The gazette-times., April 22, 1915, HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION, Page 8, Image 14

HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION
What the Government Has to Say A Page of Special Articles
Bulletins Issued by the United States Department of Agriculture of Interest to the Northwest;
Suggestions Covering a Wide Range of Activities; Result of Federal Investigations, Etc,
American Housewives Are
Capable of Mixing Flour
THAT the American housewife Is her
self quite capable of doing all the
flour mixing desirable is the commentary
of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Vrooman on the mooted mixed flour ques
tion. He says further that the American
housewife could materially reduce the
cost of living if she were to get the flour
mixing habit.
There are some thirty substitutes
that can be mixed with wheat 'flour in
making bread," he said in a statement
issued here today. "Many of these are
more nutritious than wheat flour; some
of them are cheaper than wheat flour,
and of these, two or three, at least, are
commercially obtainable almost anywhere.
"Potatoes, corn flour, and rice (in cer
tain sections) can be used with profit in
mixture with wheat flour in making yeast
bread. With wheat flour as dear as it is
now the careful housewife stands to ef
fect quite a saving by using one of these
products to eke out her wheat flour. Ex
periments have shown that the substi
tutes can be used successfully In the pro
portion of one part to three parts of wheat
flour. At least three-fourths of the mix
ture must be good wheat flour.
"Potatoes have a certain advantage In
this regard, since-potato bread can be
made without going to the trouble to get
the commercial potato meal. Plain
mashed potatoes, four parts of mashed po
tatoes to three parts of wheat flour, will
serve the purpose quite weli. If the dry
potato meal or flake is used, the ratio
should be one part of potato to three
parts of flour.
Boiled rice can be used In much the
same way as mashed potatoes, care being
taken to allow for the water in the rice
and to use about three times as much In
bulk as would be used of the rice flour.
"In making potato bread the sponge
should be used, and just enough water to
serve to mix the yeast with the potato,
since the sponge becomes very soft after
rartial fermentation. The remainder of
the flour is worked in afterwards, care
being taken to make an extra stiff dough,
which should be raised till quite light.
This bread Is much molster than bread
made of straight wheat flour.
"Corn flour, which should cost about
two-third9 the price of wheat flour, may
be mixed with wheat flour direct, one
part of corn flour to three parts of wheat
flour. Use the mixture just as though it
were wheat flour and mix it yourself.
"It should be remembered that the ad
dition of starchy materials, such as po
latoes, rice or corn starch (which Is some
limes used to adulterate wheat flour In
baking) tends to make a loaf less rich
in protein and hence less nutritious than
the straight wheat flour. The addition
of corn flour makes little, If any, change
in the nutritive value of the bread, but
makes it cheaper.
"There are other flour substitutes, Buch
as soybean meal and pea flour, which
serve to add greatly to the nutritive value
of the loaf when mixed with wheat flour.
These products, unfortunately, cannot be
recommended in the present emergency,
since they are not as yet common articles
of commerce in this country.
"In this connection it should be said
that a great saving could be effected if
the housewife would emulate the profes
sional baker and buy low-grade wheat
flours. There are flours on the market
quite as good for home baking as the
fancy patent flours, which cost In bulk
from 20 to 40 per cent less than the
fancy grades.
Such are the so-called "second clear"
and "low grade" flours, which are graded
lower than patents merely because they
are darker, not because they are any less
nutritious or less palatable. In fact, the
darker color may be evidence that the
flour is more nutritious than white flour.
"Boston brown bread may be mentioned
as a good and very popular medium for
the profitable UBe of flour substitutes. It
is made of equal parts of corn meal, rye
meal and graham flour and Is a very
nutritious bread. .
"There are various ways of making over
bread Itself so as to effect a considerable
raving. Thus stale bread, crusts, crumbs,
etc., can be worked Into palatable prod
ucts such as bread pancakes, breadcrumb
lifciiit. and breadcrumb cookies.
