ABSTRACT
Mechanical energy, allied with the discoveries of chemical and biological research, is initiating an agricultural revolution which calls for profound changes of structure—in those countries, at least, who want to keep up with the modern world. For so-called ‘social’ reasons, certain idealists and a number of politicians wishing to curry popular favour are demanding special measures to assist these microfundia. They are mistaken, for the survival of an agrarian structure which hinders productivity is as effective a barrier to social progress as an unjust distribution of incomes. Mechanical power is the chief instrument of modern agriculture, and its use must correspond with enlarged fields and bigger farms. Planned agriculture makes better use of agricultural science. Farming tends to be more scientific and decisions are arrived at on the basis of technical data. Utterly inadequate food standards, pregnant with disastrous consequences, are beginning to decline still further, and confront the world with the possibility of a dreadful catastrophe.
