The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-25
APPEAL TO ORANGES
Organization Called Upon to Assist
in Food Production.

Organization Called Upon to Assist
in Food Production.
Mason S. Stone, director Of publici-
ty of the Vermont committee of public
safety has addressed the following to
the members of Vermont oranges:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: BY a
sinister spy system adopted by an
audacious overload of Europe and by
merciless and inhuman methods en-
ployed by him in warfare, but aban-
doned by all self-respeoting and civil
lized nations OF the world our neu-
trality as a nation became neutralized.
BY his defiance OF our rights, by his
disregard Of solemn pledges and by
his attacks upon the United States
flag, we were forced to become an ally
of the Allies. The Allies are arrayed
against him and what represents I'M
militarism and autocracy. and not
against the Germans, Austrians, Bull
garians and Turks as people.
On account of the present war 500.
100000 in Europe alone are reported
to have been Withdrawn from agricul-
ture and allied pursuits and, in con
sequence, our one great and immedi-
ate duty is to produce as much as pos
sible for the maintenance OF those
who are fighting our battles across the
seas. Not only have great areas of.
France, Roumania and Russia been
abandoned, but the wheat crop Of Ar
gentina is exceptionally light. the
Canadians are suffering from a
dearth of laborers to cultivate their
fields and the winter wheat crop in
cur own country is not promising an
average yield. Hence il behooves
every farmer OF America to do his ut
most to stay citizens of the United
Kingdom, France, Italy and Russia
and TO support those who in maintain
ing our cause at the front are unable
to supply Themselves.
On account OF present prospects of
crops and of the interruption of ag-
riculture abroad there is no danger of
oyer-production for the ensuing year
This prediction is confirmed by the
Secretary of Agriculture at Washing
ton and by other agricultural authori-
ties.
TO meet the obligation thrust upon
us and to act as the decisive factor in
closing the war, each man must do his
bit and a wee bit more. Therefore let
each farmer who can consistently so
do raise an additional acre Of food
crops, remembering that at present
che mind behind the plough is the
man behind the man behind the gun
that service in the cornfeld is just as
essential now as service on the battle
field, and that he who oultivates war
acre is doing highly appreciate and
patrtotfc deed.
IN cdse your District Committee OF
Public Safety organizes survey on
census OF farms and crops 1t is de-
sired that the members OF the Grange
cooperate to the fullest extent pos
sible
Within a few weeks there has been
3 slight hysterie Outright which re-
suited in sudden boarding OF food
stuffs of some kinds and an unwar
ranted elevation of prices This was
unnecessary. as there is at present SUI
ficient food for all.
Not only should there be additional
crops but there should be an increase
in meat production AS many calves
as possible should be raised, another
litter Of pigs should be produced and
few additional lambs should be fat
tened For patriotic purposes each
woman who can should have at least
one war hen.
TO perform the definite service
which has fallen to the farmer, more
thought, more time, more energy
more help than heretofore will be
required
The Vermont Committee Of Public
Safety recognizes that the most diff
cult and vexing problem in the oper.
aticn of farm is the employment Of
capable and reliable help. The dearth
apparently is due in large measure
to the difference between the number
OF work hours on the farm and the
number in the slsps and Offices and
the sproportionate wages paid. The
patriotic village or city man who is
planning to cultivate plot of ground
will undoubtedly perform the neces-
| sary labor SO as TO release to the far
| mer as much free labor as possible
| Also II is gratifying to report that al
ready methods are being considered
| in several places by which the unem-