It is also plain that the great, in fact the only, reason for this scarcity lies not in use but in waste. And lastly we see that there is yet time to prevent serious shortage in most directions if we set about a general system of good management and thrift.
In the meantime we are sure to have higher prices, for the supply is growing less and the demand greater for almost every material. In many lines, unless something be done to check this shortage, prices will rise so high that only the rich can afford what are now considered the necessities of life, and the lives of the poorer classes will become like those of the peasants of Europe:—a scanty living on the plainest food, poor homes, hard work, less opportunity to develop mind and body.
Let us sum up how the various resources may be used to conserve one another.
The soil is saved from erosion by the planting of forests, and by the storing of the flood waters of rivers. Waste land is made fertile by proper control of the rivers through drainage, storage and irrigation. Farm crops and also the forests are increased in value by insect control.
The insects are largely kept in check by encouraging the nesting and increase of certain birds. Birds play a large part in the conservation of the crops, by destroying insects, weeds, and small mammals. The birds themselves are sheltered and thrive only where trees are abundant.
The grazing lands are conserved by proper forest control, and the supply of animal food depends largely on the grazing lands.
Fisheries are dependent on proper care of the waters, which in turn depend on forest control, and on proper care of the by-products of factories.
Coal is conserved by the use of lower-grade fuels, by using waste from the forests, and by substituting water-power.
Gas and oil will also be saved by the greater use of water-power.
Coal-mining is made safer to human life and much saving in coal is effected by the use of mine-timbers, which involves the planting of forests. Forests regulate to a great extent the stream-flow of rivers.