The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1917-04-11
HOUSTON URGES
FOOD PRODUCTION
Says There is No Risk I'm
Big Food Crops.
IMPORTANCE TO The NATION
OF a Food Crop for the Coming
Year Cannot Be Over.
estimated.

Washington, April S.-Secretary
of Agriculture Houston again ap-
pealed TO the country to make every
effort to raise adequate food crops
this year not only for the United
States needs, but to meet the re-
quirements of the Entente.
THE Importance to the nation of
a generous food supply for the COM
ing year cannot BE- overempha5izcd.
in view of the economic problems
which may arise as result Of the
entrance of the United States into
the war; said the Secretary. Every
effort should be made to produce
more crops than are needed for our
requirements. Many millions Of pep-
pie across the seas, 40 we'll aa our
own people. must rel- in large part
upon the nroducts of our fields ana
ran sses. This situation will contin-
use to exist even though hostiliti.s
should end Unexpectedly soon, since
European production cannot be re-
stored Immediately to Its normal
basis
Reduction In Supplies.
Taking the winter wheat terri
tory as a whole, winter killing has
occurred to an extent very much
greater than usual This obviously,
if not compensated for in some way.
will mean a material reduction in
the supplies of our most important
bread cereal. Where winter wheat
has been damaged sufficiently to
justify the abandonment of fields it
should by all means be replaced by
spring-planted food crops, prefera-
bly, small grains or corn.
Large Acreage or Corn.
Corn is the leading food and feed
crop of the United States in geo
graphic range of production, acreage
and quantity Of product. The vital
Importance of large acreage of this
crop, properly cared FOR, therefore,
is obvious. Conditions warrant the
planting Of the largest acreage OF
his crop which it is possible TO ham
die effectively. -.
"Earliness of maturity. other fac
tors being equal, is advantageous in
the case of practically all grain
crops. Relatively early maturing
varieties should be selected where
possible. and planting should he
done at the earliest suitable date.
1.-THE usefulness of cow peas and
soy beans as human food has been
recognized only recently in this
country. Existing conditions war
rant the planting of all the available
seed of varieties known to do we'll
in the several sections. The soy
bean in particular has proved sufii-
GENTLY resistant to cold in spring
and to adverse weather during sum-
mer to warrant heavy planting, es-
pecially throughout the South. The
value of the beans for oil produc-
ton as well as for human food has
become recognized so quickly and so
generally during the past year that
the crop has acquired = commercial
standing far in excess of its previous
status. The high food value of field
beans and the shortage of supply
due to the light yields of 1915 and
1916 render them of great impor-
tance in the regions to which they
are adapted.
"A deficiency OF hay and forage
for the next winter would jeopar-
die the future meat and dairy sup
plies of the country and result in
shortage of roughage for military
draft and saddle animals.
Seed potatoes should be conserv-
ed by planting on the best lands
available for them and planting for
thorough tilage and protection of
the crop against disease and insect
pests. Potatoes can be grown most
near the centers OF
population in the Northern States
where transportation cost r'ay be
reduced TO minimum. This crop
is capable of quick and large in
crease Of production when condi-
lions are favorable.