The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-06
SEED Fur FARMERS
IS UlGEaTLy kEtCEO

H4sh,ng D. e. Jam. david
T. Houston, secretary Of agriculture,
las asked congress for am appropria-
t.ou "f $sseeo, 600 TO enable the de
pertinent of agriculture TO buy and
sell seed to farmers for cost at
r"asoas Die price The necessity Cor
hr trpFoPI lation ~ explained IN tn"
following ietteT which the seoretaEy
hes sen; to the secretary of the
treasury.
have the honor 10 submit here
win. fCr traBsm isEiop 70 congress for
inclusion In the urgent deficiency hill
al estimate OF an appropriation Of
SIS GOO 600 TO enable the department
70 purchase and sell seeds to farmers
81 areas whore unusual conditions
prevail, and particularly In those
which have suffered during the past
season from severe drought II il
suggested that the following language
WIN accomplish the purposes which
the department has la mind;
To enable the secretary of
agriculture 10 meet the ener-
aeuCy caused b. the need for
food aud feeo crops by purchas-
Ing. o. CONTRACTING with persons
10 grow seeds suitable for the
production of food or feed crops
and 70 store transport, and fug-
Htsh such SEEDS 10 farmers fer
rzsh az q. reasonable price. So
9GpoaU. and this fund may he
uSed as 81 revolving fund uptu
aha, seefctarN OF Agriculture de
terminus that no such emergency
eEists, and the secretary 81 agri--
culture il authorized to pay all
such expenses including rent. and
40 e1 plov such persons and
means III the District OF Columbin
snd elsewhere, and 10 cooperate
Nth such state antiquities local
organizations. Or individuals. 80
lie may deem necessary to ac-
complish such purpose.
THE seed situation has pre- geHted.
ard continues 70 present. many dif7i-
cuIdes Under the provision Of the
food production act, which made
available s3,500.o for the purchase
and ss lts Of ssed to farmers in restrict
ed 3raaS for cash, at cost. It has been
possible for the dspartfnent 10 furnish
some relief Large quantities OF seed
~ cotton. grain SorghumS and corn
have been purchased foi the drought
s;riekeu sections Of Texas In order To
assist in making available adequate
supplies OF seed fov the next piantine
season The department Is taking
similar action IN North Dskota arid
Montana and has arranged to pur'
I Chase considerable quantities Of ole
corn suitable for seed FOR sale Il
1 farmers in Indiana where an emer
| 2encv exists with reference TO the sup
/ plies of visble seed corn.
/ Present Fund Insufficient
/ 1T liz clear however, that the fund
! now a the command OF the depart
rnent are wholly insufficient TO enabl
! il 10 meet the situation properly. l
( production is to be maintained or in
! creased next year. il is essential tina
prompt and adequate action be take
1 to safeguard the seed supplies of III
I ma ton There r. urgent and inmedi
ate need for nj least 100000, and
is probable that an additional sun
Will be required IN the near future.
Two general areas have suffere'
severely from drought during the pas
J season-tha southwest including
large part of Texss and 3 part q
Oklahoma aud a considerable porto
OF the Northwest. including large sec
tions of North Dakota and ga ster
/ Montana. These regions represent
large part If the grain producin
areas 81 the United states. with par
ticular reference to grain sorghum!
oats barley. fax. ard corn. The see