The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-03-08
Federal Government Puts Mat
ter Up To Farmers
WHAT QUANTITY NEEDED
Number of Bushels That Should
Be Produced; Help Feed
The Allies
Especial to Free Press.l

Especial to Free Press.l
From Wednesdays Daily.
Washington, February 26.-The
planting of an increased acreage to
spring wheat and the production OF
an increased supply Of other food
products and live stock, especially
hogs, is recommended in it's supple
mentary food production program is
sued today by the United States de-
partment of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizes and
amplifies the food production pro-
gram for 1918 issued by the depart
ment in August, 1917, and other sug-
gestions made in the fall and the
first of this year regarding increased
pork production and increased pro-
duction of foodstuffs in the south.
Taken in connection with the rec
concentrations previously made, it
suggests in full the proposals which
the department thinks it desirable
to offer with a view to secure enough
meat and dairy products, cereals,
sugar, and other staple and perish
able foods, wool, and cotton for the
nation, it's armies, and the allies. 1t
gives suggestions for the approach
ing spring operations, based upon
the latest available information as
to the condition Of the fall planted
crops of winter wheat and rye and
as to the number of meat and dairy
animals reported for 1917. They rep
resent the best thought of the
specialists of the department who
have had the benefit of advice from
agricultural leaders throughout the
country.
Need For More Food.
"Notwithstand an increas d
production of staple crops in the
United States in 1917, there is need
for more FOOD the program states.
"Taking into account our own needs,
the needs of the nations associated
with us in this war, and the needs
of friendly neutral nations, our best
efforts will be required to provide
enough food in 1918. Whether the
war continues or not, the demands
on this country, because of the in
creasing population and the needs OF
Europe, will be great. An especially
strong demand will be made on this
country for meats and live stock
In 1917, notwithstanding the many
difficulties encountered, the farmers
planted the largest acreages in the
history of the nation, harvested
record crops of most things except
wheat and succeeded in greatly in
creasing the number of live stock.
The record of the farmers last year,
made in the face of obstacles, is
ground for confidence on their part
that, with equal application and or
ganization, they can overcome the
difficulties this year, but, the pro-
gram especially points out, it does
not afford justification for any let-up
this year in production activities or
in conservation efforts.
The Leading War Foods.
"The situation is such that chief
emphasis should be given to the pro-
duction of the great staple food prod
ucts with special stress on wheat
and hogs, the leading war foods. 1t
is believed that the necessary pro-
duction can be secured through the
use of the best-known farm methods
but it may be necessary to small
important farm crops temporarily in
the interest of others which rank
highest in importance as food for
man. Above all, sound farm prac-
tice including we'll established crop
rotations with legumes, should not
be interfered with. This is in the
interest chiefly of crops in future
years."
The south is urged to provide food
for it's own people and feed for its
live stock and then to plant as much
cotton as can well be cultivated and
harvested. To raisers of hogs and
beef animals the world need for
meats and fats is made clear. Farm
ers are urged to join with the men
on the ranges in providing sheep
whose wool is needed to equip SOL
dierS.
Farm Labor Problem.
The program discusses the farm
labor problem, points out the lines
of effort for relief, and outlines the
activities of the federal and state
agencies to furnish assistance. 1t
indicates that while the labor situa
ton still presents difficulties and is
especially acute in the neighborhood
of great industrial centers, the
farmers succeeded in overcoming
them last year, and that, with better
organization and especially with de-
ferred classification of skilled farm
labor, the difficulties again can be
surmounted and production main
tanned and increased in certain
directions.
The department states that it is
assisting and will continue to assist
farmers in every feasible way,
through it's enlarged personnel.
funds, and facilities, to secure and
safeguard their seed supplies and to
prevent losses of foodstuffs from in
sect pests and diseases of plants
and animals.
Spring Wheat Acreage.
In dealing with the question of
spring wheat, the program states:
The acreage of spring wheat should
be increased in order to make GER
tain that we shall have adequate
supply of wheat for own uses and to
meet the needs of the allies.
While the area of winter wheat
: sown in 1917 was the largest on rec
ord. tie condition Of the crop. as re-