The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-18
STATE FEEDS SELF
Arkansas Maps Out Energetic
Statewide Campaign.
100000 Women, Girls, Boys En-
. rolled to Aid.

Fayetteville, Ark April 1s-An en-
ergetic food production program for
the state of Arkansas, devised as a
part of the economic arm of the ma
tons defense. has been undertaken by
state authorities and department heads
of the University of Arkansas
The enrolment of 100. 900 women
girls and boys to aid the thousa nds of
farmers in the state to increase food
production is contemplated in the
plans. Attempts will be made to have
each town do as much as possible to
enable it to feed itself. The appoint
ment of conmissary committees thru
out the state is being made in order
that they may supervise the crop
growing campaign-
Enlist Business Men Teachers, Etc.
Leaders in the program are W. c.
Lassetter, acting director of the extern
sion division of the university and the
federal department of agriculture;
Miss Emma Archer, state agent for
home demonstrations and w ]. Jer-
nigan, state leader in charge of boys
and girls agricultural clubs. With
them are working hundreds of bank
ers, merchants, school teachers, news
paper publishers. club women, and
municipal authorities Surveys of I'M
used city lots and vacant tracts of
larger dimensions are being made rap
idly in all sections of the state and the
and children workers has been started
Mr.. Jennings and Miss Archer are
endeavoring to increase the member
ship of the boys and girls agricultural
clubs from 10000, the enrolment of
last year to IO0,0 900 Each boy or
groups of them. will be instructed to
take over the larger unused tracts for
the production of the more staple
foods, such as corn and potatoes. while
to the women and girls of the econo-
mic army, the smaller lots will be as
signed for the cultivation of gardens
Bankers and merchants in large num-
bers have agreed to finance the seed
ing and purchase of implements for
the hosts of workers and Miss Archer
is now urging all housewives of the
state to conserve all glass, tin and
earthern containers. regardless of
their size and shape. so that they may
be disposed of for use in canning the
great quantities of vegetable and
| food that should be forthcoming from
the campaign
Each Town an Independent Unit
The plans to make each commu unity
an independent unit were looked upon
by the leaders as being of particular
I importance Many smaller cities and
/ towns. it has been stated. frequently
are forced to rely upon shipments
from elsewhere for many food neceSsI-
ties This not only evidences a fail
ure properly to diversity crop produc-
ton. but also requires costly ship
ments and a conSeQuet tie-up of rail-
road equipment that could be used else
where to great advantage during the
nations need, the officials held The
comnissary committees being appoint
ed will be expected to supervise the
collection. distribution and sale of the
products raised by the volunteer army
The extension department of the
university has announced that it will
provide crop bulletins and instructions
to all persons who ask for them All
persons in districts not having county
farm agents are urged to communi-
cate at once with the departm