Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-20
FOOD PROBLEMS
DANGEROUS ONES
Largest Possible Acreage Must
Be Planted.
RESERVE GRAIN EXHAUSTED
High Wages Paid In Manufacturing
Centcrs Lure the Men From the
Farms-War Prevents immigration,
and Few Aliens Come to America
From Their Native Lands.


At the moment no other factor in the
national situation is of greater impor-
lance than intelligent, precautionary
preparations to secure the largest pos
sible acreage of land under cultivation,
and particularly in the food crops, dur
ing the coming season. Whether we
are to have war or peace, the popula-
ton must be fed, and If unfortunately
weather conditions should be unfavor-
able and the yield no better than last
years, the food situation next winter
will be so much worse than it is now
that we may we'll take alarm while
there is yet time to provide against the
possibility, says statement by large
national bank Of New York.
The present crop year began with a
large carry-over Of all the grains, but
it will end without reserves, and the
whole world will be dependent upon
the crops of 1917. The beginning IS
not good. The Argentine wheat crop,
now harvested, is so nearly failure
that there will be little for export, and
the corn crop will be not much better
The Australian wheat crop, which,
like that Of Argentina, is harvested in
the months of our WINTER is estimated
at 139,392,O00 bushels against 1S7, 120,-
coo last year, but fortunately there Is
carry-over estimated ut 100000
bushels.
A semioflicial report puts the condi-
ton Of French winter wheat at G5 per
cent against "a last year and states
that, owing to lack Of fertilizer and
want of proper preparation of the soil,
the yield will be below normal. The
crop Of Holland is unpromising and
Of England backward. In the United
States there has been a shortage Of
moisture in the principal winter wheat
states.
The plant is not known to be injured
and there is yet time for sufficient
moisture to come. but if it was under
a snow covering the outcome would be
better assured. A freeze has cut Off
the early vegetable crop in the south
ern states. which would have soon re-
lieved the present scarcity.
Unusual Conditions.
There are unusual features in the
situation which deserve attention. The
high wages paid in the town indus
tries have been drawing labor from
the farms. The men come to the towns
for winter work. and last spring they
did not go back to the country, and
they are not likely to 60 back this
spring, particularly if industry receives
a new stimulus from our entrance into
the war; The farmers outlay for seed
and all expenses are higher. and, while
high prices for products are usually
expected to stimulate larger produc-
ton, they may not do so this year.
In ordinary times We can draw on
other countries to make up for domes
tic shortage. We have frequently i'm
ported potatoes from Europe, and the
effects of not being able to do so now
are apparent. 1t is just as important
under present. conditions to have re-
serves of food as reserves Of car
tridges. When so much is dependent
upon good crop it is the part Of pru-
dence for the entire community to con-
Germ itself about the situation from the
Of the season. There are
certain common vegetables which make
up large part of the food supply, such
as potatoes, beans, onions, etc, which
do well in all parts Of the country and
can be grown in small way without
whose production this year
in ample quantities should be assured
beyond chance or doubt. This garden
production can be greatly increased if
a popular interest is awakened and
systematic efforts are made to place
idle town lots and nearby tracts at the
disposal of people who are willing to
work them.