Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-26
What Americas Great
Home Army Has Done

quarters Of billion dollars worth Of
food that has ordinarily gone from the
north to the south every winter will
not be needed there this time. and will
be available for export to the United
States forces in the field and to the
forces OF the allies.
The Nation Aroused.
III Two weeks after war was declared
the department OF agriculture had or
ganized the farming forces Of theren-,
tire country for concerted drive to-
ward greater food production. Legis-l
lation was drafted putting the depart
ment upon q war basis and clothing
the president with power to take all
necessary steps to produce the largest
possible food crops, 10 market them ef-
ficiently and economically, to distribute
them to the consumer without extor-
ton and to conserve them scrupulous-
ly.
Success beyond all expectation has
attended the efforts. Production has
been increased in every section of the
country and the United States Is fling
ing into the balance Of the world strife
the greatest corn crop ever harvested
potato crop is hardly less significant.
After all home needs are fully met,
there will remain surplus Of approx
mately hundred million bushels to
be sent to the armies Of democracy in
Europe.
In the backyard and vacant-lot gar
dens millions Of families who had for
merly bought all OF their vegetables
produced, this year. a large part Of
what went on their tables, thus leav-
ing in the channels of trade millions Of
dollars worth of foodstuffs to meet
the nations needs.
In all parts Of the country canning
operations were pushed to the limit,
resulting in the saving for winter food
OF millions of bushels Of fruits and
vegetables that would ordinarily have
gone to waste. A home drying cam
paign was launched that has also re-
suited in other millions OF bushels be-
ing saved for food. and q practice Of
the greatest Importance in the domes-
tic economy OF the nation was revived.
Still Speeding UP Praoduetion.
The department OF agriculture Is
looking carefully ahead. An especial
effort is being made to increase the
interest OF farmers In live stock grow
ing, both by way OF maintaining the
fertility Of farms and to increase the
meat supply OF the world. A permanent
organization has been formed, under
the name of the United States Live
Stock Industry Committee, to cooper
ate directly with the department. One
of the obJecA Of this committee is to
prevent the selling at war prices of
animals that are needed for breeding
purposes.
Another effective method to insure a
constantly increasing yield has been
the placing OF farm demonstration
agents in every county in the United
States.
Old soldiers Of the commissary have
made most effective showing for the
first six months Of the war. They have
added half billion bushels to tho corn
yield and hundred million bushels to
the potato yield. and have increased
the bean production nearly 100 per
cent. They have Increased the store
OF fruits and vegetables in dried and
canned form by at least 100 per cent.
And they have safeguarded the country
against the probability OF short crops
in the future.
And this has all been accomplished
BY the ready patriotism Of the Ameri-
can farmer There was no guarantees
OF q minimum price for his product un-
til all his crops had been sown. In fact
he Was not given . guarantee OF any-
thing. But he WAS asked to plant for
his cOunrty,a sake and he planted to