Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-05-03
EVERY FAMILY
SHOULD GARDEN
ITS BACK LOTS
Continued from Page One.)

the use of only common sense and
labor. We produce every necessity Of
life and produce it so abundantly that
we trade it for luxuries of all kinds.
People come to use for all, bringing
what they have for barter.
Production is Less.
"An indication of the serious food
shortage can be found by glanc-
ing at the wheat production
and consumption of this country
during the last two years. In 1915
the United States produced approx
mately ten bushels per capita. In
1916 we produced only six bushels
per capita, and we used for our own
consumption six and one-quarter
bushels, thus using one-half more
bushel than we produced The fore
casts for 1917 indicate that we will
produce less than in 1916 This will
mean that we have nothing to export.
When we add to this the shortage of
wheat in every other country in the
world we can begin to realize the
seriousness Of the food situation.
Any plan for public defense should
include definite provision for the en-
listment OF people for labor in ;ncreas-
ing the food supply. This provision
should be as definite as the enlistment
of.people for service at the front. The
armies at the front would be of no
value if they were not supplied with
food. There are more than 100000
OF boys between the ages of IS and
l9 years in the cities and towns not
now engaged in productive work vital
10 the nation in the present war emer-
gency. There are many street loafers
and pool hall artists who should be
either made to fight or to work. Amer
lea should have an industrial army
and recognition should be given to
those who enlist to increase produc-
ton in the same way as to those who
enlist to fight.
Labor Big Factor.
Nebraska farmers now use the
greater portion of their land. The la
Dor problem is the limiting fac,or in
making greater use. The American
farmer is noted for the production Of
more food per man than any other
farmer i'll the world. When it comes
TO the production of more food per
acre, however, he is not at the top of
the list. He is an extensive farmer
rather than all intensive farmer. The
time has now come when it will be
necessary for the farmers to produce
more or the world will suffer. Farm
ing, will be profitable, for high prices
VIII MAINTAIN Tor some time. even if
the war should close at once
Let me call attention to a recent
statement by an agricultural expert
OF Bonn university in Germany that
famine is staring America in the
lace. There is more possibility Of
this than we like to admit. He gIories
III the fact that VIC can scarcely feed
ourselves, to say nothing of our allies.
The professor, however, has forgotten
that we produce 2,750,0000O0 bushels
OF corn as against 775,000,00O bush
els OF wheat, and that we can increase
the amount tremendously by adding
southern acreage-and that we can
eat corn bread He was thinking only
of our wheat He thinks we are too
content and indifferent to increase our
energies. He does not know the
American. We must and will pro-
duce more food than ever before and
show him the error OF his statement
that upon the American wheat field
the war will be decided'-in our
favor"
There was large turnout of Ro-
tarians to hear Mr.. Pugsley.
DR.. L. S. Cutter acted as chairman
of the meeting.