The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-23
SECRETARY HOUSTON
SPEEDS Up FARMERS
Calls on Them to Make 1918 Crops
Greater Escn Than Those Of
I9t7--DlniCultics in thc Way.

Washington. Dec 22--An even
I greater speeding UP OF agricultural ef-
forts throughout the country. that the
ever augmaoting demands Of both
military and civilian populations may
be met IS urged by Secretary OF Agri-
culture Houston The necessity for
accomplishing this. despite increasing
difficulties which beset the farmer
was pointed out by MIR. Houston re-
Gently in an address before the Eco
nomic Clby at it's annual dinner. The
speaker dwelt upon the necessity for
( CO. operation among the farmers, ami
said some emergency methods for pro-
vlding In bor-ever a sCarcer commod-
bity--must be provided.
a2A. 1T il necessary" he said, TO dwell
Won the need OF an adequate supply
of food for the civilians and soldiers
Of this nation, and also fer those OF
the nations with which We are asso-
ctated When we entered the war this
country was and had been facing an
unsatisfactory situation in respect to
It's supply of foods and foodstuffs. The
production In 1916 Of the leading ce
reals was mparatively low aggre-
eating $500, 100000 bushels as
against 5000. 900, 600 for 1915. 5000
coo 900 for 1914. and 1000. 0o0,0 600 for
crop had been strikingly small, and
1t was certain that on account of ad-
verse weather conditions the output
for 1917 would be greatly curtaAled.
The situation was no better in respect
TO other 'conspicuously important com
modities such as potatoes and meats.
The need of action was urgent and
the appeal Cor direction insistent.
The nation looked for guidance pri-
a 4 -T,e,a, a, a
to the state agencies which IL had so
literally supported for many years.
1T was a matter of great good for
tune that the nation had had the
foresight, generations before. in an
other time Of national stress in 1852,
to lay souudlv the foundations OF az
riculture In respect to agencies
working for the Improvement Of rural
life the nation was prepared. In point
Of efficiency. personnel and support
1t had establishments excelling those
Of any other three nations com btned
and a great body of alert farmers who
were capable Of producing two or
three times as much per unit of labor
and apital as the farmers of Europe,
steps were quickly taken TO speed
up production. In two-day session
ct St Louis. the trained agricultural
officers of the country conceived and
devised program or legislation ana
organization, the essehtal FEATURES o.
"hlch nave nor oeeh success u'I y
QUESTIONED; ana lae suosesi'I - p go,
I of which has been ehacted INTO "a"
land set in operation Initiative was
aot wanting In any section of the
! Union. Effective organizations quick
~ sprang w in all states and the SER
vices OF experts everywhere were in
mediateiy aVallap Die i ne fespohs" o.
the farmers was prompt ana eheF-
Getic.
Weather conditions for fhe spring
season We're faVoraoie, ana tfe resuIls
arc that crop yields nave oeen 4aFE"
ana that the nation IS able NOT on!y
to feed Itself. pat IN consiu aoIc
measure TO supply the needs or those
with whom we are cooperating Ihat
the farmers or the nat1on nave gen
erously responded TO the Appeals iof
increased production ana mat hucf
has been done to insure a large sun
ply of food ana fooostuI9. JuS1lhrs
no let down in their activities or IN
those OF an agricultural akene'es' oii
the contrary even greater EFFORTS must
be put forward in the coming months
J II we are 10 meet tniIy the cNlhah
aud military demands, mere must
/ Re no breakdown on the farIhs' 10
! failure OF FOODS, teedstdHs' or cfotn-
ing Especially must we nave a more
abundant Supply OF meats ana fats
!, 10 repieA.sh me stores OF 'tAe- oiFg
suffering allies
I Mary duacult'es CONFRONT the az
! rienN0Hai FORCES. fertt@eFS are
scarce Farm machinery has ad
lvanced III price and transportation II
burdened To secure an adequate
supply Of Ia nor everywhere viii ae =