Show plan big corn crop for 1926 farmers reduce acreage but slightly drop in spring wheat washington despite the corn sur ilus produced last year the farmers of the country apparently are ing to plant almost as large an acreage to corn in 1920 as they ha nested in 1025 department of agriculture figures based on a census recently conducted disclose a decrease ot only one tenth of 1 per cent in the intended planting this spring as compared to the bar vested acreage of last fall spring wheat acreage shows a decline of 18 per cent and oats and barley increases of ag per cent and 57 per cent respectively ively As a result of the findings of its experts the agriculture department declares that with average yields there seems little chance for change in the corn situation but at the same time it warns farmers not to increase their ahe stock without considering the probable effect on the market department gives warning A jump of 19 G per cent in intended plantings of sweet potatoes leads the department tf warn against a crop of that commodity too large to market at satisfactory prices the intended acreage of white potatoes shows an increase of 43 per cent over the acreage harvested in 1025 flax an increase of four tenths of 1 per cent grain sorghum a de crease of 17 per cent tobacco a decrease of 8 per cent rice an increase of I 1 4 per cent and tame hay an in create of seven tenths of 1 per cent the intended acreage of corn with average yield would allow little chance for change in the corn situa alon bays the departments statement increases in live stock should not be made without considering the probable effect on the market sees wheat most profitable alth average yields hard spring wheat would probably be a more prof bitable cash crop to grow than any other small grain in the principal hard spring wheat region even with a slight increase in acreage an oat crop equal to that of last year would probably result in con unsatisfactory conditions n the market A barley crop as large as intended would probably allow no improvement in the market unless a short european crop should increase export demand the outlook for flax Is not quite so favorable as for wheat farm ers operating where flax ordinarily supplements wheat on low priced land will probably find no alternative more desirable than flax the slight increase in potato acre age for the country as a whole seems reasonably safe but there are marked differences in plans in different sec alons and overproduction should be guarded against in some localities particularly in the est it Is high ly improbable that an increased crop of sweet potatoes as large as anten alons indicate could be marketed at satisfactory tobacco production reduced increases in acreage of certain types of tobacco such as burley and maryland export types with aberago yields may result in excessive supplies decreases are indicated by growers of cigar types and dark type which would bring the total production of all tobacco slightly below 1923 the outlook for 1920 indicates that the changes contemplated by farmers in acreage are in accord with the prospect that there Is little likelihood of a material increase in demand for farm products in either the domestic or foreign markets commenting on the feed crops altu atlon in the north central states the department says live stock numbers in those states have decreased each year since 1023 but no corresponding decrease in crop acreage has taken place or Is indicated for this year which makes the adjustment between grain and live stock production a serious problem in this region hogs to increase present indication are that the supply of live stock in this region will be no larger next year than it a this the department continues and that the demand for feed grains to feed will be no greater hog numbers may be expected to increase somewhat this year because of the present favorable feeding situation but in view of the reduction in horses and cattle it Is doubtful if the increase in the former will more than offset the decrease in the latter the serious situation facing the farmers of this region Is that the potential production of feeds and of live stock to consume them under the present con of production Is too large for all the production to find a remunerative market the principal problem confronting each farmer in this region Is to strive tor a good balance between his live stock and feed crops bearing in mind that any large increase in live stock numbers for the country as a whole would probably result in lower prices use of hay pasture urged A general movement toward a greater dependence on pasture and hay as feed for live stock would tend to lower the expense of the farmers and at the same time bring about a better balance between feed production and feed requirements the carry over of the 1925 corn crop next fall undoubtedly will be above the five year average especially in the corn belt states while corn mercial uses tor corn may be slightly larger than last year the large AT gentene crop being harvested this year will tend to reduce foreign demand tor american corn since information available does not indicate that feed ing requirements will be much if any greater next season than this if the intended acreage Is planted and the average yield obtained no great change from the present corn situa alon Is expected the position of the farmer who depends on the sale of corn for any considerable part of his cash income would probably not be greatly improved during the 1920 crop year unless yields generally were much less than usual it corn and hogs are to be on a satisfactory basis in the north central states the production of corn must be adjusted to that supply of hogs which will main tain a satisfactory market |