ange4 ,x  w\ld be entirely   
commonplace = y to sp5d ! ,ea/] "t 9    
,virg9ia4 ,y ought to see ! c\ntry 9 !  
spr+2 & y ought  especially to be       
int]e/$ 9 ,mr4 ,we/'s sixty acres (     
alfalfa4  ,expectations are always      
foll[$ ei!r by realization or by        
disappo9tm5t1 ei!r ( :i* my noble son c 
be>4    ,h] f+]s pass$ ?r\gh 8 hair z %e
 kiss$ 8 =ehead4    ,! only "q is1 :e!r 
y w\ld enjoy a visit to ,we/ov]1  %e    
cont9u$4 ,y h insi/$ t ! ,w9t]b9e       
deposit  rema9 9 my "n1 b ,i h writt5 & 
sign$ a *eck aga9/  t res]ve = #ajj1 & y
 h only to fill 9 ! date &  draw ! am\nt
 at ! ,c\nty ,seat :5ev] y wi%4 ,if y g1
  express my reg>ds to ! ladies1 &      
especially rememb] me to !  gr&mo!r4    
,,*apt] ,,xli    ,,! ,,k9d]g>t5         
,,he>t-,,(-,,egypt1 ,,ill9ois1          

,novemb] #i1 #aiji4    ,hon4 ,james ,j4 
,hill1    ,great ,nor!rn ,railroad      
,company1 ,/4 ,paul1 ,m9nesota4    ,,my 
,,de> ,,sir3--,i h read ) v great int]e/
 y\r article 9  ! ,novemb] ,_w's ,"w on 
,:at ,we ,mu/ ,d to be ,f$4 ,i wond]  if
 y read ,! ,am]ican ,f>m ,review6 ,9 !  
editorial columns (  t j\rnal1 issue (  
,octob] #bh1 #aiji1 occurs ! foll[+3    
,! pessimi/ always assumes t e man :o   
quits f>m+ =  "s o!r bus9ess does s     
because !re is some?+ ! matt]  ) ! f>m4 
,mr4 ,james ,j4 ,hill has rec5tly       
consid]$ !  "q & decid$ t1 unless ! f>m]
 & 8 family c be  conf9$ on ! l& & be   
compell$ to d bett] "w ?an !y  h be5    
do+1 ! balance ( ! population mu/ />ve  
to dea?4  ,! bug-aboo ( imp5d+ decad5ce 
rais$ by su* talk is bas$  ^u a wrong   
assumption1 inadequate /ati/ics1 & a    
failure to  compreh5d ! evolutional     
movem5t 9 agriculture4    ,! evolutional
 movem5t means1 ( c\rse1 t we are       
diff]5t  f o!r p4 ,h n ,engl&1 ,g]many &
 ,france run _!  l&s d[n until !y       

produce only f\rte5 bu%els ( :eat p]    
acre & h we n /eadily built ours up to  
an av]age yield (  ?irty bu%els8 ,o!r   
peoples we> out _! soil because !y fail 
to h "p 9 ! evolutional movem5t2 :]eas1 
did we n come  to ,am]ica & at once beg9
 to make our ri* l& ri*] ?an x  ev] 0 9 
! virg9 /ate8 ,d y n "k1 ,sir1 t ! olde/
  l&s 9 ,am]ica are n[ ! ri*e/1 mo/     
productive1 & mo/  valuable8 ,we admit1 
( c\rse1 t ! ,bureau ( ,soils ( !       
,unit$ ,/ates ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture  
reports ! common level  upl& loam soil (
 ,/4 ,m>y c\ntry1 ,m>yl&1 to be valu$ at
 #a  to #c an acre1 & ! same k9d ( l& 9 
,pr9ce ,george c\nty1  adjo9+ ! ,di/rict
 ( ,columbia1 to be wor? #a4ej to #e2 b 
d  y n "k ! ,am]ican evolutional movem5t
 c\ld easily move all  ^? decimal po9ts 
two places & at once make ^? values read
  f #ajj to #ejj an acre4 ,& likewise1 x
 w\ld be a v simple  matt] to *ange !   
yield ( corn 9 ,georgia f elev5 bu%els  
p] acre & h x read "o hundr$ & t5       
bu%els4 ,:y n1 if  an acre ( corn 9 !   

adjo9+ ,/ate ( ,s\? ,c>ol9a has  produc$
 two hundr$ & ?irty-n9e bu%els 9 "o     
season8 ,d y  n see t ?is simple        
evolution w\ld also put plate glass 9 ! 
?\s&s ( w9d[less homes n[ inhabit$ by   
human be+s1 bo?  :ite & color$1 9 ! /ate
 ( ,georgia8    ,!re is ano!r phase (   
?is evolutional movem5t :i* %\ld n  be  
ov]look$4 ,!re is already fa/ develop+ 9
 ?is c\ntry a  class ( p :o c live & gr[
 fat on hot air1 & !y w  tell y t y\r   
only tr\ble is poor dige/ion1 & !y are  
glad  t !y c see ! bright side ( ?+s &  
enjoy life 9 ?is  glori\s c\ntry1 assur$
 t ! future w take c>e ( itself4  ,h n  
all o!r great agricultural c\ntries     
rapidly gott5 into  ?is evolutional     
movem5t until all _! p live on ,easy    
,/reet8    ,i h a lett] f a mission>y 9 
,*9a1 a =m] s*oolmate1  ,cl>5ce         
,rob]tson1 :o resign$ ! position (      
,assi/ant ,pr(essor  ( me*anical eng9e]+
 9 ,purdue ,univ]sity 9 ord] to accept 9
  ! l>ge/ s5se ! ,ma/]'s specific       
invitation to ,g ye1  !re=e1 & tea* all 

nations4    ,?is lett] 0 writt5 9       
,febru>y1 #aijg & conta9$ !  foll[+     
/atem5t reg>d+ ! fam9e di/rict 9 :i* !  
writ] 0 locat$3    ,at ! pres5t "t !    
only practical ?+ to d is to let f\r    
hundr$ ?\s& p />ve1 & try to get se$    
gra9 = !  rema9d] to plant _! spr+      
crops4    ,i ?9k we h fail$ utt]ly1 ,mr4
 ,hill1 to lay special emphasis  ^u ei!r
 ! evolutional or ! emotional 9         
agriculture4 ,is x  n probable t a      
sup]abundance ( emotion w\ld ev5 p]mit !
  con/itution to wave ! bread requirem5t
 9 !  bread-&-wat]-)-love diet8 ,z a    
cure = pessimism !  emotional tonic is  
/rongly recomm5d$4    ,on ! o!r h&1 !re 
are "s p :o are ev5 too emotional1  p :o
 are incl9$ to sit up & take notice :5 !
  ma!matics & /ati/ics are spread out 9 
cle> light & pla9ly  reveal ! fact t !  
"t is ne> at h& :5 _! *ildr5  may lack =
 bread4 7,!y already lack = meat & milk 
& eggs 9  _m places74 ,to ally any feel+
 ( ?is sort t might t5d to  excite ^? :o
 are s emotional z ev5 to love _! own   

gr&*ildr51 "s sort ( soo?+ syrup %\ld be
 adm9i/]$4 ,a  prep>ation put out by !  
,*ief ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,bureau (       
,soils & fully endors$ by ! great       
optimi/1 ! ,secret>y (  ,agriculture1 is
 recomm5d$ z an article v mu* sup]ior to
 ,mrs4  ,w9sl['s4 ,z a mod]ate dose = an
 adult1 read ! foll[+  extracts f pages 
#ff1 #gh1 & #hj ( ,bureau ( ,soils      
,bullet9 #ee  7#aiji71 by ! ,*ief ( !   
,bureau3    ,! soil is ! "o             
inde/ructible1 immutable asset t !      
nation  possesses4 ,x is ! "o res\rce t 
_c be exhau/$2 t  _c be us$ up4    ,f ! 
mod]n conception ( ! nature & purpose ( 
! soil x  is evid5t t x _c we> out1 t s 
f> z ! m9]al food  is conc]n$ x w       
cont9ue automatically to supply adequate
  quantities ( ! m9]al plant foods =    
crops4    ,z we see x n[1 ! ma9 cause ( 
inf]tile soils or !  det]ioration (     
soils is ! improp] sanit>y conditions   
orig9ally pres5t 9 ! soil or aris+ f our
 injudici\s  culture & rotation ( crops4
 ,x is1 ( c\rse1 exce$+ly  difficult to 

