Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-01
TELLS HOW WOMEN CAN
AID IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Mrs. hamilton, of Toronto, Makes
Address to League for Wom-
ems Service.
ADVOCATES FARM LABOR
with Lighter Tools, She Says There
Are Many Forms of Agricultural
Effort That Arc We'll Suited to
Eiris and Young Women.

HOW women can aid in "a greater
toou production was told last night by
Mrs. l.. ~ Hamilton. Of Toronto in a
! simple, but interesting talk before II
large audience in the auditorium or the
Jefferson Hotel. Speaking under the
auspices of the agricultural committee
oil the Richmond branch of the Nation
al League for Women's Service Mrs
hamilton explained how a woman Of
intelligence could adapt even the
heaviest teamwork to her own limita-
lions.
But what does a backache matter
when our men are bleedinp in the
trcnches?' she concluded her talk.
much of which was based on Dcrsonui
experiences in Canada, where thous-
andS OF women are now performing
efficient service in the fields
MIS-. i!amilton was greeted by n
! large audience, the majority being
women She was introduced by Arthur
T.. Wilmer. British vice-counsel who
paid high tribute to the men of
canada whose deeds he characterized
as being the most brilliant of the
/ European war. 4 rising vote Of thanks
was scored the speaker after she had
! finished her address and answered a
number of questions.
That the food situation may cause
an acute crisis, Mrs. Hamilton warned
MI OF Canada, she said, is alive 10
the situation. and appeal for great-
er food production is still being made
| That 1T is the duty of women to aid
( in the present situation, she pointed
out.
IF amy ono suffers hunger through
your indifference you are responsible
! If tho war is prolonged by our lack
OF interest. we arc guilty of it's pro-
loncation. She stated cmphatically
Mrs. Hamilton described big farm
in Pennsylvania, where 500 girls many
not in good physical condition. do all
4 N tt.N
competent aericulturists. These girls
run cultivators. handle stock. clean out
pens pillow and even pitch hay
Any woman can adapt the work TO
her own limitations said Mrs. Iiamil-
ton. who advocated tho use Of lighter
implements for women. How far does
woman playing golf walk? Couldn't
she get the same action handling a
hoe
Women will find il pleasant work
handling horses and cattle. They are
particularly successful with tho little
animals. This is the mother instinct
They arc splendid workers in pickinc
and packing berries and fruits II
is dcliShtfu' work too. The pick ing
OF beans. tomatoes and other vcccta-
pies and the planting of potatoes arc
not too hard for them. | have seen
scores of women running binders i'm
harvest time. No work gives AS much
satisfaction as outdoor work Those
unable to do heavy work thcmse Ives
can supervise groups of girls. But
what does backachc matter when
our men are bleeding in the trcnchcs?"
HAS HELPED TO SOLVE
FARM LABOR PROBLEM
AIRS. Hamilton, who has done con-
| siderable social settlement work in
Toronto. told, Of her experiment sew
er;'l years ago in getting city girls
to work in tho berry fields in summer
solve the labor problem in Ontario
This experiment was of great assist
ancc in getting women on the farms
last summer. and greater numbers are
expected this year. In Great Britain.
Mrs. Hamilton said. three women arc
doing the work of two men on the
farms. while the women of France
work ing tho fields in the very shadow
OF the guns, are doing invaluable SER
vice.
In reply 10 a question. Mrs. Hamilton
stated that the girls in the fields; do
not Gag under the heat. nor do they
complain The climate of Virgin
need cause no concern, she said The
girls. she replied to question. have
adoptcd hloomer outfit. Some have
round the work so attractive that they
have permanently settled in the coun-
trE, while many factory and shop girls
are learning that "a few weeks on the
farm is the best kind OF summer holt
day.
Before Mr.. Wilmer introduced Mrs |
Hamilton. eight little girls and three
boys. under The leadership of Mrs.
iicuuembourE. PLAYED the "Star-Span-
Elcd Banner" the ''Marseillaisc" and |
God Save the King" on violins The
audience came I" its feet with each !
selection. Tho performers were Misses |
Mary Lakeland. Elizabeth Beasley, Nir-
Ginia Grcnshaw. Mary Caperton. llliz-
"a Nt,,.,
Catherine ThurSton and Adele Levitt |
and SHn Lakeland. William Mayo and
Louis EiaGi.