The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-25
CROPS WORTH NEARLY
ELEVEN BILLIONS
Farm Value of Nations 1917 Produe-
ton l-2 Times That of 1903: ILL
NOis Leads: Stop Leaks to Rats and
Mice.

Thirteen principal farm crops il
this country in 1917 had value at the
farm of S10,700,OO0,0O0, according tC
estimates of the United States depart.
ment of agriculture, or nearly IL
times the value for the census year
1909. This amount is about four
hfths OF the value of all crops. These
crops include seven cereals, flaxseed
potatoes, sweet potatoes, tame hay, to-
bacco, and lint cotton. Three states
stand out far in the lead in their share
of this great and unprecedented to-
tai Illinois is in the front with a val
ue Of S775,000000 for these crops,
Iowa is next with $712, 100000, and
Texas is third with S647,O0O,0O0.
The position of Texas is determined
by the cotton crop, which was much
damaged by drought; in 1916 and in
the average Of the preceding five years
Texas led I'll the states in the total
value Of these crops, and this without
including cottonseed in the value Of
the cotton crop. The states that fol-
low in order after Texas in 1917 are
Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia, and
Minnesota, with values ranging from
S470000,000 to S41S,000000.
These figures represent a giant
achievement by the nations agricul-
tural forces, and the workers well de-
serve to be cited for commentator.
But it is not the time to rest on these
gains 1t is time to plan for greater
efforts this year, as Sec'y Houston
recently pointed out.
In comparing the geographic divis-
ions Of the country with one another
for 1917, the great predominance of
the north central states is conspicuous
and their production is mostly human
food and animal food. The twelve |
chief crops produced in these states
for cotton does not appear, had a value |
that is nearly one-half, or over 48 per
cent Of the value of the thirteen crops
for the whole country. OF this divis-
ion, the section west of the Mississip-
pi river produced the greatest value,
or over n per cent, of the nations to-
tai, while the eastern section produc-
ed p per cent.
The entire south produced nearly
three-eighths of the total value of the
nations thirteen crops, or 36.5 per
cent, and this fraction was divided |
among the three sections SO that the
south Atlantic States produced IA per
cen, the south central states east of
the Mississippi river 95 per cent, and
the section west of the river 10 per
cent. The smallest share of the total
yaue of Che thirteen crops remains to
the ncrth Atlantic states and the wes-
tern states, rs per cent each
The relative standing of the various
divisions of states in value of chief
crops may be better understood when
1T is remembered that the corn crop Of
1917 has an estimated value offs a.
54,OOO,0O0, cotton lint $1,452 900, O54,
hay $l,358,000,000, wheat $1,3O7 OOO.- |
600. and oats 1851 900, 900: and that
the north central states enormously
produce corn, wheat, oats, ard hay
and the southern states cotton, with
strong support from corn, tobacco,
sweet potatoes, and rice.
In the United States rats and mice
destroy in the homes and factories
stores and warehouses, in cars and on
ships, crops, poultry and other prop
erty valued at more than 5000 O0O. 900 |
an amount equal to the gross earn
lngs of an army of 100000 men. Grain
eaten and wasted by rats and mice on
many farms would pay all the farm
ers' taxes.
States, communities and individuals
can help eliminate rats and mice.
By requiring that all new buildings.
wharves, and other structures, be rat
proof; that existing buildings of rat
proof construction be further protect
ed by having basement windows and
drains covered with screens, gratings,
etc; and that existing buildings that
are not rat-proof be made so by remod-
cling.
By constructing sewers and drains
SO that they will not provide entrance
and retreat for rats.
By insisting on greater cleanliness
about markets, stores, and generally
throughout cities, villages, and the
country districts.
BY threshing and marketing grain
early, so that the stacks will not fur
nlsh harboring places and food for
rats and mice,
BY removing piles of straw, trash,
and lumber which harbor rats in fields
and vacant lots.
BY protecting the hawks, owls and
other natural enemies of rats which
are not so destructive to poultry as
rats themselves.
By keeping well-raineu rat dogs on
farms and about city warehouses.
By keeping provisions which rats
and mice will attack in rat-proof and
containers.
By destroying rats and mice sys-
by poisoning, trapping,
and by organized, systematic hunts.
SOLDIER AND SAILOR