The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-03-01


sections where spring-wheat production
u known to be reasonably promising.
and that such increases can be made
without upsetting farm plans.
1t 10 hoped that many farmers, espe-
cially in the northern part of the corn
belt. will find 1t possible to plant five
to ten acres additional In wheat. In
some cases they will plant more. In
4 number Of states in the eastern and
central portions Of the country where
spring wheat has not been grown in
established and 1t Is recommended that
this movement be encouraged.
To q small extent the acreage in
oats, If necessary, could be reduced in
the interest of wheat. Likewise,
very small portion OF the acreage
which normally would be planted to
corn in the northern part of the corn
belt might be sown to spring wheat.
II the acreage of spring wheat indi-
Gated for some of the states cannot be
planted, the barley acreage, which is
known to grow better in some locali-
ties. might be increased. The use of
barley for food is increasing in this
country and it is a welcome food in
Europe.
Summary Of Other Recommendation
Following is a summary of other i'm
portant recommendations regarding
cereals, meat, poultry, and perishables.
Hogs. The number Of hogs should
be increased by at least 10 per cent
during the year 1918.
Sugar. Effort should be made to
maintain the acreage of sugar cane and
sugar beets, and to increase these
areas in SO far as these crops are well
established or are necessary to sound
agricultural practice.
Production of satisfactory substi-
tutes for sugar, including sorghum,
corn and cane sirup, maple products
and honey can and should be in
creased
Dairy Products. The supply of dairy
products should be maintained to meet
the needs of this country and to help
supply the increasing demands of the
allies.
Poultry. Poultry production should
be increased greatly, especially in back
yards and on farms where waste mate
rial is available and the purchase of
expensive grains and other material Is
not required.
Corn. An acreage of corn approx
mately equal to that Of 1917 should be
planted. with possible slight reductions
in certain sections to free areas for
spring wheat.
Oats, Barley, Rice, Buckwheat and
Faxseed. The area in oats should be
maintained, especially in regions and
on soils which are not so well adapted
to other grains, but with small reduc-
ton to provide for increasing the
wheat acreage. Barley production
should be increased In regions where
it grows best, especially In the north
ern edge of the corn belt and in sec
tions north and west Of the belt; and
rice, buckwheat and flaxseed produc-
ton should be maintained and, II pos
sible, increased.
Potatoes. The normal acreage Of
Irish and sweet potatoes should be
maintained in 1918, Notwithstanding
the large crops in 1917.
Hay, Forage and Pastures. Wher-
ever feasible, the area devoted to hay,
forage and silage crops should be in
creased and these products should be
used to q greater extent in place OF
grains and other concentrates.
Beet Animals- The number of beef
animals should be maintained and, in
areas where It is clearly the best range
and farm practice should be increased.
Beans, Peas and Peanuts. The pro-
duction of beans and peas should be
increased In regions to which they are
adapted, because Of their high food
value, keeping qualities, and available
ity for domestic or export trade. Soy
beans and peanuts should be increased
in order to supplement beans and peas
as human food, as a source of much
needed oil, and as animal feeds.
PerishabIes. (a) Market gardens
near large consuming centers should
be increased so as to meet, as nearly
as possible, the needs of the communi-
ty. and in order to obviate the neces-
sity of transporting such products
from distant points.
1t Is important to do all that Is pos
sible to relieve the strain upon trans
portation facilities.
(b) The planting Of home gardens.
especially for family needs and for
preserving food for future use. again
should be emphasized.
(c) The commercial production of
perishables generally should be In
creased above normal wherever 1t IL
reasonably clear that transportation
and ma rk citing facilities will be avail
able.