Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-10
Food Preparedness
MeetingHeldM Monday
at the State House

Inc Food Preparedness meeting held
ionoay morning at the Department Of
nsricuIture rooms at the State House
aug usta' was largely attended and on
adjournment all felt satisfied that a sat
isiactory amount of valuable work had
been accomplished.
me meeting was called to order by
commissioner of Agriculture John A.
ROBERTS. who had issued the call for
the assemblage. He called to the chair
non. W. j. Thompson, master of the
STATE Grange. and E. l.. Newdick, chief
OF the Bureau of Seed Improvement.
was chosen secretary. The following
IN addition to the above were present
and spoke upon the subjects considered:
Z. u. Woods. director of the Expert
ment station at Orono; Leon s. Mer-
rlil' dean Of the Agricultural College
University of Maine; E. T. Clifford of
winthrop. member Of the executive
committee Of the State Grange: George
Aiden or Gorham. member of the same
committee; State Assessor Clement S.
ote1son or Greene; c. l.. Gardiner of
"aterVllle, representing the Farmers
Union: Don. f. Snow Of Bangor. mem
Der or the executive committee of the
Maine Committee of Public Safety:
chairman II. NJ. Sewall of Bath, OF the
Committee of Public Safety; F. S.
Adams of Bowdonham State dairy in
structor: E. E. Phiibrook of Portland
field agent for the gypsy moth work;
DR.. A. G. Young. secretary of the State
Board of Health; C. w. Worcester Of
Bangor; A. NJ. G. Soule. chief Of the
Bureau of Inspection, department of
agriculture; c. E. Smith of Augusta:
and others.
The full committee discussed at
length the subject Of ways and means
for food production and conservation
and at the request of Donald +. Snow
OF the Committee Of Public Safety a
committee was appointed to make rec
concentrations to the chairman of the
Food Division of the Maine Committee
of Public Safety, consisting Of the fol-
lowing: F. S. Adams. Charles D.
Woods. Leon S. Merrill. E. n. Clifford.
c. L. Gardiner and A. NJ. G. Soule. This
committee was in session Immediately
following the close of the meeting of
the main committee and also in the aft
ernoon, their recommendations being
presented in the following shape:
Recommendations
/. The increased acreage Of non
perishable products, namely: Wheat,
corn. oats and beans
2. Immediate steps to ascertain the
acreage planted in 1916, the acreage
planned for 1917. and the possible in
crease for 1917 on the following four
products: Potatoes, corn. sweet corn
and beans. the same information for
animal products, the needs for seed and
farm help and for financial aid to carry
on additional farm work.
3. While we realize that it may be
necessary in succeeding years, If the
war continues, for the government to
take steps to insure an adequate money
return for all crops produced, we be-
lieve in this particular year the Maine
farmers will make the increase without
this incentive.
4. That the committee give special
attention to boys and girls gardens
and gardens for adults in cities, and
gardens on the farms.
5. A good acreage Of potatoes as a
cash crop. and good acreage Of turnips
for stock feed should be planted
s. The sweet corn sections should
be encouraged to maintain their acre
age. both as food for stock and as a
cash crop.
Z. The increased keeping Of poultry
and of swine by farmers and by village
residents - notwithstanding the high
price Of corn.
8. In view Of the high price Of NUT
ton and wool. the old conditions, when
each farmer had small flock Of sheep,
seem desirable. now.
9. The farmers should maintain all
the neat stock that conditions will war
rant.
10. The attention of the consuming
public should be called to the high food
value of skim-milk.
II. Immediate steps to determine the
amount OF labor regularly available or
that may be made available to meet
special farm needs-this to include
men, women, boys and girls.
~. Financial concerns should finance
farmers needing seeds. extra horses,
fertilizers, or anything that will have
to do with increased production or the
keeping up of the normal production.
and that steps be taken at once to find
out what financial aid could be given.
The commissioner of Agriculture