The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-07
tBY D. E. HOUSTOND


Both for economic and patriotic rea-
sons the American farmer should
strive this year for the highest stand
ard of efficiency in the production and
conservation of food But production
accomplished by wasteful methods
does not make for efficiency, ana
careful thought, therefore, should be
given to the steps that need to be
taken.
At this. the approach of the grow
ing season, it is pertinent to consider
steps which should be taken during
the starting or the growing of crops to
prevent or eliminate wastes IN the
case of the great staple cereals, which
constitute a large proportion of our
food supply, 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 va
rieties known to be well adapted to the
region where planted should be Sc
lected, 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 germin-
ate often results in great loss OF time
labor and money which could have
been avoided by testing the seed for
germinability before planting.
In some sections the damage to
crops by destructive diseases and in
sects is the most conspicuous crop
waste Economically sound and eff
cient production necessitates protec-
ton Of crops gainst these pests Dis
injecting dips for seed and sprays and
spraying for growing crops now have
been developed to point where they
afford for certain crops a form of in
surance that farmers can not afford
TO neglect
secure Maximum Returns From Seed.
Under existing conditions, every
precaution should be taken % to re-
duce production wastes by testing seed
sufficiently in advance to insure
against the planting of dead seed; CD
to treat with disinfecting dips all seed
subject to diseases that can be pre-
vented. such as the smuts of wheat.
barley, oats, and rye, the losses from
which are estimated cOnservatively at
$50. 200. 900 to 1900. 900 in the Unit
ed States in the average year; 90 to
prepare especially thoroughly for
planting these vitality important GER
cal crops and to care for them as may
be necessary during the season.
II seed is of high quality but short
in quantity. some reduction in the
quantity used per acre sometimes can
be made with profit if the soil is es-
pecially well prepared and the seeding
done carefully. Under favorable con-
ulIlOuS as good a SLanu OF OATS can De
obtained. the specialists of the De-
partment have found. by drilling Il
bushels per acre as by sowing three
bushels broadcast. with resultant in
crease of yield per acre as well as in
crease 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 al
lowed to become dead ripe before cut
ting. because of the tendency to shat
ter when in that condition. Most
farmers probably will find it possible
to locate important wastes if at the
beginning of the season they will give
the matter serious thought and under