The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-03-01
ASK BIG ACREAGE
Of SPRING WHEAT
Government Calls on Farmer to
Increase Food Supply.
SOUTH SHOULD FEED ITSELF
Agricultural Program for 1918 Urges
Necessity for Producing Large Sup
ply of Foods and Feedstuff to
Feed America and Its Allies.

Washington, d. C.-The planting O
an increased acreage to spring whea
and the production of an increased sup
ply of other food products and of liv,
stock, especially hogs, is recommend
ed in supplementary food production
program issued by the United State.
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizes and am
plifies the f0odproductiOn program
for 1918 issued by the department il
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 II
desirable to offer with q view to Sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod
ucts, cereals, sugar and other staple
and perishabfe foods. wool and cotton
for the nation, its armies, and the al
lies. 1t gives suggestions for the ap-
preaching spring operations, based
upon the latest available information
as to the condition of the fall-planted
crops of winter wheat and rye and as
to the number of meat and dairy ami
mails reported for 1917 They repre-
sent The best 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-
fluction 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 in
1913. 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 be 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 in greatly in
creasing 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
TO equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm la
Dor problem, points out the lines of eff
fort for relief, and outlines the activi-
ties of the federal and state agencies
10 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 to 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
GOWN in 1917 was the largest on record,
he condition of the crop, as reported ,
IN December /. was the lowest ever
ecorded, indicating IA probable produc-
ion of only 540,0O0000 bushels. ,
the actual production will be .
,reater or less than the estimate will
lepend upon conditions prevailing be-
ween now and the time of harvest If :
here were planted to spring wheat in
he United States this year an acreage q
quail to the sum of the record planting a
a each spring wheat state within the
lst ten years. there would be sown ap-
roximately 23,300,0O0 acres. If there
hould be planted IN acreage equal to /,
ne sum of the record planting for each i"
tate within the last five years there q
'ould be sOwn approximately 21,000,- "
DO acres. The record planting for any a
ear was 20.3S1 900. in 1911. The acre II
&c for 1917 was 1851 900.
"The department of agriculture has v
lrefuly studied all these records and ii
her data in connection with the pres
1t war conditions and needs, and be- OF
ewes that ii will be possible this year m
secure an acreage in excess of the Ii
cord acreage which was planted in st
II II Sc believed that increased r
JRcHAsE FARM TOOLS EARLY. m