The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-14
WAR FILLS POCKETS
OF FARMERS IN U. s.
Their Crops 400, 900. 900 Bush
els Larger Than Last Year,
Prices Better.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-Figures COM
and made available to-day indicate that
the American farmer has seized the
psychological momen to boom his busi-
ness. European nations. so busy fight
ing they could not maintain their usual
agricultural product, bought more freely
OF American feedstufrs than ever before
and the American farmer promptly
planted more than ever before.
The aggregate production OF all crops
this year Is estimated to be : per cent.
larger than last year. Last year ,the
first year of the war; the United states
exported possibly less thai 10 per cent.
Of what was produced in Agriculture. IL
half OF the increased production be re-
| garded as available for xpo the totals
OF this years crops available for ex-
port will be 25 per cent. more than the
amount exported last year.
The first year OF the war resulted In a
| 80 per cent increase over the year be-
| fore In the value of agricultural prod
ucts. The thrifty far seeing farmers.
noting this demand Immediately planted
more. The result was the total acreage
Of the 1915 crops is estimated at more
than 10000. 900 acres larger than last
year-3.4 per cent.
The war commodities that showed In
creased acreage were sugar beets. ~ per
cent. increase rice, is per cent wheat.
II per cent. sweet potatoes. 10 per
cent. tobacco. S per cent. corn. 3 per
cent. oats, ) per cent. hay, 3 per cent.
rye, . per cent. potatoes. nearly l per
cent. Flax. barley and cotton acreage
decreased.
Not only did the acreage increase. but
tho Departments figures indicate an IN
creased yield per acre.
The demand for wheat last year prac-
tically exhausted the reserve usually
carried over from one year to another.
The demand for corn was impelling. 5O.-
OOO, 600 bushels G. per cent? being eN-
ported from a crop Of 2.000.0 900
bushels last year. Fifteen years ago
America regularly exported 10 per cent.
Of the total corn production, but or late
years less than 2 per cent. has been
sold abroad.
The Department estimates, however.
that II foreigners were willing TO pay
the price, the American farmer could
accommodate them with .5O.Ooo,ooo
bushels out of this years crop. which
is moro than 400. 100000 bushels larger
than last years crop
Exports OF oats took a big jump In
the Hrst year OF the war. Agricultural
Department estimates 81 200. 900 bushels
were sent to the other side-s per cent.
OF the crop. Usually the oats crop is
consumed at home. Out of the increased
exports last year the farmer took about
one cent a bushel more.
Cotton exports slumped. Usually
about 65 or 20 per cent. of the crop
is exported. Nothing like this amount
went abroad during the first year OF
the war-S.425.000 bales, against g.
10000 bales In the year previous
Southern farmers, noting that cotton
was contraband. planted less cotton this
year and the crop will be less than
II 900, 900 bales, compared with 49,
$4,000 bales in 1914.
There is a surplus of 100000 bales
OF the previous crop on hand. The do
nestle requirements for cotton are In
creasing, however. reducing the amount
available for export, which this yeai
may be regarded as 100000 bales
Is per cent. less than last year.
Meats and dairy exports were val
ued at $500. 900, 900, a 80 per cent. In
crease over the preceding year. il
prices are maintained the farmer could
with the increase OF this years food
supply increase this amount anothel
80 per cent.