Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-31
INCREASE IN
FOOD SUPPLY
NOW PLANNED
Dauphin County Committee
Also to Take Up Problem
of Distribution

To develope war gardens. replen-
| lSh livestock, increase the egg prod
luct, and to raise bumper crops in
I every necessary farm commodity is
| the aim of the committee which has
Just been appointed by Donald Nc
| Cormick, food administrator for
Dauphin county.
| This committee includes: j. Will
| liam Bowman, II. A. Boyer. II. w.
Clemenson, NJ. A. Cumbler. +. e.
! Downes, Mrs. William Henderson. d.
/. Keister, j. E. Lentz, l.. e. Nc
Ginnis, II. d. Reel, II. G.. Niesley,
| Mrs. John w. Reilly, f. +. Sham
baugh, Albert Shenk and ID. e.
Tracy.
Last years work was more or less
experimental. 1t is expected that in
the approaching season practical les
! sons will be put to use, so that Dau-
| phin county may make a record for
| production. 1t is likely that the COM
mittee will concentrate on potato
| raising for one thing. The Pennsyl-
Vania Department of Agriculture will
! be able to give suggestions on this
activity, having made a study OF
last years results. In some parts of
Dauphin county growers got as much
as 324 bushels to the acre, but the
average production was only SO.
Some stable method of treating the
land will be adopted and it will be
the committees business to acquaint
the unskilled with practical methods.
Labor Scarcity
The scarcity of labor is the one
thing that threatens to balk the plans
of the food conserving officials. 1T
may be necessary to call upon the
schoolboys," observed Mr.. McCor-
mick, "and after taking a census of
those who are willing to aid the gov
ernment in this patriotic cause, select
sut1cient number to supply the
needs.
Many more will probably be
needed this year than answered the
call last fall" he said. MANY farm
erS found that some of the men, who
volunteered for this service could
not stand the work of the farm, so
this committee may employ a selec-
tive method in securing available
material to fill the gap in farm help
caused by the experienced men going
into military or naval service"
1t is altogether probable, he
thought, that it will be necessary to
call upon schoolboys to help if the
effort to raise bumper crops is to be
made.
1t is apparent now that, owing to
the big demand, many farmers have
them in the smaller towns through
and if this continues prohibitive
prices will reign. Not only that but
there would be a great diminution in
the available supply for the troops,
if the war lasts several years. Be-
side the farmers, persons living in
town, with however small accommo-
dations, will be urged to raise chick
ems and eggs. 1t IS imperative, said
Mr.. Mccormick, that Dauphin coun-
ty makes an increase in the produc-
ton of crops, animals and all farm
produce. Il count on the war gar
dens to be of great help. We intend
to make special effort to establish
them in the smaller towns throughout
out the county"
In the matter of markets, which
falls under the work of this COM
mittee, there can be no definite fore
cast at the present time. In larger
cities, municipal markets are being
established, but there is no need here
as Harrisburg is well supplied
through the present markets. How
ever, in special instances where price
agreements can be consummated to
the benefit of the consumer, this
committee will endeavor to establish
the new basis.