The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-04-10

Washington, April 7.-Secretary
Houston of the department of agri-
culture tonight again appealed to the
country to make every effort to raise
adequate food crops this year not
only for the United States needs but
to meet the requirements OF the ell
tente.
THE importance to the nation Of a
generous food supply for the coming
year can not be overestimated III
view of the economic problems which
may arise as result of the entrance
OF the United States into the wal"
said the secretary.
Every effort should be made to
produce more crops than are needed
Tor our own requirements. Many mil
lions of people across the seas as well
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 Euro
pean production can not be restored
Immediately to its normal basis.
1T is obvious that the greatest and
most important service that is requ1r-
ed of our agriculture under existing
conditions is an enlarged production
of the staple food crops. Because
of the shortage Of such crops prac-
tically throughout the world there is
no risk in the near future OF excessive
production such as sometimes has re-
suited in unremunerative pdlces 70
producers.
Sure of Good Prices.
This is particularly true OF the
cereals and of peas, beans. cowpeas'
SOW beans and buckwheat. In view
Of the world scarcity of food there ID
hardly a possibility that the produc-
ton of these crops by the farmers VI
the United States can be too great
this wear and there is abundant
reason to expect generous price re-
turns for all available surplus.
The most effective step that may
be taken to increase the productloT
of these crops in to enlarge the acre
age devoted to them in the reglogs
where they are grown habitually. Tn1s
expansion of acreage should be to the
limit permitted by available sood
seed. labor and equipment.
"The placing Of too great emphasis
on production in new regions is IN
advisable since the Introduction into
a farm operation of crop not usually
grown frequently involves practlcai
difficulties not easily foreseen nor
quickly surmountable.
Taking the winter wheat territory
as a. whole, winter killing has occur
red to an extent very much greater
than usual. This obviously, II not
compensated for in some way Will
mean a material reduction in the sup,
plies of our most important oread
cereal. Where winter wheat has been
damaged sufficient to justify the
abandonment of fields it should by all
means be replaced by spring planted
food crops, preferably small grams or
corn.
Oats or Barley Good.
eff land intended for spring wheat
can not be put into good condition
early enough for seeding, oats or
barley can be substituted to good ao-
vantage in the sections where these
crops are known to do well.
"The ease with which barley may
he substituted directly for wheat IN
human food and it's usefulness to re-
place wheat milling by-products as
food in the production of the milk
snnnlv renders it's abundant produc-
ton important.
BARLEY, where it succeeds, yields
q larger weight of feed per acre thah
any other small grain crop.
with an abundance of oats and
barley available much closer milling
of wheat than at present could De
nracticed if necessary without endan-
sering the milk supply which consti-
tutes so important an element IN Ihe
dietary of consumers.
"The place of rye under present
conditions is an important one. BUCK
wheat may be planted later than any
similar crop and rice at present
nrices provides more food value TOT
the money than most Of the other
cereals. Fuller appreciation of It's
value should stimulate production 10
an extent that would increase the 10
tai food supply greatly.
"Prices of the grain sorghums dur
ing the past season appear 70 war
rant increase of acreage ot these
grains in the regions where they can
succeed.
Though fax is not primarily 1000
crop, the cake remaining when lne OIL