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Show Relation Between Soil Fertility And Human Nourishment Explained By Nutrition Expert It has been only in recent years that men have realized there is any connection between human nourishment and soil fertility. Although Al-though the field is still relatively new, much has been learned, however, how-ever, in the last decade. Dr. Russell' M. Wilder of the Mayo clinic who is internationally recognized as a nutrition expert has observed that human erosion seems inevitably to follow soil erosion. He points out as classic examples the once fertile regions of Asia Minor and the plains of Uorth Africa. Now denuded by erosion these are inhabited today by natives who are among the most backward peoples of the world. -------- .- Here in the United States where agriculture as practiced by the white man is scarcely 300 years old, the effects of soil erosion on humans is already seemingly apparent. ap-parent. Experimental data to prove just how far fertility affects human nutrition is difficult to obtain because be-cause humans cannot be caged like white mice and fed experimental experi-mental diets for succeeding gen-eartions. gen-eartions. But research, nevertheless, neverthe-less, is on the way. Experiments at the University of Illinois College of Agriculture have proven that corn grown on poor land tested only 380 pounds of protein to 100 bushels . while corn of the same variety, grown on good land, showed 600 pouthds of protein. Experiments at Iowa State College proved the mineral content of crops produced on land is also directly affected by soil conditions. In this experiment Iowa State proved that applying a phosphate fertilizer to poor land increased the phosphorus content of the grass as much as 50 per cent. Dr. William A. Albrecht, chairman chair-man of the Department of Soils att he University of Missouri who is widely recognized for his work in nutrition, has another significant signifi-cant conclusion. While per-acre yields of both corn and wheat have increased, he points out, the protein content of both grains has slowly declined due to decreasing soil fertility. Older sections of the country are steadily turning to soft, low-protein strains of wheat and in 10 years the protein con-1 ccntfation of corn has dropped from 9.5 to 8.5. Dr. Hugh H. Bennett, chief of I the U. S. Soil Coservation Service, Serv-ice, points out that the United States has already ruined or badly damaged 282 million acres of once fertile topsoil, and is ruining a-nother a-nother half million acres annually. From the farmland of the United States, erosion is carrying away more nutrients than are being used us-ed by all crops. It is well that the nation's farmers farm-ers in more than 2.000 soil conservation con-servation districts are beginning too look toward weather-proofing their land against erosion and maintaining its fertility. For in a few more generations, the city housewife may take a hand. Supposing the future housewife should require proof from her green grocer of just how much protein is contained in her one-dozen one-dozen roasting ears, or how much healthful iron and calcium are in the head of lettuce. Where would that leave the truck farmer producing produ-cing crops from ground low in minerals and other nutrients? |