Chemical work in Canadian agriculture [microform]

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Reprinted from The Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. X, No. 2, pp. 29-43,
Ottawa, Canada, May, 1896.

Cljemical Work ii] Capdiaij Agriculture.

By Frank T. Shutt, M.A„ F.I.C, F.C.S., Chemist,
Dominion Experimental Farms.

Read before the Natural History Society of Montreal, Somerville Course of Lectures,

April, 1896.

t

Reprinted from The Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. X, No. 2, pp. 29-43.
Ottawa, Canada, May, 1896.

CHEMICAL WORK IN CANADIAN AGRICULTURE.

By Frank T. Shutt, M.A.. F.I.C., F.C.S., Chemist,
Dominion Experimental Farms.

!

Read before the Natural History Society of M 'ntreal, Somerville Course of Lectures,

April, 1896.

In bringing before you an epitome of the work accom-
plished for Canadian agriculture by the Chemical Division of
the Experimental Farms during the past eight years, it may be
advisable by way of introduction to say something of the im-
portant relationship that exists between Chemistry and Agricul-
ture. And in order to make this relationship clear we may first
consider briefly the character and scope of these two great
sciences.

Chemistry busies itself with the study of the composition
of all matter, solid, liquid and gaseous — living and inert — and
endeavours to ascertain the laws that govern the changes which
such matter is continually undergoing in the animal, the
vegetable and the mineral kingdoms. Thus, chemistry has found
out the nature of plant constituents and the source whence plants
obtain them. It indicates the various food elements and the
proportions in which plants take them from the atmosphere
and from the soil respectively. Hence, not only soil exhaus-
tion and diminished yields resulting from the practice of
continually cropping without any concomitant return of soil
plant food, become easily understood with the aid of chemistry ;
but the way for a more or less speedy return to fertility is
indicated. In other words, by analysis and vegetation
experiment (the latter practically a synthetical method) the

30

The Ottawa Naturalist.

peculiar requirements of our farm crops are ascertained and
economical means of supplying these wants ire suggested.
After studying the conversion of soil substances and of the
constituents of the air into vegetable tissues, chemistry further
endeavours to learn the function of these latter when used as
food by aninfals. Thus, experimental research has shown that
starch, sugar, gums, etc. (the class of nutrients known generally
under the term carbohydrates) fibre and oil, products of vegetable
metabolism are chiefly of service in the animal system in
producing heat and supplying energy for work, while the
albuminoids or nitrogenous organic matter elaborated by
plants find their chief function as flesh formers and in supplying
the requisite constituents for the production of blood, milk, wool,
etc.

It n ay be urged that these are for the most part questions
of vegetable and animal physiology, and rightly so ; but
is not physiology a name for that special branch of chemistry
that seeks to explain the changes in matter that attend
or are produced by the vital functions of plants and animals ?
At all events, physiology is largely chemistry, for if the
former science tells us that living matter is composed of cells
capable of nutrition and reproduction, the latter shows how
the changes of the matter within the cells, primarily leading to
their nutrition, and secondarily to their reproduction, are true
chemical transformations. ^

Concerning Agriculture, we may say, adopting a defini-
tion given for English grammar by an old author that it is " both
a science and an art." It is the oldest of all arts, save perhaps
that of the chase. The art of husbandry includes and imparts skill
in all farming operation*^ — draining, plowing, harrowing, seeding,
cultivating, harvesting, threshing, and indeed all work concerning
the culture of the field and the care of farm animals. Of late
years great progress has been made in agricultureas an art,and this
principally through the introduction and assistance of improved
implements and machinery. The sickle and the flail are almost
forgotten instruments of the past, and many of the implements —

CiiKMicAL Work in Canadian Aguicultuue. 31

triumphs in mechanics — now in general use were not even
faintly foreshadcnvcd twenty-five years ago.

