Arizona republican., 1918-12-11
FOR MORE FOOD
ACRES IN SALT
RIVER VALE Y
Movement Has Been Started
To Increase Producing
Area To Be Able To
Answer Call OF Europe

The Maricopa county council of de-
Tense has started a movement toward
the enlargement Of the food producing
acreage of the Salt River valley, Il
section that already has about three
fourths of the agricultural production
OF the state.
From Washington has come word
that there must be sent to Europe in
1919 about 10000, 900 tons Of foodstuffs.
or twice as much as went during 1918.
Possibly there will be little trouble in
the transportation of this enormous
tonnage across the water, but it will
have TO be produced, and in this pro-
duction Arizona must have a share.
So Chairman Peterson of the county
council, called to the last executive
committee meeting a number of local
agricultural experts and administra-
tive directors, including Vice Chairman
Adams and Assistant Secretary Green
Of the state council Of defense, Secre-
tary Smalley Of the food administra-
ton, County Farm Agent Heard,
President Frank Parker of the Farm
bureau, Fred TAFT, head of the county
councils grain committee, and Charles
T. Arnold.
No Cotton Land to Spare.
There had been assumption that
much land now devoted to cotton would
be available this winter for planting of
grain. This was denied, it being the
opinion of the experts that next years
cotton acreage would be at least as
large as that of the season now closing,
though, possibly not upon the same
acres.
There also was agreement that cot
ton must be considered d food crop of
large value, averaging about as mucn
seed as does a wheat crop on the same
acreage The cutting down of the al
falfa acreage known last spring, while
In man cases on farms that needed
turning in, still has had a very bad
effect upon the pasturage of feeder
cattle, which now are believed to num-
Der not over 10000 head within the
valley, a decided drop from the maxi
mum figures Of $4,000. at one time
known. The high value attached to
hay Of any sort, due to the demand
from the border military camps and
mining camps, with the added demand
that came from the Texas drought also
has worked against the feeding OF
either cattle or sheep.
May Ask More Wheat.
There was loyal and whole hearted
response, both last and this winter, to
the request that farmers plant wheat,
and for months Arizona has been con
Stunning Arizona wheat, which, accord
ing to Mr. TAFT, They have found as
good as is grown anywhere" 1t is
possible that still more wheat acreae-
Will be called for, but this is matter
that will depend much upon the call
made by Food Administrator Hoover.
following his study of European con-
ditions
1t is known that Australia and
Argentina have great stores of ac-
cumulated wheat. If they have enough
Tor Europe, then America may be
called upon to grow and ship some
thing else.
County Agent Heard believed there
should be a prompt blowing up OF
thousands of unremunerative lands. es-
pecialy of farms that have run to Ber-
muda, a crop valueless in the colder
months, Mr.. Hudson stated his opinion
that fully 10000 acres Of cotton lands
could be changed to wheat or a similar
foodstuff crop.
May Be Dairy Boom.
Mr.. Peterson suggested oats as a
crop Of quick growth and of large re-
turns, especially for hay. Mr. Smalley
gave notice that the government would
carry over the minimum s. a bushsl
guarantee for wheat to June /. 1920. Il
matter Of large concern to the grain
farmer.
There was consideration also of a
possible dairy boom, toward the re-
habilitation of great local industry
that has suffered severely through the
high price Of feed. It was agreed there
should be more diversity in the crops
and yet that small grain acreages had
in them nothing Of profit
Pending receipt OF tho Hoover re-
port, the matter was left in the hands
OF a committee, comprising Chairman
Hudson of the county councils pro-
duction committee, Mr.. TAFT and Mr..
Heard.