Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-09
BILLION BUSHELS WHEAT NEXT
YEAR IS DEMAND OF UNCLE SAM

Washington, Aug. 9.-The produc.
uon 81 over one billion bushels Of
wheat and over eighty-three million
ousnels Of rye. through the planting
Oh acres to winter wheai
n OF 6,131,000 acres to rye this fall
is the Immediate war agricultural pro.
gram for the nation announced today
by David +. Houston, secretary OF
agriculture. This record winter wheat
acreage, an increase of Is per cent
over last year, would yield 672,000,-
goo bushels. IL the average yield for
me past ten years is equaled. or un-
DER a repetition Of the favorable con-
ditions Of 1914 would give $50, 900, 900
bushels. In either case with a spring
wheat crop next year equal to that OF
1915, the nation will nave more than
one billion bushels of wheat for do
nestle use and export.
An Absolute Need.
This vastly increased production of
wheat. needed in any case. will be alb
solutely essential to prevent a serious
shortage of breadstuffs next summe
should the growing corn, now behind
the season, be much damaged by early
frosts.
The study OF this question has in
VOWED many factors and the special
ISIS have been aware from the first
n a the demands for wheat may ex-
coed the supply next yes Effort
therefore has been made to recon-
mend in each state about as large an
acreage in wheat and rye as can be
sown without upsetting proper farm
practice which must be maintained in
the interest Of wheat and rye crops
this and succeeding years, as we'll as
IN the interest of other necessary
spring-planted crops which are not
discussed in detail at this time as they
q rQ nnf food oyNn i~ rY,lt1I n ~ n r1r =
shortage exists.
No Shortage in Seed.
The estimates are made with the
knowledge hat there is some short
age of the fertilizer supply but with
the understanding that there will be
no general shortage in the supply of
9 or of farm machinery which is
necessary in the production Of the
wheat crop. 1t is understood also
n ample transportation facilities
will be provided and a fair price Of
wheat will be established. These fac
tors have been assumed as fixed and
satisfactory. If any one or more fail
to be adjusted in good time, no per-
son car tell how serious will be the
effect on the total crop.
The planting and cultivation Of
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,
and the assistance of successful grow
ers Of wheat and rye in a 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
program as originally worked out by
department of agriculture called for
somewhat more than A, 900, 600 acres
to be sown this fall. When this pro-
posal was presented to the officials Of
the several states a further increase
was considered possible and desirable
by them. AS a consequence the rec
ommendation for the sowing Of Az
$4,000 acres is made.
Following is a summary of the de-
partment's recommendations regard
ing winter wheat and Y e
The Wheat Needed.
The planting Of approximately A.
337, 900 acres to winter wheat, on the
basis Of the average yield. for the past
ten years indicates a total production
Of 672 million bushels, which exceeds
all previous winter wheat crops har-