The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-27
OUTLOOK FOR WINTER GRAIN

That a determination exists among farmers in practically all the winter grain growing states materially to in- crease the acreages seeded to wheat and rye this fall, In accordance with a pro- gramme recommended by the United States department or agriculture has been brought out by series of five conferences with leaders in agriculture and activities closely related to agricul- ture, conducted by representatives of he department throughout the United States. The conferences were held in Washing ton for the eastern and northeastern states; in Atlanta for the southeastern states; in Indianapolis for Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ken- lucky; in Kansas City for Missouri, Min nesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming. Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Arkansas; and in Spokane, Wash, for the remaining states.
 The conferences were attended by rep resentatives of the United States depart ment of agricultur grain farmers, of- hcials of agricultural experiment stations, state colleges of agriculture, and state departments of agriculture, bankers from agricultural communities and editors of agricultural journals.
 In opening the conferences representa-
 
 of agriculture emphasized the fact that wars are no longer wars only of armies but are now wars of nations, and that it is essential that people engaged in all industries and callings shall do their share in carrying the nation to victory. Especially important work, it was point ed out, is the share of the farmer, who produces materials to support and feed the nation and it's fighting forces. Of the contributions of the farmer, it was shown, the bread grains are especially important in the present emergency.
 The programme considered at the con ferences called for an increase of IS per cent in the winter wheat acreage, and 2 per cent in the rye acreage of the entire country, and aportioned these increases among the various states in accordance with existing local conditions. It was explained by representatives of the United States department of agriculture that after careful consideration, grain special ists of the department and of state agencies had agreed that in general the increases must come in regions where wheat growing is already successfully in progress, since the necessary knowledge and machinery are there available.
 In a number of sections. it developed from the conferences the temporary en- largement of the whole acreage not only will be easily accomplished but will be to
  will place rotations on better basis, and since wheat may be handled with less labor than some other cronS In some sections too, the prospect of good prices next year, coupled with good yields this year, will operate, it was pointed out, to bring about an increase in acreage sown to grains this fan. It was brought out, however, that in many other, sec tions there are a number of difficulties that must be overcome if the acreages of winter grains are to be materially in- creased. Representatives from these sec tions declared that every effort will be made by farmers to accomplish this and that they believe the efforts will be successful.
 Among the difficulties facing the grain farmers in many sections are shortage of labor, shortage of good seed and shortage and high prices of proper fer tilizers. Other problems concern the com batting of diseases and pests, the mar keting of grain to best advantages and agriculture.
 Farm labor shortage, it developed, Is perhaps the chief difficulty encountered by farmers who seek to increase their winter grain acreage. This Is due to a number of causes, among which are the offering of higher wages by industrial plants and the need of men for the mili- tdTy OISdHlzdllOHS Ol LHe country. ucSt causes cannot be removed, it was point ed out and therefore steps must be taken to obtain the necessary labor power through specially devised channels. The suggestions for such steps made at the conferences included the careful taking of labor censuses to determine laborers who could he made use of on farms, the effort to make arrangements for the re- lease of industrial laborers for short in-