The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-05-31
COMMITTEE
OF PUBLIC SAFETY
An Open Letter 10 all Oranges IN
Vermont
Montpelier. Vermont,
May Is, 1917.

sinis,er spy system adopted By an au-
aacious overload Of Europe and By
mereilcss and inhuman methods en-
ployed by him in warfare but aban-
doned by al self lfrcspecting and civil
izcd nations Of the world our neutral
ity as a nation became neutralized.
By his defiance Of our rights, by his
dIsregard Of solemn pledges and By
his attacks upon the United States
flag. we were forced TO become an Ally
Of the Allies. The Allies are arrayed
against him and what he represents IN
uilitarism and autocracy, and not
against the Germans, Austrians, But
sarians and Turks as people
On account Of the present war ooo,-
600 900 in Europe alone are reported
20 have been withdrawn from agricui-
ture and allied pursuits and, in conse-
ouence. our one great and immediate
duty is TO produce as much as possible
for the maintenance of those who are
fighting our battles across the seas
Not only have great areas OF France
Roumania and Russia been abandoned,
but the wheat crop Of Argentina is ex-
septionaly light, the Canadians are
suffering from a dearth Of laborers 10
cultivate their fields and the winter
wheat crop in our own country Is not
promising an average yield. Hence 1t
behooves every farmer of America to
do his utmost to stay citizens of the
United Kingdom, France, Italy and
Russia and TO support those VINO IN
maintaining our cause at the front are
unable TO supply themselves.
On account Of the present prospects
of crops and Of the interruption OF ag
riculture abroad there is no danger OF
svcr-production for the ensuing year.
This prediction is confirmed by the
Secretary of Agriculture at Washing
ton and by other agricultural author
tiles.
To meet the obligation thrust upon
us and TO act as the decisive factor IN
closing the war, each man must do ms
bit and a wee bit more. Therefore let
each farmer who can consistently so
do raise an additional arce OF FOOD
crops. remembering that at present
the man behind the plough is the man
behind the man behind the gun, that
service in the cornfe'd is just as es-
scntial now as service on the battle
field. and chat he who cultivates a war
acre is doing highly appreclable ana
patriotic deed.
In case your district committee OF
public safety organizes a survey or
census of farms and crops it is desired
that the members of the Grange CO.
operate to the fullest extent possible
Within a few weeks there has been
a slight hystcria Of fright which re-
suited in a sudden boarding OF food
xtufrs of some kinds and an unwar-
ranted elevation of prices. This was
unnecessary, as there is at present
sufficient food for all.
Not only should there be additional
crops but there should be an increase
in meat production. As many calves
.s possible should be raised, another
litter of pigs should be produced, and
a few additional lambs should be fat
tened. For patriotic purposes each
woman who can should have at least
one war hen.
To perform the definite service
which has fallen to the farmer, more
thought, more time, more energy
more help than heretofore will be re-
quired.
The Vermont committee of public
safety recognizes that the most din
cult and vexing problem in the opera
ton Of farm is the employment OF
capable and reliable help. The dearth
apparently is due in large measure
70 the difference between the number
Of work hours on the farm and the
number in the shops and Offices ami
the disproportionate wages paid. The
patriotic village or city man who is
planning to cultivate plot OF ground
will undoubtedly perform the neces-
sary labor SO as to release TO the farm
or as much free labor as possible.
Also il is gratifying to report that al
ready methods are being considered in
several places by which the unemploy-
ed time Of clerks and shopmen may be
available to the farmer.
In addition TO this source OF labor
supply many high school boys are en-
listing for farm work and system OF
school credits has been devised by the
state educational department for such
as have enrolled in the agricultural
campaign. These boys are keen, will
ing, energetic and patriotic. but they
are unhardened in muscle, unskilled in
labor and somewhat unaequainted
with farm life and work. They should
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