The sricnce of agriculture first makes plain the reason for
and the results of the various operations we have just enumerated
and then studies the whys and wherefores of the changes brought
about by nature through plants and animals. If agriculture as
a whole may be said to have for its object the econoniic pro-
duction ot plants and animals and the materials elaborated by
them during their life, agriculture as a science endeavours to
ascertain the causes and conditions that lead to the consum-
mation of this object. "./

Although Botany, Zoology, Physiology and Phys'cs i\\ lend,
their aid, it will be apparent from what I have said ^that
Chemistry furnishes the basis and a large proportion of the
superstructure of scientific agriculture ; indeed, so interwoven
and intimately connected is chemistry with all branches of farm'
work that agricultural chemistry and scientific agriculture may
be counted as almost synonymous terms, for it is difficult to
conceive an agricultural problem that does not make demands
upon chemistry for its solution. It is most certainly true that
agriculture is fast passing beyond the ranks of empiricism,
We recognize that it has entered the realms of science ; and the
hope for the future of agriculture, as has been well remarked by
an eminent English authority, lies in the larger adoption of those
methods which science with practice advocates.

Interesting, however, as these considerations are, we must
pass to the matter in hand and show wherein assistance has
been rendered by the Dominion Government to Canadian
agriculture by the chemical researches carried on in our
laboratories at Ottawa.

VIRGIN SOILS OF CANADA.

The factors of a soil's fertility may be briefly enumerated
as follows : —

1 The amount and availability of its plant food

2 Its mechanical condition or tilth.

3 The conditions of climate, rainfall, temperature, etc.

32

The Ottawa Naturalist.

It is thus apparent that the knowledge afforded by a
chemical analysis, when properly interpreted, is of great value as
an indication of a soil's productiveness and for suggesting its
economical treatment with fertilizers. A complete soil analysis
comprises a series of most careful and accurate chemical
operations, the determining of the amounts of plant food and
more especially of the nitrogen, potash and phosphoric
acid. Since such work necessitates a considerable expendi-
ture of time, only typical soils, representative of large areas that
have never been cropped or manured, are submitted to complete
analysis.

As might be expected, the soils in Canada are exceedingly
varied as regards their origin, their nature and composition. We
have not yet the data that would enable us to speak of all
classes of Canadian soils, for considering the area of the arable
land in the Dominion, the worK accomplished can scarcely be
said to do more than give us information regarding the soils of
widely isolated districts. Our endeavour will be, as opportunity
offers, to continue this chemical survey and thus gradually
accumulate data that will be of service, directly to our own
farmers and of interest and value to those of other countries
who may be meditating emigration to the Dominion by bring-
ing before them a knowledge of the character of Canadian soils.

To mention a few of the more typical soils of the various
provinces, I might, beginning in the West, tell you of the rich
and fertile soils from the valleys of the Fraser and Pitt Rivers
in British Columbia.

These alluvials deposits, composed of detritus, cover many
thousands of acres,and rank, both as regards mechanical condition
and richness of composition, with the best soils of any country
in the world. Of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid, as well
as of the minor elements of plant food, analysis has proved them
to contain large stores. Undoubtedly, the soils formed by the
deposits of other rivers in the province would show themselves
on examination to be equally rich in plant food.

Chemical Wokk in Canadian Agriculturk. 33

Another clrss of soils in British Columbia arc the upper
" bench " soils. Those analysed have been of a light and sandy
character, considerably inferior to the soil just referred to as re-
gards plant food, but, nevertheless, owing to the extremely
favourably climatic conditions that prevail, have proved them-
selves to be capable of producing good and profitable yields.

Britivh Columbia also possesses in many of her valleys areas
of mucky soils, essentially rich in organic matter and nitrogen.
These with proper treatment are exceedingly productive and
eventually will prove of great value for the growing of most of
our farm crops.

Concerning the soils of the North- West Territories, I can
state that most of those samples examined have been found to
contain large amounts of plant food. Even soils from the areas
affected by the deleterious presence of alkali for the most part
contain all the necessary elements for productiveness, and only
await the proper treatment of drainage and the application
of certain chemicals to make them fertile in a high degree.

The prairie soil of Manitoba constitutes a real mine of
plant food. A sample examined from the Red River valley, a
black loam more than two feet in depth, was of a very high
order, possessing remarkable amounts of all those materials
which crops require, atid ranking as pre-eminent from both a
chemical and mechanical standpoint. From the analysis, I
calculated that an area of one acre to the depth of one foot,
contained, approximately: Nitrogen, 33,145 lbs ; Potash, 33,950
lbs ; Phosphoric acid, 9,450 lbs. When we compare these
amounts with those pre.?ent in average fertile soils, viz: Nitrogen,
3,500 lbs ; Potash, 7,000 lbs ; Phosphoric acid 6,000 lbs., the
great agricultural value and possibilities of this prairie soil will
be obvious.

