The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-08
SEC. HOUSTON
ASKS$6,000,000
FOR SEED NEEDS
Asks Congress to Appropriate
Stun Which Can Be Loaned
the Farmers.
TWO LARGE AREAS ARE HIT
Northwest and Southwest Almost
Equally Affected by
Drouth.
TWO LARGE AREAS ARE HIT

washington, ID. G., Jan. S.-David F.
+ Houston, secretary of agriculture, has
asked congress for an appropriation
of $6,00O,OO0 to enable the department
of agriculture to buy and sell seed to
farmers for cost at reasonable price
The necessity for the appropriation is
explained in the following letter which
the secretary has sent to the secretary
of the treasury:
81 have the honor to submit here.
with, for transmission to congress for
inclusion in the urgent deficiency bill,
an estimate of an appropriation of $6,-
100000 to enable the department to
purchase and sell seeds to farmers in
areas where unusual conditions pre-
vail, and particularly in those which
have suffered during the past season
from severe drought. 1t is suggested
that the following language will ac-
complish the purposes. which the de-
partment has in mind:
TO enable the secretary of agri-
culture to meet the emergency
caused by the need of food and
feed crops by purchasing, or con-
tracting with persons to grow,
seeds suitable for the production
of food or feed crops and to store,
transport, and furnish such seeds
to farmers for cash at reason
able price, $6,OO0,O00; and this
fund may be used as a revolving
fund until the secretary OF agri-
culture determines that no such
emergency exists; and the secre-
tary of agriculture is authorized
to pay all such expenses, includ-
ing rent, and to employ such per-
sons and means, in the district of
Columbia and elsewhere, and to
cooperate with such state authOri-
ties, local organizations, or indi-
viduals, as he may deem neces-
sarv to accomplish such purpose.
Situation Presents Difficulties.
"The seed istuation has presented,
and continues to present, many diff
culties. Under the provision OF the
food production act, which made avail
able $2,5O0,O00 for the purchase and
sale Of seed to farmers in restricted
areas for cash, at cost, it has been
possible for the department to furnish
some relief. Large quantities OF seed
of cotton, grain sorghum, and corn
have been purchased for the drought
stricken sections of Texas in order to
assist in making available adequate
supplies of seed for the next planting
season. The department is taking SIM
liar action in North Dakota and Mon
tana and has arranged to purchase
considerable quantities OF old corn
suitable for seed for sale to farmers
in Indiana where an emergenry eA.
lists with reference to the supplies OF
available seed corn.
It is clear, however, that the funds
now at the command of the depart
ment are wholly insufficient to enable
it to meet the situation properly. II
production is to be maintained or IN
creased next year, it is essential that
prompt and adequate action be taken
to safeguard the seed supplies or tne
nation. There is urgent and immedl'
ate ne6Q lOT dL ACdoI Po'ooo'ooo' >>
it is probable that an additional sum
will be required in the near future.
Two Areas Suffer.
two general areas have suffered
severely from drought during the past
season-the southwest, including
large part of Texas and part OF OK.
lahoma, and considerable portion OF
The northwest, including large Sec
tions of North Dakota and eastern
Montana. These regions represent a
large part of the grain-producing areas
of the United States, with particular
reference to grain sorghum, oats, par
lev. flax, and corn. The seed corn sit
nation in the northern half of the corn
belt is more serious than it has been
for many years. Early frosts through
out the northern part of the corn
belt caught much OF the corn either in
the milk or in the dough stages and,
although the crop was large, it con-
tains an unusually high percentage of
soft corn. The high prices prevailing
also have caused farmers to sell their
old corn and consequently there is q
much smaller supply on hand than in
n. 49, . . & &