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Show URGES FARMERS TO PREPARE FOR FOOD SHDHTAGE Secretary Houston Issues Appeal for Co-operation in Agricultural Preparedness Pre-paredness Measures. SEEKS CULTIVATION OF VACANT GROUND Advises Precautions in Planting Seed of Staple Cereals and Guarding Against Wastes. WASHINGTON, March 27. The farmers of America were appealed to by Secretary Houston today to join in agricultural preparedness measures so that the country may not be handicapped handi-capped by food shortage in its efforts to meet the international crisis. Elimination Elimi-nation of waste, conservation of surplus, sur-plus, and attainment of maximum crop regulations were outlined as imperative steps for strengthening agricultural resources. re-sources. "Both for economic and patriotic rea sons," the secretary said in a formal statement, "the American farmer should strive this year for the highest standard of efficiency in the production and conservation of food. "Under the conditions in which this country finds itself it is important that everything practicable be done to increase in-crease the efficiency of agricultural activities ac-tivities during the coming season. It ia desirable that throughout the country coun-try farmers confer among themselves on matters affecting the production of needed crops and that they consult freely free-ly with county agents, state agricultural colleges, and the department of agriculture' agricul-ture' General Campaign. The secretary's appeal was part of the campaign undertaken by the department depart-ment of agriculture to mobilize the nation's na-tion's agricultural resources. Assistant Secretary Vrooman previously outlined why the various sections of the country should become self-supporting through crop diversification, and pointed out also that much food might be supplied by cultivation of vacant city lots and yards. Mr. Houston urged particularly that as a means of preventing "conspicuous production wastes" of important staple cereals, proper attention be given to the selection and safeguarding of seed for planting, the preparation of the land and the care of the crop. ."Under existing conditions," he said, "every precaution should be taken (1) to reduce 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 sub-ject to diseases that can be prevented, such as the smuts of wheat, barley, oats and rye, the losses from which are estimated esti-mated conservatively at $50,000,000 to $60,000,000 in the average year; (3) to prepare especially thoroughly for planting plant-ing these vitally important cereal crops and to care for them as may be necessary neces-sary during the season." Reduce Wastes. The statement also declared it was especially important to reduce the risk of wastes in northern staple vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbage and onions. Pointing out that seed stocks are low, Secretary Houston suggested that all seed potatoes be treated for scab before planting and that equipment for plant spraying should be on hand, it being added that "a widespread outbreak of blight throughout the important potato producing districts (which, fortunately, rarely occurs except in restricted areaa) might diminish production at the rate of 3.000.000 bushels a day during August Au-gust and September if prolonged rainy weather should occur." Preventable potato diseases, the secretary secre-tary said, frequently reduce the crop from 50,000. 000 to 100.000.000 bushels. "Some of the most conspicuous crop wastes." tho statement continued, "occur "oc-cur with fruits and vegetables, of which,-in which,-in normal years, larger quantities usually usual-ly are grown than the producers can market profitably. Frequently these losses are due indirectly to disease and insect ln.uirv, which lower their market value without reducing their food value materially if they can be utilized promptly by drying, canning and other preservative methods. Under existing conditions cverv practicable step should he taken to protect these crops throughout through-out the season and to utilize ami preserve pre-serve them as fnllv as possible when they have matured." Save Fruifs. The statement declared that fruits and vegetables, "which ordinarily it is inadvisable in-advisable to attempt to conserve," should he systematically s;jerl now. tanning. dryinL: and preserving operations, oper-ations, it ai led, should not he delayed until late summer or autumn, and family fami-ly gardens should be planned to siii l'Iv ample quantities nf early maturing fruits and vegetables fnr preservation and fresh products for immediate cou-suniution. cou-suniution. ''Because nf the scarcity of tin plate and the IulV; p-ices of fin curs." Secre-tarv Secre-tarv Houston continued, ''it mav he neces.arv in honsehoi.l - rescrva 1 ion nf food more ciTto'isivetv to lack f'uut and vegetables in ethr containe-s." lie urced that pans be ma le to meet j (Continued on Page Nine) URGES C0P1SEHI01 Jf FOOD SUPPLIES (Continued from Pago One.) the storage of sweet potatoes in. the southern states, pointing out that about 10,000,000 bushels of the usual crop of 50,000,000 bushels goes to waste through decay. ' The secretary suggested the preservation preserva-tion by drying for soup stock of 'such vegetables as carrots, potatoes and celery, cel-ery, and drying of surplus sweet corn. '. Many crops grown usually for soil im- ' provement or forage, he declared, pos- ; sesses lnrge food value if utilized properly, prop-erly, and their utilization for human food and oil production ''doubtless will be advisable." Such crops as soy beans, cow peas, peanuts and kaffir were mentioned men-tioned specifically in this connection. The secretary's statement will be distributed dis-tributed through the country by the department de-partment in order to reach as many farmers as possible. t It contains detailed de-tailed suggestions which department officials of-ficials believe will be of great value to many who heretofore have given little thought to the scientific side of farming. |
