The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-03-13
ASK BIG ACREAGE
Of SPRING WHEAT
Government Calls on Farmer TO
Increase Food Supply.
SOUTH SHOULD FEED ITSELF
Agricultural Program for 1918 Uroes
Necessity for Producing Large SUP.
ply Of Foods and Feedstuf to
Feed America and It's Allies.

fCSO AIUCCJC0 ana It's Allies.
Washington. d. C.-The planting Of
On increased acreage to spring wheat
and the production Of an increased suD-
ply Of other food products and of live
stock, especially hogs, is recommend.
ed in supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
department Of agriculture
This program re-emphasizes and am.
plifes the food-production program
for 1918 issued by the department in
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 preyi.
ously made, 1t suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks 1t
desirable to offer with view to Sc
cure enough meat and dairy prod
ucts, cereals. sugar and other staple
and perishable foods, wool and cotton
for the nation, its armies, and the al
lies. II 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-
duction 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
be 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
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-
non OF the great staple food products
with special stress on wheat and hogs
the leading war foods"
The South Is urged to provide food
Tor its own people and feed for its live
Nock 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
rats Is made clear. Farmers are urged
10 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
tort for relief, and outlines the activi-
ues OF the federal and state agencies
10 furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat.
In dealing with the question of
spring wheat, the program states
fhe acreage Of spring wheat should
oe Increased In order to make certain
mat we shall have an adequate supply
~ wheat for our own uses and to meet
me needs Of the allies.
While the area of winter wheat
sowh in 1917 was the largest on record.
Inc condition Of the crop, as reported
oh December l, was the lowest ever
recorded. indicating probable produc-
uon of only 54O,OOO,OOO bushels.
whether the actual production will be
sreater or less than the estimate will
aepend upon conditions prevailing be-
tween now and the time Of harvest. If
mere We're planted to spring wheat in
"e United States this year an acreage
e4ual TO the sum of the record planting
~ each spring wheat state within the
'ast Ten years, there would be sown APP
proximately 23,3OO,OOO acres. If there
snouid be planted an acreage equal to
me sum of the record planting for each
s'ate within the last five years there
~ %ouid be sown approximately 2l,JOO,- /
Wv acres. The record planting for any
year was 20,3S1 900, in 1911. The acre
age Tor 1917 was 1S,511,O0O.
The department of agriculture has
Are1uliy studied all these records and
otier data in connection with the pres
cut war conditions and needs, and be-
"e'es that 1t will be possible this year
secure an acreage in excess OF the
record acreage which was planted in
''ll. 1t Is believed that increased