Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-24
Department of Agriculture,
Washington, April Is, 1917.

bOd1e0 IN senate ReSOlOtlOn NO. 20, 10
submit a comprehensive plan for in
creasing the production Of food sup
plies. especially by the cultivation of
town lots and unused lands adjacent to
towns, and Of the arid or semiarid
lapds, and by promoting the raising of
all classes Of food or food producing
animals, and for the creation of an or
ganizatien to promote and in practi-
cal and effective way carry out the
purposes aforesaid, together with an
estimate Of the amount of moneys ne
cessary to be appropriated by Con-
gress for the promotion Of these pur-
poses.
This department has for some time
been giving careful consideration to all
the matters covered by the resolution.
1t has issued a number of statements
designed to stimulate increased pro-
duction and to indicate what crops
should receive particular attention IN
the different areas and the best meth :
DDS to be employed to secure Increased
efficiency. 1t has also laid special
emphasis on the need of conserving
the food supply through better hard
ling, through the elimination of waste,
and throu sh economy, especially on the
part of the well-to-do. At recent con-
fe~ences OK official bodies. Including the
commissioners of agriculture or repre-
sentatives of state boards Of agricul-
ture and representatives of the land
grant colleges, called by the depart
meut at ST. Louis, Missouri, and
Berkeley, California, problems of pro-
duction, conservation, distribution, and
organization were fully considered and
important conclusions were reached.
These conclusions were embodied in a
report, a copy of which is attached
hereto, marked Exhibit A.
Organization.
In the Federal department of agri-
culture, the state departments of agrl-
culture, and the Immigrant colleges.
the nation already possesses Official
organized agencies which. for many
years, have been actively studying all
agricultural problems. These agencies
are working in very close cooperation
and are actively directing their ener-
gies to the handling OF problems pre-
sented by this emergency. The nation
is also fortunate in possessing many
as the Grange, the Farmers Union, the
American Society of Equity. the
Cleaners, the Farmers National Con-
gress, the American National Live
Stock Association. the National wool
Growers Association. and many oth-
ers. 1t is believed that additional ma =
chinery should be created, and steps
already have been taken to develop IT
along these lines:
a. AS special developments and
particular problems demand it, the
Secretary Of Agriculture will call TO
his assistance in Washington a few
men Of special training and broad eX-
perience who may advise with INN IN
further projecting the activities OF the
Department, in keeping in tonch, with
the problems and machinery over the
Nation, and in promoting particular
large activities. 1t would seem de-
sirable that this body should take
shape as circumstances require. and
that the Department should have funds
available to meet any necessary eX-
pcnses in connection with the services
Of such a body. Through its regular
machinery and through this small ad-
visory body the Department Will I'M
dertake to keep in touch not only with
State agencies but also with the great
farmers organizations of the Nation,
whose assistance and cooperation ana
the advice OF whose leaders will be
constantly sought.
90 The creation in each state,
either separa tnly or, preferably. in con-
nection with the state council OF
safety, of a small central division OF
food production and conservation,
composed OF representatives of the
state boards Of agriculture, of the
land grant colleges, of such farmers
organizations as the Grange, the
Farmers Union, the American Society
of Equity. the Cleaners, the Farmers
National Congress. and others as may
exist in a particular state, and of
bankers and business agencies. In a
number of the states these central
bodies already have been created and
others are being rapidly formed.
CD County, township, or urban
bodies of similar constitution, working
in close cooperation with the state
central agency, to study and deal with
problems of food production and con-
servation.
Production.
The increase of food production this
year must come about largely through
increased efficiency on the farms and
ranges already in operation. This is
not a time for experiment in new
areas and with new or uptried crops
and processes. Concentration OF eff
fort should be made in areas already
developed and on enterprises already
under way. The problem is not that
Of securing more land to cultivate
The difficulty confronting the farmer Is
rather that Of securing an ample sup
ply Of labor. In fact, one of the prin-
cipal limiting factors in food produce
ton this year may be a restricted labor
supply. In many sections of the West
and South. the supply. relatively
speaking. will not fall far short of nor
NAL. The effect will be felt more in
the Northeast. in the neighborhood OF
the great industrial centers.
1t will be impossible to secure a large
army without some further disturbance
OF labor. Agricultural operations not on
ly must be maintained ct their norma
level but must be extended. This can b
| accomplished only by making the iabol
remaining on the farms more efficient ant
by drawing into the field forces not here
tOfOre regularly or f4Illy uspd Thu time