The Benson signal., 1918-03-02
MORE SPRING WHEAT
ASKED OF FARMERS
Large Supply of Food and Feed
Stuffs Needed in 1918.
Agricultural Department Asks lncreas-
ed Pork Production and Larger
Acreage of Grain Crops.


Washington, D. C.-The planting of
an increased acreage to spring wheat
and the production of an increased sup
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
plifies 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-
tion and increased production Of food
stuffs in the South. Taken in connec-
tiOn with the recommendations previ-
ously made, it suggests in full the pro-
posals which the department thinks it
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, it's armies, and the al
lies. It 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-
tion 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 it's own people and feed for it's live
stock and then to plant as much cotton
as can we'll 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 la
Dor problem, points out the lines Of eff
fort for relief, and outlines the activi-
ties of the federal and state agencies
to furnish assistance.
Spring Wheat.
In dealing with the question of
spring wheat, the program states:
The acreage of spring wheat should
be increased in order to make certain
that we shall have An adequate supply
of wheat for our own uses and to meet
the needs of the allies.
"While the area of winter wheat
sown in 1917 was the largest on record,
the condition of the crop, as reported
on December I, was the lowest ever
recorded, indicating probable produc-
ton Of only 540,00O,OOO bushels.
Whether the actual production will be
greater or less than the estimate will
depend upon conditions prevailing be-
tween now and the time of harvest If
there were planted to spring wheat in
the United States this year an acreage
equal to the sum of the record planting
in each spring wheat state within the
proximately 23,3OO,O0O acres. If there
should be planted an acreage equal to
the sum of the record planting for each
state within the last five years there
would be sown approximately 21,OOO,-
600 acres. The record planting for any
year was 2O,3S1 900, in 1911. The acre
age for 1917 was 1851, 900.
''The department of agriculture has
carefully studied all these records and
other data in connection with the pres
ent war conditions and needs, and be-
to secure an acreage in excess Of the
record acreage which was planted in