"w out ! pr9ciples :i* gov]n ! prop]    
rotation = any p>ticul> soil4    ,z a   
national asset ! soil is safe z a means 
( fe$+ mank9d  = untold ages to come4 ,s
 f> z our inve/igations %[1 ! soil  w n 
be exhau/$ ( any "o or all ( its m9]al  
plant food  con/itu5ts4 ,if ! coal &    
iron give out1 z x is pr$ict$ !y  w be=e
 long1 ! soil c be dep5d$ on to furni%  
food1  light1 heat1 & habitation n only 
= ! pres5t population b  = an enorm\sly 
l>g] population ?an ! _w has at pres5t4 
,p]sonally1 ,i take a mo/ hopeful view (
 ! situation z respects  ! soil res\rces
 ( our c\ntry & ( ! _w at l>ge4 ,i  _c  
br+ myself to believe t ! disc\rag+     
reports t  h be5 issu$ f "t to "t z to !
 ?reat5$  det]ioration ( our soils1 z to
 ! exhau/ion ( any p>ticul>  elem5t (   
f]tility1 w ev] be realiz$4    ,sweet5  
to ta/e1 & repeat ! dose if necess>y4   
,if y desire ma!matical pro( t we c     
always cont9ue to take  def9ite &       
measurable am\nts ( plant food away f ! 
limit$  supplies /ill rema9+ 9 our      

,am]ican soils & /ill h en\gh  left to  
supply ! ne$s ( all future crops1 let x 
be und]/ood3    ,t y  x    ,!n xy  ,x#c 
,& xy-y#b  x#c-y#b    ,or y7x-y77x  y7  
7x-y7    ,h5ce1 y  x  y    ,?us1 y  #by 
,!re=e1 #ab    ,n[ cube bo? sides ( !   
la/ equation &3    #ah    ,multiply by  
"o hundr$ & sixty1 ! numb] ( p\nds (    
phosphorus /ill rema9+ 9 ! common upl&  
soil ( ,s\!rn  ,m>yl&1 & behold3    #afj
 #abhj    ,?us ! soil aga9 becomes !    
equal ( ! #bjj corn belt  l&1--,q4 ,e4  
,d4    ,=tunately1 ,mr4 ,hill1 y h n    
f\nd x exce$+ly difficult  to "w out !  
pr9ciples :i* gov]n ! prop] rotation t  
actually enri*es ! l&4    ,s]i\sly1 ,i  
hope y w p]mit me to take ?is           
opportunity to say  t ,i deplore1 z mu/ 
all "r-m9d$ & cle>-?9k+ m51 !           
occasional petty criticisms :i*         
attribute to y "s selfi%  motive = !    
hone/ & noble /& y h tak5 conc]n+ !     
importance ( imm$iate action & ( a      
widespread1 f>-rea*+1  & g5]ally        
effective movem5t look+ t[>d1 n !       

cons]vation1 b ! re/oration1 & p]man5t  
pres]vation (  ,am]ican soils4 ,accord+ 
to ! ,scriptures1 !re is a s9 :i*  ,god1
 ,himself1 w n =give2 namely1 ! s9 (    
imput+ bad  motives to ! "o :o does "r f
 motives only good & pure4    ,?\ghts t 
des]ve a place ( honor 9 ,am]ican hi/ory
 y h  express$ 9 ! foll[+ words3    ,!  
f>m is ! basis ( all indu/ry1 b = _m    
ye>s ?is  c\ntry has made ! mi/ake (    
unduly assi/+ manufacture1  comm]ce1 &  
o!r activities t c5t] 9 cities1 at !    
exp5se  ( ! f>m4 ,! result is a neglect$
 sy/em ( agriculture & !  decl9e ( !    
f>m+ int]e/4 ,b all ^! o!r activities   
are  f\nd$ ^u ! agricultural gr[? ( !   
nation & mu/ cont9ue  to dep5d ^u x4 ,e 
manufactur]1 e m]*ant1 e  bus9ess man1 &
 e good citiz5 is deeply int]e/$ 9      
ma9ta9+ ! gr[? & developm5t ( our       
agricultural  res\rces4 ,h]e9 lies !    
true secret ( our anxi\s int]e/ 9       
agricultural me?ods2 because1 9 ! long  
run1 !y mean life or  dea? to future    
millions2 :o are no /rang]s or invad]s1 

b our  own *ildr5's *ildr51 & :o w pass 
judgm5t ^u u  accord+ to :at we h made (
 ! _w 9 :i* _! lot is to  be ca/4       
,true & noble ?\ghts are ^!1 f ! ma/]   
m9d ( a great  /atesman2 = !re are      
/atesm5 :o nei!r grace nor disgrace  !  
,halls ( ,congress4    ,y\r article     
conta9s tw5ty-eight pages ( :olesome    
read+ matt]  & in/ructive illu/rations1 
&1 9 addition1 ab\t "o page1 ,i  regret 
to say1 ( mis9=mation t w d mu* to      
de/roy y\r  o!rwise valuable            
contribution to agricultural lit]ature4 
,briefly y h %[n v cle>ly & v correctly 
t !  pres5t practice ( agriculture 9    
,am]ica t5ds t[>d l& ru91  & t1 ) our   
rapidly increas+ population1 ) cont9u$  
depletion ( our va/ areas ( cultivat$   
soils1 & ) no  possibility ( any l>ge   
ext5sion ( well-wat]$ arable l&s1 we    
are already fac+ ! s]i\s problem (      
provid+ suffici5t food  = our own p4    
,y summ>ize y\r conclusions along ?is   
l9e 9 ! foll[+  words3    ,we h to      
provide = a cont+5cy n di/ant f u by    

ne>ly  a g5]ation1 b already pres5t4 ,! 
food condition presses ^u  u n[4 ,!     
%ortage has begun4 ,witness ! great fall
 9 :eat  exports & ! rise ( prices4     
,obvi\sly x is "t to quit  speculat+    
ab\t :at may occur ev5 tw5ty or ?irty   
ye>s h5ce1  & beg9 to take ?\ght = !    
morr[4 ,z f> z our food supply  is      
conc]n$1 "r n[ ! lean ye>s h begun4     
,x is c]ta9 t ! "t is ne> :5 our food   
supplies %all  become inadequate if our 
pres5t practices cont9ue1 b !  en=c$    
r$uction 9 animal products w at lea/    
po/pone !  "t ( actual fam9e 9 ,am]ica4 
,i keep 9 m9d always t we are  fe$+ mu* 
gra9 to dome/ic animals1 an extremely   
wa/eful  practice s f> z economy ( human
 food is conc]n$2 because1 z  an av]age1
 animals return 9 meat & milk n m ?an   
onefif?  z mu* food value z !y de/roy 9 
! correspond+ gra9  consum$2 &1 z we    
gradually r$uce ! am\nts ( gra9 t are   
f$ to cattle1 %eep1 & sw9e1 we %all also
 gradually increase  our human food     
supply4 ,ultimately our milk-produc+ &  

meat-produc+ animals w be f$ only !     
grass gr[n ^u !  non-arable l&s &       
possibly "s refuse =age n suitable =    
human food or m valuable = gre5 manure1 
unless we modify our  pres5t practice & 
t5d5cy1 :i* we c d if ! prop]  influ5ces
 are ex]t$ by ! intellig5t p ( ?is      
c\ntry1  & ?us make possible !          
cont9uation ( high /&>ds ( liv+  = all  
our p4    ,i keep 9 m9d1 too1 t mu* ( ! 
food tak5 into ! av]age  ,am]ican kit*5 
is wa/$1 & t progress 9 ! sci5ce (  fe$+
 ! man w ultimately prev5t ?is wa/e &1  
by add+ to  ?is bett] prep>ation &      
comb9ation ( foods1 w increase to  "s   
ext5t ! nutritive value ( our pres5t    
food supply4    ,! s]i\s fact rema9s1   
h[ev]1 t our old] l&s are  decreas+ 9   
productive p[] &1 9 spite ( :at may be  
accompli%$ by su* me?ods ( cons]vation1 
we are n[ fac+ a  rapidly approa*+      
%ortage ( food supplies = ! rapidly     
increas+ population ( ^! ,unit$ ,/ates2 
& y h put me  & all o!r ,am]ican citiz5s
 "u la/+ obligations to y =  y\r        

