The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-04-12

the world at large, as we'll as our own
consumers, must rely more strongly
on American farmers this year than
ever before should encourage them to
strive to the utmost to meet these
urgent needs.
Increase Yields Of Staple Crops
1T is obvious that the greatest and
most important service that is requir-
ed of Our agriculture under existing
conditions is an enlarged production
of the staple food crops. Because of
the shortage of such crops practically
throughout the world there is no risk
, in the near future of excessive produc-
ton such as sometimes has resulted
in unremunerative prices to produc-
ers. This is particularly true of the
cereals and of peas, beans, cowpeas,
soy beans and buckwheat. In view of
the world scarcity of food, there is
hardly possibility that the production
of these crops by the farmers of the
United States can be too great this
year, and there is abundant reason to
expect generous price returns for all
available surplus.
THE most effective step that may
be taken to increase the production of
these crops is to enlarge the acreage
devoted to them in the regions where
, they are grown habitually. This ex-
pansion of acreage should be to the
limit permitted by available good
seed, labor and equipment. The plac-
ing of too great emphasis on produc-
ton in new regions is inadvisable
since the introduction into farm
operation of crop not usually grown
frequently involves practical difficult
, ties not easily foreseen nor quickly
surmountable.
Taking the winter.wheat territory
as a whole, winter killing has occur
red to an extent very much greater
than usual. This obviously, if not
compensated for in some way, will
mean material reduction in the sup
plies of our most important bread
cereal. Where winter wheat has been
damaged sufficiently to justify the
abandonment of fields, it should by
all means be replaced by spring
planted food crops, preferably small
grains or corn. The acreage of win
ter wheat seeded last fall is estimated
at 40,080,O00, or only two per cent
above that of the preceding year 49,
203, 900 acres), and about one-eighth
more than the average for the proceed
ing fve-year period (35,724,O0O). The
condition of this crop, as shown by
; the department in it's report of April Z,
is more than Is per cent below the
/ average condition April / for the past
10 years. This condition forecasts a
production this year nearly 100000
bushels less than that of 1916 and
243,0O0,000 bushels less than the crop
of 1915.
| "Climatic requirements of spring
wheat during the last few weeks of
its growth render it more risky crop
than others to plant outside the areas
in which its production has been prov
ed to be successful, so that it is not
recommended for regions where oats
or corn will be more certain to pro-
duce satisfactory yields. In the north
ern spring wheat states, however,
! where old ground has been reserved
for flax and seed wheat is available,
flax ground may we'll be sOwn with
spring wheat and new land broken for
flax where such land is available. In
the Pacific northwest, where the seed
supply of we'll adapted varieties is
adequate, considerably increased
acreage of spring wheat appears prob.
able. The spring wheat acreage OF
1916 Q7,956,O00 acres) was more than
five per cent less than that of 1915
(l9,161, 900 acres), and more than four
per cent less than the preceding five
year average QS,799,OOO acres).
Good Seed Wheat Necessary
"The minimum quality of seed grain
that should be relied upon under ex
listing conditions is very difficult
point to decide. In general, it is not
wise to risk planting seed wheat show
ing less than rs or 80 per cent germ
nation, nor that weighing less than Sc
pounds to the bushel. If the land is
prepared thoroughly and otherwise is
suitable, the use of spring wheat
weighing as low as IS pounds mel
bushel, if it shows good termination
may be advisable where better seef
is lacking.
The Usefulness Of Oats and Barley
III land intended for spring wheat
cannot be put into good condition
early enough for seeding, oats or bar
ley can be substituted to good advant
age in the section where these crops
are known to do we'll. Barley can be
relied on in the proved areas of Wis
consin, Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas
and Montana, while oats have a much
wider range. The ease with which
barley may be substituted directly fol-
wheat in human food and it's useful
ness to replace wheat milling by-pro
ducts as food in the production of the
milk supply, renders it's abundant pro
auction important. Barley, where il
succeeds, yields larger weight Of
feed per acre than any other small
grain crop. With an abundance OF
oats and barley available, much close,
milling Of wheat than at present coulG
be practiced, if necessary, without en-
dangering the milk supply which con
stltutes so important an element in
the dietary of consumers.
Large Acreage Of Rye Planted
The place of rye under present con
ditions is an important one. The cror
this year should be harvested and
utilized with more than the usual care
Considerable acreage is planted in
some sections for blowing under in the
spring for green manure. Where con
dltions are suitable part of this acre
age might we'll be held for harvesting
and followed with a suitable summer
Or fall crop for blowing in later.
Buckwheat for Late PLANTING
"Buckwheat may be planted later