, 1917-04-26
Council for National
Defense Urges Cooperation
Statewide Movement for Increased Production of Edibles Of All
Descriptions County Councils Appointed to Look After
Work in Detail in Various Localities Of the State.

The following is an outline of plans adopted by the Wyoming
State Council for National defense for increasing agricultural produc.
lion in the state of Wyoming:
Secretary Houston of the United States department of agricul-
ture expresses the opinion that unless great careis exercised, the na
ton will be facing actual want before the crop of 1918 is harvested.
This opinion is BASED on reports of the present wheat condition, to.
gether with the stocks of foods which we're carried over from 1916
The world situation is in brief as follows:
There has been a wheat failure in the Argentine-to the extent
that an embargo has been placed upon the exports of wheat from
that country Russia will not have more than a normal supply of
food products. England has already requisitioned the Canadian
surplus. The Australian wheat crop can have but little effect upon
the world supply because of the lack of transportation. The winter
wheat crop of the United States is estimated to be l50OOOOOO bush
els short. The weather conditions of the United States have been
such he probability Is that there will be a shortage OF most
other crops this year The acreage of potatoes is subnormal because
of The high price of seed. The stocks of meats of all kinds in stor-
age arr II per cent less than at the same period last year. In the
United States, the production of wheat in 1915 was 10 bushels per
capita; in 1916, six bushels per capita. The consumption of wheat
during the year 1916 was six and a half bushels, while we exported
two and "a half bushels. The reserves Of wheat are the lowest in
modern civilization.
To meet any possible shortage and uncertainty, and 5 "a relief
from abnormally high prices, this commission has formulated a pro.
gram for the local production of more foods, the conservation of sup
plies, and the elimination of waste. 1t is as follows:
J. To encourage the production of staple foodstufs by
farmers, and to assist in locating and making available supplies
of seed, labor, etc.
2 To encourage the output from boys and girls gardens;
90 increase their interest in garden, grain aud potato growing,
and in poultry and swine raising.
3. To encourage the planting of gardens by wage earners
and urban dwener, where conditions are favorable.
4 To encourage the saving of surplus garden products and
fruits by home canning and drynsi to encourage the more eco.
nomical purchase of foodstufs, and to urge the prevention
VI Nu'iC
5. To encourage better distribution.
6. To encourage the increase aud better handling of range
livestock.
In order to carry out this program, this commission seeks to en-
list the aid of all organizations which can undertake definite portions
of this work. The state board of farm commissioners, the University
of Wyoming Agricultural college, the Wyoming State Grange and
other farm organizations, the Wyoming State Wool Growers associa-
ton, the Wyoming Live Stock association, the State Federation of
Women's Clubs, the state and local boards of education and other
agencies are already supporting this movement Some communities
have already made provision for the supervision Of boys and girls
club work. We advise that this be enlarged wherever possible.
We believe that caution should be exercised against hasty or ill
planned action Adequate provision should be made by cities, towns
and local communities to insure the success of any work undertaken.
If any phase of the program outlined seems so be worth while in
your community, we invite correspondence and offer our assistance.
Where work of this sort is already under way, we will be glad to ..
ceive a report of it, and of its later progress. County and local o-
CARNATIONS are being formed to work directly under the direction Of
the state commission in the carrying out of this program.
Correspondence should be addressed to the Wyoming State
Council of National Defense, State House, Cheyenne.
County councils, to assst. in carrying out the above program, up-
der the direction of the state commission, have been appointed for
all counties of the state. The members of the Carbon county couu-
Gil are: W. W. Daley, Rawlins: Mrs Gertrude Merrill, Rawlinsi
NJ. b McKilip, Saratoga