The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-05-11
THE BATTLE OF
THE PLOW

stuffs, we stand grave chance of 10:
ing the war. Our enemies are calcu
lating that America will fail in thi
ana vhat our allies will have to give i
These are not the words of a profes
sional alarmist. They represent ii
profound convection of the man who
in all probability, is better qualified t
speak on the food problems of tn
world than any other man. We ar,
quoting Herbert C. Hoover.
The success CT our battle agains
starvation depends, in the first instance
very largely upon the events of the
next few weeks, the period in which
the bulk of our food crops will be
planted. Unless these crops are plant
ed in adequate acreage no amount of
economy in the use of food in the fu-
ture will make up for the loss of the
priceless opportunity of today.
A demand for increased acreage in
food crops does not mean demand for
the upsetting of our whole agricultur-
al system.
1t does not mean that the south shall
give up entirely the planting of cot
ton. But it does mean that the south
ern farmer must do what he can to
make his own region self-supporting.
1t does not mean that the Maine far
ner shall cut his wood lot in order to
find room to plant more potatoes; but
1t does mean that the Maine farmer
shall use every possible expedient to
Increase the productivity of the land
which he can properly cultivate.
1t does not mean that Lincoln park
IN Chicago shall be plowed up and
'wed to corn; but it does mean that
every city dweller in the country must
cooperate with his fellow American on
the farm to supply him with labor,
money, a fair and honest market for
his goods, and the assurance that the
food products of the country will not
be dissipated in speculation or wasted
by thriftless housekeeping.
General advice is easy to give and
, erd to put into practice. What the
farmer of the country needs today is
not advice, but active and practical
help. Every day of ,theorizing means
one day less of work. Examples are
more valuable than warning. Produce
9nd conserve is the watchword. How
shall this watchword be translated into
realty?
Elsewhere in this issue ex-Ambassa-
dor Herriek, one of the carefulest stu
dents in the country of the problem of
farm finance, tells what three banks
are doing to aid in the production of
eodstutfs. What three banks have
done, hundreds of others can do.
The Erie Railroad has instructed all
its division officers to allow farmers or
gardeners to use for cultivation, free
Of charge, all unoccupied land owned
by the railway. The president of the
New York Central has announced that
the railway would undertake to supply
labor to farmers along its lines, see |
mat they got seed, and what ready
money they needed to raise the largest
.rops possible, Forty thousand bush
us Of seed potatoes have already been
secured, which will be sold at cost.
what these railroads are doing 9th
n railroads can Go and will do.
Many communities throughout the
ountry, like that of Lakewood, N. j.,
re projecting community gardens for -,
ne present summer. The community r
arden is perhaps the wisest form of r
uburban agricultural effort, for it in
lres, If properly supervised, the
nallest possible waste of seed and
Dor Where community gardens cam a.
't be undertaken the appointment of :;
garden supervisor for a village or y,
Wn IS certainly worth considering. \,
aturally the chief effort in these gar l.,
ms should be devoted to the produc- Il,
N OF vegetables that can be stored -
'tatoes, beans, beets, carrots and tur- ,c
should be given the right of wav
er radlshes and lettuce. With the =
adjustment of community gardens
amount Of time and labor which
n citizen can devote to garden work
qua be recorded and pledged.
what an independent organization
do IS shown by the Washington
tie Harvesters' League, of Seattle
This organization has
rted listing city dwellcrs beyond the
itary age for service in gathering
crops, Those who sign up with
organization agree to spend their
ations as farm laborers. The mon %
earned by such volunteer labor will
S expected, be given to the Red
IS.
b Kansas the State Counsel for De-
Sc Is planning to equip with search
us each of the four thousand trac-
owned in that broad state, So that
may be used by night as well as
lay, -Four million acres of winter
at have been abandoned in Kansas
tractor drive is needed to get the II
INTO silage crops to help in the
iuctlon Of milk and meat.
e" York City has many plans for
production and conservation of [
l. Perhaps one of the most inter.
lg is that announced by RATHER
b. Davis, president of the City Pa
Board. 1t is planned to release on :
ne many inmates of the city penal i
buttons on condition that they
out the balance of their senten- d