Arizona republican., 1917-12-09
FARM AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION MUST BE STIMULATED, DESPITE
 RECORD CROPS GROWN THIS YEAR

anything in the way of materials for food and clothing."
 While the precise figures for meat, poultry, dairy products and vegetable oils are not yet available, the secre- tary estimates that the quantity of these commodities is greater than for 1915 and 1916. An increase of a billion bushels over the five year pre-war average was effected in this years crop of staples. Unrevised estimates con- tainedc in the report are as follows: | 3,191 000,0 900 bushels of corn, 659, ,797, = I 900 of wheat, 1,5S0,O00,0 GOO of oats, l POI, ,659,O 900 of barley. 56,0OO,O0O of rye, 16,S13,00 of buckwheat, 32,256,- l GOO of rice, 7S,3S0OOO of kafir, 439,- 6S6,000 of Irish potatoes, S4,727,OO of sweet potatoes, 15,957,O00 of com mercial beans. 42,606,00O of peaches, ! 1l,419,000 of pears, 177,733,00O of ap- pies, and 1891 900 of sugar beets
 The number of milch cows and other cattle" the report adds, has shown an increase during the last four or five years, the estimate foI the former for the present year be- ing 23906,000 as against 2276S00O q year ago and 20,497,000 in 1913, be- l that for the cattle is 43,291 900 as against 40,S49,OOO a year ago ant 36,030,000 in 1913. Unfortunately the number of sheep continues tC decline; the estimate for 1917 k only 6,059,000 as against 4S,4S3,00 a year ago and 51,4S2, 900 in 1913 It is estimated that the number O hogs, which during recent years ha, shown an upward tendency. decreased over 4,O0O,000, or from 67,543,OOO t, 62,741OOO.
 Tn considering the whole mea situation it should be kept in min, that there is a close relationship be tween the production of live stocl : and the supply of feedstuffs and tha , for more than year past there ha been relative shortage of grain and of forage. The large production , of these necessaTies during the pres , ent crop season should conduce t more satisfactory conditions for tn producers of livestock and should 5 other things being equal tend t bring about an increase.
 But With the destruction of live 5 stock in Europe and the great de l mands from there for meat and fat, 9 with consequent greatly increase l exports from this country, it is elea } that the supply will not be adequat For the domestic needs and fo 9 those of the nations with which " < are associated in the war.
 The mere statement that the poDu . latlon has steadily increased in thi countrywide grain in the 10 veal rom 1908 to 1917 being 13,OOO OOO- ! with an absolute decrease in th livestock for the same period. woul sufficiently emphasize. the serious ness of the situation if condition were normal and the demand f. meats and fats were not so urgent
 The report announces the organ zatlon of special agency to ascel tam to what extent the governmer safely can permit the use of nation; forest ranges for cattle grazing.
 severe winter and late spring in il west this year induced the oDenir or the forest reserves to the an mals much earlier than usual ar In 1918 the emergency use of fl ranges for grazing purposes is be much extended.
 A $3,0O0,000 saving has been mad says the report, by the department placing specialists in the regions
 greatest sweet potato production
 superlntend proper handling and sto age of the commodity. A sneci survey to collect choice Irish pota seed stock now is being condnct, in Maine, Vermont, Massachusett New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisco, sin and Colorado.
 Discovery in Texas of the mir boil worm, a highly destructive co ton pest presents another serio, menace to the nations cotton cro put every means is being utilized
 eradicate the pest in the TTnit, States. Its spread so far has he, confined to comparatively isolat areas.
 Material development of native a, rlcultural resources, the report say IS expected to follow complete n ganization of the departments e
 tension service. Equipped with ; appropriation of $4,34S,4O0. the SC vice will soon be able to place o
 demonstration agent-possibly two
 In nearly every agricultural coun
 in the country, and woman
 each large city to give advice r
 garding the production. conservati
 and utilization of food Droduc
 Agents numbering 5000 are nc
 performing extension work amoi
 the nations farmers and in {
 urban communities.
 These agents" declares Secreta
 Houston, mot only are performiI
 the normal and emergency demo 91 stration and educational york; b
 they are also assisting other branch