The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-05-17
BUSHELS
WHEAT EXPECTED
MAY CROP RE-
PORT PUTS WINTER WHEAT
At HALF MILLION BUSHELS.
CITIES MUST HELP HARVEST
Promise Of Big Crop Does Not War
rant Relaxed Efforts for Greater
Production or Increased
Wheat Conservation

/ billion bushel wheat crop, for which
! the government is striving this year
/ has been strengthened by the depart
mcnt Of agriculture's May crop report
/ fOrecasting production Of 81, $4,000
/ bushels Of winter wheat
Secretary Houston in Il statement
/ said there was every reason To antici-
( pate Increased farm yields this year
/ over the record production Of last year.
He added, however, that the promise
/ did not warrant relaxed efforts for
greater production and for greater con-
/ seryation and called upon the people
Of towns and cities to realize that the
/ farmer cannot work miracles, and lend
/ him the assistance needed at harvest
{ time.
Realization of a winter wheat crop
as large as that forecasted would
place this years harvest of that grain
as the third largest ever gathered. The
estimate is 1874 100000 bushels more
than the crop harvested last summer.
Rye production would be record
the forecast of the crop being 5000
600, or 23,OOO0OO bushels more than
asst years crop.
with favorable weather. and with
a supplement Of manpower from the
towns and cities to help in farm tasks
OF particular strain, especially in har-
yesting." said Mr.. Houston's state
ment there is every reason to antici-
pate an increased yield Of farm
products this year over the record
production last year, but the promise
for the future does not in the least
warrant relaxed efforts both for great
ed production and for greater cOnserva-
ton. The increase should be reaS-
surfing to consumers and a matter of
encouragement to farmers that they
can again overcome difficulties. There
is a continuing need for large supplies
of food and feed products, not only for
our own population, but for the allies
In Europe who will depend more and
more on this country.
"The farmers last year responded
generously to the patriotic appeal of
the president, the department of agri-
culture, the state colleges of agricul-
ture and other PUBLIC agencies. by
planting and harvesting the largest
acreage in crops on record in this
country. Since last July the DEPART
ment. in cooperation with the agri-
cultural colleges and other state and
local organizations, has labored I'M
ceaSingly to maintain and If possible,
to Increase in 1918 the record acreage
of 1917, with necessary adjustments
especially to provide for larger pro-
ductlon of wheat and other bread
grains which are most needed.
"The indicated increased acreage in
food crops this year over the record
crop of 1917 Is gratifying. An Increase
over the record peace times would have
been striking in view of all the diff
culties. The vigorous efforts of the
farmers evidence their patriotic deter
mination to help win the war.
Reports that indicate that in order
to plant larger acreage with less helm
than ever before, farmers are work
Ing from early dawn until black dark
ness, utilizing to the fullest capacity all
their manpower, family, horsepower
and machinery and setting an exomnIo
OF extraordinary eXertion and eff
flency which might well be followed in
other essential industries. The work
OF the farmers and of the agrlculruro,
agencies IS not spectacular and docs
not catch the public eye but 1t is nov
ertheieSs unccasing and effective and
Is as vitality important as any Other
service rendered in the nation in this
emergency.
Farmers have done and will continus
10 do their part. They have planted
generously. They will need tho as
SlStance IN Cultlvatlng and haryestino
OF many additional laborers. The crft
Ieal factors in crop production after
planting will be weather and labor
weather is beyond human control
hut the necessary labor for cultivot
Ing and harvesting the food cr,n,
planted lay the farmers of tbi com,
try must be supplied and where mos,
needed.
The departments Of agriculture ont
amor are cooperating and are aSkips
every step possible to help the farm.
erS secure labor. II now devolveS nm
on the cities and towns To lend as
slS'aoce, | trust that the thoughtfu,
people OF the towns and cities will re-,
Ike that the farmers cannot work mi
rocieS, and upon the cities rests N,
responsibility Of furnishing the neces
SaTy supplement of maupower."