Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-08

continued, and the work has been ex
tended to include butter, eggs anc
cheese. These reports show the cold
storage holdings throughout the
country and include comparison Of
the holdings of the current year with
those of the previous year. In CO.
operation with carriers, extensive in
vestigations of the economic waste oil
foodstuffs in transit have been con-
Quoted. The object of these inyesti'
cations is to secure better co-opera-
ton between shippers and carriers
and greater efficiency in methods OF
handling, with a view to eliminate, or
at least greatly to reduce, the present
waste.
"Well-tested systems OF accounts
and records for primary grain eleva-
tors, for live stock shipping associa-
tons, and for cooperative stores
have been issued. Systems for coun-
try creameries and cotton ware
houses have been devised and are be-
ing tested under commercial condi-
tons, Systems perfected by the de-
partment for farmers cooperative
elevators and for fruit and produce
associations already are in extensive
use. A plan for adapting farmers
grain elevator companies to the pat
ronage dividend basis has been
worked out and published
Meat Production Increases.
Meat production has been in
creased, according to the report,
largely through checking of disease
and parasites and by better stock
raising. More than forty per cent of
the original tick infested territory has
been cleared, the report says, and the
annual loss of $40,000,000 through
this parasite has been greatly re-
duced. Diseases are being eliminated.
The report says OF food production;
THE production OF food crops ade-
quate to meet the consuming needs
OF the country and the export demand
Is a matter of large importance to
the American people. Our potential
agricultural resources in this respect
arc so varied and ample that there
can be no doubt Of our ability album
dainty to supply our domestic wants,
when climatic conditions are normal
and the foreign demand is not exces-
sive. One of the greatest agricul-
tural needs, therefore, is the stabiliz-
ing Of production.
Systematic Rotation Encouraged.
Sharp huctuation of yield and
price from season to season tend to
stimulate speculative and superficial
farming and to discourage the sys-
tematic crop rotation and thorough
cultural practice which are essential
10 an enduring and economically
sound agriculture. 1t is obvious that,
IN large measure, sterilization OF
production must be brought about
through the use OF better adapted or
improved crop varieties, more sys-
lematic and rational crop rotations,
and improved agricultural practice
generally, including in many sections,
arger attention to live stock produc-
ion.
AS the principles of crop improve
nent are better understood and more
generally applied, larger yields per
acre should result. In addition, a
great deal can be accomplished
through increase Of soil fertility and
better cultural methods. Enough has
been done in this direction BY the
state experiment stations and the de-
and also by good farmers,
o justify the expectation that con-
'iderably increased yields gradually
will be brought about il, large part |
,f the area adapted to the staple
Iood crops.
VERY destructive climatic condi-
lions never occur in this country
With equal severity throughout ali
he staple-crop regions. It is highly
desirable, therefore, further to
broaden the areas for these staples
IS far as experience and sound econ
,mics may warrant
Food and Drug Acts.
The report reviews at length the
administration of the foods and drugs
vet. Its recommendations for legis-
alton to reinforce the present law
IRE given: Experience in connection
with the administration OF the food
md drugs act has strikingly empha-