An American Example
The plight of farms in the United States has been much worse than in England; but some salient recoveries are recorded, and these may perhaps have sugges- tions for those who are dealing with the present depression in this island. America was troubled by denudation and exhaustion of the soil, as well as low prices. This particular evil has been cured on millions of acres by the use of various clovers, including wild white clover from England. The largest of the " conservers " has been a great insurance com- pany which took over an immense number of derelict and moribund farms; and restored them to fertility and their farmers to prosperity by the skilful use of capital. This was spent chiefly in building better houses and sheds, especially poultry sheds, and in giving control to scientific specialists, who knew or could discover the special requirements of the soil. In a number of cases bankrupt tenants became pro- sperous owners. English farming is doubtless peculiar; but not so peculiar that examples from other lands can be wholly neglected, as in general they have been neglected. Experts in the many agricultural stations are being more freely consulted by farmers ; but they are powerless to prevent either the exhaustion of farm lands or the entire abandonment of arable cultivation. The number of acres left deliberately barren, even close to big towns, is utterly lamentable. We need a sort of Forestry Commission for husbandry.
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