The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1917-05-18
PRODUCTION OR DESTRUCTION.

PRODUCTION OR DESTRUCTION.
Amidst the excitement of these
days it will be well if we give atten-
tion to the voice of wisdom.
Patriotism is one of the greatest
virtues. But patriotism is not always
armed with rifle. neither is its pos
SCISSOR always target for a bullet.
That this is peculiarly the case just
at this time Is brought forcibly to our
minds when we begin to soberly study
our condition.
When state of war was declared
by congress this country was already
facing exorbitant food prices, and on
top of that comes the discouraging
prediction of a fifty million bushel
bushel shortage in the 1917 wheat
crop. We are also threatened with
shortage in the potato crop, due to
almost prohibitive prices Of the seed.
Again bear in mind that it is the
purpose to lend every possible support
to the allies, and if this pelicy is fol-
lowed there will be very little falling
off in exports.
President Wilson has said that he
does not want to disturb the indnst-
ries of the country where it can pos
sibly be avoided. Nevertheless, en-
listments are sure to disturb them to
a considerable extent, especially the
agricultural interests, from which
field recruits arc always largely drawn
in warfare.
Hence the importance of the food
problem looms even greater than that
of fighting, and the man behind the
plov is destined to be as great pa
triot as the man behind the gun.
Thousands of farmers in this Coun-
try have for years followed policy of
limiting production. This has come
about gradually and from various
causes. The scarcity Of help was one
cause, but the greatest has been the
low prices heretofore prevailing for
farm products. The latter, however.
is at an end. and the policy of curtail
ment should be abandoned. In fact,
our plain duty now is to provide food
for the nation. as this is the founda-
tion of all preparedness. Men and
guns are powerless without it.
Spring planting is opening up in
this section. and the truth should be
forcibly driven home TO every person
who owns portion Of the soil that it
Is his busndeh duty in this emergen-
c. to make that soil produce to the
limit OF its capacity. The Almighty
has blessed us with fair land and a
wonderfully productive one. We are
facing a struggle that may tax our
resources and our strength to the ut
most. We will be criminally negli-
gent if we relax in the least our ef-
forts in food production
And this applies to others besides
the farmer and the gardner. The
bankers and merchants, business men
of all lines, by standing shoulder to
shoulder with the actual tillers Of the
soil, lending their help in whatever
way it is needed. can advance the
cause wonderfully. Many farmers
especially the smaller ones and the
renters, will need assistance. THIS
should be rtlicoming- not primarily
Tor the sake Of !; the individual, but
that he may be a unit in the swelling
our national production. r.
Let us all bear i'm mind that in the
eventiu year of 1917 PRODUCTION
will be Is truly patriotic as DE
STEUCTION.
The man behind the pl0w will be
as truly the savior of his country as
the man behind the gun.
Our duty calls TO us in clarion tones.
Let us face it without an instant of
hesitation.
Let EVERYBODY produce SOME
THING.