Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-12-08
HOUSTON GIVES
WAY To GUT OFF
LIVING s COST

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-Efforts to
reduce the cost of living through in
creased production and better distribu-
tion of the country's foods are detailed
the annual report of Secretary Hous-
ton, of the Department of Agriculture.
made public today. The report also
devotes considerable attention to the
pure food law and urges on Congress
the need of Strengthening it to permit
Standardization of foods and drugs
and inspection of foods and drugs fac
tories.
Records of the department, the re-
port sets forth, show that except for
meat and dairy products the per capita
production of the leading food COM
modities in the United States has re-
mained about the same despite the
rapid growth of population. Statis-
tics presented cover a period of sixteen
eyars. The population has increased
in that. time 33 per cent. There is
ground for optimism, the report says,
as to the ability of the nation not only
to supply itself with food but increas-
ingly to meet the needs of the world.
One of the principle aims of the de-
partment has been to increase meat
production. The report shows a steady
steady growth since 1918 in the out
put of beef and an advance in the
number of swine every year since 1899.
More extensive sheep raising is rec
commended as source of food. 1t is
pointed out that only one farm in
seven in the United States now sup
prots sheep. Fifty million sheep, it is
said, could be added to the country's
focks.
Stabilizing of production is recon-
mended as one of the greatest agricul-
tural needs in producing food crops
sufficient to meet demands. This can
be accomplished best, the report points
out, through better adapted or inn
proved crop varieties, more system
attic and rational crop rotation and
improved agricultural practice gen.
orally. In many parts of the country
more attention to livestock production
is essential to enduring and economic
a. agriculture, the report declares.
1t is highly desirable it is pointed
out, that areas for production os tsaple
crops be broadened as far as expert
cree and sound economics may war
rant. In this respect the report dweells
on the Importance of controlling plant
diseases and insect pests.
Marketing of farm products, rural
finance and rural organization, the
report says, have received close atten-
ton from the department in the last
three years. A four year program de-
veloped in 1918 has been in large
measure carried out.
Improved Marketing Facilities.
Improved marketing of livestock and
meats has been sought by the depart
ment as means of cheapeaing these
products. Already, the report says,
arrangements have been made with IS
stockyard companies to secure monthly
reports of live stock receipts and ship
ments. A uniform system of market
ing records has been established at
the instance of the department by a
number of yards. Methods and costs
of marketing livestocks and meats
were investigated. A preliminary in
vestigation of the sources. accuracy
and use Of market reports on live
stock and meats has been made. The
results of this study have been utiliz>
ed in development of plans for the
organization of a demonstration mar
ket news service for livestock similar
70 that now conducted for perishable
crops
Other efforts at better distribution
methods are described as follows:
Surveys have been made of the
marketing facilities for agricultural
products in nine cities and advice has
been given regarding the location. es-
tablishment and management of munic-
ipal retail and wholesale public mar
kets. Detailed studies also have been
made of conditions in other cities. IN
vestigation concerning methods OF
handling and grading perishable pro-
ducts and the practicability of stand
ardization of the products and their
containers have progressed rapidly.
The issuance of monthly cold-stor-
Continued on Page 80
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