Evening star., 1920-06-27
FARNP PRODUCTION
IN MARYLAND GOOD
DR.. Symons Sees No Scarcity
Despite Bad Weather and
Labor Shortage.

BALTIMORE, June 26.-That there
will be no falling off in production
by the farmers in Maryland, despite
the fact that they have been handi-
capped severely by both the shortage
of labor and the unreasonable spring
is the view of DIR. T. b. Symons, di-
rector of the extension service of the
Maryland State College of Agricul-
ture. at Collsge Park.
Better methods in farming. the di-
rector of the extension service in
the state said, would enable Maryland
farmers to increase production de-
spite the shortage of labor.
Foresees Great Future for State.
Il believe that Maryland has
great future" said DR.. Symons. Il
think that the state will eventually
concentrate on the raising of live
stock and truck crops. Just think of
it, We are within 200 miles of TO-
0o0,0 ,0G0 people. 1 am sure it is going
to prove economically profitable to
US to devote ourselves to feeding
those people.
THE two chief factors which will
influence normal production in the
state are a severe shortage of labor
and the cold. dry spring, which has
had damaging effect on fruit, early
truck crops and hay.
THE supply of farm labor. esti
mated to be 121a per cent below that
of last year, is ascribed as the cause
for the decreased acreage in corn.
which ranges from 10 to Is per cent
less than last year.
1.-THE yield of winter wheat is ex-
M n O
which is from 85 to 81 per cent of a
normal crop. Wheat in the state win
tered Well and almost without excep-
tion early spring reports of it's con-
ditions We're favorable. The past
| three or four weeks have shown
z. steady Improvement in this crop and
present indications are for good
yield.
Hay, which looked promising dur
| ing the early spring, has been retard
| ed in growth by the dry weather, but
! probably will respond to the recent
rains. which have also benefited the
strawberry crop, early potatoes and
| other truck crops.
| Handicap to Garden Crops.
| "The unfavorable weather has had it's
most serious effect on early truck and
garden crops, and from some sections
| come reports that seed has rotted in
/
| ton the growth of vegetables has been
severely checked
| Although admitting that falling off
| of 12l2 per cent in farm labor made the
problem a serious one TO the farmer, DIR.
| Symons stated that crop yields would
not be greatly effected thereby, because
! the farmer himself will work a little
! harder" the community spirit will ex-
! ert itself and more intensive farming
would make up the deficiency in labor
'fThe labor situation is Serious" he
said, 'tbut not, in my Judgment. acute
| Oftentimes the farmer himself does not
work as hard as he should. In some
| parts of the eastern shore he takes two
days off Il week, Tuesdays and Satur-
| days. when he just goes to town and
stands around on the street corner
! Lower Prices Not Likely.
| "The only two things THAT win affect
farm crops in Maryland are bad weather
and low prices. City people must real
ize that even with increased production
/ farm products are not going to be much
cheaper The big issue before the
| American nation is to insure q profitable
agriculture. The farmer must be able
/ to make money on the farm if he is
going to stay there. 1t is useless for us
to encourage our boys and girls to re-
main on the farm if we cannot guar
antee them as good a living, as hopeful
and splendid life as they may lead in
any other industry