MAN’S AGRICULTURAL NEEDS 33 
has thrown upon the question of possible future im- 
provements, we note that an analysis has been made by 
Mr O. E. Baker, the agricultural ecenomist of the 
Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the United States. 
This analysis is based largely on the Census results of 
1920. And though agricultural production in the 
United States is believed in certain respects to be 
efficient, it is said that it is no longer keeping pace with 
the increasing population. The per capita peak was 
reached about 1906-07, a fact of great and obvious 
significance. 
Baker’s important estimate of the present and future 
possible developments may be clearly shown in the 
following tabulated form, in which the figures denote 
millions of acres, and which form purports to show the 
ultimate possibilities in contrast with the facts existing 
in 1920: — 
Lands as existing in 1920. 
And as they may become ultimately. 
Per cent. 
Highly improved lands . 503 may become as much as 8oo 42-04 
Forest cut-over and burnt 
lands . . . . 465 may be reduced to 
Unimproved pasture lands 863 may be reduced to 
Non-agricultural land . 72 may be increased to 
Total, in million acres . 1903 
The changes indicated can be made by irrigation, 
drainage, clearing, reducing the forest and desert lands 
to a minimum amount, making mere pasture- and range- 
land also a minimum, but allowing for an increase in 
the areas for cities and villages, for public roads and 
railways, etc. ‘The whole matter is outlined in “A 
Graphic Summary of American Agriculture,” see }ear 
Book, 1921, pp. 407 ét seq., and has apparently been 
carefully considered. 
The importance of these particular estimates depends 
upon the fact that the interests of agriculture have 
been quite specially promoted in America, and that