The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-12-07

agencies carried on a campaign for
large wheat acreage, and indications
were given by states as to where the
requisite planting could be secured with
out calling for an extension OF the area
or even normal acreage in the states
which had suffered from drouth for two
years. 1t was suggested that, if possible,
at least 45,000,000 acres of wheat should
be planted The informal indications
coming to the department are that the
farmers exceeded the paintings suggested
by the department
1--WE do not know how either the wheat
or the rye win come through the winter,
and are not now able to state what the
requirements should be for the next sea
son, nor can anyone now tell what the
world demand will be at the close of the
harvest season of 1918.
Eve do know that for the ensuing
months the nation is likely to be called
upon for large quantities of available
food and feeds to supply not only the
peoples with whom we co-operated in
the war but also those of the neutrals
and the central powers. This viii in
volve a continuation of conservation on
the part of our people and probably of
the maintenance of a satisfactory range
Of prices for food products during the
period"
Increased values for all farm products
are shown. 'On the basis Of prices that
have recently prevailed" says the re-
port, "the value of all crops produced in
1918 and of livestock on farms on Jan. /,
including horses, mules, cattle, sheep
swine, and poultry, is estimated to be
"a. 100, 100000, compared with S2l $780,
100000 for 1917, Sl5s00000000 for 1916,
Sl2 $50 100000 for 1914, and Sll 100000.
600 for the lve-year acreage. The in
creased values reveal that the monetary
returns to the farmers have increased
proportionately with those Of other
groups of producers in the nation and
that their purchasing power has kept
pace in the rising scale of prices"
The secretary acknowledges aid given
the department by educational institu.
tions. the national agricultural advisory
committee and other agencies, and speaks
Of harmonious cooperation with the war;
navy and labor departments. He sum
marizes the work of the department, in
Guiding the successful campaign against
the cattle tick and the pink boil weevil,
and touches upon the accomplishments
of all of the bureaus carrying on the de-
partment's warned activities. Successful
results "a signrts to meet the demand
for farm labor tfr noted.
Continuation of the form Of control
exercised over stockyards and packing
houses under war powers Is strongly rec
commended. Uneconomic and unfair prac-
tees have been eliminated, the secretary
saws. and recognition has been gained Of
the possibility of lettering market con-
ditions by utilizing the departments
corps of supervisors with requisite au-
thority.
In recommending steps TO facilitate
land settlement in more orderly fashion,
the secretary emphasizes the Importance
Of encouraging the ownership Of farms
AS to highway development, he says
cooperative roads work under the fed
eral aid act will be resumed in full meas.
ure and vigorously prosecuted. Such
work, he suggests, should furnish EN-
ployment for many unemployed men.
Secretary Houston says the federal
farm loan bank system began operations
under the troubled conditions of the
world war and its activities were imped-
ed, but in spite of these difficulties it
has made remarkable Roadway and there
is little doubt that with the return of
peace its development win be rapid and
will more and more fill the expectations
of the people. He urges that farmers
form systems of personal credit unions
especially for the benefit of individuals
whose financial circumstances make it
difficult for them to secure accommoda-
lions through ordinary channels, and be-
speaks the interests Of the business men
Of towns and cities in those farmers
whose standards of living and productive
ability are SO low that they might not