Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-03-01
ASK BIG ACREAGE
Of SPRING WHEAT
Government Calls on Farmer to
Increase Food Supply.
SOUTH SHOULD FEED ITSELF
Agricultural Program for 1918 Urges
Necessity for Producing Large Sup
ply of Foods and Feedstuff to
Feed America and Its Allies.

washington, ID. 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 n supplementary food production
program issued by the United States
department of agriculture.
This program re-emphasizeS and am
plifes the fOod-production program
for 1913 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 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. 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 ~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 u " 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-
ton 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 W people and feed for it's 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. FF~mers are urged
to join with the men on the ranges in
providing sheep whose wool lis needed
to equip soldiers.
The program discusses the farm in.
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 shsuIe
be increased in order to make certain
that we shall have an adequate suppl,
of wheat for our uses and to NEE
the needs Of the allies.
while the area Of winter whea-
sown in 1917 was the largest on record
the condition Of the crop, as reported
on December /, was the lowest eve
recorded, indicating a probable produc
ton Of only 540,Ooo,O 900 bushels
Whether the actual production will b.
greater or less than the estimate will
depend upon conditions prevailing be
tween now and the time of harvest. 1
there were planted to spring wheat il
the United States this year an acreag
equal to the sum of the record plantinj
in each spring wheat state within tn
last ten years, there would be sown up
proximately 23,3OO,0O0 acres. If Their
should be planted an acreage equal t
the sum Of the record planting for eacl
state within the last five years Their
would be sown approximately 21,OO0
600 acres. The record planting for an
year was 20, ZOO, in 1911. The acre
age for 1917 was 1S,511,OOO.
'The department of agriculture ha
carefully studied all these records an
other data in connection with the pre-
ent war conditions and needs, and b.
lieves that it will be possible this yea
to secure an acreage in excess of til
record acreage which was planted i
1911. 1t is believed that increase