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The Commoner
MAY, 1917-
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to tho limit permitted by available good seed,
labor and 'equipment Tbo placing of too great
emphasis on production in new regions is in
advisable since tbo introduction into a farm op
eration of a crop not usually grown frequently
involves practical difficulties not easily foreseen
nor quickly surmountable." (Secretary Hous
ton, April 7.)
'Where winter wheat has been damaged suffi
ciently to justify the abandonment of fields, it
should by all means bo replaced by spring
planted food crops, preferably small grains or
corn." (Secretary Houston, April 1.)
On April 1 the condition and acreage of tho
winter wheat crop was such as to forecast a
production of 52,000,000 bushels less than that
of 1916, and 243,000,000 bushels less than tho
crop of 1915.
The planting of spring wheat Is not recom
mended for. a region where oats or corn is more
certain tp produce satisfactory yields. In some
states, however, flax ground may bo sown to
spring wheat and new land broken for flax.
Oats and barley may be substituted in some
sections for spring wheat. In areas in Wiscon
sin, Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas and Montana,
barley can be relied on, and oats have a much
wider range. Barley yields a larger weight of
feed per acre than any other small grain crop
and may be substituted directly for wheat in
human food.
"The place of rye under present conditions
Is an important one. The crop this year should
bo harvested and utilized with more than tho
usual care. Considerable acreage Is planted in
some sections for plowing under in tho spring
for green manure. Where conditions are suit
able part of this acreage might well be held for
harvesting, and followed with a suitable sum
mer or fall crop for plowing in later." (Sec
retary Houston, April 7.)
Buckwheat may be planted later than any
similar crop and often does well on old meadows
or waste land. The acreage in this crop could
well be increased, especially In certain portions
of New York, Pennsylvania and New England.
In Western Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern
Texas the acreage in the grain sorghums should
be increased practically to the limit that can bo
handled properly with the labor and facilities
available.
"Grain sorghums may well be used in that
area to replace winter wheat on fields abandoned
because of winter injury. In the
past these grains have been used chiefly as
poultry and stock feed, but they have possibil
ities also as human food." (Secretary Houston,
April 7.)
Conditions warrant the planting of the largest
acreage of corn which it is possible to handle
effectively. The corn crop of 1916 was 400,
000,000 bushels less than the crop of 1915 and
considerably less than the 5-year average. The
world demand for this grain is such that its
profitableness to tHo American farmer is clear.
Tho fall is the proper time for breaking sod for
corn. There are many unproductive meadows
and indifferent pastures that could profitably be
broken up and planted to corn. The reduction
in the amount of hay and pasture will be more
than replaced by the corn stover, ensilage and
grain.
"An Important increase in our food supply
may be made by enlarging the area planted to
navy beans in the north and west and to Mex
ican and Tepary beans in the southwest, and by
stimulating in every reasonable way an increase
in the area of potatoes planted, especially for
local use." (St. Louis conference.)
PREVENTION OF WASTE IN FOOD CROPS
"In the case of the great staple cereals which
constitute a large proportion of our food sup
ply, conspicuous production wastes result from
failure to give proper attention to the selection
and safeguarding of seed for planting, the
preparation of the land, and the care of the
crop." (Secretary Houston, March 27.)
"Under existing conditions every precaution
should be taken (1) to reduca production
wastes by testing seed sufficiently in advance to
insure against the planting of dead-seed; (2) to
treat with disinfecting dips all seed subject to
diseases that can be prevented, such as the
smuts of wheat, barley, oats, and rye, the losses
' from which are estimated conservatively at
$50,000,000 to $60,000,000 in the United States
in the average year; (3) to prepare especially
thoroughly for planting these vitally important
cereal crops and to care for them ao may do
necessary during tho season . . .
"A widespread outbreak of lato blight '
throughout tho Important potato-producing
districts (which, fortunately, rarely occurs ex-,.
copt in restricted areas) might diminish potato
production at tho rato of 3,000,000 bushols a
day during August and Soptomber if prolonged
warm and rainy weather should occur. This
diseaso can bo prevented by spraying, and early
preparation should bo made to combat it vig
orously. Potato diseases of a provontablo
character frequently reduce the crop by from
50,000,000 to 100,000,000 bushels. Whilo not
entirely preventable, they should be guarded
against to tho fullest extont poBsiblo.
"Sweet potato losses from black rot, foot rot,
and other diseases In tho field result mainly
from failure to select and disinfect seed and to
practice sanitation in tho beds. Bean losses from
anthracnose and other diseases can bo prevented
to a largo extent by the use of disease-free seed.
The obtaining of such seed should receive spe
cial attention this season. . . .
"In the southern states, approximately GO, -000,000
bushels of sweet potatoes are produced
annually, and it Is estimated that at least 10,
000,000 bushels of these are lost annually by de
cay. Frequently wholesale waste occurs at har
vest time, not only of sweet potatoes, but of
white potatoes and other underground food
crops, through lack of proper storago facilities
to safeguard the crop from destructive freezes
at digging time. Early this season planB should
be made and executed in the building of suit
able storage houses or cellars. This usually
can be done at relatively low cost If undertaken
in time. In view of tho experience of tho past
year, it would appear that surpluses of such
vegetable crops as are capable of preservation
by drying for soup stock, such as carrots, po
tatoes, celery, etc., could be preserved profitably
for food use in regions where fruit evaporators
which could bo utilized for this purpose already
exist. Surplus sweet corn, if cut at tho proper
stage, can be sun dried or oven dried, as In.
earlier years before systematic canning- of corn
was developed, and, in this way, bo preserved
for food use."
