The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-05-17
State To Increase Wealtn-

West Virginia's wealth from the
soil will be increased 800 900 900
during the next year as re-
suit OF the campaign now being waged
Tor increasing food production, more
efncient methods OF farming and the
elimination of waste, according to Col.
James Stewart-"Farmer Jim"-West
Virginia's commissioner of agricul-
ture.
AS result OF our campaign for all
these things touching our estimate
that from agricultural resources alone
assuming normal season, West vir-
ginia's wealth from this source will be
increased 500, ,00O, ,OOo."
Every foot OF ground in the state
Is being scratched" is the way Com
missioner Stewart told OF the wide
spread interest and activity OF the
people of West Virginia Our people
have taken hold OF this problem
promptly, energetically and under.
standingly. They realize that West
Virginia must not only feed herself,
but must help to feed others. They
have gone at the work seriously and
intelligently. They have outdone our
highest hopes. They have responded
quickly and all along the line. II
there are slackers, their number IN
negligible"
Speaking Of some things being done
in connection with the great produc.
tion campaign Of which he is the exec.
utive head, Commissioner Stewart
said that sheep are being brought
into the state in conjunction with the
Texture G. Wool Growers Association
who are interested In increasing wool
production, which is shorter per cap
ita this year than for fifty years. The
state is finely adapted to sheep grow.
ing and our purpose is to increase the
number OF sheep in the state to 5000,
1000. Mutton for the table is more i'm
portant just now than wool. Accord
ing to the estimate of the Secretary
OF Agriculture, allowing three acres
to sheep, West Virginia should in
crease its fiocks, without interruption
to other productions, to 100000. We
are working successfully toward this
end.
THE number of pigs is being won
derfully increased and more equally
feeding them. Remnants OF perisha
BILE crops which for various reasons
go to waste, are useful foods for these
animals, and by having them to con
sumo this waste the total loss to the
state is converted into high price pork
food
| I'VE are making a campaign against
the destruction OF heifer calves and we
are meeting with success along this
line. This will help out wonderfully.
The state is splendidly adapted to cat.
tie grazing. She produces large mum.
bers of the finest grass fed cattle in
the world, and the production of high
class beef has by no means reached
its minimum in our state.
"A big impetus has been given to
the poultry industry, which in single
units seems small, but which in the
aggregate of its annual output keeps
pace with cotton, hay and wheat
I'm the beginning OF this campaign
for greater production, we sent letters
to every teacher, preacher, banker,
orchardist, livestock man. every mine
operator, to every miner and to every
lumberman, urging them all to teach.
preach and practice to his utmost to
increase the production from West
Virginia soil, at least, sufficient enough
to feed our own state. These men re
sponded with the finest letters you
ever saw, and entered right into the
spirit of the campaign without delay
Coal mine operators and lumbermen
are, in many cases, furnishing teams,
farming implements, seed and lands to
their employees and others willing to
farm, without cost One mine super
intendent reports the purchase OF
teams, implements and seed and the
actual enlistment OF 1900 employees
who are working from small gardens
up to patches of several acres
"The department has men In the
field planning with the people They
have done a great work among the
miners. II would surprise the people
OF the state to know what the 100, 900
miners of West Virginia are doing in
the way Of food production. / dare say
there isn't a miner with family who
isn't working in his garden, and will
produce more than he ever did in am
previous year"