"The nub of the mixed flour ques
tion hangs on who does the mixing. If
the houswife does the mixing she gets the
saving entailed; if the baker or the whole
Baler does it, he Is very apt to get the
saving as additional profit."
Authorization has been secured from
the Secretary of Agriculture to graze on
Hie National forests of California, for
the season of 1915, 212,280 cattle and
horses, 505,750 sheep and goats, and 7950
swine. The National forests are accom
modating more livestock each year as bet
ter methods of .handling are brought
shout and new unutilized areas are
brought into use through trail construc
tion, water development and other means.
Figuring Out Farmer's Real Income
EXTENSIVE investigations Into the
profits of farming have Indicated that
the amount of money which the'av
erage farmer receives for his year's work
is little more than that which he would
be paid if he hired himself out as a farm
hand to one of his neighbors. In other
words, though the farmer is In business
for himself, the average farmer gets little
or no money reward for the intelligence
and skill with which he has managed his
affairs or the risk and responsibility he
has assumed.
But he must get something in return
or no one would trouble to farm for him
self. A recent study conducted by ex
perts in the United States Department of
Agriculture shows that in many cases this
reward may best be found in the products
with which his farm furnishes him di
rectly. When a farm is nearly, if not
quite, self-sustaining, say agricultural ex
perts, when it supplies the family that
lives upon it with most of the necessities
of life, a large money income is not neces
sary to prosperity. A greater sum de
rived from a farm which yields nothing
for home consumption may leave the oc
cupants much worse off.
Under the title of "What the Farm Con
tributes Directly to the Farmer's Living,"
the Department of Agriculture is about to
publish the results of a survey of condi
tions on a large number of farms in the
10 states of North Carolina, Georgia,
Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont.
The farms selected for study, though pos
sibly a little more prosperous than the
average, were fairly representative of
their sections which, it will be noted, in
cluded three corn and cotton areas, two
states In the corn and wheat belt, two
regions where general farming was car
ried on, and three different dairy dis
tricts. The average value of the chief neces
sities of life food, fuel, oil and shelter
used each year by the farm family, the
investigators found to be $595.08. Of
these necessities, estimated in money, the
portion contributed directly by the farm
was $421.17, leaving $173.91 to be pur
chased with the cash obtained from the
sale of products.
In considering these figures it must be
remembered that if the farmer had been
compelled to pay city prices for his home
grown necessities, this $421.17 would
have represented much less comfort.
Cash Crops Disastrous.
Of the food consumed 63 per cent was
furnished by the farm. This proportion
varied greatly in the different sections,
but was greatest in the locality studied in
North Carolina, where the farms supplied
82.3 per cent of the food consumed, while
the average in the New York locality was
only 50.4.
In view of the present economic crisis in
the South this fact is regarded as of par
ticular significance, since it demonstrates
the extent to which with a proper system
of agriculture Southern farms can be
made self-sustaining. Concentration upon
one cash crop cotton has proved disas
trous and agricultural authorities are now
trying in every way to induce the people
to" adopt a system which will lead to con
ditions similar to those now prevailing in
this particular area of North Carolina.
In this connection the Investigation re
vealed some Interesting facts in regard to
the four items of groceries, animal prod
ucts, fruits and vegetables In the average
farm family's food bill.
Of the value of the food consumed gro
ceries constituted practically one-quarter,
animal products more than one-half, veg
etables 11.6 per cent and fruit only 6.3.
Practically all of the groceries were
bought; on the other hand the quantity
of fruits and vegetables used was in di
rect proportion to the quantity raised on
the farm and where this quantity was
great the grocery bill was corresponding
ly low.
- . Produce and Bills.
This was also found to be true of ani
mal products, including, of course, not
only butcher's meat, but poultry, eggs,
milk, cheese, etc. Where these were abun
dant on the farm fewer groceries were
purchased. Since the grocery bill was
found to be ordinarily two-thirds of the
entire amount expended in cash tor food,
one very obvious and effective way of
economizing appears to be to raise more
vegetables, more fruit," more milk and
eggs. In many cases, experts say, this
can be done with no appreciable increase
in trouble or expense.
