Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-08
REAL PREPAREDNESS IS
WITH AMERICAN FARMER
More About Secretary Houston's Ap.
peal to tho Growers Of Grain and
Other Necessary Supplies.
MAXIMUM RETURNS THIS YEAR
Care to BE Taken in Scctling--Hard
Work Must Follow-EcOnomic rs
We'll as Patriotic Reasons Back
stand the Appeal.

The Department OF Agriculture OF
the United States has undertaken "a
preparedness campaign OF its own and
along with other schemes for mobiliza-
ton, IL is undertaking to mobilize the
countrys agricultural resources. which
would be good thing even If we were
not at war, Secretary Houston. OF tho
department. In pushing this campaign
Issued fow days ago q most urgent
appeal to the farmers OF the country
to join heartily in preparedness meas
urcs. 80 That tho country may not he
handicapped by food shortage in it's
efforts 10 meet the international crisis.
This appeal. in which the secretary
urged elimination Of waste. conserva-
ton OF surplus. and attainment this
year Of extreme max imum crop returns,
was tcieGraphcd all over the country.
Now that the situation has become
more serious. by tho fact that this
country is actually at war with Ger
many. this appeal OF Secretary IIous-
call for imperative steps for strength
enimg agricultural resources this year
should have all the more publicity.
CARE ~ THE beginnings;
ACTIVITY ALL THE TIME
1t will bh we'll for the asriculturists
OF Virginia and of the whole country
to give further study to this patriotic
appeal Of the secretary. Both for eco
nomic and patriotic reasons. contends
MIR. Houston, the American farmer
should strive this yeaN for the high
est standard of efficiency in the produc.
ton and conservation OF food
lie goes into details and particulars
IL, -.
now confronting this country. every
prccaution should be taken to reduce
production wastes by testing seed suni-
GENTLY in advance to insure against the
planting Of dead seed: secondly. to
treat with disinfectihs dips all seed
subject to diseases that can he pre-
vented. such, as smuts OF wheat. barley.
oats and rye. the losses from which arc
estimated conscrvativcly at $4,000 .0Ol
to sG0,o00.0oo in the average year. and.
third. to prepare especially thoroughly
for the planting OF these vitality i'm
portant cereal crops and 10 care for
them as may he necessary during tho
season.
TO OVERCOME TROUBLE
OF SEED SHORTAGE
or especial interest TO Virginia
farmers are the paragraphs in the adj
dress or appeal in which the secretary
pointed out the shortage Of seed stoci:s.
lie suggested that ali seed potatoes
should be treated for scab before plant
ing, and that equipment for plant
spraying should be on hand. Pre-
v,ntable potato diseases. he said. fire.
qucntiy reduce tho crop from 100000 Jo
IL 100000. 900 bushels
The statement declared that fruits
and vegetables which ordinarily it is
inadvisBblc to attempt to conserve"
should be systematically saved now.
Canning, drying and preserving opera
lions. IL added. should not he delayed
until late summer or autumn. and
family gardens should be planned to
supply ample quantities OF carly ma
turing fruits and vegetables for prcscr-
vation As we'll as fresh products for
immediate consumption.
Because Of tho scarcity OF tin plate
and tho high prices OF tin cans" Score
tary Houston continued. 1T may be
food more extensively to pack fruit
and vegetables in other containers"
WELL. FOR FARMERS
TO CONFER EARLY AND OFTEN
He urged that plans he made to meet
the storage Of sweet potatoes In the
Southern States. pointing out that
about 100000 bushels OF the usual
crop OF 5o.000.0oo bushels so to waste
through decay.
\ The secretary suggested the prcser-