104 GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 



Mr. Walker. That is correct. 



Mr. Pace. Mr. Walker, one further question: If, as a matter of 

 fact, acreage control and marketing quotas have brought about 

 increased yields, does that not mean better farming? 



Mr. Walker. It is better farming, and better farm management. 



Mr. Pace. In other words, if the farmers can produce on one-half 

 an acre the same crop they have been producing on an acre, it is 

 better farming, it is more efficient, and less expensive farming? 



Mr. Walker. Tes; it is better farm management. 



Mr. Pace. Tes; and it leaves more acreage to be conserved for 

 other purposes. 



Mr. Andresex. Will the chairman yield further? 



Mr. Pace. Yes. 



Mr. Andresex. The reduction has be(ui taking place in the com- 

 mercial corn area, and if what the chairman says is correct, then there 

 has been an increase in the yield of corn in the noncommercial area 

 with the reduction in acreage. 



Air. Walker. That would have to be checked. 



Mr. Andresen. Has a record been kept. 



Mr. Walker. There are some areas where we know the history. 



Mr. Andresen. Yes; but that is true generally all over the country, 

 because tlu'ough the application of more fertilizer, the. use of hybrid 

 seeds, the mechanization of the farm, and the things you have referred 

 to, have meant better practices and greater production. 



Mr. Walker. That is right. 



Mr. Andresen. And greater yields. 



Mr. Walker. That is correct. 



Mr. Pace. I would not want to be put in the light of contending 

 that acreage control alone contributed to this increased yield; there 

 were other contributing factors, but the acreage-reduction program 

 has made the prodiicers more interested in carrying on the practices 

 that brought about increased production. 



Mr. Walker. That is correct. 



Mr. Pace. Better soil conservation practices, and better cultivation 

 practices? 



Mr. Walker. Y"es. 



Mr. Andresen. They have had to pay more attention to getting an 

 increased amount of corn on the reduced acreages in order to get an 

 income from their operation? 



Mr. Pace. That is right. 



Mr. Hoeven. To get the complete picture it should be stated that 

 the estimated reduction in corn acreage for 1949 will be approximately 

 1.6 percent less than it was in 1948; is that correct? 



Mr. Walker. Eighty-six and nine-tenths million acres down to 

 about 85 million acres. 



Mr. Pace. Go ahead, Mr. Walker, with your statement. 



Mr. Walker. The national acreage allotment for any calendar year 

 must be proclaimed not later than February 1 of such calendar year. 

 While the formula provided by law for determining the national 

 acreage allotment is quite simple, the procedures employed in arriving 

 at such determination must take into account the "consumer safe- 

 guards" provision as set forth in section 304 of the act. This provision 

 requires that the adjustment powers authorized under the act shall 

 not be used to discourage the maintenance of production at the normal 