frankness1 good s5se1 & true patriotism 
9 ?us po9t+ out  n advance our great    
national weakness4    ,accord+ to !     
/ati/ics ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t1 a 
comp>ison ( ! la/ five ye>s report$ 9   
?is c5tury ) !  la/ five ye>s ( ! old   
c5tury1 %[s1 by ^! two five-ye>         
av]ages1 t our annual production ( :eat 
has increas$ f  ab\t five hundr$ million
 to sev5 hundr$ million bu%els3 t  our  
annual production ( corn has increas$ f 
two & "o-qu>t]  billion to two &        
?ree-qu>t] billion bu%els2 t our :eat   
exports h decreas$ f ?irty-sev5 p] c5t4 
to sev5te5 p]  c5t4 ( our total         
production2 t our corn exports h        
decreas$  f n9e p] c5t4 to ?ree p] c5t4 
( our total production2 &  yet ! av]age 
price ( :eat1 by ! five-ye> p]iods1 has 
increas$ ?irty-"o p] c5t41 & ! av]age   
price ( corn has  increas$ n9ety-"o p]  
c5t41 dur+ ! same p]iod4    ,! late/    
,ye> ,book ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 
7#aijh 7  furni%es ! av]age yields (    
:eat & corn = f\r successive  t5-ye>    

p]iods1 f #ahff to #aije4 ,by comb9+ ^! 
into two  tw5ty-ye> p]iods ?is record ( 
=ty ye>s %[s t !  av]age yield ( :eat = 
! ,unit$ ,/ates increas$ "o bu%el  p]   
acre1 :ile ! av]age yield ( corn        
decreas$ "o & "o-half  bu%els p] acre1  
accord+ to ^! two tw5ty-ye> av]ages4    
,if we consid] only ! /ati/ics = !      
,nor?-,c5tral /ates1  ext5d+ f ,ohio to 
,kansas & f ,egypt to ,canada1 ! same   
=ty-ye> record %[s ! av]age yield ( :eat
 to h increas$  "o-half bu%el p] acre1  
:ile ! av]age yield ( corn decreas$  two
 bu%els p] acre4    ,?us1 not)/&+ !     
great areas ( ri* virg9 soils br\ght  "u
 cultivation 9 ! ,we/ & ,nor?we/ dur+ ! 
la/ =ty  ye>s1 not)/&+ ! ab&onm5t (     
great areas ( worn\t  l&s 9 ! ,ea/ &    
,s\!a/ dur+ ! same ye>s1  not)/&+ !     
enorm\s ext5sion ( dr$ge dit*+ & tile   
dra9age1 &1 not)/&+ ! m>k$ improvem5t 9 
se$ & 9  ! implem5ts ( cultivation1 !   
av]age yield p] acre ( ! two  great gra9
 crops ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates has n ev5 be5  
ma9ta9$1  ! decrease 9 corn be+ great]  

?an ! increase 9 :eat1 &  n only = !    
entire ,unit$ ,/ates1 b also = ! great  
new  /ates ( ! corn belt & :eat belt4   
7 ,seasonal v>iations are s great t     
%ort] p]iods ?an  tw5ty-ye> av]ages _c  
be consid]$ tru/wor?y = yield p]  acre47
    ,mean:ile1 ! total population ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates increas$ f  ?irty-eight   
millions 9 #ahgj to sev5ty-six millions 
9 #aijj1 or an  increase ( "o hundr$ p] 
c5t4 9 ?irty ye>s2 & ! only  means by   
:i* we h be5 able to fe$ ?is increase 9 
population  has be5 by increas+ our     
acreage ( cultivat$ crops & by  decreas+
 our exportation ( food/uffs2 & ,i ne$ n
 rem9d y  t ! limit to our relief is ne>
 9 bo? ( ^! directions4  ,b h we        
decreas$ our exportation ( phosphate8   
,oh1 no4 ,on !  contr>y1 "u ! soo?+     
influ5ce ( ! mo/ pleas+ &  acceptable   
doctr9e t our soil is an inde/ructible1 
immutable  asset1 :i* _c be deplet$1 our
 exportation ( rock phosphate  has      
increas$ dur+ ! ye>s ( ! pres5t c5tury f
 six  hundr$ & n9ety ?\s& tons 9 #aijj1 

to "o-million ?ree  hundr$ & ?irty ?\s& 
tons 9 #aijh1 an increase ( practically 
"o hundr$ p] c5t41 9 accordance ) !     
publi%$ reports (  ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
,geological ,survey4    ,b ,i am writ+  
to y1 ,mr4 ,hill1 n only to ?ank y = :at
  y h said & %[n 9 ! tw5ty-eight pages  
above ref]r$ to1  b also 9 "p to repay  
my obligation to y by giv+ y "s  correct
 in=mation1 :i* ,i am altoge!r confid5t 
y w  appreciate2 namely1 t1 :ile y are a
 graduate /ud5t or pa/  ma/] 9 y\r k ( !
 supply & dem& ( ! _w's  m>kets1 y are j
 ent]+ ! k9d]g>t5 class 9 ! /udy  ( soil
 f]tility1 z witness ! foll[+ extracts f
 ! "o  errone\s page ( y\r article4     
,"r me?ods ( f>m+1 )\t :i* no           
agricultural c\ntry  su* z ?is c hope to
 rema9 prosp]\s1 or ev5 to escape       
ev5tual pov]ty1 are n complicat$ & are  
)9 ! rea* (  ! mo/ mode/ means4 ,!y     
include a /udy ( soils & se$s1 s  z to  
adapt ! "o to ! o!r2 a div]sification ( 
indu/ry1  includ+ ! cultivation (       
diff]5t crops & ! rais+ ( live  /ock2 a 

c>eful rotation ( crops1 s t ! l& w n be
  worn out by successive ye>s ( s+le    
cropp+2 intellig5t  f]tiliz+ by ! sy/em 
( rotation1 by cultivat+ legum9\s       
plants1 &1 above all1 by ! economy & use
 ( e p>ticle (  f]tiliz+ mat]ial f /ock 
b>ns & y>ds2 a c>eful selection  ( gra9 
us$ = se$2 &1 fir/ ( all p]haps 9       
importance1 !  sub/itution ( ! small    
f>m1 ?or\ghly till$1 = ! l>ge  f>m1 )   
its we$s1 its neglect$ corn]s1 its abus$
 soil1 &  its ?9 product4 ,?is w make   
room = ! new population ^:  add$ product
 w help to re/ore our place z an export]
 (  food/uffs4 ,let u set ^! simple     
pr9ciples ( ! new me?od out  aga9 9     
ord]3    ,fir/--,! f>m] mu/ cultivate no
 m l& ?an he c till  ?or\ghly4 ,) less  
labor he w get m results4 ,(ficial      
/ati/ics %[ t ! net pr(it f "o crop (   
tw5ty bu%els  ( :eat to ! acre is z     
great z t f two ( sixte51 aft]  orig9al 
co/ ( production has be5 paid4          
,second--,!re mu/ be rotation ( crops4  
,t5 ye>s ( s+le  cropp+ w pretty ne>ly  

we> out any b ! ri*e/ soil4 ,a  prop]   
?ree or fiveye> rotation ( crops        
actually enri*es !  l&4    ,?ird--,!re  
mu/ be soil r5ovation by f]tiliz+2 & !  
be/  f]tiliz] is t provid$ by nature    
h]self--b>ny>d manure4  ,e f>m] c & %\ld
 keep "s cattle1 %eep1 & hogs on 8      
place4 ,! f>m] & 8 l& _c prosp] until   
/ock rais+  becomes an insep>able "p (  
agriculture4 ,( all =age f$ to  live    
/ock at lea/ "o-?ird 9 ca% value rema9s 
on ! l& 9  ! =m ( manure t soon re/ores 
worn-out soil to f]tility &  keeps good 
l& f det]iorat+4 ,by ?is sy/em ! f>m may
 be  made & kept a s\rce ( p]petual     
weal?4    ,y\r fir/ pr9ciple w be agre$ 
to & emphasiz$ by all2 b  x %\ld be kept
 9 m9d t ! l>ge f>ms are frequ5tly bett]
  till$ ?an ! small f>ms4 ,! #bjj l& 9 !
 corn belt is  usually work$ = all t's 9
 x4 ,x is tile-dra9$ & well  cultivat$1 
& ! be/ ( se$ is us$4 ,if m ?or\gh      
tillage  w\ld increase ! pr(its1 ^!     
corn-belt f>m]s w\ld c]ta9ly  practice  
x4    ,x ought to be kn[n 7#a7 t z an   

