The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-09-17
The Farmer and the War

by the great war which now threatens
not merely to paralyze the Commerce
and Industry Of modern Europe, but
also to prouate its vast Agricultural
interest for some time to come.
We have already pointed out in
recent issue that the moment the
problem Of ocean transportation is
adjusted the American farmer is
certain to receive a high price for
every surplus bushel Of wheat and
corn as we'll as for every surplus pound
of beef, pork, mutton and other food
stuHs. We say this because war is tre
mendouslY wasteiul-because it rem
ders the economic distribution Of avail
able food impossible and furthermore,
because this years European wheat
and rye yields, even should the crops
be entirely saved-which is hardly
probable still be 400,000,000
bushels short OF last years yields In
1912, England, Germany, France and
Austria imported 3l7,000,0 900 bushels
OF wheat so with short yietd and
wasted hmvests it can be seen that
Europe is short Of bread this very mo
ment-and that plices will soar in the
future is inevitable.
So much for the situation which will
confront the farmers OF the United
States during the next few months
and now le, US look at the more dis
tant future. Last year the nations
which are now graphing with each
other in a death struggle produced, in
round figures, 3,489, 100000 bushels
of wheat and rye. As we have stated
above, this years yield, if saved, will
fall about 4OO,0OO,O00 busesls short Of
the yield Of l9l3--leaving it aproxi
mately three billion bushels. By far
the larger share Of Europe's wheat and
rye is of the winter variety, and the
| 1915 crop should therefore be sown
during the next few weeks but instead
CT sowing wheat and rye for next year
bread, the European farmers plow
will stand neglected while he is of al
the front fighting Tor his Country
and that this means coming
bread shortage in 1915 seems vel
nigh inevitable at this time!
That hostililies can possibly cease
in time for fall wheat and rye sowing
is not to be hoped for; should peace re
turn in time for next springs sowing
the catatastrophe may, in measure
be avoided by the sowing Of sprini
varities, should the seed be obtain
able, which is likely TO be exceeding
ly diiTicult-but in any event, will
millions OF men flying at each other
throats in the greatest armed conaic
known in all history, it is safe to as
sume that the fertile fields Of Ger
many, France, Austria, Russia, Be-
gium and the Balkan states will b
sorely neglected for at least the mex
crop season.
In view OF this prospect Th
Missouri Farmer considers it duty t
! point out this situation to the farmer
Of Missouri in order that they ma
! forestall as much Of the impendin
: calamity as possible by sowing
! heavy wheat acreage. We do tn
not only because we believe that ne,
e years wheat prices will be The higl
G est in years-and therefore an oppo
D tunity for great profit for the Anne
!; can farmer-but because a worlt
4 wide bread shortage would brir
= hunger and suffering 10 our ow
), millions here in the United States
e we'll as TO the striken Nations aero
a the sea. 1t is therefore not only
1t opportunity for the American farm
to reap greatly added profits but
5 become humanitarian in the highe
u sense OF the word at home aud abroa
Furthermore, the same geneI
at state OF facts will apply to live stoc
S That in the struggle for self preser'
d ton the European armies will sacrifi
all available breeding stock as we'll
le those animals which would ordinaria
10 go to the butchers block is certain
'e and hence, American farmers shot
also peepare for this emergency
Re much as possible and for exactly
no same reasons which apply TO whe
Here in the Corn Belt especially
nd should aim TO 60 into the spring S
- son with every available brood SOW
in order that next years pork sup
no may be the maximum.
The more we study the peril
at European situation the more we co