Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-27
Many Changes in
Agriculture in
Middle and South West

chicago, May ,26--tBy the ASSOcl-
ated Press)-The face of agriculture
in the Middle and Southwest, the
chief farming section of the country,
has undergone some remarkable
changes in the past 10 years, it is
shown by reports from state agricul-
tural authorities gathered here.
. The decade is indicated as one of
the most momentous that have
passed over American agriculture
Improved methods of farming are
given credit for much of the trans
formation.
In some states production of their
old time crops has fallen off as atten-
ton focused elsewhere. Meantime
production per acre has increased
while other states, by advancing their
own acreage have helped to wipe out
slack that might otherwise have
resulted. New crops have sprung to
the fore here and there. In several
states the character of farming has
almost been made over
Texas has forged to the front until
its agricultural chiefs claim more
wheat grown there than in some 9TH
er states, where wheat is well nigh
the principal crop. They declare
their grape fruit and oranges, grown
in the Rio Grande Valley, equal to the
best
In wheat, Kansas, which holds the
lead, has increased it's acreage nearly
100 per cent in the last ten years. The
increase is 100000 acres Oklahoma.
which last year stood fourth in wheat
production, meantime increased its
planting by 1,334.000 acres. Iowa, the
banner corn state, enlarged it's wheat
crop SIS per cent
On the other hand Minnesota which
stood second in spring wheat last
year cut it's wheat production 26 per
cent in the ten years, while North
Dakota, which stood first in spring
wheat in 1920, also recorded a reduc-
ton to make way for other crops.
While Kansas was nearly doubling
Its wheat acreage, it dropped 1858, 900
acres from its corn planting. Okla
homa, which likewise saw greater adj
vantages for itself in wheat cut it's
corn acreage by 2.5S2,OOO. Nebraska
which stood third in, corn production
last year, slightly reduced it's acreage
In the decade, and Missouri. which
stood fourth, cut off 1,2S5, 900 acres.
Meantime Iowa was charging its
corn production IL per cent. Mime
sofa jumped its corn yield 80 per cent.
south Dakota made one of it's chief
advances in corn production.
Wisconsin. is reported changing in
the decade from grain growing
state to leading dairy state.
Michigan made notable strides in
the livestock industry as did Iowa,
south Dakota, Indiana and other
states
Many farmers have been enabled to
go on a basis of IL months produce
tlon instead of only through the
growing season, it is reported for in
stance from South Dakota, where di-
versified farming as in. Arkansas and
elsewhere, has made great progress
in ten years.
Among other developments of the
decade might be named these:
Kentucky has almost quit raising
hemp. South Dakota farmers are
paying less attention to flax Sugar
beet acreage increased 700 per cent
and alfalfa rs per cent in Nebraska
Rye made great gains in Indiana,
Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska and else
where. Kentucky raised three times
as much tobacco, while Ohio cut it's
tobacco yield so per cent. Oklaho-
mas area in crops increased nearly
100000 acres.