THE MEAT SUPPLY
In increasing the acreage of staple food crops
care must bo taken not to create a deficiency of
hay and forage which would not only jeopardize
the future meat and dairy supplies of the coun
try, but would result in a shortage of roughage
for military draft and saddle animals.
"In regions where dairying dominates, tho
full acreage of clover, alfalfa, and tho grasses
that is in productive condition should bo main
tained. The older, thinner, and less productlvo
grass lands, however, frequently can bo made
to produce much larger yields of feed In corn
than if left as they are In unproductive grass."
(Secretary Houston, April 7.)
The live stock holdings of the farmers of the
United States are alreadyoo low. It would, bo
most unfortunate if these numbers bo dimin
ished further under the pressure of tho present
demand for food. Indeed, an early Increase of
the animal products of the country should be
made Such an increase must como chiefly
through the enlarging of our food supply, by
more successful methods of feeding, and
through more complete control of contagious
a lapn SGS
"Milk production could be Increased fully
one-fourth by more liberal and intelligent feed
ing Pork production could be increased sat
isfactorily through the moro extensive use of
fall litters, better care and feeding. The poultry
Products of the United States could be doubled
within a year." (St. Louis conference.)
"When conditions render it feasible, small
flocks ML Poultry should be kept by families in
Sees towns, and especially in the suburbs of
ree ciUes Many families in village and on
tne ouS te of cities also should consider the
advisability of keeping a pig, if swiUry regu
lations T permit."-(Secretary Houston, April 7.)
Senator Pomerene of Ohio says that since
, Vntmtrv has gone into the business of pro
thiS tor war the manufacturers of flags have
ffid whoresale prices between 800 and 400
per cent. One thing can be said for the flag
maker?, they don't intend to be exceptions to
SSSi that proves that patriotism pays.
Conscripting Wealth.
According to tho law tho government can
conscript tho man call a human being Into the
army and compel him to lay his llfo upon tho
altar. His own ambitions, tho hopes of his
parents and tho happiness of wifo and children
all those glvo way to tho country's claims.
If life, why liot property?
Heretofore tho government has drafted the
man but has hesitated to draft proporty. We
aro moving forward into a brlghtor light; we
seo moro clearly what Is just. Proporty Is com
ing In for Its sharo of tho burdens In tho war
or, at least, for moro nearly its sharo.
If tho soldiers march to tho front without
flinching tho capitalists should prepare to oboy
tho command: Pockctbooks present.
In tho past it has been "a rich man's war and
a poor man's fight." This timo, let tho present
generation furnish tho money as woll as the
men.
- Tho glory of paying taxes Is second only to
tho glory of personal sacrifice. Thoro is glory
enough for all. W. J. BRYAN.
PROHIBITION AS A WAR MEASURE
Following is a telegram sont by Mr. Bryan to
Hon. Virgil G. Honshaw, 326 West Madison St.,
Chicago, 111.:
Lincoln, Nob., April 28, 1917. Am vory
sorry that engagements In tho far west will
prevent acceptance of invitation to join gov
ernors in presenting memorial In favor of im
mediate national prohibition. While I would
not, during the war, advlso any action contrary
to tho judgment of tho fcdoral officials entrust
ed with tho responsibility of conducting the
war, It is proper to lay beforo them argumonts
in favor of immediato action. In addition to
reasons of permanent character, there are two
arguments in favor of prohibition as a war
measure. First, tho use of alcohol impairs
efficiency and in this crisis wo can not afford
to allow efllcloncy to bo fmpalrod either Among
soldiers or producers. Second, wo nocd all the
grain for food, and can not spare any for the
breweries and distilleries. To urgo an Increase
in garden products while wo permit ono hun
dred and forty million bushels of farm prod
ucts to be converted Into Intoxicants, would bo
"saving at tho splggot and wasting at tho bung
hole." W. J BRYAN.
THERE IS WORK FOR ALL
Patriotism is lovo of country translated into
terms of service. It can bo manifested In peace
as well as in war by loyalty at home as well
as at tho battle front. It consists In the per
formance of duty whatever that duty may be.
"If you can not on tho ocean,
Sail among the swiftest fleet,
Hocking on tho highest billows,
Laughing at tho storms you meet;
You can go among the sailors,
Anchored yet within tho bay,
You can lend a hand to help them
As they launch their boats away."
That Is to say, if you are not needed as &
soldier, you can help produce food or aid the
soldiers through the Red Cross, tho Y. M. C. A-,
or do your part in some other effective way.
-
APPRECIATES PAPER-WEIGHT
The following letter was received by Mr.
Bryan from Governor Charles Henderson, of
Alabama:
"Montgomery, Ala., April 7, 1917,,
"Hon. W. J. Bryan,
"Miami, Fla.
"Dear Sir:
"It is with pleasure that I acknowledge re
ceipt from you through the kindness of our mu
tual friend, Mr. Hood, of the souvenir in the
form of a paper-weight. It conveys beautifal
sentiments and it shall be preserved in the cap
itol together with its history through future
years. The sentiments are ennobling and te
which every one can subscribe. I thank yon
for remembering Alabama in your distribution
of them. "Yours very truly,
"CHAS. HENDERSON."
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