The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-10-12
Method OF SAVING
WHEAT PROPOSED
Photo BY American Press Association.

A suggestion which paves the way
for substantial saving in wheat has
been proposed by W. J. Kerr. presi-
dent Of the Oregon Agricultural Col
lege, who as Federal director of food
production Of Oregon, is now busily
engaged perfecting the details of his
plan, The cooperation of Oregon
farmers and ranchers is all that is
needed to effect the saving, and DR..
Kerr has facts at hand to show how
several million bushels of wheat can
be saved for the soldiers.
The substitution of corn for wheat
as food for poultry and livestock is
the keynote Of the plan. The corn
crop in the Middle West is large be-
yond precedent this year, and all that
is needed for the release, Of Western
wheat is a method by which corn
can be moved from the Middle West
and delivered to Northwestern farm
era.
"Just as an example Of the saving
that can be accomplished" said DR..
Kerr, in discussing his plan, "consid
er the poultry that are to be fed dur
ing the coming winter. 1t is estim-
ated variously that 5000, 900 or 6,000,-
600 chickens are being maintained in
the three Northwestern States, and
that each of them will consume bu-
shel Of wheat. Nearly all poultry
owners have already bought feed to
maintain their stock, or else have set
the required amount aside for feeding.
Therefore, we deduce that several mil
lion bushels lie in granaries among the
farming communities of the North
west.
"There will be almost unlimited
corn available in this country, but the
problem is for shipment and distrib-
ution where it can be used most effect
lively. There have been appeals to
householders to use corn so far as pos
sbe in place Of wheat. The same can
be done in the feeding of poultry, and
on q greater scale. If the change
from wheat to corn can be made eco
nomically desirable to the owners Of
poultry, large amount of corn can be
released. Two million bushels would
be low estimate for the saving of
wheat even if only partial change is
effected. But 100000 bushels Of
wheat would be tremendous help to
our allies
Another great saving can be effect
ed if we can procure corn to fatten
swine. The wheat that would other
wise be used, would thereby be releas-
ed for sale in the general market.
''The most difficult part Of the prob
lem is to enlist the help of the indi-
vidual in the matter of importing corn.
Mr.. Houser of the Federal Grain Cor
poration. has promised to give us ev-
cry advantage possible in the way of
shipment, and we want the Oregon
farmers to help us with the substitu-
tion. The action of the small con-
sumer of corn is what we really need.
Farmers who could not use whole
carload of corn should club together
and thus obtain shipments OF this pro-
duct at minimum expense.
while we have great deal Of pat
riotic feeling to depend upon among
the Oregon farmers. what we ask Of
them is easily an economic possibility.
We want them to buy corn for feeding
their stock. Corn is equally as effec
tive as wheat for fattening swine, ant
it can be ground fpr feeding chickens
and the value is the same as wheat
but the price will be lower thai
wheat.
"The full results of the corn crol
in the Middle West cannot be announc
| ed in figures at present, but we know
at least, that it has been unusuall.
large, and that great surplus will b.
available for the purposes we pro
pose.