The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-04-27

49, S>NA &
ment emphasizing the Importance to
the nation of Il generously adequate
food supply for the coming year in
view of the economic problems which
may arise as a result of the entrance
of the United States into the war.
MANY millions of people across the
seas, as we'll as our own people," says
the secretary. must rely in large part
upon the products of our fields and
ranges. This situation will continue
to exist ever though hostilities should
end unexpectedly soon, since Euro
pean production cannot be restored
Immediately to it's normal basis. Rec
ignition of the fact that the world ut
large. as well as our own consumers.
must rely more strongly on American
farmers this year than ever before
should encourage them to strive to
the utmost to meet these urgent
needs"
Enlarged production Of our staple
food crops is the most important serv-
Ice required Of our agriculture, accord
ing to the secretary. He says:
No Chance Of Over-Production.
because of the shortage of such
crops practically throughout the world
there is no risk in the near future OF
excessive production such as some
times has resulted in unremunerative
prices to producers. This is particu-
larly true Of the cereals and of peas,
beans. cowpeas, soy beans and buck
wheat. In view of. the world scarcity
of food, there is hardly a possibility
that the production Of these crops by
the farmers of the United States can
be too great this year. and there is
abundant reason to expect generous
price returns for all available sur
plus.
"The most effective step that may
De taken to increase the production
of these crops is tO enlarge the acre
age devoted to them in the regions
where they are grown habitually. This
expansion of acreage should be to the
limit permitted by available good seed.
labor, and equipment.
taking the winter-wheat territory
as a whole, wi%nterkilling has &C.
Cured to IN extent very much greater
than usual. This obviously. il not COM
pensated for in some way. will mean
q material reduction in the supplies of
our most important bread cereal.
Where winter wheat has been dam
aged sufficiently to justify the aban-
| donment Of fields, it should by all
means be replaced by spring-pianted
food crops. preferably small grains or
corn. The condition Of the winter
| wheat crop. as shown by the depart
ment in its last report. is more than
% per rent below the average condi-
! ton April I for the past ten years.
This condition forecasts a production
this year nearly 100000 bushels
less than that OF 1916 and 243, 100000
bushels less than the crop of 1915.
Value Of Oats and Barley.
"Climatic requirements Of spring
wheat during the last few weeks of its
growth render it a more risky crop
| than others to plant outside the areas
In which it's production has been
proved to be successful. so that 1t is
not recommended for regions where
oats or corr will be more certain to
produce satisfactory yields.
"If land intended for spring wheat
| cannot be put into good condition ear
" enough for seeding, oats or barley
| can be substituted to good advantage
in the sections where these crops are
| known to do well. The ease with
| which barley may be substituted d.
rectly for wheat In human food and
| It's usefulness to replace wheat mill
Ing by-products as food In the pro-
duction Of the milk supply, renders
It's abundant production important.
1.-The place Of rye under present
| conditions Is an important one. The
crop this year should be harvested and
| utilized with more than the usual
| care.
The high food value of rice, in the
| opinion Of the secretary, warrants q
large increase in planting in the states
| where this cereal can be grown. In
! creased acreage Of grains sorghums Is
also strongly recommended.
Large Acreage Of Corn Urged.
The vital importance Of a large acre
| nge Of corn Is pointed out by Secre-
| tary Houston. He says this crop lis
the leading food and feed crop Of the
| United States in geographic range Of
production, acreage and quantity of
| production. Because Of the prices OBJ
tanned for the last crop and the world
demand for this grain, Its profitable
ness to the American farmer during
| the approaching cas- Is clear. Con-
| ditions now warrant the planting Of
the largest acreage of this crop which
It IL possible to handle effectively.
although fall IS the proper time for
! breaking sod for corn. there are many
| unprOductive and foul meadows and
Indifferent pastures In Illinois. Indi-
ana, Ohio, and the Middle Atlantic and
| Northeastern States that. under exist
| lng conditions can be broken now to
advantage and planted to corn. The
| resulting reduction of hay md pasture
would be more than replaced by the
corr stover, ensiiage, and grain pro-