The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-18
MACEDONIA MAY BECOME GRANARY
 OF THE BALKANS
Possibilities of Reclaiming Uncultivated Areas After War and Growing Ce-
 real Attract Attention

Washington, August 17.-Macedonia, as a result of the war, may become the granary of the Balkans. as it was in antiquity Only a part of its soil has been cultivated in modern times. and that with very rudimentary means.
 The possibility of retaining the cul- tivated areas after the war and util- izing them for growing wheat and oth- CT cereals has attracted the attention of experts who have gone there, with the allied armies, say department of commerce advices from Saloniki, Greece. The French, especially, are interested.
 Many of the soldiers there, of all nationaIities represented, plan to es tablish themselves there and take up agriculture after the war. reports George Horton. American consul gen. eral at Saloniki. The soldiers have seen how rich is the soil and what wonderful results it produces with ir- adequate means.
 European immigration. it is assert ed, should not be encouraged until three problems have been solved. These are how to combat the marsh fever. how to ameliorate the conditions of the inhabitants and better their homes, and sanitary surroundings, and to in- trOQuce ATner1can farm fnacnlnery ana other saving devices.
 Marsh fever is regarded as having done as much toward devastating the country as years of war. Fortunately, the country, which will be benefited in many ways by the presence of the al- lied armies, will also have the benefit of efforts now being made to combat the fever. A durable and efficient or ganization, whose sole duty will be to afi nj ifa1u iS io pected to be the outgrowth of army organization.
 For centuries the Macedonians have lived amid insanitary conditions. Amel- ioration of this condition must come before the real development of the country. The people have 1abored with the most primitive tools and rarely been sure of enjoying the fruits of their toll. Yet they must provide the main body of 1aborers for the cultiva- tion and redemption of Macedonia, be- cause they are inured to climatic con- ditions.
 Motor and tractor implements, mak- ing labor easier in the trying cli- mate, also are necessary because they would solve to large extent the ques- ton of obtaining sufficient number of workers. American tractor imple- ments are already being used success fully by the British and French armies and recently an American Red Cross detachment arrived there with the pur- pose of cultivating the extensive plains south of Monastir. American farm implements having been introduced, should play an important part in the redemption of Macedonia
 Water power is also waiting develop ment MT. Horton says the principal grain merchants report that the annual crop of cereals of the three vilayets or provinces of Monastir, Kossove and Saloniki, in the years preceding 1890, was 500, 900 to 100000 tons. Since then the yield has decreased to 10000 tons, principally because of insecure condi- tions and emigration of workers
 With the modern methods and with some plains drained. it is estimated that region should yield at least 1.500.- 900 tons of grain, and with this done Macedonia would turn back its history and again be 'the granery of the Bal kans."