Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-16
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
BY FREDERIC J. HAskIN

WASHINGTON. April I'm tn
United states OF America there arc
moro than loo.ooo.ooo people. This is
"a figure too large for tho human mind
to grasp, but the human mind can
grasp its Significance. II means. among
other things, that the smallest move
fnent which gets started among the
american people takes on Importance
IKE a SNOWFALL rolling downhill.
ltaDits or thought and speech and ac-
ton sweep the country from end to end.
because We are one people with the
inest means OF communication in the
world. If 1t is the national fashion
to be a little wastefuI. II means that
'ne total national waste reaches an
absolutely staggering figure. Now, on
tne other hand. II It were only the ma
tionai fashion 10 be a little saving
one or the things that the Depart
rnent of Agriculture liz working vigor-
ousty to bring about is just that estab-
iishment or the little habit Of economy.
Economy in the little things is ali that
Is asked 30 far: for the lItt.e economies
viii be multiplied by hundred million.
and without being the less happy or
the less comfortable. we can save
enough to feed Belgium. Our national
dollar mark. We lose every year soov.-
100000 worth OF eggs alone that might
he saved.
The department is attacking the food
problem from every angle. All it's
work for years in helping the farmer
has been so much work toward greater
production to-day; btt now the experts
and scientists are appealing to every
American. in city and country alike
pointing out 10 him how he can pro
ducc food and save food. The farmer
IS pcinS urged to increase his acreage;
there is no fear OF low prices. The city
man is urged TO avoid waste; in war
Time. II ever, waste is sin.
And the suburbanite. the commuter
Inc early-risinE. troley-rding person
wEo is city aud country too"-he and
his near relative the small-town
nWeIier. are called upon to come for
ward and plant garden. 10 shoulder
spade and get in line, and bring
forth food in this critical moment The
empty lot and back yard campaign /.
nation wide. and going strong The
time is not far on when the man with
piece OF ground and nothing growing
on ii Will be regarded axkance as a
luke warm American.
Needs VIII BE Urgent.
The food needs OF America are likely
TO be urgent within a few months. not
so much because We will not be able
TO produce all and more than We need
FOR home use. but because one Of GU,
greatest parts in the war and one OF
the greatest services we can do for our
cause viii be to supply our European
allies with every possible pounu or
rood Moreover. particular sections OF
the United States itself arc likely 10
reel shortage. because there VIII ns
an unprecedented demand for freight
cars TO carry munitions and war sup
pies from interior points TO the coast
The motto or every American city
and county should be. TO produce as
nearly as possible enough food for its
own use. BY so doing IL Will not only
assure Suniciency AZ home. but il will
release the surplus from the great
farming regions for shipment abroad
ana release. too. the oars that arc
necessary to carry other things. These
two phases OF the matter arc clearly
stated in recent uttcrances OF promi-
ncnt men. Lord NorthcliHe, the leading
British journalist. stated that for tho
moment the greatest service America
could render the cause lay in lavish
supply Of munitions. money and food.
The munitions question is an Industrial
one, and a. board OF industrial experts
is already at work on ii. The financial
question is being met by the monster
loan proposed in Congress. The food
question can only be solved by the CO.
operation of every American.
AS to tho local side OF the food oues-
ton. Assistant Secretary OF Agriculture
Carl Nrooman stated il plainly when
he told a farmers meeting In tho South
that they must take steps to produce
enough food for the usc Of their sec
ton at home II they were TO AVOID tho
pinch of short transportation facilities
In recognition OF this national food
problem. the Department OF ARricul-
turc has launched it's two great cam
raiEns to check waste and promote the