I actually understood what was meant (I think.) We have a neighbor who is pushing 100. He said he recalled when they started selling NPK chemical fertilizers as 'the only soil amendment you'll ever need'. But farmers were very leery of the stuff, and tended to put it out with a spoon rather than with their heavy equipment. Had they kept to that practice, most of our lands wouldn't be so depleted of nutrient and awash in chemical salts now.
My Grandfather wanted no part (nor could he probably afford it at the time.) He claimed what the cow eats, she poops back onto her ground, good for cow, good for grass. I'm sure at the time everyone else (including my Dad) thought that was too backward-thinking. At least the cows agreed with Granddad.
