Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-23
GREAT LIBERTY
WHEAT HARVEST
AMERICAN FARMERS URGED TO
INCREASE ACREAGE OF
WINTER WHEAT.
GOVERNMENT ASKS
$4,000 ACRES
Increase Of 7 Per Cent Over Last
Years Sowing Sousht-Even Great
er Increase Is Suggested, Amounting
to IL Per Cont More Than sown in
1917-Percentase of Increase.

Washington, July ga national
plan for great liberty wheat harvest
In 1919 was announced today by the
United States department OF agricul-
ture. American farmers are asked to
SOW to winter wheat this fall not less
than As, 1000, 900 acres-an increase OF
| Z per cent over last years sowing
and the department suggests that an
even greater area, approximately A.
| 500 900 acres-an increase OF more
| than 12 per cent over last yea1-could
be gown if conditions are especially
favorable in all the states and would
better meet the needs of the allied
nations at war.
From the smaller acreage harvest
of $50 900, 900 bushels might be ex-
pected, it is estimated, and from the
larger acreage 6S7,00o.oo0 based upon
| an average yield Of 1871 bushels an
acre and an abandonment of 10 per
cent Of the area sown on account OF
winter kill. The plan fixes definite
acreages by states and in campaign
to be launched Immediately by the de-
partment and the state agricultural
colleges and leading farmers turnout
| the country, growers will be asked to
make good their state quotas. The
recommendations regarding the plant
| ing of spring wheat and other spring
crops and regarding live stock will
follow later.
Increase In Winter crof'.
The total acreages assigned, to the
| several states, both minimum and
maximum, are shown in the accom-
panying table with the percentage OF
increase over the acreage sown last
year indicated for each state. In some
states where large increase Of winter
wheat acreage is suggested, 1t is plan
| ned correspondingly to reduce the
spring wheat acreage. Winter wheat
| is a safer crop and produces a larger
yield per acre. so the exchange is de-
sirable in sections where this is prac-
/ tiaable. The unusual weather condi-
| lions OF the last two years are respon-
siblo for the increased acreage OF
spring wheat this year in some Sec
| lions where winter wheat usually NJ
more extensively grown.
In announcing its wheat production
program the department considers the
growing needs Of this country and its
allies for this essential food. The last
crop report forecast a 1918 harvest OF
| $50, $4,000 bushels Of winter and
spring wheat.
Smallest Reserve on Record.
! Altho this forecast isNgratifying. 1t
l is pointed out that the reserve supply
or carry over wheat this year is prac-
tically exhausted and is the smallest
on record. The need Of building up re-
serves Of wheat Is evident. It is
pointed out that altho this country
4 produced a small wheat crop in 1917.
the total exports OF wheat in excess OF
imports. including flour in terms OF
wheat, amounted to approximately
100, 00O, 900 bushels for the year endinfi
June 80, 1918. This is in comparison
4 with $4,000, 900 bushels, exported III
1s17, 2sS, 1000, 900 bzushels in 1916. and
ss1, o0o, 900 bushels in 1915. It was only
possible for the United States to
export wheat in large quant titles III
1915 and 1915 because Of the 1arg',
wheat crops OF 1912-13-14-15, which
gave this country an accumulation OF
stocks Of this grain. The 1916 and 1911
crops both were smaller than any
crops since 1911 and besides This their,
was greater demand for seed whea!
and an increasing population.
Exhaustion in importing Countries.
Moreover, 1t must be borne in mind
says the department, that the carry.
over in all the ten importing countries
Of Europe was practically exhausted
this year before the new harvest; that
the normal consumption requirements
Of the exporting countries are increas-
ing with the growth OF population in
stead of diminishing; that some losses
in storage and transit may be expected
to continue, and that it is highly de-
sirable that surplus should be ac-
cumulated as insurance against partial
crop failure next year. To provide
for these additional requirements II
is therefore extremely desirable that
the maximum acreage of winter wheat
recommended be planted by the far
mers in the United States this fall.
Acreage Suggested by States.
Acreage of winter wheat suggested
for sowing in the fall of 1918, with
data showing basis for the recon
mendations.
Sfafa Min Pct MAY Pei