Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-23
Uncle Sam and the Farmer.

Rr% EtE annual report OIL the secretary OIL
q Agriculture which has just been sub
mitted to Congress, reflects the in
terest that the federal government takes in
the welfare OF the American farmer. The
report is one of the most interesting and
comprehensive ever prepared by the Secre-
tary of Agriculture, clearly demonstrating
that with each succeeding year the activities
of the government with respect to rural life
are being broadened in their scope, bringing
results that abundantly justify the eXpendi-
lures involved
After reviewing the activities of his de-
partment, Secretary Houston makes many
recommendations that should commend
themselves to Congress as meriting assist
ance. The secretary dwells upon the impor
lance of continuing and enlarging the inves
tigational work of the department., particu-
larly such as is required to insure further
and fuller control of destructive plant dis
eases and insect pests.
Under this head comes the boil weevil.
The southern farmers generally familiar
with the efforts that are being made to check,
if not exterminate the weevil. Much has
been accomplished already, but the weevil
still is with us, and each year his presence
is becoming more and more expensive. The
ravages of this pest, in Georgia alone during
the past season, ran into the millions in
money, notwithstanding the combined eff
forts of federal and state authorities to check
the inroads.
Secretary Houston wants more money for
the Department of Agriculture with which
to pursue it's search for a means of putting
the Weevil out of business, and we feel sure
that southern senator's and representatives in
congress will present united front in sup
porting this request for an enlarged appro-
priation.
The Secretary of Agriculture urges prepa-
ration by American agriculture for the period
of competition which he expects will come
with the restoration of normal world condi-
tons He believes this preparation should
take the form of increased productivity of
areas already under cultivation and of the
utilization of the services of the most expe-
rienced and judicial agricultural leaders in
determining where, when and how to bring
into cultivation public and private unused
lands. All available data, he thinks, should
be assembled, after careful study, before def
mite action is taken by the government with
respect to the cultivation of land tracts that
are now unused.
Governmental agencies, through the fed
eral agricultural machinery should, in Sec
rotary Houston'S judgment, be exerted to aid
persons seeking farms, by furnishing them
with reliable information and by giving them
special assistance and guidance, and, wheae
conditions are favorable, by assisting in the
development of well-considered settlement
plans.
The conditions of farm leasing should be
changed so as to improve the method of ag-
riculture, extend the period or occupancy and
insure fair division of the returns. 1t is
the view of Secretary Houston, and he rec
ommends, that the state provide by law for
system OF compensation by owners to ten
ants for unexhausted improvements. He ad-
Vocates, also, legislation to make the road
to farm ownership as smooth as possible, by
providing liberal credit facilities.
Secretary Houston believes that the cost
OF living may be lessened through the intel
ugent and economic marketing of farm prod
ucts, and he urges upon Congress the impor-
lance OF doing everything that can be done
to eliminate waste in marketing and at the
same time promote orderly distribution of
farm products. 1t is his belief that the ex-
listing marketing facilities OF the Department
OF Agriculture should be enlarged, so that
its field of activities will include the dissent
nation of market news throughout the rural
districts. He believes, further, that special
lists should be assigned to each state to aid
in the organization of cooperative associa-
tions.
The report covers many other subjects
equally as interesting and pertinent, which
1T is hoped will receive from Congress careful
attention in the preparation of the next an
nual appropriation bill for the Department OF
Agriculture.