The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-10


secretary OF agriculture, d. F. Hous-
ton. issued the following statement:
The Importance to the nation OF a
generously adequate food supply for
the coming year cannot be over
emphasized in view Of the economic
problems which may arise as a result
OF the entrance of the United. tSates
into the war. Every effort should be
made to produce more crops than are
needed for our own requirements.
Many millions of people across the
seas. as well as our own people. must
rely in large part upon the prod
ucts Of our fields and ranges. This
though hostilities should end un-
expectedly soon. since European
production cannot be restored immedi-
ately to its normal basis Recognition
of the fact that the world at large, as
well as our own consumers, must rely
this year than ever before should en-
courage them to strive to the utmost
to meet these urgent needs.
Increase Yields Of STAPLE Crops.
at is obvious that the greatest and
ed of our agriculture under existing
conditions is an enlarged production OF
the staple food crops. Because of the
throughout the world there is no risk
in the near future of excessive produc-
ton such as sometimes has resulted
in unremunerative prices to producers.
This is particularly true Of the cereals
and of peas, beans, cowpeas, soybeans
and buckwheat. In view Of the world
scarcity of food, there is hardly a
possibility that the production Of these
crops by the farmers of the United
States can be too great this year, and
there is abundant reason to expect
generous price returns for all available
surplus.
THE most effective step that may
be taken to increase the production of
these crops Is to enlarge the acreage
devoted to them in the regions where
they are grown habitually. This ex-
pansion Of acreage should be to the
limit permitted by available good
seed, labor and equipment. The plac-
ing Of too great emphasis on produc-
ton in new regions in inadvisable
since the introduction into a farm
operation Of crop not usually grown
frequently involves practical difficult
ties not easily foreseen nor quickly
surmountable.
Taking the winter-wheat territory
as whole, winter killing has occur
red to an extent very much greater
than usual. This obviously, If not
compensated for in some way, will
mean a material reduction in the sup
plies Of our most important bread
cereal. Where winter wheat has been
damaged sufficiently to justify the
abandonment of fields, it should by
all means be replaced by spring
planted food crops, preferably small
grains or corn. The acreage of win
ter wheat seeded last fall is estimated
at 40,0S0,000. or only per cent above
that Of the preceding year (39. 100000
acres), and about one eighth more
than the average for the preceding
five-year period (35. ,00O). The con-
dition Of this crop, as shown by the |
department. in its report OF ADriI 4 Is |
more than % per cent below the aver |
age condition April for the past 10 |
years. This condition forecasts pro- |
duction this year nearly 52,006616 |
bushels less than that Of 1916 and /
24S,O00,0O0 bushels less than the crop
OF 1918.
Climatic requirements of spring /
wheat during the last few weeks of I
Its growth render it a more risky crop /
than others to plant outside the areas
In which it's production has been
proved to be successful so that 1t is
not recommended for regions where
pats or corn will be more certain to
produce satisfactory yields. In the
ever, where old ground has been re-
served for fax and seed wheat is
available, fax ground may well be
sown with spring wheat and new land
broken for fax where such land is
available. In the Pacific northwest,
where the seed supply Of well adapted
varieties is adequate. a considerably
increased acreage Of spring wheat
appears probable. The spring wheat
acreage of 1915 (17,956,00O acres) was
more than per cent less than that of
.915 19,161, 900 acies). and more than
per cent less than the preceding
ive-year average C1S,799,O00 acres).
Good Seed Wheat Necessary.
The minimum quality OF seed grain L
hat should be relied upon under ex-
sting conditions is very difficult
,oint to decide. In general. 1t is not
wise to risk planting seed wheat show
ng less than 70 or 80 per cent germ
nation, nor that weighing less than
10 pounds to the bushel. II the land
is prepared thoroughly and otherwise
S suitable, the use Of spring wheat
as low as 45 pounds per
,ushel, If it shows good termination.
nay be advisable where better seed
5 lacking.
The Usefulness Of Gets and Barley.
IF land intended for spring wheat
an not be put into good condition
arly enough for seeding. oats or bar
ey can be substituted to good adj
antage in the sections where these
rops are known to do we'll Barley
an be relied on in the proved areas
f Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, the
and Montana. while oats
ave a much wider range. The ease
With which barley may be substituted L
irectly for wheat in human food and
Is usefulness to replace wheat MILL
ny by-products as food in the pro-
uction of the milk supply. renders Its
production important. Bar
~, where it succeeds, yields larger
weight of feed per acre than any oth-
nee of oats and barley available,
much closer milling of wheat than at
resent could be practiced, If neces-
ary. without endangering the milk
uppIy which constitutes so import