Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-05-28

new soil conservation program. This,
1t will be remembered, is the agricul-
tural benefit policy worked out to SUI
persede the unconstitutional AAA, and
the speed with which the department
has developed the early phases of its
new program Is noteworthy. 1t has
not wasted any time, nor could it waste
time, In order to make the new pro-
gram effective in this crop year.
While the work Of policy making has
gone on at an unusual speed for gov
ernmental procedure, l am afraid it
cannot be said that the soundness Of
Its program can be commended in the
same manner.
Some Of the soil building practices
proposed under the new scheme of aid
to the farmer undoubtedly will work
out but there are others about which
there is much doubt. Indeed, already
1t has been pointed out that certain Of
the practices proposed are vulnerable
and are likely to lead to serious trou-
BILE both for agriculture and for the
government
More than score of the states were
included In the first set of rules and
regulations governing soil building
practices and rates of payment. The
others are nearing completion and will
be promulgated at an early date. But
the first block of rules and regulations
and rates Of payment establish the
general outline Of the departments
ideas and 1t can be said, think. that
In these rules and regulations 1.-THE
government must lay down general
provisions) lies the trouble. They are
replete with that which we usually de-
scribe as red tape and red tape never
has failed to cause trouble.
Practices for which farmers may re-
ceive payments vary from state to
state. They include the new seeding
OF legumes and grasses, the blowing
under of green manure crops, the plant
Ing Of forest trees, the eradication of
perennial noxious weeds and, in Ger.
tain areas, a variety of special soil
handling methods such as listing, strip
cropping and following, terracing or
approved summer fallow. In addition.
farmers in certain dry land areas have
the option of substituting some of the
practices for acreage of soil conserv-
ing crops.
In announcing the new practices and
rates Of payment. the Agricultural Ad-
5ustment administration declared that
the policies follow in general the rec.
concentrations made to the Adjustment
administration by the several state
committees. 1t was declared that the
sentiment throughout has been ito
adapt the general plan to the specific
needs of the states in conformity with
the approved methods which have been
tested by the land grant colleges, the
experiment stations and soil conserva-
ton service" The Adjustment admin
istration considered that these three
agencies furnished the best basis. or
the best foundation, for the construc-
ton Of the generally new program. It
follows, therefore, that a considerable
part Of the new setup comes by way
OF expansion Of the old soil conserva-
ton service which has had much ex-
perience In that work. 1t cannot be
said, however, that the new phases
have been tested nor is 1t more than
conjecture how the farmers themselves
will take to the plans now offered.
Just as the soil conserving practices
vary, SO do the rates of payment as
between the several
Payment states. It Is the
Rates Vary claim of the Adjust
ment administration
that variation In rates "is due large
~ to variations in the cost of seed. in
rates Of seeding or to differences in
the requirements with respect to soil
building practices" Rates of payment
Tor soil conservation on irrigated land
are higher than for those on dry land
and likewise long standing agricul-
tural practices have been taken into
account in calculating the rates TO he
paid In various sections to Offset the
greater or less expense to which farm.
ers normally are put In producing their
crops. ,.6
Generally in the dry land states. the
seeding and growing of perennial le-
gumes, such as alfalfa, will net the
farmer about $500 per acre but in ir-
rigated districts the rate of payment
varies from $500 to $500 per acre.
For most states, the rate for bien-
NAL legumes Is $3.50 on non-irrigated
land and from $3.50 to $500 an acre
on irrigated land. Rates Of payment
for growing sweet clover are somewhat
less as are the rates of payment for
growing annual legumes.
The rates for blowing under green
manure crops are from $1OO to $3.50
an acre, depending upon the amount
Of growth which is turned under. For
planting forest trees on crop land
farmers are scheduled to be paid $500
an acre.
For weed eradication the program
proposes to pay $500 an acre where
only periodical cultivation Is required
but 1t will reward the farmer for TAX
Ing out weeds by chemical treatment
In addition to periodical cultivation BY