The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-04-02
STOP CROP WASTE.
BY Improving Methods Is Plan of Sec
rotary Houston.

Houston, on March ~, issued the follow
ing statement:
Both for economic and patriotic rea
sons the American farmer should striv
this year for the highest standard of Of
ficiency in the production and conser
vation of food But production accom-
plished by wasteful methods does mo-
make for efficiency, and careful thought
therefore, should be given to the step.
that need to be taken.
AT this, the approach of the growing
season, it is pertinent to consider step.
which should be taken during the start
ing or the growing of crops to prevent
or eliminate wastes. In the case oil
the great staple cereals, which consti
tute large proportion of our food sup
ply, conspicuous production wastes result
from failure to give proper attention to
the selection and safeguarding of seed
for planting, the preparation of the land
and the care of the crop. For instance
only varieties known to be well adapted
| to the region where planted should be
| selected, SO that in case of such a crop
as corn the grain will not fail to ma
ture properly in a normal season. The
planting of seed that will not terminate
often results in a great loss of time,
labor, and money which could have been
avoided by testing the seed for germi-
inability before planting.
''In some sections the damage to crops
by destructive diseases and insects is
the most conspicuous crop waste. Eco
nomically sound and efficient production
necessitates protection of crops against
these pests. Disinfecting dips for seed
and sprays and spraying for growing
crops now have been developed to a
point where they afford for certain crops
form of insurance that farmers can
not afford to neglect.
Secure Maximum Returns from Seed.
"Under existing conditions, every pre-.
caution should be taken On TO reduce
production waste by testing seed suffi-
GENTLY in advance to insure against the
planting of dead seed; ~ TO treat with
disinfecting dips all seed subject to dis
eases that can be prevented, such as the
smuts of wheat, barley, oats, and rye,
the losses from which are estimated con-
servatively at $50 100000 to $50, 100000
in the United States in the average year;
81 to prepare especially thoroughly for
planting these vitality important cereal
crops and to care for them as may be
necessary during the season.
IF seed is OF high quality but short in
quantity, some reduction in the quanti-
ty used per acre sometimes can be made
with profit if the soil is especially well
prepared and the seeding done carefully
Under favorable conditions as good a
stand of oats can be obtained, the spe-
cialists of the department have found, by
drilling 2I2 bushels per acre as by SOW
ing three bushels broadcast, with result
ant increase OF yield per acre as well as
increase of acreage planted.
where spring wheat is planted, and
to some extent barley and the grain
sorghums, varieties should be sown that
do not shatter. especially in the drier
districts No grain should be allowed
20 become dead ripe before cutting, be-
cause OF the tendency to shatter when in
that condition. Most farmers probably |
will find it possible to locate and pre-
vent important wastes ii at the begin
ming OF the season they will give the |
matter serious thought and undertake |
to correct such wasteful practices
Guard Against Potato Diseases.
in the case of the northern staple |
vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbage, and |
,nions. Of which the supply is short as
the result OF unfavorable climatic con-
itons in 1916 in the commercially i'm
portsnt producing districts, il Is con-
,idered especially important to reduce
he risk of waste due to the action OF in
'ects and diseases during the growing
period. With the potato, the seed stocks
If which are low, every precaution neees
AIRY TO reduce the risk OF disease dam
lge. including the treatment of the seed
potatoes for scab before planting and
equipment for thorough spraying while
he crop is growing. should be taken.
"A widespread outbreak OF late blight
throughout the important potato pro-
Iucing districts (Which fortunately, rare
v occurs except in restricted areas
night diminish potato production at the
ate of 100000 bushels day during
august and September if prolonged warm
nd rainy weather should occur. This
isease can be prevented by spraying
nd early preparation should be made TO
ombat it vigorously. Potato diseases
( preventable character frequently re-
uce the crop by from 50,Ooo000 to l00'-
90 bushels. While not entirely prevent
Bile they should be guarded against to
he fullest extent possible
sweet potato losses from black rot,
pot rot. and other diseases in the field
rsult mainly from failure to select and
isinfect seed and to practice santa
ion in the beds. Bean losses from an
hracnose and other diseases can be pre-
ented TO large extent by the use OF c
isease- free seed. The obtaining of such I
ED should receive special attention this c
Jason. a
Disposal of Surplus-Prevention Of
Waste.
"Some OF the most conspicuous crop c
astes occur with fruits and vegetables, a
which. in normal years, larger quaint n
es usually are grown than the pro- a
ncers can market profitably. Frequent n
these losses are due indirectly 20 dis
use and insect injury which lowers their :
srket value without reducing their
'od value materially if they can be