Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1918-02-28
Agricultural Departments Pro-
gram for 1918 Points Out
Needs of Nation and Allies.
GROW MORE SPRING WHEAT
Necessity Of Producing Large Supply
Of Foods and Feedstuffs Is Empha-
slzed-More Hogs Demanded
South Is Urged to Feed
Itself.

Washington, d. C.-The planting Of
an increased acreage to spring whea
and the production of an increased sup
ply of other food products and of live
stock, especially hogs, is recommend
ed In a supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizes and am
plifies the fOod-productiOn program
for 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-
ton and increased production Of food
stuffs In the South. Taken in connec-
ton with the recommendations prevt-
ously made, 1t suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks 1t
desirable to offer with a view to Sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod
ucts, cereals, sugar and other staple,
and perishable foods, wool and cotton
for the nation, Its armies, and the al
Mes. II gives suggestions for the ap-
proachiHg 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 ami
mails reported for 1917. They repre-
sent the best thought Of the special
lists Of the department who have had
the benefit Of advice from agricultu-
raj leaders throughout the country.
Our Best Efforts Required.
Notwithstanding an increased pro-
ductiOn 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, be-
cause of theiincfeaslng 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 situation is such that chief en-
phass should be given to the produc-
ton of the great staple food products,
with special stress on wheat and hogs,
the leading war foods"
The South Is urged to provide food
for It's own people and feed for it's live
stock and then to plant as much cotton
as can well be cultivated and harvest
ed To raisers of hogs and beef ami
mails the world need for meats and
fats is made clear. Farmers are urged
to join with the men on the ranges in
providing sheep whose wool is needed
to equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm la
Dor problem, points out the lines of eff
fort for relief, and outlines the activi-
Hes of the federal and state agencies
to furnish assistance
Spring Wheat. 81.
In dealing with the question of I
spring wheat, the program states:
The acreage of spring wheat should
be Increased in order to make certain
that we shall have an adequate supply
81 wheat for our own uses and to meet I
the needs Of the allies.
while the area of winter wheat
IN, Il, | =
he condition Of the crop, as reported
IN December 1, was the lowest ever c
'ecorded, indicating probable produc |
ion of only 540,O00,000 bushels. c
Whether the actual production will be
greater or less than the estimate will q
depend upon conditions prevailing be- q
ween now and the time of harvest If q
here were planted to spring wheat In
he United States this year an acreage
.Qual to the sum of the record planting II
n each spring wheat state within the a
asst ten years, there would be sown APP v
23,3OOO0O acres. If there II
hould be planted an acreage equal to b
he sum of the record planting for each il
tate within the last five years there a
would be sown approximately 21,0O0,- n
100 acres. The record planting for any
ear was 20,381 900, in 1911. The acre n
&c for 1917 was 1S,511,00O. b
THE department of agriculture has a
arefully studied all these records and t!
Their data in connection with the pres 81
mt war conditions and needs, and be- fl
ewes that 1t will be possible this year
0 secure an acreage in excess of the 81
ecord acreage which was planted In p
OIL. 1t is believed that increased
creages can be secured in states and e:
ections where spring-wheat production p
known to be reasonably promising, 81
nd that such increases can be made
'ithout upsetting farm plans. p,
The total acreage will be greatly in CT
uenced by what is done in Minnesota, re
orth Dakota, Montana and Idaho, al
here the conditions have not been the al