The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-29
Frank S. Lusk Returns From
Meeting of Northwest
States at Spokane.
TO BOOST PRODUCTION
Montana's Part in Program
for Increased Production
Is Immense.


rotary of Agriculture Houston to con-
fer with government experts and ag-
ricnltural and financial experts of the
eight northwestern states. Mr. Lusk
was called as Montana's banking rep
resentative and the heads of agricul-
tnral colleges. in many cases the pres
idents. and government representatives
of the federal reserve were called to
meet in Spokane to offer suggestions
as to how to increase the crop of
wheat for 1918.
viii Increase Demands.
Mr.. Lusk said that Secretary of Ag-
riculturc Houston made the statement
that we are going to be called upon
more heavily in 1913 to supply our al
lies and all neutral nations with grain
than ever before and that il is there
fore necessary for us to make Il des-
perate effort to increase the produc-
ton Of small grain by n billion bush
els. Mr.. Lusk said that the increased
production Of rye was also being
urged because the Europeans. who are
used to it. will use all that we can
supply. Increased fertilization, desir-
able to farmers as increasing crops.
and increased acreage were also urged
at the meeting.
Northwest Important.
Eight northwest states represent an
immense acreage Of the United States"
declared Mr.. Lusk. naming the states
OF California. Oregon. Washington,
Utah. Idaho. Montana. North Dakota
and Nevada. which were represented
at the conference. ''Thev produce an
enormous quantity Of wheat and what
ever was done at the conference helps
the United States in general. The as
sistant secretary Of agriculture. DR.. ]
fearson. declared that they had re
c"ived valuable suggestive matter and
good deal of expert advice. Tho
meeting was extremely interesting
Drought Only Obstacle.
The 1918 spring wheat crop viii
come close to the mark set by tn,
government as Mon,ana's share of tn,
Dig FOOD drive If the drought periot
docs not extend over the next month
so as TO interfere with the blowing ant
seeding operations, according to stat,
commissioner q. A. Greenfield. TIL,
crying need of Montana during IN,
next few weeks is rain
According to the report submittc.
ny Professor F. S. Cooley OF the Stat,
Agricultural College. conditions il
Montana are in excellent shane in sni,
OF the drought. Mr.. Cooley stated tina
nc had received complete reports from
30 or the 43 counties in the state
agents being unanimous in reror,in,
mat arrangements had been made TO
financing further operations of ih
farmers whose crops had been rhine,
by the drought
Turn to Defense Councils.
IN" people who suffer most ar,
'hose who obtained immense quaint
lies or seed grain and sowed thou
sands OF acres, only to have the whoa
burned M. said Commissioner Green
field. BEING unable to obtain govern
ment aid with which to buy scod
FARMERS VINO lost their crops hav,
turned to the defense councils and I,
private individuals for assistance
which has been furnished whenevo
feasible. The loss has not been g,
mnch in normal production as in M
obtaining advantage OF the incrca ga,
acreage OF wheat put in last spring
according TO Mr.. Greenfield.
Sig Request Of Montana.
The 1917 crop will be between %
100000 and $4,000 900 bushels in Man
'anh, whereas that of last vnor wa
"S"oo,Qo0 bushels.
Inc government has asked tina, III
acreage Tor the coming season fo
WINTER wheat be increased 10 | 0O0 IA
over the $4,000 acres nlontnd Ia.
year. Mr.. Greenfield SAYS that al
''o'ish 1t is certain that the farmer
VIII SOW III" normal acreage and .ro,
more, II is a question whether tho in
'f"as" Will be as large as the feeders
'S'inatf, as il depends on The amou,
81 moisture that fails durinr tho nov
month
ABOUT - experts from tho oi,l
STATES W"r" present at the r,eoti,
over which DR.. J. Pearson. aseis,or
secretary of agriculture, presided