Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-08-20
HOW FARM LABOR
SHORTAGE IS BEING MET

Scores Of ways, by which harvest
help for Southern farmers already has
been provided or assured were told at
the United States Department of Agri- /
cultures conference of State farm help
specialists for the Southern States.
held recently in Birmingham, Ala.
Some of these ways are given here
with the probability that they will be
found valuable in communities other
than those in which they are being
used.
Aiabama-County farm help bu-
reaus organized in counties where
principal cities are located; member
+ ship usually includes county demon
stration agent, county food administra-
tor, chairman of county council of de-
+ tense, a leading farmer and business
man. Through the State Council of
I Defense, 5000 boys are being modified
over the State TO aid in the harvest.
+ Definite plans made for using city men
with farm experience through the aid
of civic associations and other organi-
cations, with efforts for the entire re
! lease for men from non-essential occu-
pations. Women being more generally
employed in positions heretofore held
/ by men, such as those of elevator
operators. clerks and walters. Cities
adopting effective yagrancy laws.
I Georgia-White women organizing
to pick cotton. and have packed
large part of the peach crop. Anti
loafing laws forcing able-bodied idlers
into work. Cities and towns expected
to furnish from $4,000 to 100000 emer-
gency farm hands this fall. Farmers
have speeded up their work and have
directed it more intelligently this
year than ever before.
4 Kentucky Idlers being forced
through prosecution and public senti-
ment to take up productive work. Pref
udice of farmers against use of boys
being overcome, older high school
students giving effective service. City
men in business and Industries being
enlisted for emergency farm work, and
proving their ability. Ways of increas-
ing the efficiency of farm labor being
worked out and brought to the atten-
ton of farmers.
4 Louisiana-County councils of de-
Tense are having ordinances passed to
close poolrooms, and are using war
emergency registration cards for men
of from Is to so years. Tractors run
ming in two shifts and "a hours a day
Negro women found to be capable of
doing mems work in fields.
North Carolina-Many poolrooms
closed for period of the war. Rail-
way industrial agents helping civic
and governmental agencies to man the
farms. Farmers speeding up by using
larger implements. Diversification of
crops allows one section to draw har-
vest labor from others.
Oklahoma-Mines slackened opera
tions and oil operators released every
man who could be spared during the
wheat harvest season. Cities have re-
fused licenses to resorts of the idle.
Farmers cooperated to buy tractors.
ennessee-Farmers have worked
more days. longer hours and on Sun
days, and have come out of retirement
to go in the fields. Chores turned over
to women and children. One hundred
women reported blowing in one coun-
ty. Men living in small towns and
owning farms have worked their land.
Men teachers and high school boys
spending vacations in farm work.
Courts adjourning and sawmills stop
ter machinery and more horses being
ping work during the crop season. Bet
used, while tractors work by night as
wei las day.
Texas-Banks have been asked to
finance farmers in bringing in labor
ers from Mexico, money allotted for
this work by the governor; 10000 men
fro mthis cource had been obtained in
mid-July.
West Virginia-Banks, factories and
stores have released employees for
short-time work. Farm business bet
ter organized, farmers are working
longer hours and harder and helping
each other more, increased numbers
of women are in the fields, idleness is
being discouraged and boys are doing
more work.
Some of these methods of meeting
the labor shortage are being used in
all States, some in one or few. From
this list, Department of Agriculture
officials believe, every person or or
ganization interested in helping to
solve the farm labor problem can find
a field for effective effort.
ANY OF YOUR