av]age ( six ye>s !  ,ill9ois ,exp]im5t 
,/ation produc$ sev5ty & ?ree-t5?s      
bu%els ( corn p] acre ) ! ord9>y f\r    
cultivation1 &  only sev5ty-two &       
eight-t5?s bu%els ) additional          
cultivation ev5 up to eight times2 &    
7#b7 t ! av]age yield  ( corn 9 ,india  
on irrigat$ l& v>ies f sev5 bu%els 9    
poor  ye>s to twelve bu%els 9 good      
seasons1 & ?is is :]e !  av]age f>m is  
ab\t ?ree acres 9 size4    ,"o ,ill9ois 
f>m] ) a f\r-horse team raises m corn   
?an t5  ,georgia f>m]s ) a mule a piece 
on ! same total acreage  ,f]tile soil & 
compet5t labor are ! great ess5tials 9  
crop  production4 ,a m]e increase 9     
c\ntry population does n increase  !    
productive p[] ( ! soil4    ,! f>ms d[n 
"h 9 ,egypt av]age mu* small] ?an ^? 9  
! corn belt ( ,ill9ois1 b our ,egyptian 
f>ms are nev]!less  poorly till$ z a    
rule & "s ( !m are already becom+       
ab&on$ = agricultural purposes4         
,c]ta9ly ! l& %\ld always be well till$1
 b tillage makes  ! soil poor]1 n ri*]4 

,tillage lib]ates plant food b adds     
none4 ,a little f>m well till$ is all "r
 if well manur$1 b  x %\ld n be =gott5 t
 ! m5 :o consid] ,t5 ,acres  ,en\gh are 
m>ket g>d5]s1 or truck f>m]s1 :o are n  
satisfi$ until 9 ! c\rse ( six or eight 
ye>s !y h  appli$ to _! l& ab\t two     
hundr$ tons ( manure p] acre1 all  made 
f crops gr[n on o!r l&s4    ,all !      
manure produc$ 9 all ! /ates w\ld       
provide only ?irty  tons p] acre = ! f>m
 l&s ( ,ill9ois4 ,9 r\nd numb]s !re  are
 eighty million cattle & horses 9 !     
,unit$ ,/ates1 & our  annual corn crop  
is h>ve/$ f "o hundr$ million acres4    
,all  ! manure produc$ by all dome/ic   
animals w\ld b>ely f]tilize  ! corn l&s 
) t5 tons p] acre if none :atev] 7 lo/  
or  wa/$2 &1 if all f>m animals 7 figur$
 on ! basis (  cattle1 !re is only "o   
head = ea* t5 acres ( f>m l& 9  ! ,unit$
 ,/ates4    ,y\r second pr9ciple is1 t a
 prop] ?ree or five-ye>  rotation (     
crops actually enri*es ! l&4    ,i hope 
! ,god ( tru? & a long-suff]+1 misguid$ 

p w  =give y = t false tea*+4 ,if !re is
 any "o practice  ! value ( :i* is fully
 und]/ood by ! f>m]s & l&[n]s  9 !      
,ea/]n /ates & 9 all old agricultural   
c\ntries1 x is  ! practice ( crop       
rotation4 ,inde$1 ! rotation ( crops is 
mu*  m common & mu* bett] und]/ood & mu*
 m fully  appreciat$ 9 ! ,ea/ ?an x is 9
 ! corn belt4 ,practically all  we "k ( 
crop rotation we h le>n$ f ! ,ea/4 ,e   
old  deplet$ agricultural c\ntry has    
worn out ! soil by good sy/ems  ( crop  
rotation4 ,i once took a legal option ( 
an ab&on$ f>m  9 ,m>yl& 7beautiful      
location1 two miles f a railroad /ation1
  g5tly undulat+ upl& loam1 at #aj p]   
acre7 t _h be5 worn  out "u a f\r-ye>   
rotation ( corn1 :eat1 mead[ & pa/ure4  
,a  few acres ( tobacco 7 usually gr[n 9
 "o corn] ( ! corn  field1 & clov] &    
timo?y 7 regul>ly us$ = mead[ &  pa/ure4
 ,:eat1 tobacco & live/ock 7 sold1 &    
manure 0  appli$ = tobacco & s f> z     
possible = corn also4 ,9 !  lat] ye>s ( 
! sy/em ! ord9>y comm]cial f]tiliz] 0   

also appli$ = ! :eat at ! usual rate (  
two hundr$ p\nds  p] acre1 ?is hav+     
become a necessity t[>d ! end ( ?is  sl[
 b sure sy/em ( l& ru94    ,! simple    
pr9ciples ( y\r new me?od 7 und]/ood &  
practic$ 9 ,roman agriculture two ?\s&  
ye>s ago2 & !y  includ$ n only ?or\gh   
tillage1 c>eful se$ selection1 regul>   
crop rotation1 & ! use ( f>m manure1 b  
also ! use ( gre5  manures4 ,?us ,cato  
wrote3    ,take c>e to h y\r :eat we$$  
twice--) ! hoe1 & also  by h&4    ,&    
aga9 ,cato wrote3    ,:]e9 does a good  
sy/em ( agriculture consi/8 ,9 ! fir/   
place1 9 ?or\gh pl[+2 9 ! second place1 
9 ?or\gh  pl[+2 &1 9 ! ?ird place1 9    
manur+4    ,v>ro1 :o liv$ at ! same "t z
 ,cato1 wrote z foll[s3    ,! l& mu/ re/
 e second ye>1 or be s[n ) light] k9ds  
( se$s1 :i* prove less exhau/+ to !     
soil4 ,a field is n  s[n entirely = !   
crop :i* is to be obta9$ ! same ye>1  b 
p>tly = ! effect to be produc$ 9 !      
foll[+2 because  !re are _m plants :i*1 
:5 cut d[n & left on ! l&1  improve !   

soil4 ,?us lup9es1 = in/ance1 are pl[$  
into a poor  soil 9 lieu ( manure4      
,horse manure is ab\t ! be/ suit$ =     
mead[ l&1 & s 9 g5]al is t ( bea/s (    
burd5 f$ on  b>ley2 = manure made f ?is 
c]eal makes ! grass gr[  luxuriantly4   
,virgil wrote 9 8 ,georgics3    ,/ill w 
! se$s1 ?o *os5 ) toilsome pa9s1        
,deg5]ate1  if man's indu/ri\s h& ,cull 
n ea* ye> ! l>ge/ & !  be/4    ,x 0 9   
#ahei t ,b>on von ,liebig wrote z       
foll[s1 reg>d+  ^! & simil> anci5t      
tea*+s3    ,all ^! rules _h1 z hi/ory   
tells u1 only a tempor>y effect2  !y    
ha/5$ ! decay ( ,roman agriculture2 & ! 
f>m]  ultimately f\nd t he _h exhau/$   
all 8 exp$i5ts to keep  8 fields        
fruitful & reap remun]ative crops f !m4 
,ev5 9  ,columella's "t1 ! produce ( !  
l& 0 only f\rfold4 ,x is  n ! l& itself 
t con/itutes ! f>m]'s weal?1 b x is  9 !
 con/itu5ts ( ! soil1 :i* s]ve = !      
nutrition (  plants1 t ?is weal? truly  
consi/s4    ,suppose1 ,mr4 ,hill1 t a   
successful ,am]ican f>m] %\ld tell y  t 