Next to food, shelter is probably the
most important necessity of life. In con
sideriug the farmer's income, however, a
common error in the past has been to Ig
nore the question of house rent. The
value of the house has usually been In
cluded In the value of the land and the
whole considered as capital invested on
which interest must be paid before the
farmer can be regarded as receiving any
pay at all.
This method, however, assumes that the
farm family is to have shelter for noth
ing an assumption which the city work
er, with whom it is not unusual to pay
out from one-third to one-quarter of his
.entire wages for rent alone, would regard
as most astonishing.
According to the recent investigation,
it the average farmer had to pay rent, his
home would cost him $125 a year. This
figure represents 10 per cent of the value
of the average house. Including interest,
depreciation and repairs, this Is regarded
as a fair rental charge for the class of
houses usually found on the farm.
Direct Supply Value.
With the information at their com
mand, the investigators were also In a
position to compute the average cost of
board and lodging on tho farm. In this
they included an Item very easily forgot
ten the value of the housework per
formed by members of tho family. This
was reckoned on the basis of the wages
that would have had to be paid for hired
assistance. Including this with the more
obvious charges for food, fuel, light and
rent, it was found that board and lodg
ing for each individual averaged $14.62
a month.
But of this sum, it is Interesting to
note, the farmer paid out in cash only 22
per cent. Exclusive of lodging the board
of the average hired man cost $10 a
month, but here again the farmer had
only to pay $3. The remaining $7 was
furnished by the farm as a result presum
ably of the hired man's own efforts.
The averages obtained as the result of
this Investigation are not, of course, to be
taken as mathematically exact for the en
tire country. In the opinion of agri
cultural experts, however, they point with
convincing emphasis to the possibilities
of comfort and prosperity that may be
realized by a fuller utilization of all the
farm's resources.
Cash crops are not the sole, and on the
average they are not even the chief
source of real Income. It Is really what
the farm furnishes directly to the farmer
that enables him to support his family.
To Increase the quantity and quality of
this direct supply 13 one great object of
farm management studies.
Sisal Fiber Indispensable
for the Country's Harvest
A SERIOUS calamity recently threat
ened the agricultural Industry be
cause of the disturbance In Yucatan and
the announced blockage of the port of
Progreso by General Carranza. The har
vesting of practically all grains with mod
ern machinery was Involved. If the port
of Progreso had been closed, it would
have been impossible to secure the sisal
fiber used in the manufacture of binder
twine.
It was urgent that this fiber be secured
Immediately and come forward In large
quantities by the first of April, other
wise the factories could not have manu
factured it in time In sufficient volume
for the use of the farmers in harvesting
this season's crop. It would have been
necessary to harvest by hand, and to
have harvested a large part of the grain
in this way would have been impossible.
The matter was so serious that the
President and the Secretary of State on
representations from the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Com
merce took the matter promptly in hand.
At the request of the President, General
Carranza abandoned the blockade of the
port of Progreso.
In normal years about 200,000,000
pounds of binder twine are required for
harvesting the grain, corn and flax crops.
From two-thirds to three-fourths of this
is made from henequin sisal fiber, prac
tically all of which is produced In Yuca
tan and exported from Progreso. This
year the demand for twine is certain to be
greater than ever.
Last year's wheat crop was the largest
the country has ever produced; this year's
is expected to be still larger. Nine hun
dred million bushels Is the estimate If
normal conditions prevail from now to
harvest. It is probable that the produc
tion of the other grains, especially of
oats, will also be increased and the other
crops, the sorghums and corn, will be at
least the equal of nbrmal years.
The disturbances In Mexico have al
ready caused an appreciable shortage In
the stock of fiber now in this country.
Between January 1 and February 28, 67,
489 bales of 350 pounds each were
brought in bs compared with 156,659
hales in the same period last year and
111,654 In 1913. If further supplies had
been permitted to be cut off the lack of
twine would have resulted in the loss of
a very large portion of the crops in the
very year when they are most needed.
