Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-02-27
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

| ply of other food products and Of live
| stock. especially hogs, is recommend
ed in a supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
| department Of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizes End am
plifies the food-production program
for 1918 issued by the department in
| August. 1917, and other suggestions
made in the fall and the first of this
year regarding increased pork produc-
ton and increased production of food-
stuffs in the South Taken In connec-
ton with the recommendations previ-
ouSly made. 1t suggests In full the pro-
posalS which the department thinks it
desirable to offer with a view 20 Sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod
ucts. cereals. sugar and other staple
and perishable foods, wool and cotton
for the nation It's armies. and the al
lies. II gives suggestions for the ap-
preaching spring operations. based
upon the latest available information
IS to the condition of the fall-planted
crops Of winter wheat and rye and as
10 the number Of meat and dairy ami
mails reported for 1917 They repre-
sent the hest thought Of the special
lists of the department who have had
the benefit Of advice from agricultu-
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 ia
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 he 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 i'm greatly In
creaslng 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
TO Join with the men on the ranges in
providing sheep whose wool is needed
70 equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm la
hor 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 10 make certain
that we shall have an adequate supply
of wheat for our own uses and to meet
| the needs of the allies.
| while the area of winter wheat
sown In 1917 was the largest on record
| the condition II the cro2, as reported
| on December l, was the low est ever
recorded. indicating probable produc-
ton of only 540O000o0 bushels
/ Whether the actual production will be
| grea Ter or less than the estimate will
/ depend upon conditions prevailing be-
/ tween now and the time of harvest. II
/ there were planted 70 spring wheat in
/ the United States this year an acreage
/ equal to the sum of the record planting
in etch spring wheat state within the
last ten years, there would be sown ap-
| pre- Himately 23.S00.O00 acres. II there
/ 81 ould be planted an acreage equal to
/ 'ne sum of the record planting for each
state within the last five years there
( would be sown approximately 2I.OOO,-
600 acres. The record planting for any
! year was 203S1 600, in 1911. The acre
age for 1917 was lS,dll.0O0.
The department of agriculture has
| carefully studied all these records and
| other data In connection with the pres.
1 ent war conditions and needs, and be
lieyeS that IL will be possible this year
/ to secure an acreage in excess of the
record acreage which was planted in
| 1911. II is believed that Increased
acreages can be secured in states and
sections where spring-wheat production
is known to be reasonably promising,
| and h,t such increases can be made
! without upsetting farm plans.
The total acreage will be greatly in
iluenced by what is done In Minnesota,
| North Dakota. Montana and Idaho
..-l-..r.. IL, nnnLltinns hn.-n -. 49,. a. !,