Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-20
GIVES
MORE FOOD
NATIONAL CRY FOR INCREASED
PRODUCTION ANSWERED IN
THIS STATE.

!
the national cry for increased foot
production with a crop that will be
record IL weather conditions continue
propitious.
Figures given out here today by the
information service Of Iowa State col
lege forecast a crop production worth
$877, 100000, or $sO,000,OOo over last
year and $3O4,232,0O0 more than the
average for the past ten years.
This is not Iowa's only contribution
to the market basket of the world
| however for there must be taken into
/ account the live stock, dairy, poultry
and honey production of the state.
! add to this some 100000 quarts
Of canned stun worth $10,00o,0 O0," the
statement by the information service
! continues, "as the bit donated by Iowa
/ housewives which Is really a war food
contribution. and this gives fair idea
Of Iowa's good production activity.
Big Potato Crop.
/ "Iowa's largest increase this year
/ will come in corn, oats, potatoes and
garden crops. Under favorable wealth
err conditions, should produce 100000
| 900 bushels of corn, or an increase OF
100000 bushels Of oats, and 100000
bushels OF potatoes. There will be a
decrease in winter wheat, hay and al
falfa crops.
"The acreage of corn planted this
wear is 10,242 900 or ] 04s,0O0 more than
last year. The condition of the crop
is 2 per cent better than at July ] last
wear So with favorable weather con-
ditions. a 40o,0oo,ooo bushels crop is
assured.
Conditions and prospects are favor
able for a bumper crop IF oats. Rust
is practically absent this year. and at
present the oat crop stands s per cent
above that Of last year. With IN in
crease acreage Of 10000 acres this
means at least 200 100000 bushels
crop or an increase of 10000. 900 bush
els over last year.
Probably one OF the largest in
creases will come In the potato and
garden crops. Reports give the potato
crop a per cent margin and 1000
acre increase over last years crop. A.
10, 000, 900 bushel crop. then is almost
assured. or a 100000 bushsl increase
over last year.
Reports received at Iowa State col
lege indicate 800 per cent increase
IN garden acreage in lowe this year.
Forty thousand persons in the three
groups of volunteer food producers
boys and girls clubs and high schools
have planted garden this year.
"Des Moines authorities estimate
that there will be 400 per cent in
crease In the garden acreage of that
city. In Fl. Dodge 800 school children
are cultivating gardens alone.
5000 New silos.
with 5000 new silos erected this
summer Iowa farmers will put up at
least billion additional pounds Of en-
silage. Practically 80 per cent of the
feeding value Of the corn crop is lost
II II is allowed to stand in the fields.
This means that one-third Of this bill
lion pounds represents absolute gain.
The total of $4,000 silos in the state
will conserve $500, 900 tons Of ensilage
worth approximately s15,000,000 and
enough to carry a million head Of beef
cattle through To-day feeding
period
with favorable weather continuing.
increased crops also are in sight for
spring wheat, rye. flax and fruit. There
will be a heavy crop Of summer and
fall apples and about normal crop
OF winter apples" the state concludes.
"As whole. the fruit crops at pres
ent stand in condition per cent bet
ter than last year. The apples crop is
20 per cent better and the small fruit
crop 20 per cent less