Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-08-09
|0NE BILLION
bUSHELWHEAT
CROP IS MARK
.iI(GiR|00ujLfftGjR'E
Especial 10 The Herald.)


WASHINGTON, ID. G., Aug. 0.--The
production Of over one billion bushels OF
wheat and over eighty-three million
bushels of rye, through the planting OF
AZ ,331 900 acres TO winter wheat and or
5,l3l 900 acres to rye this fall, II the
immediate war agricultural program Tor
the nation announced today by David L,
Houston, secretary of agriculture. This
record winter wheat acreage, an increase
of Is per cent over last year, would yield
672, ,000. 900 bushels III the average yield
for the past ten years j. equaled, or un-
der repetition Of the favorable condl-
tions Of 1914 would give SSO,O0O,0O0
bushels. In either ease with n spring
wheat crop next year equal 10 that of
1915, the nation viii have more than one
billion bushels Of wheat for domestic use
and export.
This vastly increased production OF
wheat, neeled in any case, will he absolute
~ essential to prevent a serious shortage
of breadstuffs next summer should the
growing corn. now behind the season, be
much damaged by early froSts.
The program approved by the secretary
Of agriculture represents the best thought
Of the L. =. department of agriculture and
of state agricultural officials and state
councils Of defense.
The study Of this question has involved
many factors and the specialists have
been aware from the first that the de-
mands for wheat may exceed the supply
next wear. Effort therefore has been
made 10 recommend in each state about as
large an acreage in wheat and rye as can
be sown without upsetting proper farm
practice which must be maintained in
the interest Of wheat and rye crops this
and succeeding years, rs we'll as IN the
interest of other necessary spring planted
crops which are not discussed in detail at
this time a. they are not food crops in
which 4 marked shortage exists
The estimates. the department states.
are made with the knowledge that there
i some shortage of the fertilizer supply
hut with the understanding that there will
be no general shortage in the supply of
seed or Of farm machinery which i nee
e~sary in the production Of the wheat
crop II i understood also that ample
transportation facilities will be provided
and a fair price of hwaet will be establish
ed These factors have been assumed as
fixed and satisfactory. III any one or
more fail 10 he adjusted in good time, no
person can tell how serious will be the
effect on the total crop.
The planting and cultivation of these
increa aSed acreagcS of falls grains
calls for unusual effort on the part Of the
farmers Plans Ia place M the disposal
Of farmers MI assistance possible, are be-
ing perfected in the L. $. department of
agriculture. the state colleges of agricul-
ture. and other state local agencies which
cooperate in farming matters. The as
~i-tance of successful growers Of wheat in
\ campaign IN turn out bumper crops in
1918 j. assured
The state officials will do their utmost
10 get the acreages expected of their
states into the ground The program as
originally worked ont bv the federal de-
partmcnt of agriculture called for some
what more than 44.000.OOO acres I'D he
sown this fall. When this proposal VISA
presented To the officials of the several
states n further Increase was considered
possible and desirable IN them. AS con
sequence the recommendation for the SOW
inc VI 47.337 900 acres !. made.