Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-09
WHEAT SHORTAGE MAKES
GARDENING NECESSARY
to BE Put Forward to Con-
serve Food Supply.
vRooMAN MAKES STATEMENT
South Spending Nearly Sf,OOO,OO0,-
600 EucI, Year for Food Produced
Elsewhere Which Could Just as
Well BE Raised at Home.

The government crop report disclos-
ing the worst condition Of winter
wheat on record. with an estimated de-
crease Of more than 5o.0OO.O00 bushels
as compared with last years crop. puts
the country OH notice that IL faces a
serious shortage in the supply of food
stuffs. unless il Immediately brings TO
bear every resource il san command to
improve the situation. With the coun-
try modifying every available resource
to carry on foreign war. it is i'm
Dcrativc that tho production OF food
crops he largely augmented over the
requirements Of normal times. Food
prices are already higher than they
have been in half u century. and they
must inevitably go higher and higher
unless steps be taken to increase the
supply. conserve the wastagc and pro-
vide for uniform distribution TO all
points Of consumption.
Tho government fully realizes tho
seriousness of the situation. and is
doing everything possible to arouse
the people to action and 10 set in mo-
ton the machinery for stimulating pro-
!uction throughout The country. 1t
is urged that every acre OF available
ground be utilized i'm the production
of food crops, and the farming popuia-
ton can perform no service more pa
triotic than to direct their utmost ef-
forts 10 making their acres bring forth
abundant yields Of strictly. food crops.
Next To implements Of war. food is the
most vital thing TO he rcckoncd with
for the conduct of warfare.
MUST Isl: FOOD SUPPLY no PUT
COUNTRY BEYOND JEOPARDY
There VIII be men and valor In
abundance. but there must be ample
supplies of food TO place the country
beyond jeopardy. The South has been
spending nearly n billion dollars an
" 70 n1r
that might with small effort. have
been produced at home. As policy
this is absolutely indefcnsihlc. even in
times OF worldwide peace. Under pres
cnt conditions, 10 continue such
policy would be "-iminal in it's neg
itself and help feed other sections OF
the country where the latent resources
of agricultural production are not so
abundant.
The men who do their duty on the
farms" Assistant Secretary OF ACri-
culture Carl Nrooman told Tho Joint
conference OF the Southeastern Cat
tlenen's convention and the Georgia
Chamber OF Commerce at Atlanta the
other day. will be serving their coun-
try just as nobly AS those who face
death at tho front. There will be
more demand for brains, industry and
heroism in the burrows than I'm the
ing to dcnude the farms OF labor TO
send an army to Europe. An army will
be raised, but IL will not be raised 10
tho detriment OF our agriculture"
SOUTH MUST HELP FEED
CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS
Thus is the South. especially, brought
face To face with it's responsibility in
helping to solve the biggest problem
the government has TO contend with
In marshal!ing Its RESOURCES TO win
IN" great war upon which it has en-
tercd-,hat of feeding both soldiers
and civil population. In this under
taking every person. in town, city and
country alike, may lend a helping
hand. In some way every one can
get into the game OF production In
the towns and cities every vacant lot
and backyard should be made TO yield
something in the way OF food. 1t will
help materially TO reduce the family
problem OF overcoming foots waste
which is notoriously excessive both in
city and country. The most rigid
economy both in tho purchase and the
conservation OF food supplies should be
instituted In every family and high
priced Injuries largely dispensed with
Fortunately tho people OF Virginia
have already made Il start toward
learning tho lessons OF thrift and
economy. and, under tho spur Of pres
cnt demands they should make prog
ress rapidly. Especially have the pco-
plc of Richmond shown commenda
bic spirit within the past few months
TO reduce tho cost OF living by insti-
tuting individual economies and en-
couraginC organized effort to combat
high prices In various intelligent ways
The result is shown by the increased
prosperity of the community as re-
fiected by tho financial statements of
banking institutions.