The Pulaskian., 1918-03-01
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- sIzed-More Hogs Demanded South Is Urged to Feed
 Itself.

Washington. n C.-The planting of sa Increased acreage to spring wheat and the production of an increased sup ply of other food products and of live stock. especially hogs. Is recommend cd tn supplementary food production program issued hy the United States department of agriculture.
 This program re-ennnhasizes and ann plifes the food-production program for 1918 issued hv the department in August, 1917. and other suggestions made in the fall and the first of this year regarding increased pork praduc- ton and increased production of food stuffs in the South. Taken in connec- ton with the recommendations previ- ousIy made 1t suggests in fun the pro posais which the department thinks it desirable to offer with view to se- cure enough meat and dairy prod acts. cereals. sugar and other staple and perishable foods, wool and cotton for the nation. It's armies. and the al- lies. It gives suggestions for the ap preaching 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 ani- malls reported for 1917. They repre- sent the hest thought of the special fists of the department who have had the benefit of advice from agricultu- raI leaders throughout the country.
 
 Our Best Efforts Required.
 Notwithstanding an increased pro- duction Of staple erons in the United States in 1917. there is need fo~ 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 he required to provide enouch food in 1918. Whether the war continues or moi. the demands on this country. be- cause of the increasing population and the needs of Europe will be great An especially strong demand will be made on this country for meats and live stock. Tn 1917, notwithstanding the fIfany difficulties encountered the farmers planted the largest acreages sfn the history of the nation. harvested sxecord crops of most things except wheat. and succeeded in greatly in- @reasing the number of live stock"
 "The situation is such tha" chief em- phaSls shonld he given to the produc- tion 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 Its own people and feed for it's live ssfock and then to plant as much cotton as can well be cultivated and harvest ed. To rnisers of hogs and beef ami mals 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 bor problem. points out the lines of ef- fort for relief, and outlines the activi- ties of the federal and state agencies to furnish assistance.
 Spring Wheat
 In dealing with the question of 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 of wheat for cur own uses and to meet che needs or the allies.
 @While the area of winter wheat eown in 1917 was the largest on record. the condition of the crop. as reported on December 1. was the lowest ever recorded, indicating probable produc tion of only 540090.000 bushels Whether the actual production will be greater or less than the estimate will depend upon conditions prevailing be- tween now and the time of harvest. If there were planted to spring wheat in the United States this year an acreage equal to tle sum of the record planting fin each spring wheat state within the last ten years, there would be sown ap- pvoximately 23,300,G30 acres. If there should be planted an acreage equal 10 the sum of the record planting for each state within the last five years there would be sown approximately 21,000,- 600 acres. The record planting for any year was 20,381 .000, in 1911. The acre age for 1917 was 1851 ,000
 44The department of agriculture las carefully studied all these records and other data i'll connection with the pres ent war conditions and needs, and be- lfeves that 1t will be possible this year to secure an acreage in excess of the record acreage which was planted in 1911 It is believed that increased acreages can be secured in states and sections where spring wheat production fs known to be reasonably promising, und that such increases can be made without upsetting farm plans.
 The total acreage will be greatly in Guenced by what is done in Minnesota, North Dakota. Montana and Idaho, where the conditions have not been the