Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-17
AMERICAN FARMS
TO PRODUCE CROPS
Secretary Houston Urges Better
Organization of Local
Agencies.
NEED MORE BEEF AND FATS
For Considerable Period World
Will Demand More
Live Stock.
NEED MORE BEEF AND FATS

WASHINGTON. November 16.-David
r. Houston. Secretary of Agriculture,
IN statement issued to day urged that
steps be taken to secure the better
organization of the agricultural forces
OF the country. especially Of the local
farm bureaus, IN preparation for the
execution or tn" necessary production
program for 1918 The fall planting
program is competed. Informal indi-
cations coming 10 the department are
that the farmers planted this fall a
considerably larger acreage in winter
Mncat than that OF year ago, which
planting in the history OF the nation
large acreage OF rye also has been
painted. 1t Is too early. the secretary
come through the, winter and what
suggestion should be made as to the
spring wheat planting. II is also too
early to formulate and announce the
details OF the general spring planting
program. Conditions are changing very
rapidly. and the requisite information
Is not nov at band Af,er fun confer
GENTLY in advance Of the planting sea-
son.
Tho secretary. however. pointed out
e1pecially the need for an increased
production OF beef and fats. 1t seems
clear. he said. that for considerable
period the world will demand particu-
iarly larger supply than normal OF
live stock. and especially Of beef and
iats. American farmers should not
Tail to adopt every feasible means OF
economically increasing live stock pro-
ducts. To do this farmers should give
due thought to the securing Of an
adequate supply OF feedstufrs and to the
eradication and control Of all forms
Of animal disease. The depa rtment has
lust issued circular which contains
suggestions regarding live stock pro-
auction.
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF
- ~
2 Further organization of all sGricul-
ural Eencies to carry out a carefully
.pnsiuered agricultural program for
1919 is necessary. tho secretary said.
possible organization and co-opera-
ton OF tho Federal Department Of Az
nculture. the agricultural colleges,
md farmers associations, but the local
farm bureaus and other organizations
which support the extension forces
Ing of this organization is highly de
sirable not only during the continuance
Of the present normal conditions, but
also for the future.
by DR.: W., o. Thompson. president OF
the Ohio State University. and COM
prlsinE trained agricuiturists from a
leges and the United States Depart
nent of Agriculture. has just returned
from Europe. where 1t made thor
conditions OF the allied countries. The
Information IL brings will be consid-
cred tn formulating the agricultural
The secrctary's statement. addressed
to the farmers and the agricultural
forces of the United States" Is as fol-
lows:
I'VE may depend upon our army and
iavy. in cooperation with the armies
and navies OF the powers with which
sic are cooperating, TO do all that
force and strategy can do to make
,ur victory on the nattie fic as compete.
ind we may trust the President and
tho heads of these other powers to
iecure a just peace when the proper
time comes. Our part is to maintain
found basis: TO secure sufficient foods
and feeds for ourselves and to meet
the demand OF the foreign nations.
agriculture for the future
-'"Durins the period since we entered
the war the (farme 1T the natinn
have responded magniiicently to the
appeals for increased production and
I'll the people have complied with the
argent requests for fuller conserva-
tion. During this nrcsen, fan season
wheat acreage and large acreage
In rye. 1t is too early now to make
detailed suggestions for the spring
PA fn season WE do not know now
winter and We are not now able to
forecast the demands and the cond
tons which will prevail after the
This department. the agricultural
colleges and other organizations Will
:ontinue to. give definite thought to
~ the Problems. and. at the proper
1.-TWO things seem to be clear:
.nne Is that for considerable
.iculariy of a larger supply than
aorinal OF live stock. and especially
Of beef and fats. We should not fail.
therefore. to adopt every feasible means
or economically increasing our live
stock products. AS part OF our pro-
gram. we should give due thought to
the securing OF an ade""ai" supply
ST feedstuffs end to eradication and
control OF all forms Of animal disease
GREAT NEED TO PERFECT
EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION
The other is the need of perfecting
The organization of our agricultural
gently executing such program as
may seem wise. We should not. only
have the best possible organization
i,nd cooperation of the Department OF
The State departments of agriculture
and farmers associations. but we
should especially strengthen the local
farm bureaus and other, organiza tons
which support so effectively the eX
tension forces and assist them in their
activities. The perfecting Of this or.
sanizatlon ID mighty desirable not only
during the continuance OF the present
abnormal conditions. hut also for the
future. The local as we'll as the state
and Federal agencies are of supreme
Importance to the nation in ali its
hetivities designed to make rural life
more profitable healthfui. and attrac.
tive. and. therefore. to secure ADEQUATE
economic production. efficient f1istri-
button, and necessary conservation
The main purpose OF this apDeal In
10 direct attention tn the necessity Of
continuing our state of preparedness
md of strenptheni tI,o ,'Ss'o