The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-18
ASKS SIX MILLIONS
TO BUY SEED
Secretary Houston Requests Appro-
priation for Purchase and Sale OF
Seed at Cost to Meet Unusual Con-
ditions.

T1culJufe, mas dShSu eohBANsS
appropriation of S6,000,0OO to enable
the department of agriculture to buy
and sell seed to farmers for cost at
a reasonable price. The necessity for
the appropriation is explained in the
following letter, which the secretary
has sent to the secretary Of the treas
ury.
Il have the honor to submit here
with, for transmission to congress for
inclusion in the urgent deficiency bill,
an estimate of an appropriation OF
s6,0OO,0 900 to enable the department to
purchase and sell seeds to farmers IN
areas here unusual conditions pre-
vail. and particularly in those which
have suffered during the past season
from severe drought. 1t is suggested
that the following language will ac-
complish the purpose which the de-
partment has in mind:
"'To enable the secretary OF agricul
ture to meet the emergency caused by
the need of food and feed crops by
purchasing or contracting with per-
sons to grow seeds suitable for the
production of food or feed crops and
to store, transport, and furnish such
seeds to farmers for cash at reasona-
ble prices, s6,000,000, and this fund
NAV be used as ar evolving fund un-
til the secretary Of agriculture deter
mines that such emergency exists and
the secretary Of agriculture is author
lied to pay all such expenses, includ-
ing rent, and to employ such persons
and means, in the District OF Column
bia and elsewhere, and to cooperate
with such state authorities, local or
carnations, or individuals as he may
deem necessary to accomplish such
purpose
"The seed situation has presented,
and continues to present, many diff
culties. Under the provision OF the
fod production act, which made avail
able s2,50OOOO for the purchase and
sale Of seeds to farmers in restricted
areas for cash, at cost, it has been pos
sible for the department to furnish
some relief. Large quantities of seed
of cotton, grain sorghums, and corn
have been purchased for the drought
stricken sections of Texas in order to
assist in making available adequate
supplies of seed for the next planting
season. The department is taking
similar action in North Dakota and
Montana and has arranged to purchase
considerable quantities of old corn
suitable for seed for sale to farmers
in Indiana, where an emergency exists
with reference to the supplies of via
BILE seed corn.
cit is clear, however, that the funds
AT the command of the department are
wholly insufficient to enable it to meet
the situation properly. If production
IS to be maintained or increased next
wear. it is essential that prompt and
adequate action be taken to safeguard
the seed supplies of the nation. There
is urgent and immediate need for at
least S6,000,000, and it is probable
that an additional sum will be required
in the near future.
1.-TWO general areas have suffered
severity from drought during the past
season-the southwest, including a
large part of Texas and a part of Ok
lahoma, and considerable portion OF
the northwest, including large sections
of North Dakota and eastern Monta-
ma. These regions represent large
mart of the grain producing area OF
the United States, with par ocular ref
erence to grain sorghums, oats, bar
lev. fax and corn. The seed corn sit
uation in the northern half of the corn
belt is more serious than it has been
for many years. Early frost through
out the northern part of the corn belt
caught much of the corn either in the
milk or in the dough stages and, altho
the crop was large, it contains an I'M
usually high percentage of soft corn.
The high prices prevailing also have
caused farmers to sell their old corn
and consequently there is much
smaller supply on hand than in former
years.
Reports received through the de-
partment's agents and from other sour
ces are to the effect that the crop both
Of grains and forage sorghums in
Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma was
badly damaged by drought and early
frosts. Unless prompt action is taken
to buy and store the seed pronounc-
ed shortage will undoubtedly exist
next spring.
early maturing varieties of soy
beans in recent years have become
very important in several northern
states, especially in Michigan and Wis
consin. The early frost of this year
caught the soy beans in these states
when they were about half mature
and the seed crop, therefore, is practi-
cally total loss. The probable large
use of soy beans as feed, both whole
and ground, and as human food, will
absorb large part Of the crop of the
early varieties harvested in Indiana
and Ohio. Since these are the only
sections from which suitable seed for
Michigan and Wisconsin can be Sc
cured it is important that adequate
seed supplies be withdrawn from con-
sumption and made available for plant
ing during the next season.
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