Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-24

called at the Journal Office, Monday
ard said that the potato crop in his
locality would be light. He said the
tops look fine but that there are few
potatoes in the hill.
Reports from Winthrop, Wayne, Mt
reported discouraging prospects within
a day or two-rust and few potatoes
set.
The aggregate yield in the country
may be large. but is is yet too early for
congratulations and. small or large. the
cost has beeen virtually the same to the
producers DR.. Twitchell says that the
cost Of an acre of potatoes this year has
been from $3.50 to SITS to the producer.
Our figures are confirmatory. We re-
port for a field Of six and one-haN
acres-seven acres plowed and har-
rowed, but June rains prevented plant
ing one -half acre. Part Of this field
was planted June % and 20 and the
last of it not until July 2. The tops Of
all are magnificent at the present time.
The seed was formalin treated and
busted with sulphur when cut. Spray
ings have been made with Bordeaux
tops may rust and the roots may rot.
If they come through" fair crop, say
200 bu. per acre. the owner would be
delighted. If they should return to
him the money he has paid out for
seed, fertilizer, poison and labor
(sS3110) he will be more than de-
lighted. The use of the land, his own
labor and worry, the work Of his son,
in fact whole family at times, are
gladly thrown in as our Bit"
Only a farmer would take such a
gamble. No financial institution would
take like risk: no business firm
would go into such chance-"BUSI-
NESS" isn't conducted that way.
But last spring bankers and bust
ness men joined with the deserving
politicians" of the government in con-
vincingsthe farmer of his "PATRI-
OTTO DUTY" to plant and sow more
than his experience and judgment told
him was wise. Even suave lawyers
and other professional men were hired
to bait and wheedle farmers into at
tempting more than they could do.
Farms and live stock were mortgaged
to banks and money lenders to get
money with which to buy seed. poison
and to pay for labor.
The outlook at the present time is
for disaster to the great majority of
small farmers. They paid SO to 81 a
bushel for seed; they may get so cents
bushel fer their crop this fall-per-
haps 500 an acre, as fair prospect.
Half of that goes for the fertilizer. for
fertilizer makers take no such chances
on their returns; they collect.
1t is a pretty safe guess that the
Maine crop Of potatoes at harvest time
will not be worth 60 per cent. Of it's
cost. Then what may the expert talk
farmers of the Offices and stores. and
the all-wise politicians in government
positions who tell farmers how to farm
periodically, expect for a response
from the farmers next year, when a
REAL food shortage is likely to exist
VIII the government draft the farm
ers as it does their sons; while labor
unions, under the leadership of I. w.
w. anarchists, hold up the nations
preparation for war. demanding more
pay?
Soldiers cannot strike for higher
wages. But /. w. w. unions can
throttle the government and people.
Farmers cannot save themselves
from financial ruin with the national
government fixing food prices. But
big business can command fair
profits" after all expenses are paid.
Doesn't it strike the thinking man
that something is bound to break. af-
ter the war program and provisions
are safely under way?
Hiram Johnson in the United States
Senate well said:
The CONSUMPTION of blood demands
also the CONSUMPTION of all wealth
coined from blood
How long can our government delay
the hour Of reasonable attempt
toward Justice? How long will it sub
nit to the few pirates organized as
booze makers and sellers, as food and
fuel spectators, and as trainmen
brotherhoods or I. w. w. anarchists?
The people are in possession of the
facts: how long would they submit to
such unjust and unreasonable methods
were it not for fear of embarrassing
the government in time of war?
If there is no law that can be en-
forced to suppress the w w MON