Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-07


Notwithstanding an increased pro
duction of staple crops In the Unitet
States In 1017, there 10 need for NOR
food. Taking into account our owl
needs, the needs of the nations ass0ciat
cd with us In this war, and the needs o
friendly neutral nations, our best effort
will be required to provide enough foot
in 1918.
| The demand for larger quantities ol
food, though due in part to the constant
ly increasing population of this country
is due chiefly to the war. There Il
necessity of greatly increasing food ex
ports to the allies.
The farmers of the United Statei
made generous and patriotic response
to the appeals for increased production
10 1917. In spite of the apprehension
which existed when the United States
entered the war az to the possibility oi
increasing, or even Of maintaining, agri.
cultural production, they planted the
largest acreages In the history of the
country, produced and harvested record
crops Of most products except wheat,
and succeeded In increasing the number
of live stock, including not only work
animals, but milk and meat animals az
we'll. Weather conditions during the
year caused two serious setbaoks. The
winter wheat crop of a year ago suffered
severely because of unfavorable weather,
with the result that last spring the
abandonment of the winter wheat acre
age was the largest ever known In the
country-about 1000, 900 acres. The
corn crop also suffered an unprecedent'
ed loss because of weather conditions
throughout the corn belt which resulted
in late planting, slow growth, and
damage by early frosts.
The achievements of the farmers and
livestock men last year furnish cause
for congratulation and encouragement,
but not for complacency or let-up this
year in efforts to better the production
record and to conserve food. The
necessity of again securing large yields
from the farms and ranges this year
already has been strikingly emphasized
by the President in his message to the
farmers of the country and is steadily
being pointed out by the Department OF
Agriculture and other agencies through
various channels, including especially the
agricultural extension machinery Of the
department and the State agricultural
colleges. II is clear that 1t would be
economically wise and advantageous for
the farmers of the Nation to put forth
their best efforts during the coming
season to equal, and, If possible, to ex-
ceed their record Of last year.
In spite of the large production in
many directions during 1917, the situa-
ton is not satisfactory. The available
supply OF wheat is inadequate. Owing
to short crops in preceding years, the
reserves of q number of important COM
modities have been greatly reduced.
Whether the war continues or not, the
demands on this country, because OF
increasing population and the needs OF
Europe, will be great. They will con-
tinus to be great for considerable
period even after peace returns. An
especially strong demand will be made
on this country for meats and live
stock. But the record of the farmers
last year, made In the face OF obstacles,
is ground for confidence on their
part that, with equal application and
Organization, they can overcome the
d faculties this year.
The situation is such that chief
emphasis should be gwen to the produc-
ton of the staple food products, with
special stress on wheat and hogs, the
leading war foods. 1t is believed that
the necessary production can be secured
through the use of the besttknown farm
methods, but it may be necessary to an
extent to sacrifice certain of the less i'm
portant farm crops temporarily, In the
interest of others which rank highest In
i'm portauce as food for man. Above all
sound farm practice, including we'll es.
tablished crop rotations with legumes,
should not be interfered with. This Ia
in the interest chiefly of crops in future
years.