Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-09-14


over S3OOO,OOO bushels of rye through
the planting of 1890 acres to win
ter wheat and of 5,13l 900 acres to rye
this fall is the immediate war agricul-
tural program for the nation an
nounced by David +. Houston, secre-
tary of agriculture. This record win
ter wheat acreage. IN increase of IS
per cent over last year, would yield
ca 100000 bushels if the average yield
for the past ten years is equaled, or
under q repetition of the favorable
conditions of 1914 would give SS0,OO0,-
600 bushels. In either case with
spring wheat crop next year equal to
that of 1915. the nation will have more
than 1.000,0O0,000 bushels OF wheat for
domestic use and export.
This vastly increased production of
wheat, needed in any case, will be alb
sOlutely essential to prevent serious
shortage of breadstuffs next summer
the season, be much damaged by early
frOsts.
Best Thought of Experts.
The program approved by the secre-
| tary of agriculture represents the best
thought of the United States depart
ment of agriculture and of state agri-
cultural officials and state councils of
defense.
The study of this question has in
vOlved many factors and the special
lists have been aware from the first
that the demands for wheat may ex-
coed the supply next year. Effort,
therefore, has been made to recon-
mend in each state about as large an
acreaxe in wheat and rye as can be
sOwn without upsetting proper farm
practice which must he maintained in
the interest of wheat and rye crops
this and succeeding years, as well as
| In the interest of other necessary
spring-planted crops which are not dis
cussed in detail at this time, as they
are not food crops in which Il marked
shortage exists.
The estimates, the department
states, are made with the knowledge
that there Is some shortage of the fer
tilizer supply, but with the understand
ing that there will be no general short
age in the supply of seed or of farm
machinery which is necessary in the
production of the wheat crop. 1t is
understood also that ample transpor-
tation facilities will be provided and
fair price for wheat will be estab-
Iished. These factors have been as
sumed as fixed and satisfactory. If
any one or more fail to be adjusted
IN good time, no person can tell how
serious will be the effect ON the total
crop.
Calls for Unusual Effort.
| The planting and cultivation Of
.hese increased acreages of fall-grown
grains calls for unusual effort on the
| part of the farmers. Plans to place
at the disposal of farmers all assist
ance possible are being perfected in
the United States department of agri-
culture, the state colleges of agricul-
ture and other state and local agencies
which cooperate in farming matters.
The assistance of successful growers
of wheat and rye in campaign TO
turn out bumper crops In 1918 Is as
sured.
The state officials will do their ut
most to get the acreages expected Of
their states into the ground. The pro-
gram as originally worked out by the
federal department of agriculture
called for somewhat more than 44OOO,-
| L.. hi fall no
this proposal was presented to the
officials of the several states further
increase was considered possible and
desirable by them. AS consequence
the recommendation for the sowing of
1887, 900 acres is made.
Following is summary of the de-
partments recommendations regarding
winter wheat and rye:
Wheat.
The planting of approximately A.
337, 900 acres to winter wheat, on the
basis of the average yield for the past
ten years. indicates total production
Of 672,OOO,OOO bushels, which exceeds
all previous winter wheat crops har-
vested in the United States with the
exception of the crops of 1914 and
1915, when the acreages harvested and
Yields per acre were both above nor
NAL. If the extremely favorable con-
ditions under which the winter wheat
crop of 1914 was grown are again ex-
perienced, the yield Of winter wheat
next year will be SSO,OO00OO bushels,
or by far the largest winter wheat
crop ever produced and even larger
than the total of both winter and
spring wheat crops for all past years
except two.
1t is too early to determine the acre
age which should be sOwn to wheat next
spring but If this Is equal to that
sown In the spring Of 1917, or 19,OOO,-
600 acres. and the yield Is up to the
average of the last ten years, crop
Of PSI 100000 bushels of spring wheat
will be harvested, and If the yield per
acre should equal that obtained In
1915 the crop will be 350,OOO.OOO bush.
els. the same as the greatest spring
wheat crop ever produced. Thus, with
no increase in the spring wheat acre.
age. but with the IS per cent increase
over the 1916 winter wheat sowings
planned for this fall, the total wheat
crop next year will be more than
1000, OOO,OO bushels, II the crop meets
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