The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-28
By CLARENCE DuBOsE


 questions in the farmers mind this win
 ter. The labor problem has been and IS
 one of the most important agricultural
 problems of the war, and yet it is not so
 difficult as it appears. The United States
 department of agriculture, the United
 States department of labor. state agri-
 cultural colleges, and other agencies are
 cooperating in efforts to relieve the sit-
 uation. Some of the methods are:
 By careful surveys throughout the
 United States the past winter to learn
 definitely the farm labor needs antici- pated in each section for the sprlns' summer and harvest.
 To assemble information showing all possible supplies of farm labor in every part of the country.
 In every section, to direct all available farm labor to the nearest place where it is needed, and, with changes of sea sons and crops, to continue it to other sections as it is needed.
 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS To train high school boys and others old enough for effective farm work, but not old enough for the army, in some of the practical fundamentals of farm ing, to the end that after few weeks r of training in camp early this spring
  their county or community, under the leadership and supervision of competent Y. M. 0. A., Boy Scout, or other direc- tors.
 To use as farm help volunteer work CTS from towns and cities, who will go to farms in their county or community as crop necessities may require. Prefer ably, of course, these volunteers should be persons who were reared on farms, F1r xrYnr In short, to attack the farm-laoor problem with a first line force of all the experienced farm labor that system atic search and patriotic appeals can de- velop; to back this up with second | line of high school boys and others Wno have received intensive training camp courses in farm fundamentals and Of men not engaged in work directly essen. tial to the war and who can be trans- ferred from present pursuits to emer- gency farm work, and finally to throw | in the last line of reserves to be applied only in emergencies, workers who have no farm experience.
 It would be much better if 1t were not necessary to use any untratned labor on | the farms. It would be an ideal condi- l tion if every farm could be completely | manned with experienced help this year. However, like many ideals, that will not l be attainable The nation possesses enough potential farm labor to supply the | farms, if all the possible supplies are ef- | ficiently directed to agricultural pur- suits and diverted from less essential work, but this doesn't mean that all the ] farm labor so secured will be exper- fenced in agricultural activity. OTHER COUNTRIES SUCCEED Canada's s food crop production has been continued despite just such shortages CT 1 skilled farm labor as we now face. It l has been done by redirecting the man | and boy power of the country, by apply | ing to agriculture classes of labor that normally would not have sought thai | field We can do the same thing. And we must, otherwise we'll find Germany running our farms for us The farmer mustn't lose sight of what it will mean | to him personally if he fails to produces | food crops no matter how annoying It may be to have to dse some odds and ends of farm help.
 And, just as 1t is a part of the farmers patriotic obligation to bear with and ! overcome the inconveniences of the sit- uation, so is it the patriotic obligation ef every man of farm experience so to arr range his present affairs that he can | go to work where he will be most needed l this spring and summer and thus give
 
 benefit of his skill as farm worker. l And to the man or boy without farm training there Is an equally clear call of duty to volunteer for farm work in his 1 community. to go to a farm training camp if there is one in his section, and if not to arrange with some farmer to- give him a few weeks training. thus fitting him for really effective farm work later in the season.
 THE REAL SHORTAGE The shortage of experienced farm heln i is caused only in small part by the eH- listment or calling to the colors of men
 from the farms Large numbers of farm
 workers were attracted to manufactur- ing centers last year by the high wages
 paid at munitions plants. in the building
 of cantonments etc. For more than
 three years there has been a practical
 suspension of Immigration.
 farm-help specialist has been ap-
 pointed in each state by the United
 States department of agriculture In
 turn, he has named or will name county and community representatives who, CO., operating with the regular county dem-
 onstration agent. the state agricultural colleges and other organizations will