Meade County news., 1918-02-28
MORE SPRING WHEAT
ASKED OF FARMERS
Large Supply Of Food and Feed
Stuffs Needed in 1918.
Agricultural Department Asks lnereas-
ed Pork Production and Larger
Acreage Of Grain Crops.

SlOCh, especially nOBSt 10 TcCOLulucuu-
ed In supplementary food production
program Issued by the United States
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphaslzes and am
plifes the food-productlon 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-
tion and increased production Of food
stuffs In the South. Taken in cOnnec-
ton with the recommendations prevl-
ously made, 1t suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks 1t
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
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 agrlcultu-
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-
phasls should be given to the produc-
tlon 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 Ia
Dor problem, points out the lines of ef
fort for relief, and outlines the activi.
ties Of the federal and state agencies
to furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat.
In dealing with the question o.
spring wheat, the program states:
Tho acreage Of spring wheat shoulc
be Increased In order to make certain
that we shall have an adequate supply
Of wheat for our own uses and to mee'
the needs Of the allies.
"Whlle the area of winter wheat
sown in 1917 was the largest on record
the condition Of the crop, as reported
on December /, was the lowest evei
recorded, indicating probable produc
ton Of only 540,000,o00 bushels
Whether the actual production will bt
greater or less than the estimate will
depend upon conditions prevailing be
tween now and the time Of harvest. Il
there were planted to spring wheat IL
the United States this year an acreage
equal to the sum Of the record planting
In each spring wheat state within thu
last ten years, there would be sown ap
proximately 23,800000 acres. II ther'
should be planted an acreage equal t.
the sum of the record planting for eacl
state within the last fiVe years thert
would be sown approximately 21,0OO,
900 acres. The record planting for an!
year was 20,8S1 900, in 1911. The acre
age for 1917 was 1881, 900.
'SThe department of agriculture ha
carefully studied all these records an,
other data in connection with the pres
ent war conditions and needs, and be
lieves that 1t will be possible this yea
to secure an acreage in excess Of tn
record acreage which was planted Il
1911. It Is believed that increases
acreaRes can be secured In states an
sections where spring-wheat productio
is known to be reasonably promising
and that such increases can be mad
without upsetting farm plans.
1t is hoped that many farmers, esp'
cially in the northern part Of the cor
belt, will find 1t possible to plant nv
to ten acres additional in wheat. l
some cases they will plant more. l
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