The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-08
FARMING MUST BE y
STIMULATED MORE
Sec. Houston Emphasizes That Every
thing Possible Be Done to In
crease the Production
Next Year.

Washington, ID. c., Dec s.--With rec.
ord crops grown this year the nations
farm and livestock production must be
stimulated TO still higher efficiency
| during the coming II months if domes-
tie demands and the needs of the allies
are to be adequately met, Secretary
Houston says in his annual report to
Congress to-day.
"That the farmers of the nation have
generously responded to the appeals for
increased production, and that much has
already been done to insure a large sup
ply of foods and feedstuffs,n says the
report, "iustifies no let down in their
activities or in those of all agricultural
agencies. On the contrary, even greater
efforts must be put forth in the coming
months.
"There must be no breakdown on the
farms, no failure of foods, feedstuffs or
clothing. | cannot emphasize too strong
ly the urgent necessity of doing every
thing possible to bring about still fur
Their increase in the production of all es-
sential commodities, particularly of the
staple crops and livestock"
Confidence in the ability of the farm
ers to meet the unusual emergency
caused by Americas entrance into the
war is reiterated by the secretary. Their
willing cooperation since April has been
prolific of encouraging crop increases, he
says, and there is no doubt but that they
have complete and ready comprehen. |
sion of the demands to be supplied as the |
war proceeds.
"The spirit revealed by the farmers |
and the results of their efforts during the |
present year" he says, indicate that |
they recognize the responsibility resting
upon them in this emergency ! am CON
fident that they will periodically con
tinue to assume and to bear their full
share of the country's burden.
"The farmers of the nation have al
ways shown their devotion to the cause
of freedom and have not been slow to
respond to the country's call for men
and means to defend its rights.
"As it becomes more obvious that the
,urest way to force a righteous peace is
10 employ effectively all the resources of
he nation, the farmers will increasingly
lut forth their strength, send their sons
% fight at the front, and see to it that
neither this nation nor those with which
We are associated lack anything in che
vav of materials for food and clothing"
While the precise figures for meat,
poultry. dairy products and vegetable
ills are not vet available, the secretary
stimates that the quantity of these
commodities is greater than for 1915
nd 1916.
An increase OF a billion bushels over
he five-year pre-war average was effect
4 - .,se Of 81 m
evised estimates contained in the report
re as follows: 3,l9l 100000 bushels of
orn. $50. 797 900 of wheat, l,5s0,000,000
{ rye. I6.Sl3.O00 of buckwheat. 3S ,256.-
90 of rice. ~, $4,000 of kafir. 439, 6s6,000
r Irish potatoes. S4.721 900 of sweet po-
,toes. 1887 900 of commercial beans,
? sos 900 of peaches. IL 10000 of pears.
T7,733,000 of apples and 1921 900 of
agar beets.
"The number of mich cows and other
title" the report adds. "has shown an
crease during the last four or FIVE
Ears, the estimate for the former for
he present wear being 23,906.0OO as
yainst 22.76S. 900 a year ago and 90
" 900 in 1918. before the European
ar began, while that for the cattle is
!. 20. 600 as against 40.S4a.OO0 a year
10 and 36.n30OO0 in 1918. Unfortunate
!, the number of sheep continues to de-
inc; the estimate for 1917 is only 40
% 900 as against 4s.4S3.0O0 a wear ago
ID 81. asa. 900 in 1913. II is estimated
at the number of hogs, which during
cent wears has shown an upward tend
cv. decreased over 100000. OF from
$4,000 10 62.747 600.
I'm considering the whole meat situs-
m it should be kept in mind that there
a close relationship between the pro-
ction Of livestock and the supply Of
edstuffs and that for more than a year
It there has been a relative shortage =