The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-20
SECRETARY OF ACRICULT URE is
MUCH CRATIFIED AT SUCCESS OF
PLANS TO INCREASE FOOD SUPPLY
Reviews the Situation of Last Year, Points Out the Gains
Made and Urges Still Further Efforts During Present
Season Gain Made Last Year Must Be Continued,
He Says, to Win the War.

NOTE: The Secretary Of Agricul-
ment bearing on the leading results
of the planting and production. &C
tivities in 1917. It furnishes ground
for encouragement that the farmers
Of the Nation can again overcome
difficulties and produce large supply
of foods and foodstufs this year, but
it does not afford justification for any
let-up in production activities or in
conservation efforts.
The production Of food crops and
of animals and animal products is
always a matter Of great interest to
all the people of the Nation. At this
particular time, it is of especial in
terest and concern. Statistics regard
ing the acreages and yields of import
ant food crops planted during the
year 1911 have been available in the
Department of Agriculture for some
time and have been made public. The
recent report of the Bureau of Crop
Estimates on the number of live stock
on farms and ranges, however, makes
it possible now to exhibit a summary
operations for the year.
Naturally, when the Nation entered
the war on April 6, 1917, there was
much confusion and apprehension as
to the possibility Of increasing or even
Of maintaining agricultural produc-
ton. There was special concern as to
the sufficiency of the supply CT labor
that would be available for farming
operations and much apprehension
was manifested over the diturbance
of the supply as the result Of indus
trial demands and the drafting or
volunteering of men for service in the
Army and Navy. AS a matter Of fact
there was no little disturbance and in
some sections the situation was es-
piccia1ly acute. There were other
difficulties confronting the farmers,
including those of securing fertilizer
and machinery in sufficient quantities
at a reasonable cost.
Notwithstanding all the difficulties
however, the farmers periodically
responding to the appeals to them and
Influenced by the prevailing prices,
labored energettcally to met the needs
of this Nation for food and also those
of the friendly nations in Europe.
They planted the largest acreages in
the history of the country, produced
and harvested record crops of moSt
products except wheat, and succeeded
in increasing the number Of live stock
including not only work animals, but
meat and milk animals
The achievements of the farmers
congratulation and encouragement,
but not for complacency or for any
let up this year in efforts to better
the record and to conserve food, The
necessity Of again securing large
yields from the farms and ranches
this year has been strikingly empha.
sized by the President in his message
| to the farmers of the country and Is
steadily being pointed out by the De-
| partment of Agriculture and Other
agencies through various channels, in
| Guiding especially the extensive farm
demonstration activities of the de-
partment and State agricultural col
leges. Specific suggestions are now
under consideration for the sprins
campaign ana will be maJe public ir
/
will be economically wise and advan
tageous for the farmers of the Natio.
to put forth their best efforts during
the coming season to equal and, i
possible, to exceed, their record Of las
year. In spite Of the large production
| in many directions during 1917, the
situation is not satisfactory. The sup
ply of wheat in this Nation and tn,
world is inadequate. Owing to shor
crops in preceding years, the reserve!
of a number of important commodttie
have been greatly reduced. Whether
the war continues or not, the demant
on this country, because of the in
creasing population and Of the need
Of Europe, viii be great. They viii
continue to be great for a considera
BILE period even after peace returns
There will be an especially strong de
mand made on this country for meat
and live stock.
The record of farmers last year
made in the face of obstacles, i
ground for confidence on their par
that. with equal application and or
ganization they can overcome tn
difficulties Of last year. Unquestiona
bly, there will be difficulties to sur
mount-difficultie in respect to labo
and in respect to fertilizers, both as t
price and quantity. Prices of farm ma
chinery also, with other things, hav
risen. In some respects, the farr
labor situation may not be quite S
difficult as last year. alth ough it wi
continue to be especially acute
certain sections of the country. Tn
environments have been built and thel
will not be renewal of urgent de
; mands in many sections for labor n
such work. The draft regulations PR
vide for the deferred classification {
: skilled farm labor. The Secretary {
War has asked Congress for power
furlough soldiers of the National Arm
d for agricultural service if necessar
Bearing these matters in mind,
SENS likely that the farmers, by e,
ercising their talent for cooperate
& and organization, with such assistant
as can be furnished by government
and other agencies, will again be alb
3 to overcome the difficulties. The D.
partment of Agriculture and Lab
Z are continuing to develop their O
z CARNATIONS to assist farmers in S
curing the labor needed in their ope
/, ations. They are especially planni1
o to assist in the transfer of labor fro
community to community and fro
State to State.
ID Acreage of Leading Food Crops
1t The farmers of the Nation plant,
r during 1917 an acreage of 246, 27s
If 900 of the leading food crops (wint