Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-19
BOYS TO DO FARM LABOR
Enough in High Schools to Re-
place Laborers z to 1, It's Said.
County Agents Hear Able speech By
DR.. Hillcgas-Ex-Goveruo Gates,
Dean Hills and Land BANK
Secretary Other Speakers.


laborers lost by enlistment of students
in agriculture in the Junior and senior
high schools Of the State and the upper
grades Of the grammar schools will be pro-
vided by the State department of educa-
ton, says state Commissioner Milo B.
Hillegas. the chief speaker at Friday
afternoons session of the county agri-
cultural agents at Morrill, hall. The
plan, which has not been worked out In
full, contemplates the withdrawal of these
boys five or six weeks earlier than the
ordinary time. about the middle of June.
Supervisor of Junior High Schools Clyde
NJ. Hill privately gave the following
abstract of the plan: Under the direc-
ton of superintendent and competent
advisors. the scarcity of farm labor due
to enlistment will be met by permitting
high school boys to leave school and work
on farms. The New England college en-
trance board has agreed to permit these
boys to enter college without examination
or condition II their diplomas are issued
at once and they work in farms under
proper supervision. The Rev. Fraser
Metzger Of Randolph is working under
the direction Of the State board of educa-
ton in organizing and directing their
work.
"Dr. Hillegas emphasized the need for
He asked for the cooperation of farm
advisors and school people in producing
and canning as much as possible. He
mentioned the scarcity Of cans and asked
that the home economics department of
the Agricultural College experiment on
the use of bottles. ETC., to be used for
the purpose. Some 5000 school children
will be organized on a military basis as
the Green Mountain Guards to produce
as much as possible. He asked that
adults encourage children in every way.
The plan from an educational standpoint
was all right. Modern education has for
several years had in mind giving boys
and girls Just the kind of independence
which would make them able to meet this
situation"
Ex-Governor Gates the first thing in
the afternoon explained the work of his
Subcommittee on food production and
conservation. a branch of the committee
of public safety. Later in the afternoon
MIR. Gates remarked that there was no
such thing as an over-production OF
beans, any more than corn, ETC., in view
Of the country's need
DEAN HILLS SPEAKS.
Dean j. l.. Hills reported the recent
conference at st. Louis called by Secre-
tary Houston, which he attended, at
which % States were represented by
agricultural commissioners and agricul-
tural college administrators. The confer
ence recommended or stated the follow
ing among other things: The farmer will
render as good service on the farm as in
the ranks of the army: he should produce
| weil-established crops and use methods
likely to yield the largest returns; quick
action Is necessary. because the next q
do wxvln <1Ak4 H.
ton and acreage; New England farmers
should increase their corn. oats. barley,
buckwheat. bean and potato crops: chill
dren may aid by working gardens. Among
other recommendations Of the conference
was to provide for q diet vegetarian az
far as possible.
MORNING SESSION.
The morning session was entirely
occupied with the tentative reports. to
be modified by the discussion which fol.
lowed. Of committees on the following
Production for home consumption, pro.
duction for market. production of feed
supplies. controlling plant diseases and
insects. efficiency methods on the farm
storage and preservation of products
securing the cooperation of existing
organizations, mass meetings. publicity
and new organizations. These reports ir
full will not be completed finally for 9
week or more.
| EVENING SESSION.
E. H. Forristall provided the feature
Of the closing session in the evening
when he explained to the county agents
the procedure in the organization Of
national farm loan associations. elo-
calls" as they are called. The speaker
Is secretary of the farm loan bank OF
this district. which has its headquar.
tiers at Springfield. His object was tc
get the aid of the agents in their coun.
| ties when a demand for a local asso.
citation arose, by using the farm bu.
reau associations. Blank forms indi.
eating the procedure are just being
published They are entitled minute.
Of meeting for Incorporation" ARTICLES
OF association" minutes OF first meet.
ing" and "by-laws Of national farm
loan association"
Mr.. Forristall said privately that al
association in Swanton. the preliminar!
work of which has been done. has ask
ed for $12S.OOO. 1t has II members
One or two other associations are un
der way in the State. The preliminar,
work for an association at Plastow, n
H.. has been finished and one other as
sociation has been started. Four IL
New York, three In Maine. three II
Massachusetts,. one in Connecticut ant
several in New Jersey are being organ
ICED About 100000 has been ap
piled for.
Questions by agents regarding ad
dresses of the day. and relative to mat
ters to be embodied in committee re
ports were the only other business