Checking the Waste: A Study in Conservation

** "Checking the Waste: A Study in Conservation" by Mary Huston Gregory is an early 20th-century examination of conservation, highlighting the crucial need to manage natural resources wisely. Gregory clarifies how human prosperity is interwoven with the careful preservation of resources like soil, forests, and water. The book begins by defining conservation, asserting that it’s a duty for every person, not just governments and big companies. It recounts how the United States initially misused its plentiful natural assets, along with the looming dangers of such wastefulness. Gregory cautions that without immediate action, future generations risk facing resource shortages, particularly focusing on soil conservation to uphold agricultural production, laying the groundwork for detailed resource discussions to follow. **