Arizona republican., 1917-06-10
SEED |SFOUND CRYING NEED|N
 LOCAL FARMING

One thousand, three hundred and | Twenty-Five persons of which number l 393 were farm operators attended the 1 Maricopa county agricultural defense
 survey meeting held May 30 under the | supervision of this extension service of
 the university, and directed by the [ county agricultural agent.
 The information gathered shows 530 additional men needed for field work with only 52 surplus men available in the county that can be spared from the work now engaged in. Wages offered vary from S1.G5 per day to $2.50 with board and from S2 to s without board depending upon the nature of the work
 The most astounding need shown is that for seed for planting the additional acreage of crops that will follow grain with additional acreage which can be planted. Of the 393 farms reported 3ly are in need of seed. Some want small amount, others a large amount Seed is needed for planting 355 acres of corn; 470 acres of pink beans; 96 acres of peas; 2.413 acres of milo and kafir; 119 acres of sudan grass and 4,496 acres of alfalfa.
 One-tenth of those present expect to build silOs this season as the experience
 of last winter brought realization of the fact that there is no greater asset on the farm than the silo for it means a lower cost of milk production by re- placement of other feeds and a greater increase in the milk flow, also better physical condition of the dairy herd. To the cattle feeder, silage means more rapid gains at reduction in cost of gain of 75c to $l.50 per 100 pounds. The survey shows 70 individuals who each need one or two pieces of machin- cry to cultivate additional acreage, and also thirty individuals who can rent one piece of machinery each. Twenty six farm operators need small loans in amounts varying from $50 to $50 to meet labor hire and for the purchasing of seeds. Nine indivlGuals each have small amount of land to blow that l they would be willing 70 have plowed i by contract. The survey further shows
 1061 head of dairy cattle for sale; 1,513 l herd of fat or feeding stock for sale. A need is shown for 115 horses or mules
 with which to handle additional land: but there is about the same number of surplus work animals for rent No surplus of poultry was shown by the entire number reporting.
 The information gathered relative to 1 the excess of perishable products shows the following amounts: 179,510 pounds Ol dpTlCOlS, ll,JAV pOuDuS Ol SIdptS, oU, SS5 pounds peaches, 54,15O pounds | plums, 3.S50 quarts of blackberries.
 9,463 pounds of figs. 75. 300 pounds of | tomatoes, 32.630 pounds of onions, 16,- I 852 pounds of beans, 61,740 pounds of ] potatoes.
 ! MT. Bemis of the chamber of com
 me"ce believes that it is quite possible to increase by a large percentage the
 amount of acreage that can be planted.
 nv arranging between those parties l having excess land which they cannot | handle themselves and parties who are
 equipped to handle land in addition to
 that now being farmed or arranging
 with certain individuals who could iprovide equipment for farming some land on the share basis.
 He has prepared a letter which will
 be sent to all persons who have been indicated in the survey as taking a surplus of land and he has asked
 whether or not they would be willing to lease or rent on a share basis land
 which they are unable to cultivate 1 themselves.
 A splendid patriotism and desire for 1 service on the part of the farmers Of the county was well exhibited at all of the meetings by statements from them
 indicating that they are in the ma jority of instances handling all excess acreage possible for them to handle and
 also by statements to the effect that they would willingly increase the; acreage if facilities can be provided