Evening star., 1936-08-09
Continued From First Page)

Of water from creeks, wells or ponds,
irrigation is possible to limited ex-
tent. Developments along that line
on rather extensive scale can, /
believe, be anticipated in the future.
The spread of these practices among
farmers in the dry-land country Is
sure to occur and the result will be a
more certain and staple production.
1t is to be hoped that much land In
this region and in other parts OF the
great plains will be returned to grass
and pasture crops. Unquestionably
much land in the region OF limited
rainfaE never should have been
plowed. Cultivation and the removal
of its natural cover have intensified
the damage caused by wind and have
made possible the severity of the dust
storms of the last few years. 1t would
be good husbandry to return large
portions Of the land to grass, and
progress along that line is taking
place. Progress also is being made in
discovering crops and grasses that can
thrive under adverse conditions, and
in improving them. 1t is unfortunate
that more intensive research along
this line has not already been done.
Warns Against "Gullibility."
Anybody who takes the appellation,
drought belt" too seriously. or who
gives credence to sensational reports
of its reversion to desert conditions,
will be entirely too gullible for his
own good.
I should like also to say a word
about our recent and current drought
experiences. In 1884 a very severe
drought occurred throughout most of
the great plains region and in other
localities of the United States. 1t was
major drought. seriously cutting
production of many great staple crops.
destroying live stock and forcing the
movement of live stock from stricken
areas to those more favorably situated.
1t was major disaster to agriculture.
| Terrific losses were entailed by farm
erS and much suffering came to those
in areas where the drought was most
serious. Then and following occurred
the very sensational dust storms in
the Southwest and the organization Of
the appellation of dust BOWL for
that section. Over the country gen.
orally. however. 1885 was fairly IA
vorable year with quite satisfactory
production of most crops.
This year drought conditions have
again become serious and have been
widespread. The southeast portion OF
the United States was hard hit early
in the year as was the northwestern
section of the Great Plains and por-
tionS of the Northeastern United
States. Somewhat later the eastern
sections of the plains country as far
East as Ohio and Kentucky were VIC
TINS of dry weather. The drought
also spread into the central and
southern plains area.
Conditions became similar to those
of 1884, but as yet not nearly so
severe Southeastern drought condi-
tions ard those in Texas were re-
lieved by rather general and heavy
rains. Rains also have fallen in the
northwestern plains area, although
as this is written the drought there is
not yet broken. More abundant rains
have fallen recently in the central
portions of the plains-Illinois, Iowa
and Indiana. The same is true in
portions of Missouri, Kansas, Okla
homa and Arkansas
So it is necessary, in evaluating the
situation as a whole, to realize that
acute conditions existing in certain
areas do not prevail everywhere. For
instance, it is currently predicted, as
result of rains and more favorable
outlook, that there is good chance
that production of corn in the corn
belt States may be 80 per cent OF
normal despite the dry weather that
has prevailed.
1t must be recalled also in evalu-
ating the drought damage that the
Winter wheat belt this year grew
reasonably good crop that was har-
vested before drought damage oc-
Cured The Spring wheat region,
however, was exceedingly hard hit.
The Nations wheat crop this year,
according to Government forecasts,
probably will amount to around 60O,-
0oO,0 900 bushels, perhaps more. A
Winter wheat crop OF 5l4OOO,0OO
bushels was made before drought
damage occurred.
Total corn production fairly well
in line with the needs of this country
still is possible, and experts say it Is