The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-03-01
Big lYCREASt
IN FOOD SUPPLY
! IS DEMANDED
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-
sixed-More Hogs Demanded
South Is Urged to Feed
Itself.

Washington, D. C.-The planting OF
an 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
ed I'm a supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizes and am
pIifies the food-production program
for 1918 issued by the department In
August, 1917, and other suggestions
made I'm the fall and the first of this
year regarding increased pork produc-
ton and increased production of food
stuffs i'm the South. Taken In cOnnec-
ton with the recommendations previ-
ously made, it suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks 1t
desirable to offer with 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
lies. 1t gives suggestions for the ap-
preaching spring operations, based
upon the latest available information
MS 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 agrfcultu-
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
he required to provide enough food in
1918. Whether the war continues or
not, 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. 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-
phasis 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 its own people and feed for its 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
10 join with the men on the ranges in
providing sheep whose wool is needed
70 equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm la.
Dor problem, points out the lines of eff
fort for relief, and outlines the activi
lies of the federal and state agencies
10 furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat.
In dealing with the question Of
spring wheat, the program states:
The acreage of spring wheat shouIt
be increased in order to make certai,
that we shall have an adequate suppl,
of wheat for our own uses and to NEE
the needs of the allies.
''While the area of winter whea
sown in 1917 was the largest on record
the condition of the crop, as reporte,
on December 1, was the lowest eve
recorded, indicating probable produc
tion Of only 540,OOO,OOO bushels
Whether the actual production will b
greater or less than the estimate will
depend upon conditions prevailing be
tween now and the time of harvest. ]
there were planted to spring wheat i
the United States this year an acreag
equal to the sum of the record plantin
last ten years, there wOuld'be sown ar
proximately 23,300,OOO acres. If Their
should be planted an acreage equal t
the sum of the record planting for eac
state within the last five years ther
would be sown approximately 81, 0CO
900 acres. The record planting for, an
year was 20,381 900, in 1911. The acy,
age for 1917 was 1851, 900.
'The department Of agriculture hs
carefully studied all these records an
other data in connection with the pre-
ent war conditions and needs, and b
lieyes that 1t will be possible this yes
to secure an acreage in excess Of tt
record acreage which was planted /
1911. 1t is believed that increase
acreages can be secured In states an
sections where spring producti6
Is known to be reasonably promisin
and that such increases can be mat
without upsetting farm plans.
The total acreage will be greatly 1
fiuenced by what is done in Minnesot
North Dakota, Montana and Idah
where the conditions have not been Il
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North American Moose.
The moose is the largest living re