The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-03-01
ASK BIG ACREAGE
Of SPRING WHEAT
Government Calls on Farmer to
Increase Food Supply.
soUTH SHOULD FEED ITSELF
agricultural Program for 1918 Urges
Necessity for Producing Large Sup
ply Of Foods and Feedstuff to
Feed America and Its ALLIES.

Washington, d. C.-The planting Of
IN Increased acreage to spring wheat
and the production Of an increased sup
ply Of other food products and of live
stock, especially hogs, is recommend
ID In a supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphaslzes and am
plifes the food-production program
tor 1918 issued by the department In
August 1917. and other suggestions
made in the fall and the first Of this
year regarding increased pork produc-
non and increased production of food
Stuffs In the South. Taken In connec-
non with the recommendations previ-
Uusly made, 1t suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks II
Desirable to offer with a view to Sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod
acts, cereals. sugar and other staple
and perishable foods, wool and cotton
Cor the nation, Its armies, and the al
Wes. 1t gives suggestions for the ap-
proaching spring operations, based
apon the latest available information
o. 20 the condition Of the fall-planted
srops Of winter wheat and rye and as
b the number Of meat and dairy ami
Uals reported for 1917. They repre-
cent the best thought Of the special
lists Of the department who have had
me benent OF advice from agr1cultu-
tal leaders throughout the country.
Our Best Efforts Required.
Notwithstanding an increased pro
Suction Of staple crops In the United
States IN 1917, there is need for more
eood," the program states. Taking
INTO account our own needs, the needs
se the nations associated with us in
this war, and the needs Of friendly
nSutral nations, our best efforts win
b required to provide enough food in
1918 Whether the war continues or
not, the demands on this country, be-
eauss Of the increasing population and
ne needs Of Europe will be great. An
especially strong demand will be made
IN this country for meats and live
Stock. In 1917, Notwithstanding the
many difficulties encountered, the
farmers planted the largest acreages
b the history Of the nation, harvested
kscord crops Of most things except
kheat and succeeded In greatly In
srsasing the number Of live stock"
THE situation Is such that chief en-
pAasis should be given to the produc-
eon Of the great staple food products,
with special stress on wheat and hogs,
ne leading war foods"
The South is urged to provide food
Cor its own people and feed for Its live
stock and then to plant as much cotton
90 can well be cultivated and harvest
"a. To raisers Of hogs and beef ami
mails the world need for meats and
bats IL made clear. Farmers are urged
b Join with the men on the ranges In
providing sheep whose wool is needed
b equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm la
Dor problem, points out the lines Of et
Cert for relief, and outlines the activi-
dies Of the federal and state agencies
b furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat
In dealing with the question Of
spring wheat, the program states:
The acreage Of spring wheat should
% increased In order to make certain
that we shall have an adequate supply
% wheat for our own uses and 10 meet
the needs Of the aIlIes
"While the area Of winter wheat
sown in 1917 was the largest on record,
the condition of the crop. as reported
sn December l, was the lowest ever
secorded, indicating probable produc-
ZION Of only 5400o0.000 bushels.
Whether the actual production win be
greater or less than the estimate will
depend upon conditions prevailing be-
tween now and the time Of harvest. II
there were planted to spring wheat in
the United States thls year an acreage
equal to the sum Of the record planting
IN each spring wheat state within the
last ten years, there would be sown APP
proximately 23,300.000 acres. II there
should be planted an acreage equal to
the sum OF the record planting for each
state within the last five years there
would be sown approximately 21.0oo.-
900 acres. The record planting for any
year was 20.Ss1 900, In 1911. The acre
are for 1917 was 18.511.0 900.
The department Of agriculture has
carefully studied all these records and
sther data In connection with the pres
.ent war conditions and needs. and be-
lisves that II win be possible this year
- secure an acreage In excess Of the
record acreage which was planted in
xoI1. II IL believed that increased
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$500 Al. R.aaafax