Both the North- West Territories and Manitoba are justly
noted as grain growing areas and more especially for producing
large yields of wheat rich in gluten and of excellent milling
.<\ualities. The magnificent soil of these districts has been one
of the chief factors in bringing about this result. Our farmers

34

TiiK Ottawa Naturalist.

in the far West, however, should learn before too late that this
store of fertility is not inexhaustible and that the export of j^rain
results in soil exhaustion which must be met b) the application
of manures and fertilizers if the present conditions are to be
preserved. Undoubtedly, the climate there prevailinjjj is one
that assists in the conservation of soil plant food, but this factor,
obviously, is not one that should be relied on to the neglect of
replacing' plant food.

The dirticult)' of obtaining in Ontario samples of virj^in
soil represeniativeof lar^e areas has prevented me hitherto from
bcin<^ able to draw an)' conclusions that would be of general
importance and value. .As data accumulate, we may be in a
better position to speak more definitely and probably to map
out this province into districts according to the original
character of its soils. In the meantime, we can report that in
most instances the results we have obtained show a .sufficiency
of jilant food for lucrative crops yields.

Unfortunately the practice of " burning " when clearing up
land has been most disastrous over large districts, destroying
vast stores ot humus and nitrogen, a loss that can be replaced
only b)' many decades of skilful! procedure and care.

I'rom the Province of Quebec both heavy and light .soils
have been received. Many of the frontier lands are in a
condition of partial exhaustion, owing to the one-sided method
of farming that has been in vogue. These must be built up
with green manuring and by application of barnyard manure
and fertilizers, thus replacing tho.se elements that many years of
cropping have taken away. Undoubtedly, the virgin soils of
the areas here referred to were just as rich in plant food as
those of any province in Canada, a statement that receives
corroboration from results obtained in the examination of
certain newly broken Quebec soils.

Hitherto, the soils from the Maritime Provinces examined
by us have been few in number. Such data, as we have
however, would go to show that their virgin soils are capable
of giving excellent crops under proper treatment.

Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture. 35

In clositij,' this cursory review of our work in this branch of
apfricultural investigation, it only remains to say that our ex-
amination of Canadian cultivated soils points to certain economic
methods of improvemciit that may be recommended to our
farmers in order 10 enhaiTcc the productiveness of their fields.

These briefly are as follows : —

1 The more extensive growth of the legumes (peas, beans,
clover, etc.). These plants alone have the ability to assimilate
the free nitrogen of the air and thus are particularly valuable for
"turning under" and also as fodder crops. Green manuring
(the ploughing under of a green crop) with cI'--''- adds to the
soil's store of fertility in nitrogen and humus, improving the soil
both chemically and mechanically.

2 The application of wood ashes to supply the second
essential clement of plant food, viz: potash. Canadian wood
ashes (in other words, Canadian soil fertility), though much
undervalued at home, find a ready sale in the United States.
Our farmers receive in exchange for their ashes but a tithe of
their worth. Does not parting with them under such conditions
seem like killing the goose that laid the golden egg? If wood
ashes are not obtainable, muriate of potash or kainit (a potash
salt mined in Stassfurt, Germany) should be used to supplement
the barnyard manure.

Again, there are many ot our soils and crops that would be
benefited by an application of a soluble phosphate, Apatite
or mineral phosphate of lime we have in Canada in abundance
and also the raw materials for manufacturing the sulphuric acid
to treat it with and make !<■ soluble. It only remains for our
farmers to intelligently use the superphosphate in order to increase
the fertility of their fields and at the same time assist an industry
that would be of great importance to the country.

3 Compared with the soils of other countries, many in
Canada appear to be deficient in lime. This fact suggests that
the judicious application of lime, marl or gypsum (at the same
time supply other forms of plant food) would lead to good re-

36

The Ottawa Naturalist.

suits. We have ample testimony that on many of our heavy
and light soils this treatment has been eminently satisfactory.

NATURALLY-OCCURRING FERTILIZERS.

