South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-20
MUST INCREASE
FOOD CROPS
SeC'y Houston Says Yields of
All Staples Must be In
creased This Year.

WASHINGTON. April 2O.-The
secretary OF agriculture, d. F. Hous-
ton. today issued the following state
ment:
The Importance TO the nation of
a generously adequate food supply
for the coming year cannot be over
emphasized in view of the economic
problems which may arise as a re-
suit OF the entrance of the United
States into the war Every effort
should be made to produce more
crops than are needed for our own
requirements. Many millions Of
people across the seas, as we'll as our
own people, must rely in large part
upon the products of our fields and
ranges. This situation will continue
TO exist even though hostilities
should end Unexpectedly soon, since
European production cannot be re-
stored Immediately TO its normal
basis. Recognition of the fact that
the world at large, as we'll as our
own consumers, must rely more
strongly on American farmers this
year than ever before should en-
courage them to strive to the utmost
TO meet these urgent needs.
Increase Staple Crops.
1T is obvious that the greatest
and most important service that is
required Of our agriculture under
existing conditions is an enlarged
production of the staple food crops.
Because of the shortage of such
crops practically throughout the
world. there is no risk in the near
future of excessive production such
as sometimes has resulted in unre-
munerative prices TO producers. This
is particularly true of the cereals
and of peas, beans, COW peas, soy
beans, and buckwheat. In view of
the world scarcity of food, there is
hardly a possibility that the produc-
ton of these crops by the farmers
of the United States can be too great
this year, and there is abundant
reason 10 expect generous price re-
turns for all available surplus.
The most effective step that may
be taken to increase the production
of these crops is TO enlarge the
acreage devoted TO them in the re-
gions where they are grown habit
ually. This expansion of acreage
should be to the limit permitted by
available good seed. labor, and
equipment The placing Of too great
emphasis on production in new re-
gions is inadvisable, since the intro
duction into a farm operation of a
crop not usually grown, frequently
involves practical difficulties not
easily foreseen nor quickly sur
mountable.
Taking the winter wheat terri
tory as a whole, winter killing has
occurred to an extent very much
greater than usual. This obviously.
if not compensated for in some way.
will mean a material reduction in
the supplies of our most important
bread cereal. Where winter wheat
has been damaged sufficiently to JUS
tify the abandonment of fields, II
should by all means be replaced by
spring planted food crops, prefer
ably small grains or corn. The acre
age of winter wheat seeded last fall
is estimated at 40.S0O,OO0, or only
! two per cent above that of the pre-
ceding year (S9,2O3,000 acres), and
about one-eighth more than the av-
erage for the preceding five-year pc
riod (35,724.0OO. The condition of
this crop. as shown by the depart
ment in its report of April Z, is more
than % per cent below the average
condition April 1 for the past 10
years. This condition forecasts a
production this year of nearly ST.
OOO,O 900 bushels less than that of
1916. and 243.OOO.OOO bushels less
than the crop of 1915.
Spring Wheat Risky.
Climatic requiren1 ents of spring
wheat during the last few weeks or
its growth render il a more risky
crop than others TO plant outside the
areas in which its production has
been proved TO be successful. so that
il is not recommended for regions
where oats or corn will be more
certain to produce satisfactory
yields. In the northern spring
wheat states, however, where
old ground has been reserved for
fax and seed wheat is available. fax
ground may we'll be sOwn with
spring wheat and new land broken
for fax where such land is available.
in the Pacific northwest, where the
seed supply OF we'll adapted varieties
is adequate, considerably increased
acreage Of spring wheat appears
probable. The spring wheat acre
age of 1915 1886. 600 acres) was
more than five per cent less than
that of 1915 G9,161.OO acres), and
more than four per cent less than
the preceding five-year period av-
erage (1S,799.OOO acres).
The minimum quality OF seed
grain that should be relied upon
under existing conditions is a very
difficult point 10 decide. In general.
il is not wise 10 risk planting seed
wheat showing less than 75 or so
per cent termination, nor that
weighing less than so pounds 10 the
bushel. If the land is prepared
thoroughly and otherwise is suitable
the use of spring wheat weighing as
low as 40 pounds per bushel, II L
shows good termination. may be ad-
visable where better SEED is lacking"
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