y\r bank acc\nt w actually increase if y
 w give f  ?ree to five memb]s ( y\r    
family ! privilege ( writ+ *ecks  in/ead
 ( foll[+ ! s+le *eck+ sy/em4 ,b1 y w   
ask1 doesn't rotation produce a l>g]    
aggregate yield ( crops  ?an ! s+le crop
 sy/em8 ,c]ta9ly1 &1 likewise1 a        
rotation  ( ! *eck book w produce a l>g]
 aggregate ( ! *ecks  writt52 b !       
ultimate effect on ! bank deposit is !  
same z  on ! natural deposit ( plant    
food 9 ! soil1 & f9ally !  *ecks w n be 
honor$4 ,inde$1 x w\ld be a f9e sort (  
p]petual motion if we c\ld actually     
enri* ! soil by ! simple  rotation (    
crops1 & ?us make some?+ out ( no?+4    
,consid]1 = example1 ! common ?ree-ye>  
rotation1 corn1 :eat1  & clov]4 ,a      
fifty-bu%el crop ( corn removes twelve  
p\nds (  phosphorus f ! soil2 !         
tw5ty-five bu%el :eat crop draws  out   
eight p\nds2 & !n ! two-ton crop ( clov]
 )draws t5  p\nds1 mak+ ?irty p\nds     
requir$ = ?is simple rotation4 ,!  mo/  
common type ( l& 9 ,/4 ,m>y c\nty1      

,m>yl&1 aft] two  hundr$ ye>s ( f>m+1   
conta9s phosphorus en\gh 9 ! soil =     
five rotations ( ?is simple sort4       
,ma!matically t is all !  fur!r traffic 
9 rotations t soil c be>4               
,agriculturally t  soil has refus$ to   
be> any sort ( traffic1 :e!r s+le or 9  
rotations1 & has be5 ab&on$ = f>m use   
except :]e  f]tiliz$4    ,^! crops w\ld 
remove f ! soil "o hundr$ & tw5ty-f\r   
p\nds ( nitrog5 9 ! corn & :eat1 & !    
roots & /ubble  ( ! clov] w\ld conta9   
=ty p\nds ( nitrog54 ,n[1 if !  soil    
furni%es sev5ty-six p\nds ( nitrog5 to !
 corn crop &  =ty-eight p\nds to ! :eat 
crop1 w x furni% =ty p\nds  to ! clov]  
crop1 or z mu* z rema9s 9 ! roots &     
/ubble8  ,if s1 h[ does ! rotation      
actually enri* ! soil 9 nitrog58    ,y w
 be int]e/$ to "k t !re are _m exact    
records (  ! effect ^u ! soil ( !       
rotation ( crops4 ,?is p>ticul>         
?ree-ye> rotation has be5 foll[$ at !   
,ohio ,agricultural  ,exp]im5t ,/ation =
 ?irte5 ye>s1 & ! av]age yield (  :eat  

has be51 n tw5ty bu%els1 n sixte5       
bu%els1 b elev5  bu%els p] acre1 :]e no 
plant food 0 appli$2 al?\gh :]e  f>m    
manure 0 us$ ! :eat yield$ tw5ty bu%els1
 & )  manure & f9e-gr\nd natural rock   
phosphate add$ ! av]age  yield ( :eat = 
! ?irte5 ye>s has be5 m ?an tw5ty-six   
bu%els p] acre4 ,! correspond+ yields = 
corn are ?irty-two1  fifty-?ree &       
sixty-"o bu%els1 & = clov] !y are "o &  
two-t5?s1 "o & six-t5?s & two & two-t5?s
 tons ( hay  p] acre4    ,y w wi% to "k 
also t ! ,ohio ,/ation has conduct$ a   
five-ye> rotation ( corn1 oats1 :eat1   
clov]1 & timo?y = !  la/ fifte5 ye>s1   
bo? ) & )\t ! application (  comm]cial  
plant food4 ,z an av]age ( ! fifte5 ye>s
 !  unf]tiliz$ & f]tiliz$ tracts h      
produc$1 respectively3    #cj & #dh     
bu%els ( corn    #cb & #ej bu%els ( oats
 & #bg bu%els ( :eat 4#i & #a4f tons (  
clov]    #a4c & #a4h tons ( timo?y    ,9
 #aijh ! unf]tiliz$ l& produc$ n9e-t5?s 
ton ( clov]1  :ile l& treat$ ) f>m      
manure produc$ ?ree & two-t5?s  tons p] 

acre4    ,y w welcome ! in=mation t !   
av]age yield ( :eat on  an ,ill9ois     
exp]im5t field d[n "h 9 ,egypt1 9 a     
f\r-ye>  rotation1 includ+ bo? c[peas & 
clov]1 has be5 elev5 &  "o-half bu%els  
on unf]tiliz$ l&1 f\rte5 bu%els :]e     
legume  crops h be5 pl[$ "u1 &          
tw5ty-sev5 bu%els :]e  lime/one &       
phosphorus h be5 add$ ) ! legume crops  
turn$ "u2 & t ! aggregate value ( ! f\r 
crops1 corn1  oats1 :eat1 & clov]1 f    
ano!r ,egyptian f>m1 has be5  #be4ig p] 
acre on unf]tiliz$ l&1 & #ed4bd :]e     
lime/one &  phosphorus h be5 appli$4    
,9 y\r v busy & v successful railroad   
exp]i5ce1 y may  h ov]look$ ! reports ( 
! ,p5nsylvania ,agricultural  ,exp]im5t 
,/ation1 %[+ ! results ( a f\r-ye>      
rotation (  crops t has be5 conduct$ ) v
 great c>e = m ?an a  qu>t] ( a c5tury4 
,^!1 y w agree1 are exactly su*         
absolute data z we sorely ne$ j n[ :5   
fac+ ! /up5d\s  problem ( *ang+ f an    
agricultural sy/em ^: equal has  nev]   
be5 kn[n = rapidity ( soil exhau/ion to 

a sy/em :i*  %all actually enri* ! l&4  
,by av]ag+ ! results f !  fir/ twelve   
ye>s & also ^? f ! second twelve ye>s1 9
  ?is rotation ( corn1 oats1 :eat1 & hay
 7clov] & timo?y71 we  f9d t ! yields h 
decreas$ z foll[s3    ,corn decreas$ #cd
 p] c5t4    ,oats decreas$ #ca p] c5t4  
,:eat decreas$ #d p] c5t4    ,hay       
decreas$ #bi p] c5t4    ,appall+1 is x  
n8 ,x is ! be/ in=mation ,am]ica af=ds 9
  answ] to ! "q1 ,w ! rotation ( crops  
actually enri*  ! l&8    ,no1 ,sir4 ,we 
_c make crops nor bank acc\nts out (    
no?+4 ,!  rotation ( crops does n enri* 
! soil1 does n ev5 ma9ta9  ! f]tility ( 
! soil4 ,on ! contr>y1 ! rotation (     
crops1  l ! rotation ( y\r *eck book1   
actually depletes ! soil  m rapidly ?an 
! s+le sy/em2 &1 if y ev] h y\r  *oice  
betwe5 two f>ms ( equal orig9al         
f]tility1 "o ( :i*  has be5 cropp$ )    
:eat only1 & ! o!r ) a good ?ree or     
five-ye> rotation1 = fifty ye>s1 take my
 advice & *oose !  worn-out :eat f>m4   
,!n adopt a good sy/em ( cropp+ ) a     

mod]ate use ( clov]1 & y w soon discov] 
t y\r l& is  n worn out1 b almos' new   
lan z a good ,sw$e fri5d ( m9e  report$ 
:o made a simil> *oice4 ,b bew>e ( ! l& 
t has  be5 truly worn out "u a good     
rotation1 :i* avoids ! insects  &       
diseases ( ! s+le crop sy/em1 & also    
furni%es regul>ly  a mod]ate am\nt (    
clov] roots :i* decay v rapidly & ?us   
/imulate ! decomposition ( ! old humus &
 ! lib]ation (  m9]al plant food f !    
soil4    ,p]haps y h he>d ( ,ro?am/$4   
,if n1 y\r k9d]g>t5  tea*] is at fault4 
,a f\r-ye> rotation ( crops has be5     
foll[$  on ,agdell field = m ?an sixty  
ye>s4 ,an av]age ( ! crop  yields ( !   
la/ tw5ty ye>s reveals3    7#a7 ,t !    
yield ( turnips has decreas$ f t5 tons  
to  "o-half ton p] acre s9ce #ahdh4     
7#b7 ,t ! yield ( b>ley has decreas$ f  
=ty-six bu%els to  f\rte5 bu%els s9ce   
#ahdi4    7#c7 ,t ! yield ( clov] has   
decreas$ f two & eight-t5?  tons to     
"o-half ton s9ce #ahej4    7#d7 ,t !    
yield ( :eat has decreas$ f ?irty bu%els

