Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1919 — FARMERS HESITATE TO SOW NORMAL ACREAGE. [ARTICLE]

FARMERS HESITATE TO SOW NORMAL ACREAGE.

I Farmers in Indiana are hesitating to sow a normal acreage of wheat and rye (because they fear a reduction in prices next year, G. I. Christie, director of the state food production committee, said in a telegram sent to Secretary of Agriculture Houston at Washington Saturday. Prof. Christie asked for a program he can recommend to the farmers. The telegram, which was approved by Governor Goodrich, read: “Discussion of the high cost of living and the drive for reduced prices is causing many farmers to hesitate on plans for fall planting of wheat and rye and feeding of live stock —Conferences with farmers indicate sales of fertilizer are slow and much reduced, and that the acreage of wheat will he far below normal unless the present attitude of farmers is changed. The state food commission is considering hte problem, and feels that farmers should plan to sow normal acreage of wheat and rye. The commitee desires a statement from you on a desirable plain of procedure, and what lines farmers should follow.” It was brought out at a meeting of the food committee this week that any limitations in the production of foodstuffs would only serve to aggravate the present coat of living problem, and, according to Prof. Christie, the only solution of the problem is to increase production in every line.