Shade Trees and Ornamental
Shrubs for School and Home
WHAT kind of trees shall we plant to
beautify our grounds?
What shrubs would be suited to our
school yards?
These are questions which are frequent
ly asked the United States Department of
Agriculture. Soil and climatic conditions
differ so greatly in the different sections
of the United States that in answering
such questions special consideration has
to be given each section. The Depart
ment's specialists have prepared a spe
cial list of trees and shrubs suited for
general use on private grounds, streets,
private parks and school yards for each
of five general divisions of the United
States. The five divisions are as follows:
1. New England States, New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, West
Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan,
Illinois, Missouri, Iowa.
2. Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Ten
nessee, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas.
3. Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dako
ta, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Col
orado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
4. New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and
Nevada.
5. California, Oregon and Washington.
These lists are merely suggestive, but
they include such trees and shrubs as
seem well adapted to the particular lo
cality, and they may be of assistance to
those who are Interested in the beautlfi
cation of towns and cities. Here is a list
of those In the fifth district, particularly
prepared for the Northwest.
Deciduous trees (coast region)
Large-leaved maple, tulip tree, mountain
ash, European linden, sycamore, weeping
willow.
Shrubs (coast region) Roses, weigela,
European holly, lilac, laburnum, deutzia,
hydrangea panlculata, mock orange, Japan
quince.
Trees (Columbia Basin) Scotch elm,
American elm, Norway mnple, European
linden, sycamore, green asb, silver pop
lar, Russian poplar, white willow.
Shrubs (Columbia Basin) Lilac, hardy
roses, Phiiadelphus, Eloeagnus hortenBls,
laburnum, eplrea, Tamarlx amurensis,
Rosa rugosa, barberry.
The beauty of a shade tree depends
upon its normal and symmetrical growth.
In order to Insure this, before planting
cut off tho ends of all broken or mutilated
roots; remove all Bide branches save upon
evergreens, so that a straight whip-like
stalk alone remains. Dig holes at least
two feet In diameter and one foot deep
In good soil, and make them four feet
across in poor soil. The sides of holes
should be perpendicular and the bottom
flat.
Break up soli In the bottom of the hole
to a depth of the length of a spade blade.
Place two or three inches of fine top soil,
free from sods or other decomposing or
ganic matter, In the bottom of the hole.
On top of this place the roots of the
tree, spread them as evenly as possible
over the bottom of the hole, and cover
with two or three Inches of fine top soil
as before.
Tramp firmly with the feet and fill the
hole with good earth, leaving the surfaco
loose and a little higher than the surface
of the surrounding soil. When the work
of planting is completed, the tree should
stand about two Inches deeper than it
stood In the nursery.
In order to Insure symmetry of growth,
trees must be allowed unrestricted area
for development. At least 40 feet should
be allowed between trees Intended to oc
cupy the ground permanently. Quick
growing, temporary trees may be planted
between the long-lived ones to produce
immediate results, but these should be re
moved as soon as they Interfere with the
development of the permanent planta
tions. The lists of trees and shrubs contained
in this publication are merely suggestive,
but In all cases they Include such sorts
as are well adapted to the regions.
' Big Strawberry Shortage.
Reports received by the office of mar
kets and rural organization, of the De
partment of Agriculture, from the Louisi
ana district, which shipped over 1300 car
loads of strawberries in 1914, indicate
that the frost of March 21 destroyed
three-fourths of the crop already set and
will probably reduce tho expected ship
ments of 2000 cars by about one-fourth.
The plants are setting another crop,
but heavy shipments will be delayed for
two weeks.
Reports from the Carollnas, Central
Alabama and Arkansas Indicate no dam
age, but crop two weeks late.
Canadian Colonization.
During the month of January the Ca
nadian Pacific Railway colonized 7577
acres of land, occupied by about 170 peo
ple. This is a very high average for this
month.