The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-12
wheat CROP IS SHORT.
ESTIMATES THAT PRODUCTION
WILL BE ONLY SUFFICIENT
FOR AMERICA.
Forecast at May Puts Probable Yield
at 360,116,O0n Bushels, Which is
Far Short Of Previous Years AMI
Means Less Bread for World.

Washington, May 8.-Official
wheat crop estimates announced to-
day show that with the world facing
bread shortage the United States.
unless It cuts its present consunp-
ton, probably will produce only
enough wheat this year to supply its
own population. The forecast COM
piled by the department Of agricul-
ture on condition May / put this
cCuntry's winter wheat yield at $685.
100000 bushels, the smallest in I3
years. There will be no estimate of
spring wheat acreage until July, but
with a crop Of 100000, 900 bushels,
which is higher than the average,
this country would grow this year a
total of only 616,O00,OO0 bushels.
The normal American consumption
with seed requirements is put at
slightly more than 10000, 900 bush
els.
The country's great spring wheat
crop was 352.O00.O0O bushels, pro-
duced In 1915. The five year average
from 1910 to 1914 is 234, 900, 900.
The estimated production this year
OF 366,0O0.000 bushels Of winter
wheat falls 11e.0OO,OOO bushels short
Of last years poor crop and 308, ,O0O,-
600 below that of 1916. a bumper
crop. 1t is 5000, 900 bushels less
than the average for the preceding
five years.
r Reserve stocks this year are said
Ito be lower than at any previous
time at this season. The visible sup
ply is put now at 10000, 900 bushels
with somewhat larger invisible
stock. The lowest visible stocks ever
reported in the United States were
100000 on July 1 two years ago.
When~hnrvesting the new crop begins
in July of this year it is estimated
that the reserve will be even lower
than that.
The allies wheat requirements for
the coming year are put at 500, ,000.-
600 bushels as a minimum. The
United States will be asked to sup
ply more than half that amount
Wheat crops in other parts of the
world are poor. The Argentine crop
failed and home consumption will re-
quire the entire yield. Canada's pro-
drction is confined chiefly to a spring
crop of normally about 100000, 900
bushels, much of which is available
TO, export
Since the war began America has
exported to Europe vast quantities
of wheat, reaching high mark of
3S3,O00,O00 in 1915. Last year the
total fell to 234.OOO,OOo bushels. Be-
fore the war it ran slightly less than
100, 900, 900 bushels.
In a statement accompanying it's
report today the agricultural depart
ment declared that although the win
ter wheat crop condition is the poor
est on record. crop conditions other
wise are favorable.
"The extent of plowing and plant
ing done by May l." the statement
said. was above the average In
1912 the winter wheat crop fell be-
low 400.00O.0O0 bushels, the lowest
since 1903. but notwithstanding this
low production Of winter wheat the
spring wheat crops and total produc-
| tion Of all crops in that year were the
largest on record"
The department is making every ef-
fort to educate the American people
to greater use Of corn meal for
bread. Corn is Americas big crop
but except in the South it never has
supplanted wheat for bread Depart
ment officials believe America must
turn to corn to release wheat for ship
ment abroad If the allies are to be fed
and Germany is to be defeated.
Herbert c. Hoover, chairman Of the
food committee of the council Of ma
tional defense, who is strongly in fav-
or of more limited use of wheat in
this country. appeared before the sem
ate agriculture committee today and
urged a separate department of the
government to deal with the food
question. He recommended absolute
government control Of certain staples.
particularly grain and sugar. He ask
ed prompt action on the administra-
tion's food bills and pointed to the
necessity for taking hold Of the s.tu
alton early in the war.
Ardmore. Okla, May 7.-Six hun
Iy.n1 80