large crop of last year, approximately 900,000,000 bushels were soft. This, of course, was valuable as feed for animals, but less so than corn of normal quality. It should be remembered, in thinking in terms of food nutritional value, that, on the average, only about 12 per cent of the corn crop is annually consumed by human beings and that not more than 26 per cent ever leaves the farm. It should be borne in mind also that the stocks of corn on the farms November 1, 1918, were 118,400,000 bushels, as against less than 35,000,000 bushels last year, and 93,340,000 bushels, the average for the preceding five years. It is noteworthy that the quality of each of the four great cereals-barley, wheat, corn, and oats―ranges from 3 to 5.4 per cent above the average. Equally striking are the results of efforts to secure an ampler supply of meat and dairy products. In spite of the large exportation of horses and mules, the number remaining on farms is estimated to be 26,400,000, compared with 25,400,000 for the year preceding the European war and 24,700,000, the annual average for 1910-1914. The other principal classes of live stock also show an increase in number-milch cows of 2,600,000, or from 20,700,000 in 1914 to 23,300,000 in 1918; other cattle of 7,600,000, or from 35,900,000 to 43,500,000; and swine of 12,500,000, or from 58,900,000 to 71,400,000. Within the last year, for the first time in many years, there was an increase in the number of sheep-1,300,000, or from 47,616,000 in 1917 to 48,900,000 in 1918. In terms of product the results are equally striking. The number of pounds of beef for 1918 is given at 8,500,000,000 pounds, as against 6,079,000,000 for 1914; of pork, at 10,500,000,000, as against 8,769,000,000; and of mutton, at 495,000,000, as against 739,000,000, a total of all these products of 19,495,000,000 for the last year and 15,587,000,000 for the year preceding the European war. An increase is estimated in the number of gallons of milk produced, of 922,000,000, or from 7,507,000,000 to 8,429,000,000, and in the pounds of wool of 9,729,000, or from 290,192,000 to 299,921,000. The figures for poultry production have not been accurately ascertained, but it is roughly estimated that in 1918 we raised 589,000,000 head, compared with 544,000,000 in 1914 and 522,000,000, the five-year average, 1910-1914, while the number of dozens of eggs increased by 147,000,000, or from 1,774,000,000 in 1914 to 1,921,000,000 in 1918, and, in the last year exceeded the five-year average by 226,000,000. 1 Estimated, for 1914-1917, by the Bureau of Animal Industry. Figures for meat production for 1918 are tentative estimates based upon 1917 production and a comparison of slaughter under Federal inspection for nine months of 1918 with the corresponding nine months in 1917. ? Rough estimate. • Annual averages for 1910-1914: Eggs, 1,695,000,000 dozen; poultry, 522,000,000. VALUES. On the basis of prices that have recently prevailed, the value of all crops produced in 1918 and of live stock on farms on January 1, including horses, mules, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, is estimated to be $24,700,000,000, compared with $21,325,000,000 for 1917, $15,800,000,000 for 1916, $12,650,000,000 for 1914, and $11,700,000,000 for the five-year average. Of course, this greatly increased financial showing does not mean that the Nation is better off to that extent or that its real wealth has advanced in that proportion. Considering merely the domestic relations, the true state is indicated rather in terms of real commodities, comparative statements of which are given in foregoing paragraphs. The increased values, however, do reveal that the monetary returns to the farmers have increased proportionately with those of other groups of producers in the Nation and that their purchasing power has kept pace in the rising scale of prices. PLANS FOR 1919. It is too early to make detailed suggestions for the spring planting season of 1919. During this fall the Department, the agricultural colleges, and other agencies carried on a campaign for a large wheat acreage, and indications were given by States as to where the requisite planting could be secured without calling for an extension of the area or even a normal acreage in the States which had suffered from drouth for two years. It was suggested that, if possible, at least 45,000,000 acres of wheat should be planted. Fortunately, we have two seasons for wheat sowing, and the Department was aware of the fact that, if a large acreage was planted in the fall and came through the winter in good condition, there would be an opportunity to make appropriate suggestions in reference to the spring operations. The informal indications coming to the Department are that the farmers exceeded the plantings suggested by the Department. We do not know how either the wheat or the rye will come through the winter, and are not now able to state what the requirements should be for the next season, nor can anyone now tell what the world demand will be at the close of the harvest season of 1919. We do know that for the ensuing months the Nation is likely to be called upon for large quantities of available food and feeds to supply not only the peoples with whom we cooperated in the war but also those of the neutrals and the central powers. This will involve a continuation of conservation on the part of our people and probably of the maintenance of a satisfactory range of prices for food products during the period. When the nations of Europe will return to somewhat normal conditions and resume the planting of bread and feed grains sufficient in large measure to meet their requirements, and whether the shipping will open up sufficiently to permit the free movement of grains from distant countries like Australia, India, and Argentina, it is impossible now to say. It is certain that all these nations will direct their attention very specifically to the producing of supplies in respect to which good returns may naturally be expected. It will be to the interest of the whole world to expedite this process as much as possible; and, while the problem of immediate distribution of available foods demands urgent consideration, the production programs for the next harvest should also receive no less common and urgent attention. 97335°-AGR 1918- -2 Two things seem to be clear. One is that for a considerable period the world will have need particularly of a larger supply than normal of certain live stock, and especially of fats. We must not fail, therefore, to adopt every feasible means of economically increasing these things; and, as a part of our program, we shall give thought to the securing of an adequate supply of feed stuffs and to the eradication and control of all forms of animal disease. The Department has already taken steps in this direction and has issued a circular containing detailed suggestions. Another is the need of improving the organization of our agricultural agencies for the purpose of intelligently executing such plans as may seem to be wise. We shall attempt not only to perfect the organization and cooperation of the Department of Agriculture, the agricultural colleges and State departments, and the farmers' organizations, but we shall especially labor to strengthen the local farm bureaus and other organizations which support so effectively the extension forces and assist them in their activities. This is highly desirable not only during the continuance of present abnormal conditions but also for the future. The local as well as the State and Federal agencies are of supreme importance to the Nation in all its activities designed to make rural life more profitable, healthful, and attractive, and, therefore, to secure adequate economic production, efficient distribution, and necessary conservation. The Department of Agriculture, the agricultural colleges, and other organizations will continue to give definite thought to all the problems, will keep close track of developments, and, at the proper time in advance of the next planting season, will lay the situation before the farmers of the Nation. They will attempt to outline the needs and to suggest particular crops the increased production of which should be emphasized. COOPERATION OF OFFICIAL AGENCIES. To aid in securing larger production and fuller conservation during 1917 and 1918, the Department and the State colleges and commissioners of agriculture were in cordial cooperation. I can not adequately express my appreciation of the spirit which the State officials manifested in placing themselves at the service of the Government and of the extent, variety, and effectiveness of their efforts in everv undertaking. The authorities and staffs of the agricultural |