The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-12-20
ENLIST TO SOW WHEAT, RYE,
BARLEY AND FLAX.

The farmers responded right nobly
to the governmental call to produce
more food stutfs and the production
in the aggregate was greater than
ever before in our history. Corn,
oats, rice, potatoes, sugar. beets and
tobacco showed an almost unbelleVe-
able percent increase over the last five
wear average. This showing was i'm
mensely gratifying to those interest
ed in the successful carrying on OF
the war in which this nation is en-
gagged, but there is one dark spot in
the situation.
The wheat, rye, barley and flax
seed production was about ten per
cent below the five year average. The
only increase in real war supplies in
the way of food was in rice and
meats.
Unless this situation is looked into
and remedied the situation is apt to
become serious. The most essential
food supply for our armies both at
home and abroad is bread. In this
country corn can largely make up
the supply and the bread consuming
population be benefited by the sub
stitute, but the nations of Europe
have not as yet accepted corn bread,
are unaccustomed to it's use and do
not realize it's value as bread ma
terial.
AS yet no method has been devised
to ship corn, corn meal or corn bread
long distances subject to all sorts of
weather conditions without great
danger of loss. No doubt in time, all
these handicaps will be overcome, and
not the least financial benefit that will
accrue to the American farmer as a
result of this war is demonstration
of the human food value of maize or
Indian corn. At the present time the
only food grains to be depended upon
for European consumption both by
military and civilian population are
wheat, rye and barley, while linseed
oil is an absolute essential of success
full military operations.
The greatest handicap of Germany
today is her lack of meats, fats and
oils, and it has no source Of supply
outside of her own borders. AS re-
suit of this deficiency every available
vacant spot is used for the cultivation
of sun-fowers and peoples in order
that oils may be extracted from them
It is prime necessity that the
wheels of the German war machinery
be CREASED and grease is gettin~
mighty scarce. 1t is reported that
the bodies of slain both their own and
those of the enemy are rendered for
the oil contained therein.
There is another reason besides the
food and oil demand that the Ameri-
can farmer should largely increase
his acreage of wheat, rye, barley and
flax. Owing to the vast area of the
corn-belt being struck with frost be-
fore it fully ripened the supply of seed
corn will be very limited and hard
to obtain and no seed should be
planted that is not certain to
terminate.
There is, going to be great short
age Of farm labor, by the first Of next
July there will be two million men in
the army at home and abroad. All or
a large percentage of this vast force
will come from the rank of our most
working men. Every soldier
is competent of taking his place
among the ranks of physical labor. 1t
is going to be very difficult for the
American farmer to secure competent
help to carry on his farm operations
next year.
The cereal crops wheat, oats, rye,
barley and flax can be raised with a
minimum of physical labor. In their
cultivation machinery can take the