Weekly journal-miner., 1917-05-09
TELLS HOW FOOD pRODUCT|ONCAN
 BE INCREASED
R. H. FORBES OF ARIZONA
 DEFENSE COUNCIL IN- DICATES WAYS FOR AID- ING GOVERNMENT IN
 CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

 crease food production in Arizona are. made by Dr. R. H. Forbes, acting chairman of the committee on food distribution, production and conserva~ ton of the Arizona Council of De- fensc. Dr. Forbes, who is member of the committee and head of the agricultural experiment station, is acting as chairman in the absence oi Dr. von KleinSmid, who has gone to Washington to represent the council.
 The report which was presented al a meeting Of the executive council will be amplihed and circulated throughout the State in pamphlet form. It is summarized as follows:
 Based on correspondence with members of the committee on food production, conservation and distribu- ton, and other sources of informa- tion, the following statement of con ditions and program of production is submitted:
 Water Supply.
 In general, the water supply for irrigated sections throughout tho State is abundant, and the heavy rain and snowfall has created favorable condition for dry farming operations in those sections
 Labor.
 Labor IS insufficient in some sec tions. notably Salt River valley and near Yuma Farm machinery IS high priced but obtainable. Agricultural capital could be used to advantage in larger amounts than IS available. There is a serious shortage in cer' tain items in the seed supply, and the season up to the present time has been backward, this fact however being associated with good rainfall in the north and at higher elevations. On the whole, conditions arc favorable for considerable expansion in agri- cultural production, certain immediate items of which may be outlined as follows:
 Practical Suggestions.
 1. Plant milo maize, fcterita and kafr, both under irrigation and dry farming, for the production of silagc, grain for finishing steers and hogs and human food. ?. Construct silos, especially pit- silos in dry farming districts, for the utilization of grain sorghums and ln- dian corn.
 }. Increase the supply of hogs to which to feed portion of the sor- ghum grains and silagc accumulated during the Summer crop season.
 4 Inquire into facilities for mak- ing milo and similar meals for human food
 ,. Follow Winter grain with pink and tcpary beans, thus making inten- sive use of irrigated lands.
 c. Plant sudan grass for hay both under irrigation and dry farming.
 /. Develop vegetables for domestic use and prepare to can the surplus.
 :. Plant Mexican June corn in southern irrigated sections and drought resistant native varieties m dry farming sections, to be used as silaec. Silage IS the best means by which forage may be preserved for usc by all forms of livestock, cattle. sheep, hogs, warstock and poultry. IL may be used when range feed IS short.
 Q. Plant potatoes in the northern part of the State as extensively as the seed supply will permit.
 10. Arrange for continuous use ot idle pumping plants, and surplus sup plies by permitting in some cases the lease of public and reservation lands the temporary abrogation of rcclama- nation service rulings, etc.
 II. Make better use of inadequate lv employed labor-students on vaca- ton. and those engaged in trIvial oc- equations.
 12. Conserve wastes oi all kinds in all possible ways: Can or dry surplus fruits and vegetables. cure or preserve meats for home use. iced table waste to chickens, use sheep on farms as weed and waste Scavengcrs, conserve manure supplies for use on . crops. 13. Combat insect pests and avoid crop losses: keep in touch with State cntomoloeist's office for this purpose.
 I4. Cooperate with Federal agcn' cics for regulation of prices of food supplies.
 l5. Afford 6naucial help in any way possible, through banks, rail roads. owners of land and others; to r orthy applicants such as dry farm - -L~ ,,-;u ,t+ in SitoS hOVS' club