Closely relating to the question of soil plant food is that of
fertilizers. In many parts of the Dominion are to be found vast
deposits of material rich in the elements nessary for plant growth.
These accum ilations of swamp muck, peat, marl, gypsum, moss,
river and tidal muds, seaweed, etc., etc., are all most valuable.
Their composition should be better known and their methods of
application more universally understood. Analyses made
in our laboratories have established the fact that swamp mucks
are nitrogenous fertilizers of a high order. In an air-dried con-
dition they will average per ton between 30 lbs. and 40 lbs. of
nitrogen which e'ement by suitable fermentation may be con-
verted into assimilable forms for crop use. Moreover, we have
ascertained that this material (air-dried) is an excellent absorbent
so that it can be used to advantage in and about our farm
buildings and indeed everywhere where there is liquid manure
to absorb. By its use in this way not only is the most valuable
portion of the manure saved from loss but the buildings, the farm
and the yard well kept clean. The fermentation that subsequently
ensues in the manure pile results in the production of a rich and
quick act" vj fertilizer. These deductions are drawn from over
one hundred analyses made by us of muck collected in the
various provinces of the Dominion.

A word or two about moss litter. During the past year an
investigation was made in our laboratories of samples of peat
moss from New Brunswick. The results obtained established a
high value for this substance as a bedding material. Its absorp-
tive capacity is high, the air-dried moss holding as much as 16
and 18 times its own weight of liquid. Not only is it useful in
keeping stables dry, but also preserves them free from odour, for
it has the property of absorbing ammonia and other gases.
Moss litter (principally species of Sphagnum) contains about
half of onepercentof nitrogen, as well as notable quantities of other

Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture. 37

fertilizing ingredients. The resulting manure ferments well and
is of excellent quality. Here again we have an opportunity to
establish a lucrative business in Canada — one of value, not only
to agriculture but to commerce generally ; for moss litter is in great
demand for use in the stables of the larger cities of the United
States.

We must pass over our deposits of marl and gypsum, merely
recording the fact that our analytical work in the Farm labora-
tories has shown that we have, in many districts, in a cheap and
obtainable form just that element which many of our soils re-
quire to bring them into a high state of productiveness.

Seaweed from the Atlantic and P^ific coasts of Canada
has been analysed by us, and its value as a manure, on account
of the potash and nitrogen it contains, well established. The
ease and rapidity with which this fertilizer decays in the soil,
liberating its constituents in forms at once available for plant
use, greatly enhance its value.

The tidal deposits of the Maritime Provinces, and more
especially of the Bay of Fundy, have received careful examin-
ation at our hands. Their beneficial action has been shown to
depend not only upon the nitrogen and organic matter they con-
tain, but also upon the somewhat small amounts of the other
essential elements of fertility they possess or of the carbonate of
lime they supply. While not of the character of commercial
fertilizers in the quantities of plant food they contain, they are
undoubtedly valuable for many soils as amendments, both
chemically and physically. As they differ very much, it is
exceedingly difficult to speak of these muds as a class. While
some are but of the, nature of fair soil, others on examination
are found to contain notable quantities of nitrogen, potash,
phosphoric acid and lime.

FODDERS AND FARM CROPS GENERALLY.

There is now such a large accumulation of analytical data
respecting the composition of our native and introduced grasses,
clovers, Indian corn, roots of all kinds, cereals and milling bye-

S8

The Ottawa Naturalist.

products, that it will only be possible for me on the present occa-
sion to refer to a few of the more important features of this
work and to direct your attention to those conclusions that seem
to be of special interest to us as Canadians.

In 1888 we began an examination of our wheat, the results
being published in Bulletin No. 4 of the Experimental Farm
Series. That v.'or' was almost exclusively confined to wheat
grown in Manitoba and the North-West Territories. Not only
was the composition of the grain ascertained, but as far as
possible the influence of climate, soil and cultivation upon the
wheat were studied. Our analyses of the western wheats showed
besides other good features, a large percentage of albuminoids
(gluten). Both the physical and chemical data testified to the
excellent milling qualities and the high nutritive value of the
Red Fife as grown in the provinces referred to. The effect of
environment upon wheat is an interesting study, but one into
which we cannot to-night examine with minuteness. It must
suffice to state that the conditions of the North-West appear to
be particularly favourable to the increase in the most important
constituents of the wheat, viz: the albuminoids the percentage of
of albuminoids (or flesh-formers) present being the chief factor
used in grading and valuing wheat.

