Smyrna times., 1917-05-02
DELAWARE FARMERS SHOW
INTEREST IN FOOD CRISIS
STUDENT CANVAS OF DELAWARE
FARMS SHOW LABOR CONDITION

Though Some are Handicapped Nearly
all Will Need Extra Help in Har-
vesting the Increased Crops
Dean Harry Hayward of the Agri-
cultural Department of Delaware Col
lege. who represents Governor John
G. Townsend council on food produc-
ton and conservation, in conducting
farm survey to ascertain what can
be done in the matter of forecasting
food production for this year, made
an interesting report to the council
at its meeting in the Wilmington
Chamber of Commerce rooms Monday
morning. All members of the council
were present except former Governor
Charles R. Miller, who is on a trip
west. James H. Hughes, of Dover:
L. Scott Townsend, who is in WASH
ing and John H. Hickey, the new
member who is president of the
Central Labor Union. Dean Hayward
reported that the survey, which was
started last Thursday, will probably
be completed early this week. 1t is
being made by thirty Delaware Col
lege students under the supervision of
the county agents, but many of the
reports had not been received. Some
of the canvassers had funny expert
ences in conducting the work. The
students wore their cadet uniforms,
and in several instances when they
went out in the fields to find the farm
ers, colored help took to the woods,
evidently thinking the csnvassers
were soldiers after them to put them
in the army.
One in Four Farmers Need Help Now
Dean Hayward said of reports of
the survey of 1900 farms he had re-
ceived, about one in four want help
now and more will need help at har-
vest time. These reports were mostly
from Kent and New Castle county.
The exact figures were that 476 of the
1900 farmers surveyed need help now.
The average wages being paid now is
about 500 month and board. Most
of those who want help did not seem
to care much about taking on school,
boys and students who have not had
experience on farms. The canvass
shows that few pigs are being raised
because of hog cholera and most o1
those who have dairy cattle do no
know what the cows are doing. The!
also show that few are increasing
their focks of poultry.
Gram for Cow Feeda Serious Problem
'The price of grain. for COW fee,
is becoming serious problem, - say
one of the student canvassers. Farm
ers claim they will not pay upward
to S55 ton for grain for cows, ant
many are selling their entire herr
outright. This is especially notice
able around Wilmington. Many farm
ers are retaining only one or two o
their milking rows for home use
The attractive prices for calves TO
'monkey-veal'' is tending to stop th
farmers and dairymen from raisin
their heifers. This may cause SCI
ious milk problem. Sucking pigs ar
also scarce. 1t is estimated that j
a section of Brandywine Hundred th
farmers would fatten over $50 pigs
they could be secured at reasonabl
price. The fact that the farmers ar
cutting down on raising cows is hav
ing its effect on the raising of pigs
Skim milk, formerly was the chic
food for fattening hogs but sine
milk is becoming a luxury the pig
are also forced to face a serious foe
situation. -
Nearly 100 Students Volunteer to WoT
The chairman of each count
will be furnished with list of farm
ers who say they want additional hell
The plan will then be worked out
to the placing of the ninety one Hie
School and some college boys who haV
volunteered to go on these farms. III
boys who do this work will probab
be furnished with certificates settir
out that they volunteered, when the
go to work, and honor badges Wne
they finish their work.