Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-04-04
"PLANT MORE FOODsTUFES,"
Urges Secretary Houston in Appeal
to Farmers OF Nation.

washington, March 27.--The far-
mers Of America were appealed to by
Secretary Houston to-day to join In
agricultural preparedness measures
70 that the country may not be handi-
capped by food shortage In it's efforts
to meet the international crisis.
Elimination Of waste, conservation of
surplus and attainment Of maximum
crop returns were outlined as impcr-
ative steps for strengthening agricul
tural resources.
Both for economic and patriotic
reasons" the Secretary said in a for
nal statement, "the American far
mer should strive this year for the
highest standard Of efficiency in the
production and conservation of food.
Under the conditions in which this
country now finds itself 1t Is impor-
tant that everything practicable be
done to Increase the efficiency of az
ricultural activities during the com
ing season"
The Secrc.ary's appeal was part Of
the campaign undertaken by the De-
partmcnt Of Agriculture to mobilize
the country's agricultural resources.
Mr.. Houston urged particularly that
as means Of preventing "conspicu
Gus production waste" Of important
staple cereals, proper attention be
given to the selection and safeguard
frr In
tion Of the land and the care of the
crop.
Must Take Precautions.
"Under existing conditions" he
said, "every precaution should be
taken, Cd to reduce production
wastes by testing seed sufficiently in
advance to insure against the plant
ing Of dead seed; (2) to treat with
disinfecting dips all seed subject to
disease that can be prevented, such
as the smuts Of wheat, barley, oats
and rye, the losses from which are
estimated conscrvatively at $4,000.
600 to $6O.000.00O in the average
year; CD to prepare especially thor
oughly for planting these vitality i'm
portant cereal crops and to care for
them as may be necessary during the
season."
After discussing certain methods of
planting cereal seeds, the statement
declared 1t was especially important
to reduce the risk of wastage through
action Of disease or insects in staple
vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbage
and onions. Pointing out that seed
stocks are low, Secretary Houston
suggested that all seed potatoes
should be treated for scab before
planting and that equipment for, plant
spraying should be on hand.
Some of the most conspicous crop
wastes" he states, occur with fruits
and vegetables. Frequently these
losses are due indirectly to disease
and insect injury. which lower their
market value without reducing their
food value materially, if they can be
utilized promptly by drying, canning
and other prescrvative methods. Un-
der existing conditions every practi-
cable step should be taken to pro-
tect these crops throughout the sea-
son and to utilize and preserve them
as fully. as possible when they have
matured.'
Must Save Vegetables.
The statement declares that fruits
and vegetables (Which ordinarily it is
inadvisable to attempt to conserve"
shouM be Systematically saved now.
Family gardens should be planned to
supply ample quantities of early ma
turing fruits and vegetables for pres
ervation as we'll as fresh products for
immediate consumption.
because Of tho scarcity Of tinplate
and the high price OF tin c..ns," Sec
retary Houston continued, '.it may be
necessary in household preservation
of food more extensively to pack
fruit and vegetables in other contain
ers."
He urged that plans be made for
the sorage Of sweet potatoes In the
Southern States, pointing out that
about 100000 bushels Of the
usual crop of 100000 ,shels go
to waste through decay.
The Secretary suggested the pres
ervation by drying for soup stock of
such vegetables as carrots, potatoes
and celery and drying of surplus
sweet corn. Many crops grown usu-
ally for soil Improvement or forage,