Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-08-09
GRAIN CROPS
ARE PROMISING
Western Canada 1917 Crops In
Good Shape.


will produce, there is every indication
ut the present writing that the 1917
crop will give an excellent return. Re
ports received from all portions OF
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
speak of good growing weather, q
fairly advanced stage Of all grains,
with prospects as good as in the past
two years. Should conditions con-
finue as ut present, II is safe to con-
clude that Western Canadian farm
ers, already free of debt as re-
suit Of the splendid crops and prevail
eng high prices, expect from this sea-
sons returns to be in a position that
will place them away beyond any fear
of the future.
The acreage OF Western Canada will
be about the same as last year. Seed
ing was somewhat later than last
year, but termination was quicker. The
only possible drawback now would
seem to be scarcity of harvest hands,
but II is felt by the authorities that the
situation will be pretty well cared for
by that time.
Land values are increasing, but there
is room for much greater increase
than In the past, owing to the returns
that farmed land will give when COM
pared with Its cost. In some districts
land that could have been bought five
years ago for $15 an acre is changing
hands at $50 an acre the seller salts
6ed that he Is giving the purchaser
good value for his money. And why
not, when II is known that in q great
many cases during the past two years
crops have been grown on this land
that have produced a profit of forty
and fifty dollars per acre, over and
above cost of production. These cases,
while not general, were not excep-
tional.
In addition to the lands that are
offered for sale by railway companies,
land companies and private individ-
uals, the homesteadlng areas offer
great inducements for those who are
willing to do little pioneering for a
year or two. BY that time settlements
would come into existence, and this
means condition similar to that en-
5oyed by many of the older settlements
of .today-schools, churches, railways.
The land is of high-class quality,
strong and vigorous, easily worked,
and capable Of producing the very best
of crops.
The demand foE all grains for some
years will be great, and it will require
nf I'D
soil to meet 1t. That the prices will
be good goes without saying, but at the
present time there is something more
appealing than the lucrative prices
chat prevail. That is, the desire to
assist In winning the world war. The
IMAM at the pillow is doing his bit" and
the spirit Of patriotism that prevails
will lead him into a broader sphere OF
action. No matter where he may be he
will look about him that he may find
aand to further develop the cOuntry's
resources. 1t Is possible that his own
state may furnish the land, in which
case he will be quick to take advan.
tage Of the offer. If land In his
own state Is not available, Canada
(now our ally) will be glad to furnish
ct In unlimited quantity, as she is vital
ay interested in largely increasing the
supply of foodstuff which is now al
urgently needed and is as valuable as
ammunition to the allied countries.
The appeal made by Mr.. Hoover
United States controller of foods, anC
also by Hon. w. J. Hanna, Canadian
controller, emphasizes the need of tn,
allies, urges economy and the proven
ton OF the waste in food, and be
speaks whole.hearted public cO-opera
dion. Speaking of Great Britain
France, Italy, Belgium and their Eu
ropean allies, they say:
"FOr nearly three years their mai
power has been engaged in the direc
work of war. and in some cases larg
areas of their most productive land
have been oYerrun by the enemy. Thei
food shortage and the food to suppl
the armies Of Canada and the Unite
States must be wholly provided fror
this side OF the Atlantic. The suppl
must also be sufficient to cover losSe
at sea. Australia. New Zealand. tn
Argentine Republic and other couI
SrIes are not now available to relieV
the situation because of their remote
mess ana the shortage of tonnage.
"The crop Of storeable foods grow
IN Canada and the United States sui
able for shipment overseas threaten
to be entirely inadequate to meet III
demand unless the whole people d.
termine by every means in their powC
to make up the shortage. Every ind
'vidual is under direct obligation
assist In rationinG the allied force
There must be national self-denial an
national cooperation TO provide Il
necessary supplies. '-Adyertisemen
The Situation.
do you board thereI"