Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-12-13
THE GOVERNMENT AND FOOD.
Secretary Houston Outlines Measures
for Meeting Needs.

Washington, Dec. 7.-Ehorts to
reduce the cost of living through in
creased production and better distri
button Of the country's foods are de-
tailed in the annual report OF Secre-
tary Houston, of the Department Of
Agriculture, made public to-day. The
report also devotes considerable at
tention to the pure food law and
urges on Congress the need OF
strengthening it to permit standardi-
zation Of foods and drugs and inspec-
ton OF foods and drugs factories.
Records of the department, the re-
port sets forth, show that except for
meat and dairy products the per cap
ita production Of the leading food
commodities in the United States has
remained about the same despite the
rapid growth of population. Statis-
ties presented cover a period Of 16
years. 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
increasingly to meet the needs of the
world
One of the principal aims Of the
department has been to increase meat
production. The report shows
steady growth since 1913 in the out
put of beef and an advance in the
number Of swine every year since
1899. More extensive sheep raising
is recommended as source of food.
1t Is pointed out that only one farm
in seven in the United States now
supports sheep. Fifty million sheep.
IT. is said. could be added to the
country's flock.
Stablizing Of production is recon-
mended as one Of the greatest agri-
cultural needs in producing food
crops sufficient to meet demands.
This can be accomplished best, the
report points out, through better
adapted or improved crop varieties.
more systematic and rational crop
rotation and improved agricultural
practice generally. In many parts Of
the country more attention to live
stock production is essential to en-
during and economical agriculture,
the report declares.
improved Marketing Methods.
It is highly desirable, it is pointed
out, that areas for production of sta
pie crops be broadened as far as eX-
periencc and sound economics may
warrant. In this respect the report
dwells on the Importance OF controll-
ing plant diseases and insect pests.
Marketing of farm products, rural
finances and rural organization, the
report says, have received close at
tention from the department in the
last three years. A four-year pro-
gram developed in 1913 has been in
a large measure carried out
improved marketing Of live stock
and meats has been sought by the
department as a means Of chea pening
these products. Already, the report
says, arrangements have been made
with 5S stock yard companies to Sc
cure monthly reports Of live stock
receipts and shipments. A uniform
system Of marketing records has been
established at the instance of the de-
partment by number of yards.
Methods and costs Of marketing live
stock and meats were investi tigated.
A preliminary investigation Of the
sources, accuracy and use Of market
reports on live stock and meats has
been made. The resulrs &C This study
have been utilized in development
OF plans for the organization Of a
demonstration market news service
for live stock similar to that now con-
Quoted 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,
establishment and management Of
municipal retail and wholesale public
markets. Detailed studies also have
been made Of conditions in other
cities. investigation concerning me-
thods OF handling and grading per-
ishable products and the practicable
ity Of standardization Of the roducts
and their containers have progressed
rapidly.
fhe issuance Of monthly cold
storage rcDOrtS on annlcS has hnon