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Newspaper
Graettinger Times
Location
Graettinger, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1917
Page
4
The article argues that labor shortages threaten crops this year and urges local commercial clubs and manufacturers to mobilize available workers from factories wholesale houses and other jobs. It also suggests calling on trained farm raised men and business leaders to volunteer during peak periods to support farmers.
A ten annual report from the North Dakota Demonstration Farm notes crop rotation on participating farms increases yields. Wheat average 29 percent higher with corn after manured fields, oats 58 percent, barley 37.44 bushels, rye 21 percent, and alfalfa 2.54 tons per acre. Each farm’s rotation and field handling are detailed in the report.
Barley shows strong feeding value next to corn and often outperforms wheat in profit at current prices. Wheat is described as a jury case, with barley remaining a prime option for the remaining acreage. Barley’s advantage comes from higher feed value and by products that dairies use, while oats yield less profit.
J J Garland notes barley yields vary with threshing but reports average pedigreed barley yields from Wisconsin Experiment Association: 1913 31 bushels, 1914 33.3, 1915 37.5 from 260+ members. Several top individual yields reach 60, 57, 56, 55, 53 and 45 bushels. He suspects higher yields possible though unrecorded.
The piece notes barley once a staple bread cereal but now rarely used for baking except in specialized bread in Norway and Sweden. It is mainly a stock feed due to its hard kernels and gluten behavior. In the American kitchen barley appears in soups as pearled barley and in some breakfast products, not as a regular diet unless shortages occur.
The article notes barley's rising value in the United States and Canada as cattle and horse feed, with limited malting use. Professor R A Moore calls barley the greatest barley breeder, citing its potential for dairy cattle, young stock, and future animal food demand. Hay and feed uses are discussed, including harvest timing and processing.
Nations Crop Improvement Service warns that corn root worms waste about 200 million bushels annually in the corn belt. The remedy is crop rotation and limiting to two consecutive corn plantings on safe ground. If worm pressure was high last year, switch to barley and prepare land thoroughly.
The speaker argues that even in humid territories moisture should be conserved through dry farming methods. He notes that rainfall often suffices in the corn belt when conserved and urges local clubs to study and adopt moisture conservation practices with top farmers leading the effort.
National Crop Improvement Service appeals to tractor owners in the county to lend power for soil preparation. Many farmers cannot plow their full acreage due to lack of horses or power, so every tractor should operate night and day to harvest barley corn and potatoes, three crops valued highly.
Barley at 60c per bushel would profitably compete with wheat at 1.00. The 1915 barley crop brought 122,500,000. Prices range 1.20 to 1.50 per bushel, using 1.30 as base, the 1916 crop of 180,000,000 would yield 234,000,000. Yields of 40 to 60 bushels per acre are common and barley also commands malting value when of high quality.
The National Crop Improvement Service reports farmers disappointed in spring wheat seed can still profit by planting barley. Wisconsin Experiment Station, at the University, through R A Moore, offers pedigreed barley by telegram order in various quantities. Seedsmen are well supplied and idle land can be put to barley, a leading crop where spring wheat can be grown and in many southern areas where other crops may need to be plowed up.
National Crop Improvement Services urges banks to fund young farmers and tenants with creditized plans to expand production. It argues banks can back loans with confidence as the world faces food shortages and high prices, suggesting pro-rated losses by bankers and continued federal rediscount support, especially where county agents advise.
The article argues farmers face a mix of urgency and complacency as they plan next year crops. It emphasizes improving conditions to ensure farmer prosperity and fair prices while noting current prices are adequate for the near term. It urges county organization for emergency service and early fall plowing after harvest.
The 1915 barley harvest reached 229 million bushels on 7 million acres, while 1916 yielded 181 million on 7.5 million acres due to a bad season. With high malting barley prices, acreage may rise. 48 million bushels malted and 25 million fed back as farm feed. Plant barley about early May. barley requires less labor than corn and carries lower risk. consider oats or barley as hay or green feed if land remains idle.
The National Crow Improvement Service notes barley sowing should occur after oats and spring wheat due to frost risk. In Canada barley goes to June, but in this country May is likely safe this year. Seedings use 1.25 to 2 bushels per acre, with 1 to 1.25 bushels as a nurse crop when drilling down to clover and timothy.
National Crop Improvement Service advises testing all barley seed for vitality before sowing. Seed failing to reach full vitality is considered inferior and should be replaced with new seed.
A discussion on corn cultivation emphasizes shallow cultivation to kill weeds and conserve moisture. Farmers urged to plant barley ahead of corn and to prevent weed growth this year by timely cultivation and vigilance.
The United States government takes over Belgian relief, replacing private groups. It plans to spend about 12 million dollars each month to address the suffering caused by the German destruction.
The country was divided into four districts for naval recruiting and the Middle West becomes the first to meet its quota of 10,200 men. The milestone marks progress in mobilization efforts across the four regions.
Recalling U S experience Argentina argues that German regrets mean little as the Oriana is reported sunk. In Buenos Aires renewed demands for war grow amid wartime tensions and public fear of further losses.
Despite threats from submarine warfare, U S exports climbed in March and April, reflecting resilient trade activity. The gains underscore continued demand for American goods abroad amid wartime disruption and policy shifts.
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