Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-08


lies are to be adequately met. Secre-
tary Houston says in his annual re-
port to Congress today.
THAT the farmers of the nation nave
generously responded to the appeals
Tor increased production, ana that
much has already been done to insure
a large supply of foods and foodstuHs,
says the report, "justifies no let-doWn
in their activities or i'll those OF all ag-
ricultural agencies. On the contrary,
even greater efforts must be put Iorth
in the coming months.
There must he no breakdown on
the farms. no failure of foods. feed
stuffs or clothing. l capnot emphasize
too strongly the urgent necessity or
doing everything possible to bring
about still further increase in the
production of all essential commodf
ties. particularly of the staple crops
and livestock
Confidence in the ability of the farm
ers to meet the unusual emergency
caused by Americas entrance into the
war is reiterated by the secretary.
! Their willing cooperation since April
has been prolific of encouraging crop
increases. he says, and there is no
doubt but that they have a complete
and ready comprehension OF inc de-
manls to be supplied as the war pro-
cCedS
The spirit revealed by the farmers
and the results of their efforts during
the present year" he says, indicate
! that they recognize the, responsibility
! resting upon them in this emergency.
1 am confident that they will patrloti-
| cally continue to assume and to bear
their full share of the country's bur
/ den.
The farmers of the nation have al
! ways shown their devotion 70 the cause
If freedom and have not been slow to
respond to the country's call for men
and means to defend its rights.
| las it becomes more obvious that the
surest way to force a righteous peace
! is to employ effectively all the re
sources of the nation. the farmers will
! increa singly put forth their strength,
send their sons to fight at the front,
| and see 10 it that neither this nation
nor those with which we are associated
lack anything in the way of materials
for food and clothing"
! While the precise figures for meat.
poultry, dairy products and vegetable
oils are not Vet available, the secretary
estimates that the quantity OF these
| commodities is greater than for 1915
and 1916.
An increase of billion bushels over
the five-year pre-war average was e.
fected IN this years crop of staples.
! Unre vised estimates contained in the
report are as follows: 3,191 ,000,0 bush
I els Of corn; 659 1871 900 of wheat 1885,
! 00O.OC0 of oats, POI 900 Of barley, S.
! 100000 of rye, l6,Sls,00o Of buckwheat.
! "a, psf, 900 OF rice, 73.3Su.ouU or karr. 49,
/ 6S6, 900 Of Irish potatoes, S4121,G 900 OF
! sweet potatoes. 15,951,on0 Of commercial
/ beans 42.606,0 C0 Of peaches, 11,419,0O0 of
| pears, lI7,733, 900 of apples. and 1921
! coo of sugar heets.
/ The number of mich cows and other
| cattle" tho report adds, has shown an
! increase during the last four or five
! years. the estimate for the former for
! the present year being 23.906.G00 as
! against 22,16S. 600 a year ago and ~
! 497 900 in 1913. before the European war
| began. while that for the cattle IS 49,
| 291 600 as against 40S49, 600 a year ago
and sc $50 900 in 1913. Unfortunately,
! the number Of sheep continues to de-
| cline: the estimate for 1917 is only 49,,
! O59000 as against A, ass, 600 a year ago
and 51,4S2,0C0 in 1913. 1t is estimated
| that the number of hogs, which during
recent years has shown an upward
| tendency, decreased over 1000, 900. or
! from g., 542 ,0"0 to 62.141 .0CU.
4 In considering the whole meat Situ-
alton it should be kept in mind that
! there is q close relationship between
I the production of live stock AMI the
! supply of fcCdstuffs and that for more
than a year past there has been q rela-
! tive shortage Of grains and OF forage.
! The large production of these neceSsa-
| rieS curing the present crop season
\ should COnducc To more satisfactory
cCnditionS4 for the producers of live
stock and should. other things being
| equal terd to bring about an increase.
But with tn" destruction of live
stock in Europe and the great demands
from there for meat and fats, with con-
I sequent greatly increased exports from
! this country. it is clear that the sup
PLY will not be adequate for the do
nestle needs and for those of the ma
tons with which we are assoclu.eu in
! the war.
"The mere statement that the popu
! lation Las steadily increased in this
! Countrywide gain in the 10 years from
| 1905 to 1917 being 1906. 000-with an alb
! solute decrease in the live stock for
the same period. would sufficiently en-
| rhasize the seriousness of the situation
| if conditions were normal and the De
mand for meats and fats were not so
urgent"
! Phc report announces the orsaniZa-
ton of a special agency to ascertain
| to what extent the government s9fely
! can permit the use Of national forest
ranges for cattle grazing. A severe
winter and late spring in the West this
wear induced the opening of the forest
! reserves to the animals much earlier
! than usual, and in 1918 the emergency
use Of the ranges for grazing purposes
! is to be much extended.
A 100000 saving has been made
/ says the report, by the departments
/ placing specialists in the regions Of
greatest sweet potato production to
superintend proper handling and stor-
age of the commodity A special sur
vey to collect choice Irish potato sead
stock now is being conducted in Maine.
| Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hamp-
! shire. Minnesota. Wisconsin and Colo
! RADIO.