Further analytical work on Canadian cereals was that done
by me when acting as a professional juror at the World's
Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Of 166 samples of
wheat submitted to analysis, 49 were from Canada. The data,
which are published in my report now in press, again furnish
ample proof of the very excellent qualities of the wheat from
Manitoba and the North-West Territories. Indeed, the averages
from these provinces are fully equal to those afforded by the
best grain growing districts of the world. The .samples sub-
mitted by the Province of Ontario at this Exposition had not
been selected with care or skill, and, as a result, the general
Canadian average of quality appears to be much lower than it
really is.

Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture. 39

From our analyses, the points in favour of Canadian oats
appear to be (i) a heavy kernel, (2) a low percentage of mois-
ture, (3) high albuminoids and (4) a large percentage of fat. It
must be remembered, however, that oats, like wheat, are greatly
influenced in composition by their conditions of growth, and,
therefore, while there are many samples exhibiting the qualities
I have mentioned, there are many districts in which by careful
cultivation the feeding value o*" the oats might be increased.

THE GRASSES? OF CANADA.

The enormous importance to our farmers, stock raisers and
dairymen of palatable, nutritious and cheap fodder led to a deter-
mination of the food constituents of man}' species of native and
introduced grasses. The ai:alytical data alread}' published have
been largely obtained from the examination of grasses grown
under the care of the Botanist of the Farm at Ottawa, though a
considerable number of samples from Manitoba were also
analysed.

Grasses may be divided into two agricultural classes ; pasture
grasses and meadow grasses, those of the first class springing up
well when eaten off, those of the second being characterized by
yielding a heavy crop of hay. The requirements of a good grass
are: (i) That it should produce a heavy crop ; (2) That it
should be hardy ; (3) That it should be rich in the more valuable
food constituents ; and (4) that it should be palatable.

Of native pasture grasses, I can speak in special com-
mendation of June Grass (For pratcnsis), a rich, palatable
perennial. In all respects it is a most excellent pasture grass,
abundant everywhere and worthy of more careful cultivation.
t\ cnvjt'ul Study of this grass (sometimes known as Kentucky
Blue Grass) led Mr. Fletcher, the Botanist of the Farms, and
myself to the conclusion that it was " undoubtedly the most
valuable pasture grass in the Dominion."

Red Top {Agrostis vulgaris), though not a native grass, is
now very common. This also is a valuable grass and one

40

The Ottawa Naturalist.

especially adapted for low lying lands, where it may well find a
place in permanent pasture mixtures.

Austrian Brome Grass {Bromus inermis) is an introduced
perennial, hardy, and a heavy cropper, producing a good after-
math of excellent feeding quality. By reason of the richness of
its composition and its luxuriant habit of growth, it is certainly
one of the most valuable of the introduced grasses.

Orchard Grass {Dactylis glotnerata). This is a grass which
responds well to liberal treatment, giving large crops on rich
soils and particularly suitable for shady pastures.

These must suffice as types or illustrations of our work in
the examination of Canadian grasses — the complete scries com-
prising nearly three hundred analyses. 1 would, however, refer
to some general conclusions, drawn from this investigation,
regarding the right period at which to cut for hay.

In analysing the same grass at different stages of growth, it
was noticed that certain changes of composition take place as
the plant approaches maturity ; the percentages of water, ash and
albuminoids and fat decrease, while the percentage of fibre and
usually the nitrogen free extract increase. In the younger stages,
the grass is more succulent and palatable, and our work also
shows that it is during the earlier weeks of growth that the plant's
nitrogen and mineral matter are taken from the soil — which point
to the advisability of thoroughly preparing the seed bed by culti-
vation and fertilizing, and to the value of top dressings with
nitrate of soda while the crop is still young.

Further, the data we obtained allow us to infer that a loss
of much valuable and digestible food material occurs when a
grass is allowed to thoroughly mature before it is cut for hay.
Scientific evidence is all in favor of cutting at or shortly after
the flowering period.

INDIAN CORN.

h

No account of the coarse or bulky fodder plants of Canada
would be complete without some reference to the character of
the Indian corn crop, one which ranks next in importance to

Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture. 41

grass, and certainly the one which above all others has made
winter dairying possible and profitable.

