5. =The growth of the iron and steel industry.= H. N. CASSON, _The Romance of Steel_, pp. 1-26; 72-100; J. R. SMITH, _The Story of Iron and Steel_, pp. 108-126; ANDREW CARNEGIE, _Autobiography_, pp. 130-197. 6. =The conservation of water power.= C. R. VAN HISE, _Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States_, pp. 144-161. 7. =The conservation of iron and copper.= ELY, HESS, LEITH, and CARVER, _Foundations of National Prosperity_, pp. 210-231. 8. =The settlement and use of the national domain.= ALBERT SHAW, _Political Problems of American Development_, pp. 87-115. 9. =The homestead system.= C. R. VAN HISE, _Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States_, pp. 279-287; G. M. STEPHENSON, _The Political History of the Public Lands_, pp. 190-245. 10. =The reclamation of desert and swamp lands.= H. R. BURCH, _American Economic Life_, pp. 93-99. Questions 1. Mark on an outline map the chief geographical divisions of the United States. State the chief characteristics of each. 2. Locate on the map the chief agricultural areas, the chief mining districts, the chief industrial centers, and the chief harbors of the United States. 3. Why do the great railroads of the United States run east and west rather than north and south? 4. Do you approve of granting free lands to bona fide settlers? Under what restrictions? 5. Mark on the map the location of (_a_) the principal coal areas; (_b_) the principal oil-bearing areas; (_c_) the national forests. 6. Show what natural resources are utilized in the building of a house, from cellar to garret, and tell what section of the United States is the largest center of production for (_a_) oak timber; (_b_) glass; (_c_) steel beams; (_d_) electric wire; (_e_) sewer pipe. 7. Name the harbors of the United States in the order of their (_a_) natural advantages; (_b_) commercial importance. 8. Compare the general geographical advantages of North and South America. To what extent has the difference in the relative economic progress of the two continents been due to geographical differences? 9. Which do you regard as the more urgent need at the present day: the conservation of timber or of coal or of oil? Give your reasons. 10. Compare the relative geographical advantages of the following cities: Pittsburgh, Detroit, Atlanta, San Francisco, Baltimore. Topics for Debate 1. The United States should adopt a rental system for all public lands on which there are mineral resources or water powers. 2. The United States should insist upon free access to foreign natural resources (for example, in Mexico). CHAPTER XVIII THE AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS _The purpose of this chapter is to show the large part which agriculture plays in the life of the country and to discuss briefly some of the problems of agriculture today._