Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-04-06
URGE FARMERS TO
MEET FOOD CRISIS
i. 5. Asks Them to Work
Hard 10 Raise Big Crops.
LOOK GUT FOR PESTS
Secretary Houston Advises Them to
Cisirfect Seeds, Plant no Dead Ones
and Prepare Especially for Cereal
crcrs

and Prepare Especially for Cereal
Crops.
The American farmers were appeal
ed to by Secretary Houston to join in
agricultural preparedness measures so
the country may not be handicapped
By food shortage in its efforts to meet
the international crisis.
Elimination Of waste, conservation
Of surplus, and attainment of maxi
mum crop returns outlined as impera-
tive steps for strengthening agricul-
tural resources.
Both for economic and patr2it'c
reasons" the secretary said. in a for
NAL statement, "the American farmer
should strive this year for the high
est standard of efficiency in the pro-
duction and conservation Of food.
"Under the conditions in which this
country now finds itself, it is import
ant that everything practicable be
done to increase the efficiency of agri-
cultural activities during the coming
season. 1t is desirable that through
out the country farmers confer among
themselves on matters affecting the
production of needed crops, and tat
they consult freely with county ag n s,
state agricultural colleges and the dc.
partment of agricul ure."
The secretary's appeal was part Of
the campaign undertaken by the de-
partment Of eCriculture to mobilize
the nations agricultural resources.
Assistant Secretary Vrooman, in
statement several DAYS ago, outlined
why the various sections of the coun-
try should become self-supporting
through crop diyersifcation, and point
ed out also that much food might be
supplied By cultivation of vacant city
lots and yards.
Mr.. Houston urged particularly that
as a means Of preventing "conspicu.
Gus production wastes" Of imnortant
staple cera,e. proper attention be civ.
en- to the selection and safeguarding
Of seed for planting. the preparation
of the land. and the care Of the crop.
"Under existing c7rditions," he SAID,
"every Drecaution should be taken 1)
to reduce production wastes by test
ing seed snfT nientTy in advance to In.
sure againet the nlant;ng CT dead seed;
(2) to traot with disinfecting dips all
seed subject to diseases that ca1 be
prevented. such rs the smuts of WI eat,
barley, oats and rye. the losses from
which are estimated conservatively at
s50,0O0, 900 to s60.0O0,O0O in the aver
age year; (3) to prepare especially
thoroughly for planting these vitally
important cereal crops and to care for
them as may be necessary during the
season"
After discussing certain methods OF
planting cereals, the statement said 1t
was esneciaIly important to reduce the
risk Of wastes through the action OF
disease or insects in northern staple
vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbages
and onions. Pointing out that seed
stocks are low Secretary Houston sug.
gested that NJ! seed potatoes should
be treated fer scab before planting
and that ecuiDment for pl9nt spray.
ing should he on hand, it being aided
that "a widespread outbreak of blight
throughout the important potato-pro.
ducing districts (Which fortunately
rarely occurs except In restricted
areas) might diminish production at
the rate of 100000 bushels day dur.
ing August and September, If prolons.
ed rainy weather should occur"
Preventah1o potato diseases, the
secretary said. frequently reduce the
cron from 50,00C,00O to 10O,000,oO0
bushels.