Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-06-14
ASK BIG ACREAGE
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VI VI IHNU WHLRI
government Calls on Farmer to
Increase Food Supply.
SOUTH SHOULD FEED ITSELF
agricultural Program for 1918 urpes
Necessity for Producing Large Sup
ply Of Foods and F~eedTtuH to
Feed America and lts Allies.

washington. d. C.-The planting o
N Increased acreage to ssAng whea
o the production OF an increased sun
Oily OF other food products and OF liv,
stock, especially hogs. Is recommend
Cd In n supplementary food production
program Issued by the United State.
department OF agriculture.
mis- program re-emphasizes and nm
Oiines the food production program
TOR 1915 issued by the department In
August, 1917, and other suggestions
made In the fall and the first Of this
year regarding increased pork produc-
don and increased production of food
sturs In the South. Taken In connec-
uon with the recommendations previ-
ousiy made, II suggests In full the pro-
eosals which the department thinks II
desirable TO offer with a view TO sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod.
ucts, cereals, sugar and other staple
and perishable foods, wool and cotton
Tor the nation, It's armies, and the al
Hes. II gives suggestions for the ap-
preaching spring operations, based
npon the latest available Information
as to the condition OF the fall-planted
crops of winter wheat and rye and as
10 the number Of meat and dairy ami
mals 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-
cal leaders throughout the country.
Our Best Efforts Required.
Notwithstanding an increased pro
suction Of staple crops In the United
states In 1917. there is need for more
sood,' the program states. Taking
into recount our own needs, the needs
OF the nations associated with us In
this war, and the needs OF friendly |
neutral nations, u best efforts will |
DC required to provide enough food in
1918. Whether the war continues or
not the demands on this country, be-
cause OF the Increasing population and
me needs OF Europe will be great. An
especially strong demnpd will be made
on this country for meats and live
stock. 10 1917. Notwithstanding the
many d~iflcultfes encountered, the
farmers planted the largest acreage
n the history Of the nation. harvested
record crops OF most things except
wheat, and succeeded In greatly in
erensing the number Of live stock
The situation is such that chief EN-
'hasis should be given to the produc-
ION OF h great staple food products.
With special stress on wheat and hora
ne leading war foods"
The South Is urged to provide food
or Its own people and feed for its live
tock and then to plant as much cotton
70 can we'll be cultivated and harvest.
q. To raisers Of hogs and beef ami.
mails the world need for meats and
ats Is made clear. Farmers are urged
o JOLT with the men on the ranges In
'rovidlng sheep whose wool 4, needed
o equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm Ia
or problem, points out the lines of ca
crt for relief. and outlines the actiyi-
les OF the federal and state agencies
o furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat.
In dealing with the question Of
'pring wheat, the program states:
n acreage Of spring wheat should
y Increased In order to make certain
We shall have an adequate supnly
u wheat for our own uses and TO meet
needs Of the aIliea !
While the area OF winter wheat
In 1917 was the largest on record.
condition Of the crop. as reported ,
n December l, was the lowest ever
ecorded, Indicating n probable produc-
Ion of only $4,000, 900 bushels. '
whether the actual production Will be :
or less than the estimate will
epend upon conditions prevailing be
now II the time of harvest. If
mere were planted to spring wheat in ,
ne United States this year an acreage i,
Qual to the sum of the record planting ,
D each spring wheat state within the
,st ten years, there would be sown an
roximately 23-So0,0oO acres. If there
hould be planted an acreage equal to ,
sum Of the record planting for each ,
within the last five years there
be sown approximately l,oOO,- ,
70 acres. The record planting for any -,
ear was 20,SSi, 900, In 1911. The acre ,
for 1917 was 1851, 600.
THE department of agriculture has ,
studied all these records and :
her data In connection with the pres
war conditions and needs, and be- =
that II will be possible this year Il
secure an acreage In excess OF the L
cord acreage which was planted in s
1t is believed that increased I
Reached His Capacity.