 to  tw5ty-f\r bu%els s9ce #ahea1 :eat1 
gr[n once 9 f\r ye>s1  be+ ! only crop  
wor? rais+ z an av]age ( ! la/ tw5ty    
ye>s4    ,no1 ,sir4 ,nei!r optimism1 nor
 ignorance1 nor bigotry1 nor deception  
c controv]t ^! facts4    ,d y "k t ! p (
 ,india rotate _! crops8 ,!y d2  & !y   
use _m legumes2 & "s ( _! soils n[      
conta9 only  a trace ( phosphorus1 too  
small to be det]m9$ 9 figures by !      
*emi/4 ,d y "k !re are m ( our own      
,aryan ,race hungry 9  ,india ?an live 9
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates8    ,d y "k t ,russia  
regul>ly practices a ?ree-ye> rotation  
& actually h>ve/s only two crops 9 ?ree 
ye>s1 ) "o ye>  ( gre5 manur+8 ,yes1 & !
 av]age yield ( :eat = tw5ty  ye>s is   
only eight & "o-qu>t] bu%els p] acre4   
,?9k on ^! ?+s4    ,y\r ?ird pr9ciple   
is1 t ( all =age f$ to live /ock at     
lea/ "o-?ird 9 ca% value rema9s on ! l& 
9 ! =m (  manure t soon re/ores worn-out
 soil to f]tility & keeps good  l& f    
det]iorat+4 ,by ?is sy/em ! f>m may be  
made &  kept a s\rce ( p]petual weal?4  

,i grieve ) y2 pity 'tis1 'tis n true4  
,no1 ,sir4 ,nei!r crops nor animals c be
 made out ( no?+1 &  no indep5d5t sy/em 
( live/ock f>m+ c add to ! soil a  p\nd 
( any elem5t ( plant food1 aside f      
nitrog51 & ev5  ?is addition is due to !
 legume crops gr[n & n to ! live  /ock4 
,"u ! be/ sy/em ( live-/ock f>m+ ab\t   
?ree-f\r?s (  ! nitrog51 ?ree-f\r?s ( ! 
phosphorus1 & "o-?ird ( !  organic matt]
 conta9$ 9 ! food consum$ c be return$  
to !  l& if ! total excrem5ts1 bo? solid
 & liquid1 are sav$  )\t loss4 ,( c\rse1
 ! produce us$ = b$d+ c all be  return$1
 b x c\ld also be return$ )\t live /ock4
    ,"u a good sy/em ( crop rotation )  
all gra9 sold f !  f>m x is possible to 
return to ! soil m ?an "o-?ird ( !      
phosphorus & m ?an "o-half ( ! organic  
matt] conta9$ 9  ! crops1 & ev5 z mu*   
nitrog5 z all ( ! crops remove f  ! l& 9
 ! gra9 sold4 ,?us1 ) a f\r-ye> rotation
 (  :eat1 corn1 oats1 & clov]1 & a cat* 
crop ( clov] gr[n )  ! :eat & turn$ "u  
late ! foll[+ spr+ = corn1 we  may pl[  

"u ?ree tons ( clov] conta9+ "o hundr$ &
  tw5ty p\nds ( nitrog51 9 return = ! "o
 hundr$ &  n9ete5 p\nds remov$ f ! soil 
= ! tw5ty-five bu%els (  :eat1 fifty    
bu%els ( corn1 & fifty bu%els ( oats4   
,^!  am\nts ( gra9 & ! two bu%els (     
clov] se$ might be sold  f ! f>m1 :ile !
 two & "o-half tons ( /raw1 "o &        
"o-half tons ( /alks1 & ?ree tons (     
clov] might be return$  to ! l&4 ,^!    
am\nts aggregate sev5 tons ( organic    
matt]1  or ! equival5t ( sev5te5 tons ( 
manure1 measur$ by !  nitrog5 cont5t1 or
 ( tw5ty-f\r tons1 measur$ by ! cont5t (
  organic matt]4 ,to replace ! tw5ty-two
 p\nds ( phosphorus sold  f ! f>m 9 !   
gra9 ( ^! f\r crops w\ld require !      
exp5diture ( sixty-six c5ts at ! pres5t 
prices = raw  phosphate deliv]$ at      
,he>t-(-,egypt4    ,i h no d\bt y w be  
glad to h y\r att5tion call$ to  ! fact 
t ! _w does n live :olly1 or ev5 l>gely1
 ^u  meat & milk4 ,bread is ! /aff (    
life1 & ,i note f y\r  ,_w's ,"w article
 t y pref] to h ! bread made (  :eat4   

,?us1 mo/ f>m]s mu/ raise & sell gra9 & 
vegetables4    ,if no indep5d5t sy/em ( 
live-/ock f>m+ c add a p\nd (           
phosphorus to ! "o hundr$ & sixty p\nds 
/ill rema9+ 9  ! great body ( ! level   
upl&s con/itut+ =ty-"o p] c5t4  ( ,/4   
,m>y c\nty1 & =ty-five ?\s& sev5 hundr$ 
&  sev5ty acres ( ,pr9ce ,george c\nty1 
,m>yl&1 adjo9+ !  ,di/rict ( ,columbia1 
nor ev5 ma9ta9 ! phosphorus supply 9 our
  good l&s1 !n :at mu/ we d to be f$8   
,manife/ly1 we %\ld make l>ge use (     
legume crops = !  production ( f>m      
manure or gre5 manure2 &1 manife/ly1    
,am]ica  %\ld /op sell+ e ye> = five    
million doll>s en\gh raw  phosphate = ! 
production ( m ?an a billion doll>s'    
wor?  ( :eat4 ,h[ long c we af=d to give
 away a ?\s& millions  = five millions8 
,our annual corn crop is ne>ly ?ree     
billion bu%els1 :ile !  e/imat$ value ( 
all ! timb] on ! /ill rema9+ f$]al  l&s 
is only "o billion doll>s4 ,aga91 our   
?ree trillion tons (  coal is suffici5t 
= an annual consumption ( half a billion

 tons  = six ?\s&s ye>s1 :]eas ! ,unit$ 
,/ates ,geological ,survey  has e/imat$ 
t at ! pres5t rate ( increase 9 m9+ &   
exportation our total supply (          
high-grade phosphate w be  exhau/$ 9    
fifty ye>s4 ,x seems to me t ab\t n9ety 
p] c5t4  ( ! talk ab\t cons]vation (    
natural res\rces is direct$  t[>d t5 p] 
c5t4 ( ! res\rces1 :5 we rememb] ! soil 
z  ! f\ndation ( all agriculture & all  
indu/ry4    ,d y "k1 ,mr4 ,hill1 t1 at !
 ,second ,cons]vation ,conf]5ce  call$  
by ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1       
,doctor ,van ,hise1 (  ! ,univ]sity (   
,wiscons91 0 ! only man to raise 8 voice
 9  ! int]e/s ( ! common soils (        
,am]ica8 ,= ?ree days !  /atesman &     
exp]ts discuss$ ! =e/s1 =e/s1 =e/s1 &  !
 wat]s1 wat]s1 & ! coal & iron2 & =     
fifte5 m9utes  ,presid5t ,van ,hise     
plead$ = ! cons]vation ( phosphate1 !   
ma/] key to all our mat]ial prosp]ity2 &
 he 0 call$ a  crank ) a hobby4    ,)   
deep respect1 ,i am1    ,v s9c]ely y\rs1
    ,,p]cy ,,john/on                    

