The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-24
GREAT LIBERTY
WINTER WHEAT
CROP IS ASKED
National Plan for Increased Pro.
duction in 1919 Is
Announced
MUST INCREASE ACREAGE

Washington, D. c., July PA ma.
tional plan for great Liberty Wheat
Harvest in 1919 was announce today
ny 4the U. y department of agricul.
ture. American farmers are asked
to sow to winter wheat this fall not
less than 45,O0O,00O acres-an in
crease of per cent oyer last year
sowing-and the department suggests
that an even greater area, approx
mately 47,500000 acres - an increase
of more than II per cent over last
year-c0uId be sown If conditions are
especially favorable in all the states
and would better meet the needs of
the allied nations at war.
667 600. 900 Bushels Winter Wheat.
From the smaller acreage harvest
Of 636 million bushels might be ex-
.pected, it is estimated, and from the
larger acreage $50 millions, based up
on an average Yield OF lo.7 bushels
an acre and an abandOnm ent Of 10 per
cent of the area on account of win
ter kill. :, The plan fixes definite
acreages by states, and in campaign
to be launched imm ediately by the de-
partment and the state agri' '''"""I
colleges and leading farmers through
out the country, growers will be ask
ed to make good their state quotas.
The recommendation regarding the
planting OF spring wheat and other
spring crops and regarding live stock
will follow later.
The total acreages assigned to the
several states, both minimum and max
imum. are shown in the accompany.
ing table with the percentage Of in
crease over the acreage sown last
year indicated for each state In
some states where a large increase Of
winter.wheat acreage is suggested. it
Is planned correspondingly 70 ..-duce
the spring wheat acreage. Winter
wheat Is a safer crop and produces
larger yield per acre, so the exchange
is desirable in sections where this -
practicable. The unusual weather
conditions Of the last two years are
responsible for the increased acre
age OF spring wheat this year in some
sections where winter wheat usually
is more extensively grown.
Considers Needs.
In announcing its wheat produc-
ton program the department consid-
ers the growing needs of this country
and its allies for this essential food.
The last crop report forecasts 1918
harvest of S9O,93O,00O bushels of win
ter and spring wheat. Although this
forecast is gratifying, it is pointed out
that the reserve supply or carry.over
IT wheat this year is practically ex-
hausted and Is the smallest on rec
ord. The need of building up reserves
Of wheat is evident. It is pointed out
that although this country produced a
small wheat crop in 1917, the total ex-
ports Of wheat In excess IT imports,
including flour In terms of wheat.
amounted to apprOxima teiy 100 mil
lion bushels for the year ending June
30. 1918. This is In comparison with
IFS million bushels exported in 1917,
236 million bushels in 1916, and 331
million bushels in 1915 1t was only
possible for the United States to ex-,
port wheat in large quantities in 1915
and 1916 because Of the large wheat
crops Of l912.l3-14.15, which gave this
country An accumulation - stocks Of
this grain. The 1916 and 1917 crops
both we're smaller than any crops
since 1871 and besides this, there was
a greater demand for seed wheat and
an increasing population. f..
Moreover, it must be borne in mind,
says the department. that the carry
over in all the 10 importing countries
Of Europe was practically exhausted
this year before the new harvest: that
the normal consumption requirements
Of the exporting countries are increas-
ing with the growth Of population in
stead Of diminishing that some losses
inAstorage and transit may be expect
cd to continue, and that it is highly
desirable that surplus should be &C.
cumplatcd as insurance against par
tial crop failure next year To pro
vide for these additional requirements
1t Is therefore extremely desirable
that the maximum acreage of winter
wheat recommended be planted by the
farmers in the United States this fall