The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-14

David F. Houston, Secretary of Agri-
 culture, in a statement issued today, urged that steps be taken to secure the
 better organization of the agricultural forces of the country, especially or the
 local farm bureaus, in preparation for the execution of the necessary produc- ton programme for 1919. The fall plant , ing programme is completed. informal indications coming to the department are that the farmers planted this Tall con siderably larger acreage in winter wheat than that of year ago, which was 42,- | ITO 900. the second largest planting In the l history of the nation. A large acreage | of rye also has been planted. It is too early, the secretary said, to forecast now | these crops will come through the W.T. l ter and what suggestion should be mace
 as to the spring wheat planting It IS
 also too early to formulate and announce
 the details of the general spring plant ] ing programme. Conditions are chang 1 ing very rapidly and the requisite ln- formation is not now at hand After Iuli conference, suggestions will be made sui 1 ficiently in advance of the planting sea-
 son.
 The secretary, however, pointed out es-
 pecially the need for an increased pro.
 auction of beef and fats. It seems clear,
 he said, that for considerable period 1 the world will demand particularly a larger supply than normal of live stock. | and especially of beef and fats. Amerl- can farmers should not fail to adopt | every feasible means of economically Tn creasing live stock products, TO do tnis 1 farmers should give due thought to the l securing of an adequate supply oI leeu- stuffs and to the eradication and con- trol of all forms of animal disease. Tho department has just issued circular which contains suggestions regarding live stock production.
 FURTHER COOPERATION l Further organization of all agricultural agencies to carry out a carefully consid- 1 cred agricultural programme for 1913 IS necessary. the secretary said, Not only l sho,Id there be the best possible organi- I zation and cooperation of the federal department of agriculture. the agricul- tural colleges, the state departments or agriculture, and farmers associations, l bnt the local farm bureaus and other or ranizations which support the extension forces should be strengthened. The per 4 feoting of this organization Is highly de- | sira hle not only during the continuance I If the present abnormal conditions. but
 also for the future.
 l AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
 An agricultural commission. headed by
 Dr. w o. Thompson, president or the
 Ohio State university, and comprising trpined agrtcultursts, from number o1 1.-the state agricultural colleges and the l IJnited states department or agriculture , has just returned from Europe, where
 if made a thorough investigation Of the agricultural conditions oi .ne aIiea uvu.i, v, tries. The information 1t brings will Dc
 considered in formulating the agricul tufal production programme for lsl9.
 1 The sacretary's statement, addressed tt .tba farmers and the agricultural forces , of the United States" is as followss : we may depend upon our army an' lnayy. in cooperation witho the arme
 and navies of the powers with whicl
 wa are cooperating, to do all that fore ana strategy can do to make our victor, , on the battlefields complete and we ma trtlst the President and the heads 0 these other powers to secure jus neace when the proper time comes. Gu } part is to maintain the agriculture Q the nation on & sound basis, to sccur sufficient foods and feeds for ourselve ; and to meet the demands of the foreig
 nations, and to strengthen the founda
 l tions of agriculture for the future. | RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY During the period since we entere | the war, the farmers of the natiol have responded magnificently to the ar l peals for increased production and a , the people have compiled With the ul !, gent requests for fuel conservation , During this present fall season. ou farmers have planted an increased whea l acreage and large acreage in ry' It is too early now to make detaile suggestions for the spring planting ses son. We do not know how the ia lgrains will come through the winter an , wo are not now able to forecast the d. , lmands and the conditions which wi prevail after the first of the year. "This department,t the agricultur;
 colleges. and other organizations wi