,,*apt] ,,xlii    ,,advance ,,in=mation 
,,he>t-,,(-,,egypt1 ,novemb] #ad1 #aiji4
    ,,de> fa!r & "m3 ,i c sc>cely       
realize t ,i h be5 an  ,egyptian = almo/
 two ye>s4 ,i feel t ! "t has be5  %ort]
 ?an two mon?s ( s*ool-tea*+4    ,p]cy  
is s enc\rag$ ) ! crops t ,i rejoice )  
him1  al?\gh ,i c\ld nev] weep ) him    
unless ,i weep = joy4 ,he says  ! crops 
ne$$ only t ,i %\ld /roll ov] ! fields )
 him2  t !y w\ld gr[ rapidly if ,i only 
look$ at !m4 ,?9k (  x--,i drove ! m[]  
to cut hay1--n all ( ! #hj acres1 to be 
sure1 b ,i cut :]e x yield$ two tons p] 
acre4 ,t is on ,no4  #d1 :]e ,p]cy      
appli$ 8 fir/ c>s ( lime/one4 ,i wi% y  
c\ld  h se5 ! untreat$ /rips--no clov] &
 only half a ton (  we$y timo?y1 :ile ! 
re/ ( ,no4 #d & ,no4 #f 7 clean hay (   
mix$ alsike & timo?y4 ,p]cy says t ,no4 
#d produc$ z mu*  real hay la/ ye> z all
 ! re/ ( ! f>m has produc$ s9ce he      
came1 & t ! hay crop ?is ye> is wor? z  
mu* = fe$ z  all t has be5 h>ve/$ dur+ !
 previ\s five ye>s2 & !  cattle & horses

 seem to agree ) him4    ,we sold our   
ma9 lot ( hogs = #fed1 & h ano!r lot to 
g  lat]4 ,we are gett+ s _m horses &    
cattle on ! place1 t  we are go+ out ( !
 hog bus9ess4    ,p]cy says t hogs      
belong m prop]ly 9 ! corn belt1 ?an 9  !
 :eat & fruit belt4 ,y "k ! ye> ,i came 
! corn crop 0  on ,no4 ,i1 :i* _h nev]  
gr[n any?+ b corn1 oats1 & :eat1  s f> z
 we c le>n2 & ! corn 0 s poor ! hogs ate
 mo/  ( x 9 two mon?s' "t4 ,dur+ ! same 
two mon?s ! price (  hogs dropp$ f #g to
 #d-a_/b c5ts1 s t ! hogs 7 wor? no  m  
aft] eat+ ! corn crop ?an !y 7 be=e4    
,next ye> we are to h corn on ,no4 #d1 &
 ,p]cy says x w be  ! fir/ "t t corn has
 _h a gho/ ( a %[ to make a dec5t  crop 
s9ce he b\ght ! place4 ,! spr+ be=e we 7
 m>ri$  he rese$$ t =ty1 s[+ mix$ alsike
 & timo?y4 ,! clov]  came on f9ely1     
evid5tly because ! scanty gr[? ( clov] !
  ye> be=e _h at lea/ all[$ ! field to  
become ?or\ghly  infect$ ) ! clov]      
bact]ia4 ,!re 0 no clov] on !  unlim$   
/rip4 ,s we say t lime/one & bact]ia    

br\ght clov]4  ,! hay & o!r fe$ has made
 manure en\gh s t ,no4 #d has be5       
completely cov]$ ) six tons p] acre1 & !
 phosphate has  also be5 appli$2 s )    
manure & phosphate on clov] gr\nd we    
hope to gr[ corn next ye>1 if we h good 
wea!r4    ,! phosphate has also be5 put 
on "s ( ! o!r =ties4 ,i  conv9c$ him t !
 money w pay a high] rate ( int]e/ 9    
phosphate ?an x w\ld 9 ! sav+s bank1 ev5
 if he put x on  be=e manure & clov]    
c\ld be pl[$ "u4 ,! exp]im5ts (  sev]al 
/ates %[ ?is v conclusively4    ,! corn 
is on ,no4 #c ?is ye> & x is ! be/ crop 
9 ! six  ye>s4 ,p]cy says ! ,t]ry ,act  
7:i* means lots ( "w 9  prep>+ ! l&7 is 
"s help1 b he ?9ks ! phosphate %[s      
aga9/ ! *eck /rips4 ,! "y :eat on ,no4  
#b is look+ f9e1  & ) bo? lime/one &    
phosphate on t field & ! extra  "w on ! 
se$ b$1 we hope = a bett] crop ?an we h 
ev]  gr[n on a full =ty2 ev5 ?\gh we mu/
 dep5d solely ^u our  res]ve /ock (     
nitrog5 = ! crop4 ,we are all ab\t z    
jeal\s  ( t res]ve /ock ( organic matt] 

& nitrog5 z we are (  ! ,w9t]b9e bank   
acc\nt4    ,i _c =get h[ ,p]cy tri$ to  
p]suade me to po/pone our  w$d+ = a ye> 
because1 z he said1 ! hogs _h tak5 8    
corn  crop & giv5 no?+ 9 return = x2 &  
above all h[ he  object$ to my reimburs+
 ! ,w9t]b9e res]ve f my tea*]'s  wages  
to ! ext5t ( #bej1 :i* he _h drawn 9 "p 
to tide ov]  ! h>d times1 & 9 "p to come
 to see me t ,ea/]4 ,b ,i am  glad to h 
him /ill insi/ ^u x t t unc]ta9 v5ture  
prov$ 8 be/ inve/m5t1 ev5 if he does    
tease by add+ t x  paid "o hundr$ &     
fifty p] c5t4 net pr(it at ,w9t]b9e4    
,we are sell+ "s c[s ?is fall1--try+ to 
we$ out our h]d by  ! ,babcock te/ :i*  
%[s t "s c[s don't pay _! bo>d  & keep1 
to quote ,gov]nor ,ho>d's lecture on    
,c[s v]sus ,c[s1  :i* ,p]cy he>d at     
,olney ! w9t] ,pr(essor ,b>/[ 0 m>ri$4  
,! v]sus c[s are wor? only #de4    ,i _c
 tell y h[ ,i h enjoy$ ! summ]4 ,sir    
,*>les ,h5ry  is ! de>e/ *ild1 & 8      
gr&mo!r insi/s ^u x t x is  bett] = me  
to help ,p]cy 9 ! field ) su* light "w z

 ,i  c d1 & ,i am out = a few h\rs e day
 :5 ! wea!r is  good4 ,p]cy's "m is su* 
a de>4 ,i am sure %e c\ld be no m  sweet
 & lov+ to an own daught]4 ,%e _h ,p]cy 
all to h]self  = s long t ,i 0 really   
afraid %e might n l to %>e him  ) me1 b 
,p]cy says t x 0 8 "m :o p]suad$ him to 
make u t ,ea/] visit4 ,we tell h] t %e  
hasn't mu* use =  ei!r ( u n[1 & t we   
are likely to get jeal\s because  ,*>les
 ,h5ry gets s mu* ( h] affection4    ,i 
=got to tell y ( ,p]cy's f\r-acre pat* (
 :eat4 ,he said x  is s long to wait    
till #aiab = 8 fir/ :eat crop on l& t   
_h gr[n clov] at lea/ once dur+ hi/oric 
times t he ?\ght  he w\ld fix up a      
little pat* to gr[ a crop ( :eat1 j to  
see  h[ real :eat w\ld look2 or1 z he   
sometimes says1 to see h[  :eat gr[s 9  
,egypt :5 x has a gho/ ( a *ance4    ,he
 treat$ a f\r-acre pat* d[n by ! wood's 
pa/ure )  lime/one1 phosphorus1 & f>m   
manure1 did ! ,t]ry ,act 9  prep>+ ! se$
 b$1 & drill$ 9 a good v>iety ( :eat1 on
  ,octob] #ag1--;a little lat] ?an he   

