The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-27

opening of high schoois this fall and their earlier closing next spring in some sections so that boys in such schools may assist in farm operations the great CT use of permanent married laborers who may be quartered on the farm, and a more general exchange of labor among farmers. It was also suggested by rep resentatives of states along the Mexican border that efforts be made to bring about the freer admission to the United 7 States of Mexican agricultural labor CTS The operation of state labor ex- changes has proved satisfactorily in some states, it was pointed out notably in Colorado.
 While the military draft will necessar- fly accentuate labor shortage in agricul- ture as it will in all other industries it was stated in summing up the labor situation, it is a fixed condition which must be met Canada, with a population very much smaller than that of the. United States, it was pointed out by one speaker, now has more men under arms than the total which the United States is attempting to raise, and yet Canada is planning to increase it's agricultural pro- duction. The country arready has made a remarkable record in this direction, it was declared, and surely the United States should be able to do as well.
 The obtaining of good seed, it was found, is an important problem in many of the states, and the problem of major importance in some. The work of the committee on seed stocks of the United States department of agriculture in To- eating good, available seed and seeking to help communities needing seed to ob- tain it, was explained to the conferences and states not having seed committees were urged to create them. In num- Der of states a survey of seed stocks has been made by county agents, mill. CTS, bankers, elevator men and others. Once the seed has been located, plans for it's distribution vary in rne several states. One of the principal problems to be solved is the matter or financing the farmers in the purchase of winter wheat. Usually, it developed, it is possible to work out satisfactory arrangements in the counties through the assistance of local bankers, rnillers and elevator men. For farmers who cannot present security for loans because of crop failures, etc, the plans adopted usually call for re- turn of two bushels for each bushel ad- vanced as seed, or, under another plan for the return of one-fifth the crop from the seed advanced.
 Under the Nebraska system, it was pointed out, the state council of defense called a. conference of county agents, local bankers, millers, elevator men and others to work out plan for furnishing seed to the farmers. The bankers agreed to supply money at 6 per cent and the ele- vator men agreed to supply seed at cost. The farmers were to apply for seed either to elevator men or to the state college. If possible, they were to pay cash for the seed but if they could not do this they were to call on the bankers for loans If the bankers could not furnish loans, the farmers were then to apply to the state college and the council of defense. In many eases, it was said, where farm CTS had good seed wheat and could not afford to hold it they were financed by millers and elevator men.
 In Kansas, lists showing results of seed survey were distributed widely and were made use of to facilitate distribu- tion. The county committees were ac- tive in giving assistance where it vas needed. In this state, it was pointed out, the plan of returning one-fifth the crop from seed advanced is considered last resort.
 A resolution was adopted at the Kan sas City conference declaring that seed survey should be made immediately in each state, where wheat Is still in the field, under the direction of the agricul- tural extension service.
 In regard to the prices of seed wheat a resolution was adopted at this confer ence calling on holders of winter wheat suitable for seed purposes not to ask hig' Ter price than 10 per cent above their local market, this price to be exclusive of sacks This was not meant to cover the price of pedigreed seed. It was fur ther resolved that the conference recom- mend the use of certified or pedigreed seed wherever 1t is obtainable in order to increase the yield per acre.
 Tt was the sentiment of the conferences that wherever there was likelihood that smut exists in seed wheat 1t should be treated to prevent the development of the disease in the growing crop. The use of the formaldehyde treatment for stink ing smut was urged by representatives of the United States department of Agr1- culture. The advantage of planting wheat after the fly-free date was emphasized as means of minimizing damage due to the Hessian fly. It was brought out that in order that possible injury from late seeding may be overcome to as great an extent as possible, especially good seed-bed preparation, should be