Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-20
NO LACK OF FOOD.

from this low1y plant. tanned ana
trained by primitive man farther back
than the dawn of history. the nations
derive their main sustenance-their
staff of life.
Mr. Casson ventures the opinion that
If the human race were TO perish from
the earth wheat could not survive more
than three years afterward- Indeed.
German economist argues that wheat
was the original cause of civilization.
not only because it became the most
available OF foods but because il per-
suaded primitive man to quit his killing
industries and take up his tillinS activi-
ties And wheat is today the food OF
civilization, representing 81 per cent OF
the worlds bread making products.
The most gratifying aspect of the
wheat situation today is the evidence
showing that Mr.. James j. Hill's appre-
henslon as to the lack of food for the
people In the near future is not. to say
the least, an eminent peril.
Secretary Wilson's report indicates
that the value of agricultural products
for the year is S.760 million dollars-a
gain of 500 million dollars over the
products of last year. Wheat, the third
item in value. contributes 725 million
dollars to this. Corn comes first
with n value of l,72o millions and cot
ton second. valued at $50 millions.
The wheat value exceeds that of all
previous years. The November price
was almost an even dollar per oushel
"a price not equaled since 1881. But In
point of size this wheat crop Is only
third in our history
Following closely upon Mr. Wilson's
report of last years crops comes the
| governments estimates on the condition
and acreage OF winter wheat and rye
| for the harvest of 1910. The acreage is
the second largest on record, being 3d.
49, 600 acres, an increase over the re-
vised area last year OF 2,44a,00 acres, or
| 79 per cent. The condition of 95.S was
105 points higher than year ago.
and has only been higher twice in ten
| years. in December, 1902, when it was
99.7. and In 1900 when 1t was 971. The
record acreage was in 1905, being 34,000.-
COO. but the harvest following was only
f01. 900, 900 bushels. feature of the
report was the revision of the acreage
seeded last year. which was S1,034000
acres. or 10000 more than the trade
has been aware OF owing to the failure
of the department to make any general
announcement OF It, The crop suggest
ed by the acreage and condition Is $50
900, 900 bushels. compared with 40. 900, 900
bushels n year ago and yield of 432,
$1,000 bushels at harvest this year.
On tho basis of acreage 1t would not
be surprising to the trade to see the
government make its final report 45O,.
100000 bushels.
A feature of the government report on
winter wheat acreage is the increase in
the Western states where irrigation
flourishes and the comparison of the re-
vised acreage seeded last year and tn,
area this year. Kansas has the lead
with 6,19o.0oo acres. a loss of $4,000 acres
from last year. or per cent The bis
increases are Is per cent In Illinois
Indiana, North Carolina and Tennes
see. II per cent In Ohio. 40 per cent IL
Texas. 20 per cent in Oklahoma, Ar
l Kansas. and Colorado. 10 pc
! cent in Mississippi. so per cen
: in Wyoming, IS per cent in Mon
S tana, 30 per cent In Alabama, pc
: cent in Nebraska, per cent in Mis-
e souri,, IL in Michigan and Iowa Utal
S increased 10 per cent and Idaho pc
h cent. while Washington and Oregon de
t creased 10 per cent each.
C If, now, along with the increase
: acreage. the time shall come when til
It average yield shall be thirty bushe
8 per acre. instead OF twelve as in Kan
II sas today. the problem of flower ar
o bread for the nation will be solve
IS for century to come.
d And this result is by no means in
r. probable. For while the average yie
sr in Germany is thirty-one bushels {
= acre. the average Yield in Kansas
IN only twelve bushels an acre. Nal
le American states have better soil al
Il better climate for wheat than al
le other country on the globe. Our vie
n, can. be accounted for only by carele
err methods of farming.
:" The Agricultural colleges of some
at the states are distributing impro
lis ed wheat, few bushels to a farm,
e. throughout the state; and throu
he farmers Institutes. wheat trains, par
IT. phlets and bulletins on wheat and !
,rt furious insects, they are endeavori
a to give the information as to who
,le improvement to all the farmers. T
years ago. when the Hessian fly "
destroying thousands of acres
wheat. the entomology department
the Kansas experiment station &C
Quoted the most extensive experimei
Il" as to means of preventing the raval
Gu of this insect that have ever be
;ie made.
on Much is said about tho worn o,
IN soils Of certain sections especIa
lie those OF New England: but soils
"a not wear out. II is only where the 1
,r- soil has washed off and we have OIL
IS the scared and quilted burrows q
ng ridges so numerous in some of
in Southern states that the soil is re
by ly rendered unserviceablc. rep