The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-22
VIRGINIA FARMERS
PRAISED BY COUNCIL
Their Activity in Seeding Large Crops
Complimented as Patriotic
Achievement.

Virginia farmers yesterday received
the appreciation of the state council
of defense, when that body passed
resolutions warmly commencing the
farmers for their patriotism in re-
spending to the appeal of the gov
eminent that everything be done to
increase the food supply of the state.
In its resolutions the council declared
that no class of citizens in Virginia
have evidenced more patriotism than
have the farmers. The resolutions are
as follows:
In view OF the fact that the farm
ers of the state have planted greatly
increased acreage of food crops, and
are bending their utmost efforts to
respond to the appeal OF the govern
| ment to increase the supply of food
! for the state and nation, the council
of defense wishes to express it's APP
probation of the splendid support the
farmers of Virginia are according their
Governme in tins emergency and
its confidence that this support will
| he continued, and that whenever pos
sible even greater efforts will be put
forward to insure greater food pro-
duction.
'.In the estimation Of the council of
defense nc class OF citizens IS actuated
by more patriotic motives or has
greater desire to support their govern
ment in its present gave crisis, than
the farmers of Virginia"
Farming on Extensive Scale.
Reports from all over the state to
the council indicate that farming on
the most extensive scale Is being car
ricd on. 1t is estimated that the crop
of wheat alone will be doubled this
year, and other crops of staple varie-
ties are being similarly increased.
+ Congress having authorized tina,
home guards organizations be fur
nished with arms and equipment of
every kind Gov Stuart will shortly
issue a statement directed to co-or-
dinatirg all such guards which have
been esta blished IN Virginia. The de-
tails of the system under which the
home guard of Virginia will he
operated. are being worked out by the
governor, and will be shortly presented
to the people
There are already a great. many
companies in the state. Governor
Stuart has called in the aid Of the
state council of defense in helping to
bring the movement to a state of uni
formity. and the council is able to
render much assistance. based on ex-
periences Of other states In planning
home guard organiZa tons The work
along this line in Virginia had not
assumed an official status because Of
the fact that no equipment was forth
coming from the government With
the passage of the bill last week.
which authorizes the secretary of war
to issue necessary arms, and other
supplies, the way for A statewide or
90 i7a 81 rd
cleared
Boys working Reserve.
In more than thirty states IN the
union directors have been appointed
10 organize the United states boys
working reserve. and other states have
indicated that they Will make a
similar move in a short time. All
along the Atlantic seaboard thou
xands of boys are now In training,
giving a three weeks course In farm
work or other employment. at the
end of which time they are awarded
an official badge. BOYS in all sections
are enrolling for work, and they will
be valua BILE to farmers during the
coming harvest time, In addition to
work they can do along other lines.
At first II was dif1cult TO get farm
ers in some sections TO accept city
BOYS for field work, because of their
inexperence. II was found. however,
that after the farmers, a&a g. '7sossrve6
the work of the boys when they were
in the training camps, they were so
well satisfied that the boys were en-
ployed after they had served only
one week of the term of three weeks
The boys are also wanted for the
large canneries of the country and
the National Gamers association has
called upon the department Of labor
asking aid In listing young men and
boys 10 engage in this work.