Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-06-28
THE VERMONT FARM GUARD.


The MAN behind the gum and the
Man behind the hoe" have both been
made famous. They gained the center
Of the world stage In a time Of peace.
We are now at war, and strangely enough
the gunner and the digger again stand
side BY side in the public eye. We need
both. Neither can say to the other IT
have no noed Of thee" The man who
fights must have food - we'll as ammu-
milton. Close behind him stand both the
maker Of ammunition and the producer
Of food.
Vermont has been urging It's young
men to enlist for military service in war.
The Green Mountain State Is now calling
for young men to enlist for the gather
ing of the harvest as a war measure and
q means Of sustaining our nation in the
great conflict now begun in the cause of
humanity.
State Commissioner Of Agriculture e.
8. Brigham has issued an appeal for the
formation of the Vermont Farm Guard.
He calls attention to the fact that in
some Of the other States the co-opera.
ton of railroads and manufacturers has
been solicited to the extent Of releasing
such Of their employees as can be spared
for the purpose Of helping to secure the
harvest.
Working with the committee Of public
safety and the agricultural extension
service Of the University Of Vermont.
Commissioner Brigham has caused a
canvass Of the labor situation in this
State to be made with view to securing
additional farm labor for the harvesting
Of the seasons crops. Many Of the larger
employers Of labor. in both the railroad
and manufacturing industries Of the
State, have been interviewed regarding
the possibility Of releasing a portion Of
their help to the farmers in the harvest
season. and without exception it has de-
veloped in every instance that to do SO
will seriously cripple their own plants.
In fact. the railroads and industries Of
the State would take on a good many
hundred additional hands II same could
be procured.
The investigation has satisfied the de.
partments interested in making IL that
there Is no possibility Of procuring extra
farm labor from any Of the sources can
vassed. The situation also demonstrates
the fact that labor Of all kinds Is one Of
the scafcest commodities in the market
to-day. and II the farmers get sufacient
help to harvest their crops, volunteer la
Dor will have to be enlisted. The farm
ers are urged. however. to take into con-
sideration the fact that neither tho COM
missioner Of agriculture. the committee
Of public safety nor tho University Of
Vermont extension service can create
help offhand and that It is going to be
dificult matter to secure It from any
source. Tho labor conditions emphasize
the necessity Of farmers being willing to
put UP with such help as can be OBJ
tanned.
In view Of the situation. a call for 5.o0o
volunteers in the Vermont Farm Guard
is therefore made. and 1t is urgently re-
quested that all retired farmers. rejected
applicants for enlistment In the army and
navy. vacaionists. unemployed. women.
Boy Scouts and school children over four
teen. and all others who are willing to
do their bit." at once tender their SER
vices to the State for work upon the
farms at the good wages offered by the
farmers. besides room and board.
| Volunteers are urged to communicate
At once with Commissioner Brigham.
whose postofice address is st. Albans.
Do your bit now.