The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-22
GROW MORE SPRING
WHEAT-INCRE1SE
THE FOOD SUPPLY
Agricultural Program for Year Re.Em
phasizes the Necessity OF Producing
Large Supply Of Foods and Feed
stuhs TO Feed America and the
Allies-Amplifes Program
Of August, 1917.

ing of an increased acreage TO spring
. wheat and the production of an increases
supply of other food products and of
I'VE stock, especially hogs, Is recon.
mended IN its supplementary food. pro.
ductlon program issued to-day by the
Z. ;. department of agriculture.
| This program rc.emphasizes and am
plliies the food production program for
1918 issued by :he department in Au.
gust, 1917, and otner suggestions made
IN the fall and the first OF this year re.
garding increased pork production and
increased production OF foodstuffs in the
South. Taken in connection with the
recommendation previously made il sug-
gests IN full the proposals which the de.
partment thinks ii desirable TO offer with
view TO secure enough meat and dairy
products, cereals, sugar, and other sta
pie and perishabe foods, wool, and cot
ton for the nation, its armies, and the
allies. II 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 animals re.
ported for 1917. They represent the
! best thought of the specialists of the
department who have had the benefit Of
| advice from agricultural leaders through
out the country.
Notwithstanding an increased pro-
duction of staple crops in the United
States in 1917, there is need for more
food the program states. Taking irfo
account our own needs, the needs of the |
nations associated with us in the war, |
and the needs of friendly neutral ma
tons. our best efforts will be required |
to provide enough food in 1918. Wheth- |
er the war continues or not the de- |
mands on this country, because 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. In |
1917, notwithstanding the many diff
culties encountered, the farmers planted |
the largest acreage in the history of the
nation. harvested record crops of most
things except wheat. and succeeded in
greatly increasing the number of live
stock. The record of the farmers last
year, made in the face of obstacles, is
ground for confidence on their part that,
with equal application and organization,
they can overcome the difficulties this
year but, the program especially points
out, it does not afford justification for
any let-up this year in production aetiyi
ties or in conservation efforts
The Leading War Foods,
THE situation is such that chief en-
pbasis should be given to the produc-
tion of the great staple food products,
with special stress on wheat and hogs
the leading war foods. 1t is believed
that the necessary production can be Sc
cured through the use of the best known
farm methods but it may be necessary
to a small extent to sacrifice certain
of the less important farm crops tenn
porarily in the interest of others which !
rank highest in Importance as food for :
men. Above all, sound farm practice,
including well-established crops rotations !.
with legumes, should not be interfered :
with. This is in the interest chiefly Of :
crops in future years
The South is urged to provide food !,
for its own people and feed for the live !
stock and then TO plant as much cotton
as can well be cultivated and harvested
To raisers of hogs and beef animals the
world need for meats and fats is made L
clear Farmers are urged to join with |
the men on the ranges in providing
-HttD NHuSt Npb - Htcdtu ~ Nihip II
soldiers.
Farm Labor. L
The program discusses the farm labor
problem, points out the lines of effort Z
for relief, and outlines the activities <
of the federal and state agencies TO fur II
nish assistance. It indicates that, while II
he labor situation still presents diff
,ulties and is especially acute IN the
of great industrial centers.
he farmers succeeded in overcoming
hem last year, and that, with better or 6
,anization and especially with deferred
Justification of skilled farm labor, the
difficulties again can be surmounted and
production maintained and increased in fl
ertain directions. nj
The department states that 1t IS as pl
listing and will continue to assist farm fc
RS in every feasible way, through ITS SO
nlarged personnel, funds, and facilities, L
o secure and safeguard their seed sup
lies and to prevent losses OF foodstutfs OF
rom insect pests and diseases of plants 81
nd animals. nc
Spring Wheat. in
In dealing with the question OF spring
1heat, the program states:
The acreage of spring wheat should if
g increased in order to Make certain co
hat we shall have an adequate supply an
{ wheat for our own use and TO meet IN
he needs of the allies. pr
while the area of winter wheat sown 60
1917 was the largest on record. the no
Dndition of the crop. as reported on VIC
lee. I, was the lowest ever recorded, fit
probable production OF only tn
10. 0O0. 600 bushels Whether the actual
reduction will be greater or less than
nc estimate will depend upon condl-
ons prevailing between no. and the I'm
me of harvest. III there were planted OIL
, spring wheat i'm the United States ne
lis wear an acreage equal to the sum on
the record planting IN each spring at
heat state within the last ten years, clu
lere would be sowR approximately % th'
,0. 900 acres. If there should be plant in
an acreage equal to the sum OF the tn;
cord planting for each state within pei
le last five wears. there would be sown LIZ
pro- imatele 2l.000.O00 acres The rec ON
d planting for any year was 2O,5sl 600, poi
1911. The acreage for 1871 was le'- bu
! 900 we
The department of agriculture has we
refulIv studied all these records and If
her data in connection with the pres vii
Il war conditions and needs, and be- the
ives that It will be possible this year oil
secure an acreage in excess OF the rec ing
d acreage which was planted IN 1911. er
l. believed that increased acreages mi