likes to f9i% s[+ :eat4 ,x  came up ) a 
good /& b did n make v mu* fall gr[?1   
p>tly ow+ to ! dry wea!r4 ,9 ! spr+ !   
man came across  ! pat* & report$ to    
,p]cy t ! :eat 0 mighty small &  he     
guess$ x 0 gone up1 al?\gh x seem$ to be
 all alive4  ,p]cy said t he w\ld n     
worry ab\t x if x 7 alive because  !    
:eat w\ld f9d some?+ to please x :5 x   
really woke up  9 ! spr+4 ,i reckon x   
did1 = a neighbor pass$ on 8 way to  t[n
 9 e>ly ,may & call$ ov] ! f5ce to ,p]cy
 t 8 pat*  ( rye d[n by ! woods 0 look+ 
f9e4 ,well ! f\r acres  yield$ #abi-a_/b
 bu%els1 or a little m ?an ?irty-two    
bu%els  p] acre4 ,p]cy said if he c\ld h
 eighty acres ( x & sell x  = #a4ah a   
bu%el1 ! same z he got = ! la/ he sold1 
x  w\ld am\nt to twice ! orig9al co/ ( !
 l&--& !n "s4    ,mr4 ,b>ton ask$ him if
 he c\ld n raise j z good crops )  good 
old f>m manure1 & if he c\ld n build up 
8 :ole f>m  ) f>m manure4 ,p]cy said    
yes1 b he w\ld ne$ ?ree ?\s&  tons = !  
fir/ application4 ,mr4 ,b>ton !n sugge/$

 t t  0 m ?an ! :ole t[n%ip produc$4    
,no4 #e has be5 9 pa/ure = ?ree ye>s1   
clov] & grass hav+  be5 se$$ 9 #aijf1   
ev5 ?\gh ! wet wea!r _h prev5t$ !  se$+ 
( :eat ! fall be=e1 & ! gr\nd 0 left too
 r\gh  = ! m[]4 ,p]cy hopes to h t =ty  
completely cov]$  ) manure by ! "t he w 
be ready to apply ! phosphate &  pl[ x  
"u = ! #ai ,i ,i corn crop4    ,n[ y\r  
,egyptian son has j read ov] ?is long1  
long lett]1  & he says t if ,i 7 a real 
wise old f>m] ,i w\ld n beg9  to talk   
ab\t results be=e a s+le =ty acres (    
gra9 _h _h a  gho/ ( a *ance to make a  
crop4 ,he says t e bu%el ( corn1  oats1 
& :eat t ?is old f>m has produc$ dur+ ! 
la/ six  ye>s has be5 :olly at ! exp5se 
( ! meag] /ock ( res]ve  nitrog5 /ill   
left 9 ! soil aft] sev5ty-five ye>s (   
almo/  cont9u\s ef=t to "w ! l& = all   
t's 9 x ,he says  t we h no "r to expect
 really good crops until aft] !  second 
rotation is complet$1 because ! clov]   
gr[n dur+ !  fir/ rotation does n h a   
fair %[1 ! lime/one n yet  be+ well mix$

 ) ! soil1 ! phosphorus supply be+      
inadequate1 ! inoculation or infection  
be+ imp]fect1 & no  provision :atev]    
hav+ be5 made to supply decay+ organic  
matt] 9 advance ( ! fir/ clov] crop4 ,i 
?9k he is "r z  usual & ,i promise to   
give no m advance in=mation h]eaft]     
except ^u inquiry1 at lea/ n until      
#aiah1 :5 ! fir/ :eat  crop w be gr[n on
 l& :i* has be5 twice 9 clov]4 ,we are  
mighty sorry n to be able to be ) y =   
,?anksgiv+ or  ,*ri/mas1 b really we _c 
g to ! exp5se2 our h\se is s  small 7we 
j mu/ build a l>g] b>n7 & our home      
equipm5t is  s meag] t1 9 ! words :i* y 
w rememb] ,p]cy told u  8 "m cr$it$ to  
,mrs4 ,b>ton1 ,i feel t z yet ,i mu/    
say1    ,d come ov] :5 y c4    ,y\r     
happy1 lov+ daught]1    ,,adelaide4     
,p4,s4--,?ree big oil wells1 belong+ to 
! class call$ gu%]s1  h be5 /ruck ab\t  
sev5 or eight miles f ,poorl& ,f>m4 ,we 
are all gett+ int]e/$ except ,p]cy4 ,he 
says he does n want  any oil wells on 8 
six rotation =ties or 9 ! wood's pa/ure1

  b he might let !m bore 9 ! twelve-acre
 or*>d1 :i* has  nev] produc$ b "o crop 
t paid = itself1 & ! pr(it  f t is ab\t 
all gone = ! lat] ye>s ( spray+4    ,!  
fir/ oil boom 9 ,ill9ois 0 at ,casey :]e
 !y /ruck oil  six or eight ye>s ago1 b 
!y say ! wells !re are dry already  & !y
 h to g back to f>m+ aga9 to get a liv+4
 ,( c\rse  if we c\ld get a hundr$-b>rel
 well on e t5 acres & get a  royalty (  
#djj a day = a few ye>s1 x w\ld help out
 nicely1 b  ! oil bus9ess is unc]ta9 &  
%ort-liv$1 :]eas1 to quote  ,p]cy ! soil
 is ! brea/ ( ,"m ,e>?1 f :i* h]  *ildr5
 mu/ always draw _! n\ri%m5t4    ,"s h  
spok5 to ,p]cy ab\t ! coal "r1 b he says
 if !re  are t5 ?\s& tons ( coal p] acre
 "u ,poorl& ,f>m1 he w  save x = ,*>les 
,h5ry be=e he w all[ anyone else to take
  x out = less ?an t5 c5ts a ton4 ,he   
says t j because !  ,unit$ ,/ates       
,gov]nm5t 0 g5]\s en\gh to give ! settl]
  ?ree hundr$ & tw5ty acres ( l&1 &     
fooli% en\gh to ?r[  9 ) x ?ree million 
tons ( coal if x happ5$ to lie b5ea?1   

is no reason :y he %\ld sell x to any   
coal company or coal tru/  at ! rate (  
t5 tons = "o c5t1 :i* is ! same z t5    
doll>s p] acre = ! coal "r4 ,he says if 
,uncle ,sam ev] wants  to assume 8      
rightful own]%ip ( all coal1 phosphate  
deposits1 or  o!r m9]als ^: cons]vation 
& prop] use is ess5tial to !  cont9u$   
prosp]ity ( all ! p1 !n our coal %all be
 82  b1 if he does n want x !n he w     
consid] no?+ less ?an  leas+ on ! basis 
( a royalty ( t5 c5ts a ton to be paid  
to  him1 8 heirs1 & assigns1 etc42 b ev5
 !n he wants en\gh  coal left to hold up
 ! e>?1 s t !re w be no  int]f]5ce ) !  
tile dra9s :i* he expects sometime to   
put  d[n at an exp5se exce$+ ! orig9al  
co/ ( ! l&4 ,)  mu* love1    ,,adelaide4
    ,p4,s4--,p]cy s5ds 8 love to gr&ma &
 a photograph = ,papa1  f :i* y w see t 
on su* l& z ours no lime/one or         
phosphate means no clov]4--,a4 ,w4 ,j4  
,! au?or takes ?is occasion to say to ! 
k9d read] :o has _h  ! pati5ce & !      
necess>y int]e/ 9 ! /up5d\s problem  n[ 

confront+ ! ,am]ican p1 ( devis+ &      
adopt+ into  g5]al practice indep5d5ce  
sy/ems ( f>m+ t w re/ore1  increase1 &  
p]man5tly ma9ta9 ! productive p[] (     
,am]ican  f>m l&s1--to ^? :o h read ?us 
f> ! ,/ory ( ! ,soil  & :o may h "s     
desire = m specific & m complete or     
compreh5sive in=mation ^u ! subject1--to
 all su* he takes  ?is occasion to say t
 ?is volume is bas$ sci5tifically ^u    
,soil ,f]tility & ,p]man5t ,agriculture4
    ,?is little book is int5d$ z an     
introduction to ! subject2 !  o!r may be
 class$ z te*nical1 b nev]!less c be    
und]/ood by any "o :o gives x s]i\s     
?\ght4 ,?is book tells  ! true /ory ( ! 
soil1 = :i* ! o!r gives a ?\s&  pro(s4  
,grateful ackn[l$gm5t is "h express$ t  
ev5 ! measure (  success ?us f> atta9$  
on ,poorl& ,f>m has be5 possible l>gely 
?r\gh ! co-op]ation ( a belov$ bro!r1   
,c>l ,edw91 ! man  :o does a _w ( "w1   
ably assi/$ by ,adelaide4