The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-11-17
WHAT ABOUT AGRICULTURE
BY Miles H. Fairbank, Sec.-Treas.
Md. Farm Bureau Federation
PART II

Inc faCCS ABOUT SuTpluSSS-Ou0
of the things we hear much about to-
day when we talk about the farm
problem is surplus" We have a
surplus of wheat, surplus of milk,
of hogs, cattle and practically all the
stable farm commodities, SO we are
told
One of the important features of
the present program of the govern
ment to solve the farmers problems,
is to control surplus, principally by
curtailing production to present de-
mands. We, in this state, have just
gone through that part of the pro-
gram in the wheat allotment cam
paign. 1t is the work that is being
done by the A. A. A. agricultural
Adjustment Administration and we
shall hear more Of it.
The difficulty we have in. under
standing is-"Why is there surplus
when so many people are hungry and
in want?" This is a question that
many farmers are asking. Also it
has been our custom, when more
money is needed (Which is really our
big problem) to increase our acre
age, plant more, try to make kill
ing. It's hard to see how we can
make more by reducing acreage.
Let's see then, if there really is
surplus.
/ shall have to use some figures
here, but shall try to make them as
intelligent and simple as possible.
The figures show that there has been
no great increase in farm produc-
ton per capita. That is, in proper
ton to what our market should be.
Under ordinary circumstances we
should handle a moderate increase
due to increase in population. Here
are some figures:
1. The volume of net agricultural
production (omitting duplication or
feed fed) in 1882 was so less than
in 1881; Az % less than average Of
1924 to 1928; and the lowest since
1923. This is not based on prices
but the actual physical volume.
2. Average U. S. wheat produc-
ton, 191S-192O (war period), 907,-
f4S1,OO0 bushels; 1926-1928, 874,-
$780, bushels 1929-1931, 1884,
$4,000 bushels; 1931-1932, 1885,
$4,000 bushels.
Winter wheat acreage sown in the
U. S. in the fall of 1892 was reduced.
for the third successive year and is
the lowest since 1928.
3. Federal inspected slaughter of
cattle in 1882 was the lowest for IL
years.
4. Egg receipts at the four leading
markets in 1882 were Is % less than
in 1881 and 144O below average
| (1926-3OO.
S. Poultry receipts at the four
leading markets in 1882 were so
less than year ago and 10 less
than the average.
We see here that farmers were not
guilty of a sudden increase in pro-
duction for which they must now
suffer. Two other things happened,
however, that were just as serious
and had exactly the same result.
First, our European market disap-
peared, because of our international
situation, with which the farmer
only had the remotest control.
Second, the depression threw over
eleven million people out Of work
and to great extent, out of the
market.
These are facts, no farmer can be
blamed for them and it is equally
hard for the farmer to place the
blame on anyone else.
Let's, look at the foreign market
first. 1t is difficult for the average
farmer. harvesting his wheat crop,
accustomed to selling it for years to
, iuC uOdICI al tOWA tnAOuSA q IC-
liable commission merchant, to see
how the war, international debts or
the stupidity of diplomats can have
much to do with the price of his
wheat. Yet, in normal years, that
is, such years as 1919 to 1929, this
country exported annually about one
hundred eighty million bushels of
wheat. This was over 20%o of our
average crop. Last year we export
ed thirty-five million, leaving about
one hundred fifty million bushels
hanging over our heads, besides the 4
carry over. Normally, we have con-
sidered hundred million carry over
sufficient to stabilize our market, and
this was about our average carry
over from 1920 to 1928. Since then
we have accumulated stocks now
over three hundred and fifty million
bushels. That is what has been the