Owing to the large yields obtained and its succulent and
nutritious character, corn furnishes one of the best and certainly
the cheapest of our bulky fodders. An immense amount of
chemica' work has been done in our laboratories to ascertain, (i)
the requirements of this crop, (2) the relative value of certain
varieties for feeding purposes, and (3) the best time for cutting,
whether for the silo or for preservation in <he dry condition.
Our data on this subject are voluminous. I can now but refer
to one or two of the more important conclusions.

Analyzing the principal varieties at five different stages of
of growth and ascertaining the weight of the crop per acre at
the same periods, we learned that a variety coming to early
maturity (known as the glazing condition) would at that stage
afford nearly twice as much real cattle food per acre than if cut
a month earlier. The more practical deductions Irom our
chemical work may be summarized as follows :

1. That the ground should be well prepared and rich in
available plant food constituents, and more especially in potash.

2. That such varieties should be planted as will in all
probability come to maturity before danger from frost.

3. That corn should not be sown broadcast ; for vigorous
growth and in order to come to maturity it requires plenty of
room for both roots and leaves.

4. That cutting either for the silo or for drying in stock
should be delayed (unless it is touched by early frost) until the
corn reaches the glazing condition.

Other fodder crops, including clover, beans, rye, and roots
of all kinds, have been carefully studied and their requirements
and relative feeding values made ktKwn for the guidance of our
farmers. Since the profits in farming to-day depend as much
upon cheap production as upon good prices ; the value of the
knowledge of cheap and efficient feeding materials is obvious.

42

The Ottawa Naturalist.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

Canadian Horticulturists are being assisted by the chemical
investigations instituted with the view of ascertaining the
special requirements ot our fruit trees. The knowledge thus
afforded will lead, I trust, to the more economic and profitable
application of fertilizers. Already reports on the chemistry of
the apple and strawberry have been published, and further con-
tributions will be issued .s^.^rtly.

Spraying in order to prevent and check the ravages of
insects and fungous foes is now recognized as an indispensable
operation by all progressive orchardists. Without Bordeaux
mixture and Paris green we can no longer gather a harvest of
apples free from spot and the inroads of the Codling Moth. It
has been our duty, therefore, to examine into the chemistry of
these insecticides and fungicides, in order to obtain an exact
knowledge of their constitution, modes of action and best
methods of preparation.

n

WELL WATERS OF FARM HOMESTEADS.

Of the many lines of research in Agricultural Chemistry
that we have prosecuted since the establishment of our labora-
tories, few have been of greater importance than the examination
of the well waters of Canadian farm homesteads. Though the
natural waters of the Dominion as found in the rivers, lakes and
springs are the purest, the equal in wholesomeness and good
quality of the best to be found in any country, the water used
by the farmer and his cattle is too often of a most pernicious
character. It is very much to be regretted that so many of the
samples received by us from farmers were seriously polluted. It
would appear that our farmers have been in the habit of locating,
for convenience sake, the well in the barnyard or stable, or
dangerously near some contaminating source. The result of
this is that many wells are acting as cess-pits, and their impure
waters are reeking with organic filth and disease- producing germs.
We have at last awakened such an interest in this vital ques-

n

.)

Chemical Work in Canadian Agriculture.

43

tion by the publication of our results and by addresses before
conventions of farmers that concerted action by Ontario dairy-
men is spoken of towards compelling all those sending milk to
a creamery or cheese factory to have an ample supply of pure,
fresh water, free from all drainage matter.

In the foregoing resume I have not been able even to
mention many important branches of work undertaken by the
Chemical Division of the Experimental Farms. To those who
would know more of the ways in which we endeavour to help
Canadian agriculturists, or who may wish for further details of
the work which I have brought before you to-night in outline,
I would suggest the perusal of our annual reports and bulletins.

The national importance and value of these chemical
investigations will be apparent when we reflect that Canada is
essentially an agricultural countr}', that her future progress as a
nation must in a very large measure be proportionate to the
progress of her agricultural industries. It is not for me on this
occasion to speak o. her minerals and forests (which undoubt-
edly are stores of untold wealth) ; but it is my privilege and duty to
say that I believe her to be a great food-producing country,
that her prosperity lies chiefly in the pursuit of agriculture, in
producing butter and cheese, in stock raising, in fruit-growing
and in the cultivation of grain.

...)