The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-25
TO The FARMERS
OF CONNECTICUT:

II War has been declared! With it
comes the patriotic duty and obiga-
ton of the farmer to his country to
exert to his utmost his full energies
to at least equal his recent years &C
tivities.
We realize the difficulties that you
will have to meet in your inability to
get sufficient laborers to carry out
/ plans which you may make 70 In
crease or maintain your former eff
forts in producing our food products.
We cannot conscientiously urge you
to plant more than you can see your
way clear to care for in the up-to-
date methods of present time agricul-
ture Intensive agriculture is not
only good business from a selfish
standpoint but will assist in main
tanning our food supply, If we can
not get the laborers to make the in
! tensive growing of crops extensive as
we'll
| 1t is possible that you may see your
way clear to make some changes In
the kind of crops which you will pro-
duce.
The Secretary Of Agriculture Of the
State of Kansas informs us that the
present outlook of the wheat crop in
that state is very poor. Kansas usu-
tally produces, one-seventh to one-fifth
of the nations wheat supply. The
secretary writes that under present
tconditions without further loss, her
usual production will be cut, at least
one-half." Should like conditions be
reported in other wheat growing
states our country would suffer from
the shortage. This condition may be
a1leviated by the aid Of the Connect
cut farmers. Does anyone feel that
he cannot care for his usual acreage
of hoed crops, from rack of 1aborers
or the high wage which prevails? He
can benefit himself and assist his
country at this-her time of need
by putting in one or more acres Of
! Spring wheat" We most earnestly
urge you also to maintain or increase
your former acreage of corn, which
in itself may mean the retaining of
your present dairy herds. Milk issthe
most economical life sustaining food
as compared to any other food prod
uct at present prices, and we have
| no reason to believe that present
| comparative prices will change.
! The potato situation i san acute
/ one. The high price of seed potatoes
, will deter many from planting them.
We advise the use. if seed potatoes
Ecannot be obtained, of market pota-
toes, for this purpose, soaking them
4 first thoroughly in Forma1dehyde
solution. Raise enough for your own
| family use, and as many more as your
4 Labor Problem" will permit. We be-
lieve that any surplus which you may
have can be disposed Of at satisfac-
| tory prices.
We also advise the planting Of at
least enough beans for family use.
Keep Your Breeding Stock
| Our country's agriculture cannot
| be sustained without our live stock
industry. Should our country reach
an acute situation in our food supply,
the consuming public will realize
more fully, the value of your dairy
products and your patriotism in re-
tanning your herds will be apprecia-
ted. In the selection of your seeds,
the greatest care must be. used Use
only tested seeds where it is possible.
Give special time and care to the
preparation of the seed bed for THIS
springs crops. While we have every
reason to believe that prices for farm
products this coming year will be
such as to repay the farmer for more
than their cost of production, we
Ri10St AOC ASSlIdI0 because OIL any
doubt in regard to this point.
For many years, the farmer has
continued to raise crops, many of
them at a financial loss, and now
when our country needs our products,
is not the time to quit. You can also
give your assistance in seeking to
conserve the supply which may BE-
raised Of produced. Seek to do this
yourself and urge it upon the consum-
ing public with whom you may come
in contact. It has been estimated that
500, 100000 in value of our coun.
try's food supply has been wasted in
tie past year. This, if conserved
would mean a noticeable addition to
our food supply.
Fellow farmers! This is an oppor-
tunity to show our patriotism. While
others are defending our national ex-
istence, let us do just as much by
sustaining those who are carrying The
arms. These are only suggestive ideas
as to what you may do to help out
in this, our countrys time of need.
You will each have to do your part,
as you may see it. But, these thoughts
we hope will emphasize to you the
Importance of your doing all you pos
sibly can and in the most strenuous
and helpful manner.
Can we assist you at any time or in
anyway? The services of any menu
Der of the board is at your call. We
call attention to the commission
known as the .tConnecticut Commit
tee Of Food Supply located in the
Connecticut Mutual Building, SO
Pearl street. Hartford. who will fur
nish plans and valuable information
to those interested in and willing to
assist in increasing or conserving
Connecticut's food supply.
Very sincerely,