South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-20

What will we do about labor?"
That has been one OF the foremost
questions i'm the farmers mind this
and is one of the most important
agricultural problems Of the war,
and yet it is not so difficult as il APP
pears. The United States depart
ment OF agriculture, the United
States department of labor. state
agricultural colleges, and other
agencies are cooperating in efforts
TO relieve the situation. Some of
the methods are:
BY careful surveys throughout
the United States this winter 10
learn definitely the farm labor
needs anticipated in each section for
the spring. 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 seasons and crops. to
continue il to other sections as it
is needed.
To train high school boys and
others old enough for the army in
some of the practical fundamentals
o. farming, 10 the end that after a
few weeks of training In camp early
this spring they will be available for
farm work in their county or com
munity, under the leadership and
supervision of competent Y. NJ. c.
A, boy scout, or other directors.
To use as farm help volunteer
workers from towns and cities. who
Will go 70 farms in their county or
community as crop necessities may
require. Preferably, OF course. these
volunteers should be persons who
were reared on farms. or who have
done farm work.
In short. 10 attack the rarm labor
problem with a first line force OF
all the experienced farm labor that
systematic search and patriotic APP
peals can develop; TO back this up
with a second line OF high school
boys and others who have received
intensive training camp courses in
farm fundamentals and or men not
.
10 the war and who can be trans
ferred from present pursuits "a
emergency farm work; and finally
10 throw in the last line Of reserves
70 be applied only IN emergencies
workers who have no farm expert
ence
II would be much better il il were
not necessary to use any unframed
labor on the farms. 1t would be an
ideal condition If every farm could
be completely manned with expert
enced help this year. However. like
many ideals, that will not be at
tainable The nation possesses
enough potential farm labor 10 sup
ply the farms. if all the possible
supplies are efficiently directed to
agricultural pursuits and diverted
from less essential workout this
doesn't mean that all the farm la
Dor so secured will be experienced
in agricultural activity.
other Countries Have Succeeded.
Canada's food crop production has
been continued despite just such
shortages Of skilled farm labor as
We now face. IL has been done by
redirecting the man and boy power
OF the country, by applying TO agri-
culture classes OF labor that normal
/ Is would not have sought that field
We can do the same thing. And
we must-otherwise We'll find Ger
many running our farms for US. The
farmer mustn't lose sight OF wha'
IL will mean To him personally IL he
fails 20 produce food crops. no mat
ter how annoying il may be TO have
20 use some odds and ends OF farm
help.
And. just as il is a part OF the
farmers patriotic obligation 10 bear
with and overcome the inconven-
fences OF the situation. 50 is II
the patriotic obligation OF every man
OF farm experience so 10 arrange his
present affairs that he can go q
work where he will be most needed