The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-04-19
FOOD ARMY FIRST
IMPORTANCE NOW
AUTHORIZED STATEMENT OF CARL
yRooMAN, ASSISTANT sECRE-
TARY OF AGRICULTURE.

The South needs to be sgriculturally
prepared and modified at this critical
moment In. our history, because the
South is dependent on the rest of the
country for her food supply. The South
must develop her food resources and
her system of food distribution to the
highest point Of efficiency. The South
at this crisis must lead the way by
feeding herself, thus releasing $780,,
000.000 or $1,000, 900. 600 worth of food
to those who are fighting with us for
democracy and human liberty. War
means that the present serious short
more serious. and the South will suffer
because of its dependence on the North
west for meat and flour.
1t is essential that every possible
food resource of the Southern States be
developed to it's fullest capacity this
summer. and that reliance be not
placed on the cotton crop alone. 1t
may be that substitutes for staple
foods viii have to become part of the
Southern diet. Soy beans and cowpeas,
for example. would ease up the meat
situation, for both are excellent pro-
tefn sources for human food. and If
wheat flour is difficult to get, bread
can be made in conjunction with pota-
toes, corn meal, rice, peanut meal. soy
bean meal. etc.
Under normal conditions there would
be at this time enough food In the
country to feed the entire population
and do a big export business in addi-
ton. But war is not a normal condi-
ton. Our allies are hungry. and we
must feed them. Our winter wheat
crop is small, and the world wheat crop
Is likewise small. There is every rea-
son for the strictest economy in the
use Of food, the strictest efficiency IN
the distribution of food. and the ut
most use of scientific principles in the
production OF food.
The responsibility for adequate food
production lies with the individual cit
fzen. Any planter or farmer who, in
this national crisis fails to put a large
percentage of his land in food crops is
lacking both In patriotism and in com
mon prudence. We can not win this
war If We permit the boys at the front
to supply all the self sacrifice. Today
the first duty OF the South and the ma
ton is to get food. Every loyal man.
woman and child must share in this
common burden and privilege.
am myself a landowner as we'll as a
public official. and I want to say per
sonal word to the landowners OF the
South.
All landowners in the South who live
In the cities and rent their lands to
this time of war necessity for food
stuffs. They should give their tenants
every facility for growing not only the
supplies needed on their farms, but,
also. they should urge every tenant to
grow surplus of food crops. Local
forces should be organized to furnish a
market at reasonable prices for these
food crops. and thus insure a profit on
the crops produced.
Any landowner who, by exorbitant
rents or by pressure of any sort, causes
his tenants to plant on his lands a
large crop of cotton at the expense OF
food production Is not doing his part.
and has signally failed to measure up
to the requirements of a good citizen.
I have said before. and l say again,
that the South can and must feed her
self. and this can only be done when
our city landowners and those who con-
troll lands actively support and use all
their influence to secure the production
of food.
Contracts for rents and for methods
of cropping may already be made. but
no landowner. true to his country, will
stand in the way of production OF food
stufs because of selfish considerations
Even from the selfish financial point of
view. to put all your land in cotton
this year is poor business Judgment. In
all likelihood food crops will be more
In demand in the South than even cot
ton, Much larger acreages must be de-
voted to corn. soy and velvet beans po-
tatoes, forage. home gardens. and this
fall the grains-all of which is impos-
s1hle If the land is in cotton.
The responsibility of this crisis on
the individual landowner is as great as
upon the individual farmer, the indi-
vidual banker. the individual merchant
or the individual soldier in the trenches
III our nation is to exert her full might
in her splendid crusade for democracy
and liberty the same invincible spirit
OF patriotism must animate alike all
classes of our citizens. Landowners of
Tennessee. the time has come for you
to sign your pledges and do your Bit
for the South for the nation. and for
the successful termination of this war
Carl Vrooman