. Yearbook of agriculture . ourse, will not continue. The world will weather thisl>eriod of reconstruction and trade back and forth will berestored. Our own population is increasing rapidly, andwithin a very few years home needs will require most ofwhat we grow. We can not increase our land area. We nowhave under the plow practically all the land that is easilyavailable for cultural purposes. We can add to our pro-ductive areas by reclaiming wet land, by clearing cut-overland, and by irrigating drj^ land. These additions must bemade at considerable expense and can be made wisely onlyafter t
. Yearbook of agriculture . ourse, will not continue. The world will weather thisl>eriod of reconstruction and trade back and forth will berestored. Our own population is increasing rapidly, andwithin a very few years home needs will require most ofwhat we grow. We can not increase our land area. We nowhave under the plow practically all the land that is easilyavailable for cultural purposes. We can add to our pro-ductive areas by reclaiming wet land, by clearing cut-overland, and by irrigating drj^ land. These additions must bemade at considerable expense and can be made wisely onlyafter thorough study of the character of the land, its loca-tion as to markets, and its adaptability to produce what themarket needs. I have assigned to a committee of highly competent menirom the several bureaus of the department the task of mak- Report of the Secretary. 23 wig a survey of our land area which is not now being utilizedfor the production of crops. They will study the dry lands, USE OF THE LAND PRESENT AND POTENTIAL. LAND AREA OF UNITED STATES 1,903,000,000 ACRES YiQ, S.—Improved land in farms amounted To uOo million acres, according tothe census of 1920, of which about 365 million acres were in crops, and prob-ably 70 million acres in rotation and other improved pasture. There areabout 300 million acres more which it is possible to use for crops when theprice of farm products justifies the cost of irrigation, drainage, clearing,or other means of reclamation. This cost is increasing as the more feasibleprojects are developed, and demands careful study with reference to theprobable price of agricultural products and the Kations needs. the wet lands, and the cut-over timberlands. especially witha view to determining how such lands can best be used toincrease agricultural production as needed. We must have 24 Yearhook of the Department of Agriculture^ 1921. reliable information concerning these lands if we are to de-velop a wise agricultural policy. The largest increase
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