The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-26
A Suggestion to Farmers by
Secretary Houston
In an Address ut National
Dairy Show Convention.

Chicago, Oct. 26-With people of all
sections keenly interested in the supply
of LIES necessities. they recognize the
supreme Importance of making agri-
culture effective and profitable ana
rural life comfortable" Secretary
Houston of the department of agricui-
ture declared today, before the conven-
ton of the National Dairy Show assoc
citation. The secretary told the assocla-
ton what the government was doing 70
aid the farmer to increase the nation s
rapidly diminishing meat supply and
develop acreage production and de-
clared there could be no question tnat
the key to the solution of many OF the
problems of rural life would be found
in some form of concentration or CO.
operation.
Just what factors have brought
about the serious situation confronting
the nation in it's meat supply, Secre-
tary Houston said, mo one can with
certainty define and SO to ascertain
them l have appointed commission
consisting of the best authorities
could discover to study the question.
This study will embrace an investigation
of production and consumption: of the
methods of producing, finishing and
marketing. Certain things. however.
are now clear and definite measures for
easing the meat supply are being
taken and can be taken with certainty.
1T is clear we have been considering
the meat supply of the nation too ex-
clusively in terms of the big ranches, of
the large animals. Obviously it is i'm
portant we should continue to help the
cattlemen develop the ranch and no
pains should be spared, but unques-
tionably the largest hope for a cOnsid-
cradle increase In our meat supply lies
in three other directions. First-In
sympathetic attention to the produce
ftoYa IF Ia Io in no cot
farming areas Of the country, especial
ly in the south.
"SecOnd-In increasing attention to
the smaller animals such as swine and
poultry; and third. in the control and
eradication of cattle ticks and hog
cholera.
1.-The last census shows a lamentable
neglect of live stock in the south.
While the average Iowa farm has six
milk cows, in North Carolina and Ala
bama it has less than two. in South
Carolina one. While the average Iowa
farm has 35 hogs, in North Carolina
and labama it has less than five,
South Carolina less than four. And
while the average farm in Iowa has
more than 10S poultry, in North Caro-
lima and Alabama it has less than 20
and in South Carolina less than II.
mo southern state is giving the re-
quisite attention either to the produce
ton of fOOdstuffs for human beings or
for live stock"
Referring to the Smith-Lever extern
sion bill an aid to the farmer, Mr..
Houston said it recognized new class
of pupils-a class composed of men and
women working at their daily tasks on
the farm The government takes the
adult farmer and farm woman as well
as the farm boy and girl as It's pupils.
1t provides for an expenditure of over
eight millions of dollars, partly by the
nation and partly>by the states.
1T incorporates the most efficient
method Of conveying information to the
farmer. and through the healthful pro-
cess of cooperation between the state
and nation, places the brains of these
two great agencies at his disposal, in
sures efficiency and eliminates. waste
and friction.
But vital as are these problems of
production. even more urgent are the
problems of marketing and distribu-
tion."
He outlined government activities
along that line.