Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-09
AMERICAN FARMER
LEADS WORLD IN
CROP PRODUCTION


dividual production of crops, Secre-
tary Houston, of the department of
agriculture, asserted today in his an
nual report. While countries such as
Belgium, under intensive farming,
get a higher acreage yield, he said,
taking both acreage and yield per
acre into account, the American ag-
riculturist produces two and a half
times as much as his Belgian and
German rivals, 2.3 times as much as
the British farmer, 80 times as much
as the French, and more than six
times as much as the Italian.
The result of this and of the Amer
lean farmers war work is shown in
the 1919 American crop production,
placed at three times greater in val
ue than the average annual output
during the five-year period preceding
the European war. The aggregate
value of all crops this year is placed
at $15,873, 100000, as compared to
S14,222, 100000 in 1918 and an average
of $685. 100000 during the ffve-year
period.
Live stock on farms this year was
figured at $8,S3O,OO0,000 as against
$S,284, 100000 in 1918.
The average yield for all crops for
the decade ending in 1918 is about 16
per cent greater than for the average
for the decade ending with 1890, the
report said. The average rate of in
crease for the past twenty-five years
is about one-half Of one per cent a
year.
1919 Estimates
Estimates in the report put the
1919 wheat production at 918,471,000
bushels and corn at 2,91O,250,OOO
bushels. Cotton is expected to reach
1886, 900 bales and tobacco 1885,
$4,000 pounds.
"The farmers of the nation in 1919
planted an acreage in leading cereals
greater by 100000 than the pre-
war annual average which, it is esti-
mated, will yield 635,000,000 more
than the pre-war average" Mr.. Hous-
ton said of war work on farms. "They
increased the number of mich cows
over 1914 by 100000, of other cat
tie by 8,500,000, of swine by 16,700,-
900 and of horses and mules by l.
OOO, 900, or a total Of 28,90O.000.
"The planting operations of the
year began before the fighting ceaS-
ed and the call was still for more
wheat The department suggested
maximum fall acreage of 47,2O6,OOO
acres, an increase Of IL per cent over
1918. There was actually planted
49,261, 900, the largest acreage in the
nations history, 100000 acres more
than in 1918.
1.-THE spring wheat acreage was 22,-
$4,000, while the winter and spring
paintings combined amounted to H.
$4,000 acres, or 100000 more than
the preceding record.
"It is estimated that the yield will
exceed that of 1918 by 100000 BUSH
els and will be the nations second
record wheat crop. The estimated
corn crop of 2,910,OO0,oO0 bushels will
be 3O0,000,O00 greater than that of
1913"
Further Expansion Possible
The nation can further expand its
output of commodities by culitvating
unused tillab1e land, estimated at
more than so per cent Of the total.
the report states. Exl ansion is linn
tied, however, by the supply Of cap
ital and labor.
No step to promote farmers CO.
operative associations along the right
lines, should be omitted, the secreta-
ry said. 1t is estimated that these
organizations market annually APP
proximately> $1,5oO,OOO,OoO worth of
commodities. '' ....
Included in Mr.. Houston's recon-
mendations were the following:
The building up, primarily under
state law, of system Of personal
credit unions, for farmers whose fl
nancial status and operations make 1t
difficult to secure accommodations
through the ordinary channels; ex-
pansion of facilities or aiding in
marketing, especially extension of
the market news and food products
inspection services; continuation of
federal participa ton in road building
through an appropriation Of $1O0,000,-
900 for each of the next four years;
regulation and control of stockyards
and packing houses; federal legisla-
ton to protect consumers against
adulterated feeds and fertilizers; in
creased state support for rural
schools and more definite instruction
as to rural problems and conditions;
legislation to improve rural sanitary
conditions and provide hospital and
medical facilities