The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-11

900 of pears. IT7,733,O00 of apples,
and 1881, 900 OF sugar beets.
Census Of Cattle
THE number Of mich cows and
other CATTLE" the report adds, has
shown an increase during the last
four or five years. the estimate for
the former for the present year be-
ing $4,000, 900 as against 22,76S.000 a
year ago and O,497, 900 in 1913, be-
fore the European war began, while
that for the cattle Is 1921 900 as
against 40.S4s,0O0 a year ago and
36, 100000 in 1913. Unfortunately,
the number of sheep continues TO
decline; the estimate for 1917 is only
46,059,000 as against 48,4S3,000 year
ago and 81 49,, 900 in 1918. It is es-
timated that the number of hogs,
which during recent years has shown
an upward tendency, decreased over
100000, or from 67,543.000 to e.
747,000
I'm considering the whole meat
situation 1t should be kept in mind
that there is close relationship be-
| tween the production of livestock
and the supply Of feedstuffs and that
for more than a year past there has
been relative shortage OF grains
and OF forage. The large production
Of these necessaries during the pres
ent crop season should conduce to
more satisfactory conditions for the
producers Of livestock and should,
other things being equal, tend to
bring about an increase.
But with the destruction of live
stock in Europe and the great de-
mands from there for meat and fats,
with consequent greatly increased
exports from this country, it is clear
mill he oHn fn
for the domestic needs and for those
of the nations with which we are
associated in the war.
Serious Shortage Of Livestock.
The mere statement that the
population has steadily increased in
this countryside gain in the 10
years from 1908 to 1917, being 49,
000, 000-with an absolute decrease in
the livestock for the same period,
would sufficiently emphasize the
seriousness of the situation IL con-
ditions were normal and the demand
for meats and fats were not so
urgent"
The report announces the organ
ization Of a special agency to as
certain to what extent the govern
ment safely can permit the use of
national forest ranges for cattle
grazing. A severe winter and late
spring in the west this year induced
the opening of the forest reserves to
the animals much earlier than US
ual, and in 1918 the emergency use
Of the ranges for grazing purposes
Is to be much extended.
A 100000 saving has been made,
says the report, by the departments
placing specialists in the regions of
greatest sweet potato production to
eJVVv ssVRAR =
storage OF the commodity. A special
survey to collect choice Irish potato
seed stock now is being conducted in
Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts,, New
Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Colorado. "
Discovery in Texas of the pink boil
worm, a highly destructive cotton
pest, presents another serious men
ace to the nations cotton crop, but
every means is being utilized to
eradicate the pest in the United
States. Its spread so far has been
confined to comparatively isolated
areas.
Material development of native
agricultural resources, the report
says, is expected to follow complete
organization OF the departments ex-
tension service. Equipped with an
appropriation of $4,34S, 400, the SER
vice will soon be able to place one
demonstration agent-possibly two
in nearly every agricultural coun-
ty in the country, and woman in
each large city to give advice re-
garding the production, conservation
and utilization of food products.
Agents numbering 5000 are now per-
forming extension work among the
nations farmers and in the urban
communities. .. -...
These agents." declares Secretary
Houston, mot only are performing
the normal and emergency demon
stration and educational work, but
they are also assisting other
branches Of the government in spec
ial directions, such as the treasury
department in its Liberty loan cam
paigns, and the food administration
in its food conservation activities"
The report, outlines in detail the
varied activities and lines of effort Of
the department during the year, par
ticularly the tremendous expansion
effected at the outset Of the war.