Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-02-14
SEVEN HUNDRED
FOR FARM WORK
GratiOt Boys Ready To Aid In
The Work Of Raising Food
For Farmers.
APPLICATIONS TO CHAMBERS
Farmers Needing Good Help May
Obtain Y. Nj. {. A. Lads Who Are
Enrolled For This Work.

Some farmers in Michigan evident.
ly are beginning 10 worry about
help" in the coming spring and sum.
mer. They have already begun tc
make inquiries about where it is com
ing from-and the more they inquire
the more they are learning how unfav-
orable is the prospect. 1t is expected
by men who are in close touch with
agricultural and war conditions in this
state that the exact situation will not
be apparent to the farmers until the
time comes for the use of men on
! farms, when there is bound to be
great disappointment and, perhaps, a
consequent reduction Of planted acre
age and of crop.
The work of committees of business
and professional men in many coun-
ties in promotion of the United
States Boys Working Reserve is
I bringing many letters from farmers
to the agricultural papers and to the
office of the State Director of the Re
serve, Charles A. PARCELS. Some Of
these, naturally ask for men; others,
from men who understand the situa-
tion better, have said, 'if you can't
send me an experienced man, send me
boy-as husky a one as you can
find" Here is sample appeal; it
is from +. r. Fitch, of Watervliet, ad-
dressed to the editor of Michigan
Business Farming:
81 will need farm help for the sea-
son of 1918. E. ! would much prefer
an experienced man if such could be
found, but as that is most impossible,
| will have to look where prospects
seem best. haye so acres, keep at
present cows, a few hogs, Will have
10 or 20 acres of corn, 10 or 5 of
oats, besides hay, wheat and pasture
| do not want a tobacco smoker or
chewer, but one of clean morals and
trustworthy. However, don't expect
perfection, bat as he will be one in my
family you will understand how | feel.
Hoping for a favorable report in find
ing good boy
The editor Of the farm paper sent
the letter to the Director of the BOYS
Working Reserve and Mr.. PARCELS
was able Immediately TO place this
farmer in touch with the County Di-
rector of the Reserve in Berrien
county, which means that Mr.. Fitch
will have the personal services of
government man. well acquainted with
the labor situation and possibilities,
in solving his problem.
This is one Of the advantages of
the Reserve plan," said Mr.. PARCELS
today. There is no effort to center
everything in the state office; the
contrary is true With the counsel
of the best-informed men in the state
we are seeking to pick. as county d-
rectors. men who are competent to
handle the local problems as they
arise. In this work these directors have
the advice and the active aid of many
responsible citizens in the county.
Forty-six counties in Michigan now
have such county organizations, and
it is fortunate indeed that the best
men in these various localities have
enlisted in this work.
These county committees and d-
rectors are informed fully, at the time
of their appointment. that their work
involves not only the placing of the
older boys on farms where they are
needed, but the supervision of the boys
while there. Plans are made for reg
ular visits, by responsible men, to
farms where boys are employed. to
guard against work or social condi-
tions that mig L be detrimental to
the boy. This means that the boys
will be protected. With such guar
antee, and with the prospect Of the
usual wages and the variously bene-
ficial effects Of clean labor in the
out-ofdoors, and the patriotic pur-
pose back of it ALL it is believed that
the enrollments Of boys for such ma
tional service will increase rapidly.
This enrolment work is going on
throughout the state. In Grand Rap
ids, for instance, the local committee
is planning definitely to enroll at least
500 older boys; in Gratiot county, 700
boys; in Bay City, 300 boys. Each
boy on farm means food for addi-
tional scores Of people. If we could
have 5000 boys in farm work this
year it would mean several millions
Of dollars more of revenue from agri-
culture in this state"
c. J. Chambers, Of Ithaca, is the
farm director Of Gratiot county and
he will be able to put farmers of the
county in touch with such help, as
many will be needed. Those who are
going to be in need of such help