Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-05
Cheaper Tluine as
Harvest Approaches

Harvest Approaches
Labor and binder Irvine.
On the eve Of the harvesting sea-
son tho wheat growers thoughts turn
to those two necessary items, par
tioularly the former, which caused
him much worry during the years OF
the war. or course, labor IL the CHIEF
problem. but binder twine - some
thing that must be reckoned with as
well, and In TT own way Is q very
important feature In the harvesting
operations.
The wheat grower need have no
apprehensions, IN to the, supply OF
binder twino this season. Reports
coming to tho bureau Of plant In
dustry indicate that there will De q
plentiful supply Of this commodity
available for the American farmer.
Not only will 1t be plentiful. but # Is
likely to be cheaper this yeaE fhAn
for some years past. &c
YucAtan, the CHIEF and cheapest
source OF hsnequen. from which the
Irvine y made, produced largo crop
this year. which. coupled with the
termination Of control OF prices BY
tho commission regulators. was re-
sponsible for . drop In the price Of
fiber from Is TO- 10 cents pound
early In March. The price is now re-
ported to be : Cents Z, pound. This
reduction should be rejected n sthe
price OF twine this seaSou. sfF
Supply Not Affected BY Rsvoiutisn.
Thus far tho recent revolution in
Mexico has not. affected the heneqpen
industry Of Yucatan and Campeehe.
the two important fiber-growing
states, Of that country. It Is too late
now for any disruption Of this indus.
try to affect seriously the supplies Of
twine for this years harvest. as prac-
tically all tho fber necessary for the
present needs has already been Inn
ported to the United States.
Altho there IL no danger for this
years supply. officials 3of tho depart
ment Of a1riculturel are somewhat
apprehensivs over the effect that the
low prices for dfber prevailing now
will have upon the production of
heneauen during the next few years.
Low prices. according to reports to
the department, are leading the grow
ers In Yucatan 60 reduce their plant
ing, with tho result that . real short
age or the hber i've or six years
hence II very likely possibility.
The labor outlook 10 not SO cheer
ful. The supply OF hired farm labor
10 about 70 per cent of the normal.
Altho no appropriation was made
by congress this year for carrying on
tho department Of agriculture's war
time activities in aiding the farmers
to get laborers. the department is do
ing what It can to assist farmers
with this problem. The state direc-
tors OF extension and the county
agents are aiding In bringing together
farmers and men who want Jobs on
farms.
Calls For "shoek Troops"
Results are expected from the APP
peal Of Secretary of Agriculture Mer-
edith to city men, college students,
and others to spend their vacations
working on farms. particularly as
helpers In harvest fields. Frequent
inquiries are being received by the
department from university and col
lege students as to where their SER
vices could best be used. The need
for the now famous Shock troops
volunteer helpers from the cities who
shocked wheat--that gave such a
good account of themselves in the
harvest fields during the war il be-
lieved to be as urgent this year as In
those trying days. The mobilization
Of these forces is what Secretary
Meredith IS seeking to accomplish.
According to reports to the depart
ment, Kansas leads all other wheat
growing states In its demands for
labor-50.000 outside men is its esti-
mated need. Nebraska requires 5000
additional men for its harvest, and
Oklahoma 1000 or 5000. No figures
have been received as to the require
n1ent for the Dakotas.
Give tho Hogs . Fish Course.
IL