1938 - Agriculture

Agriculture

A revised Agricultural Adjustment Act passed by Congress February 16 eases restrictions on planting most U.S. crops, even providing for lime- and mineral fertilizer to farmers to help them increase yields (see 1936). The new AAA begins direct crop-subsidy "parity" payments to farmers based on 1910-1914 farm prices, and it helps farmers buy crop-insurance coverage that will pay off when weather ruins their harvests (see 1994).

The Commodity Credit Corp. established by the new AAA supports U.S. farm prices by buying up surpluses for an "Ever-Normal Granary" designed to protect the nation against drought and plant diseases, distribute surpluses among the needy, and pay export subsidies that will encourage foreign sales by "equalizing" U.S. farm prices with lower world prices (see wheat exports, 1940; food availability [food stamps], 1939).

Dust storms continue on the drought-stricken southern plains, but the amount of topsoil blown away falls by 65 percent, partly because of government programs that have taken land out of production, partly because of more enlightened cultivation methods that control soil erosion.

Arizona's new 286-foot high Bartlett Dam provides water for irrigation.

Plant geneticist-agronomist Edward Murray East dies at Boston November 9 at age 59.