diseases, exploitation of new lands by drainage and irrigation,
popularly called 'reclamation,' although applied only to rich virgin
soils which can certainly be brought under cultivation at any future
time either by the Government or by private enterprise. But why
should not the Federal government make all necessary provisions to
furnish ground limestone and phosphate rock at the actual cost of
quarrying, grinding, and transporting, in order that farmers on
these old depleted soils may be encouraged to adopt systems of soil
improvement; or even compelled to adopt such systems, just as they
are compelled to build school houses, bridges, and battleships?"

"Perhaps the Government would do this," said Adelaide, "if the
Secretary of Agriculture would recommend it."

"I have heard of the '_big if,'" _Percy replied slowly, "but I am
afraid this _if _will beat the record for bigness. His soil
theorists continue to assure him that soils do not wear out, no
matter how heavily cropped, if they are only rotated and cultivated;
and to support their theories they have forsaken the data from the
most carefully conducted and long continued scientific
investigations, and indulged in a game of guessing that the
increasing productiveness of a few small countries of Europe is not
due to any necessary addition of plant food.

"But here is the depot, and I have taken almost an hour to drive
three miles. If I had hurried, you might have been back home by this
time. I am afraid I have been selfish in allowing the team to walk
nearly all of the way, but they will at least be fresh for the home
trip which you promised to make in less than twenty minutes, I
remember. Now if you will hold the lines, I will run into the store