The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-09-01

history of the world In fact no
step toward preparedness In connection with
the participation Of the United States in
the war has proceeded more rapidly than the
mobilization of the farm resources Of the middle
West, which just now is preparing itself for the
task of feeding not only the United States, but a
large part Of the world.
Despite the fact that the call to the fields
came too late to affect the winter wheat crop,
the middle Western farmer has made tremendous
advances In increasing the acreage of his other
food crops such corn, oats rye and other farm
products. Present indications are that the wheat
crop will not be large enough to much more than
meet the needs of America, let alone the expOr-
tation of large quantities of this product which
must be made to the allies but famine is still
distant specter For the first time in its history
the world is going to learn q valuable lesson in
domestic economy and that Is the adaptation of
other farm products for food purposes. One Of
the first results will be worldwide campaign
to dethrone King Wheat and enthrone King Corn
whose monarchy heretofore has scarcely extend
ed beyond the boundaries Of the United States.
The bumper corn crop which the middle West
viii raise this summer, barring such unforeseen
calamites as drought and floods, will stave off
hunger for a large portion of the world. Pres
ent indications that the corn acreage in the
u great corn states of the country will be in
creased from 20 to 80 per cent, or even more in
acres of winter wheat lands were made useless
for that purpose by the cold weather,
which killed the wheat. An increase Of 20 per
cent In the acreage planted In corn will add ap-
proximatey 100000 900 bushels Of corn to the
nations crop A large portion OF this increased
yield will go to European allies of the United
States and to neutral nations. 1t IS probable that
Uncle Sam will have to send some of his experts
in domestic science abroad to instruct the Euro
pean in the value and methods Of preparing corn
as food product.
The nations corn crop has averaged 3,OOo'VVV-
600 bushels in the last few years, no incOnsid-
cradle mark in itself but reports collected by ag
ricuItural experts from the middle West indicate
that the 1917 crop will approximate 3,5OO'OOOOOO
bushels The banner corn states Of the Union
are prepared to do their share in the drive for
increased food production. Conservative estimates
of what some of the leading states In the corn
belt region will do this year are: Illinois, 4oo-
OOOOOO bushels: Iowa, 325,OOO,WO to 3oOOOoOOo
bushels: Nebraska. 25000O,OOO bushels; missouri,
225OOO 900 bushels; Indiana, 2o0oCoooo oushels'
and Texas. 2OOOOOOOO bushels. Such middle
Western states as Minnesota, South DAKOTA
North Dakota Wisconsin and Michigan VIII nave
greatly increased acreages of corn this season,
dpo RI several reasons. In the Western group OF
states which lie in the heart or the wheat Deit
thousands Of acres of winter wheat were kllled
during tie winter. Despite the 1act tlial 'he
sr,4,o acreage planted TINS year Is uhuSu-
slIu 1orger there still remained many thousands
~ o.roe of land which could be used for no other
nu-nosa than for corn or oats two Of the leaders
IN the great trio of farm crops.
Tho harvest this summer is likely to see rec
ord breaking crop Of oats, approXlinauhs -,VVo'-
OO0 900 bushels Tremendous increases VIII also
ho ,,,da in the rye kafir corn sorghum ana Ior-
oco orops oil of which are important factors III
Ur,,,,,;no tho tables of the world with Important
fon, nroducts It is this latter activity In plant
49, .naatI Increased acreages of the minor crops
.a - :: ootod RI bring on q small revolution IN
-: oirc,es Instead of depending upon one,
- - +broa of the big trio of crops, the farmer
: davoting his energy to the growing OF othef
: -, ,1,;nb sunnement the food products gained
ron, wheat corn and oats. mus IN the case Oh
, failure Of any of the important crops Ane'ie"
IN b.ve nlenty of substitutes to fall back upon.
aIreadv food chemists and experts IN ''iilios' ",
@ ~, middle Western states are Dusty engaseu
. e,dirg new flour substitutes. discoveries
- :, a number of laboratories ndlcate tiiit
;o,,S broad will be baked with the ala OF
80 ,.r;aties of -four than ever before. hahr
- "a faterita have been found to make ac-
-, so,rs end the use of cottOnSeed meal
-, onorotion of breadstuffs will soon gain
,pa nonulority Chemists are engaged on
!, Ian hunts for new food substitutes, ana Dy
-, - 80 tho year America will be eating scores
= au Goods and combinations OF foodstu1s
=, - 10 haen wasted heretofore or fed TO i've
took os.h,,shad IN oil
go are conducting an aggressive cam