The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-17
-arsions OF present ACTIVE

where the country stands in so far
AZ the adequacy of the present food
supply is concerned, to speed up the
production Of food crops wherever
this can be done, and to stop as many
"a possible of the leaks through
which hundreds OF millions Of dollars
worth of edible products annually is
wasted. Eleven million, three nun
bred and forty-six thousand, four
hundred dollars are made available
for the work in the food production
bill This money is for emergency
use in addition to the funds appropri-
ated in the regular agricultural ap'
propriation bill for the usual actlYl-
ties of the department. The bill also
is distinct from the food control Dill,
a measure having to do chiefly with
the regulation of the distribution OF
food.
To Increase County Agent Force.
One of the most important steps
to be taken in the emergency agricul.
mral work will be the extension OF
the existing force Of county agents
the Joint field employees Of the depart
ment and the states who come into
most direct contact with the farmers
With the addition of the new county
agents an agent will be situated in
practically every agricultural county
in the United States, that will cooper
ate to ad,ise and assist farmers IN
every way possible on matters OF pro-
duction, conservation and marketing.
The number of women county agents
i'm rural counties will be considerably
liz creased and women agents will be
placed in number of the larger
towns and cities. These women Will
stimulate the production OF garden
truck, poultry and other products by
women and children, and will advise
and instruct in regard to the most
efficient methods of food utilization
and conservation.
To Attack Labor and Food Problems.
Under the food production bill the
Office of Farm Management of the
Department, in cooperation with the
United tSates Department of Labor,
will extend the farm-help activities
through which farm laborers and the
farmers who most need them have
been brought together during the
present season. -.
The third of the more important OF
the emergency projects to be carried
out by the Department Of Agriculture
Is a quick survey of the food situa-
ton. This activity will be for the
purpose of Gscertaining as accurately
as possible the condition Of the coun-
try's food stores and the normal con-
sumption in order that such action
as may be necessary to insure sutfi-
Gent supply may be taken intelligent
". Farm stocks and supplies in re-
tail stores and in the hands OF con-
sumers will be estimated, and stocks
held by wholesale, jobbing, storing,
manufacturing and other commercial
establishments will be enumerated. 1t
is contemplated that the survey will
be followed by monthly reports on
several of the more important COM
modities and, if the emergency re-
Guires it, by another survey after an
interval OF perhaps six mathis.
Production Will be Stimulated.
In addition to the activities under
the three projects mentioned special
work will be undertaken by many of
the bureaus and offices of the Depart
ment of Agriculture in the nterst Of
increased production, and for the con-
protection and improved
handling and marketing Of crops and
live stock. The Bureau Of Animal In
dustry will seek to bring about In
creased production of hogs and poul-
try the two livestock products capa-
BILE Of most rapid increase. The
agents of this bureau also Will locate
Surpluses Of hogs in heavy producing
areas and farmers n other sections
Of the country with good facilities for
hog raising, in the effort to bring
about more economical distribution Of
hogs. Efforts also will be made IN
directly to increase animal production
BY combating animal diseases and
pests, especially hog cholera, tubercu-
osis, and the cattle tick, which cause
losses aggrcgating millions of dollars
The bureau also will en-
ieavor to stimulate the increased
production and utilization OF dairy
'ood; and will carry on a campaign
or the more general production OF
fertile eggs,
The Bureau of Entomology will eX-
end its activities in the field to pro-
ect crops and live stock, 1t will as
list in organizing communities for
combating insect pests, both of crops
md live stock.
Marketing Assistance to be Extended
Producers will be given advice by
he Bureau Of Markets regarding I'M
,roved methods of packing and hand
Ing food products. The bureau also
viii extend It's market news service to
include grain, hay and seeds, dairy
nd poultry products, and to cover
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