Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-23
subject of food conserva-
ton, for wars sake, may seem
threadbare, but the need Tor

ton, for wars sake, may seem
III threadbare, but the need for
q agricultural scientists in TINS
most necessary activity seems TO Do
understood by but comparatively rev
neonle These few-chiefs OF the Varl-
ous divisions of the Department OF
Agriculture who have been mission
aries to the farmer during the last
several years-are almost ready TO
throw up their hands in despair, II
the vast number of skilled assistants
who have left since April 6, 1917 Is
in the least augmented.
Considerably more than 6.o0o men
and women have stepped out OF the
ranks that are lined up for Increased
food production, a large percentage
having entered military or naval
service under To- the hs17 1899 CONFESS MADE
available to the department an addi-
tional appropriation OF $1l,346:4oo LOT
the extension and development OF us
activities in many directions, and al.
rected the department to carry out
its Intentions in this respect:
The department, therefore, has been
in the position Of having to increase
its forces very considerably when, at
the same time. it has been losing large
That this is a knotty problem Is the
opinion particularly OF Dr.. Bradford
C. Knapp. head of the southern divl-
Of the Department of Agriculture. Dr.
Knapp's father was the father also OF
the wonderful extension work now in
danger of deteriorating II help in
some form does not come
h
THE war has served to exhibit to
the country at large, as the country
never quite realized befors. its de-
pendence upon agriculture and the
manifold problems which beset our
primary industry" is the statement
Of one authority in the offices Of Sec
rotary Houston.
The southern states extension
work." said DR.. Knapp, was ma
terially affected when war was de-
year were definitely changed to meet
emergency conditions. 1t was decided
in a conferenc of all the agricultural
workers of the country that the most
important problem Of the American
ply. Consequently, the larger portion
Of the time of all agents and other
extension workers was given to pro-
ductive and conservation work
cit has not been SO long ago that
this work, emanating from Washing
ton, but cooperative with local and
state boards, was considered nom
sense. Constant care was used to IN
cuicate the idea that our efforts were
entirely in the interest of the farm
ers. The county agent stands out
among the effective aids we have as
the pivot of many a triumph. He
might be called the priest of an IN
different flock grown greedy now for
advice that leads to better things
"And let me tell you" said the
speaker, earnestly, 1.-The county agent
and many others of our men, If they
happen to be in the draft age. have
been in a state of mental confusion
that is next to torture. They. one
and all, 1 believe, without exception,
want to go to war. This is their per-
sonal desire. But to know what Is
best for their country is a decision
harder to make. Letters by the hun
states relations service ever since the
draft regulation was instituted. From
Louisiana, with date of May IL last,
comes a letter from county agent
who has been of big service In the
development of new agricultural ideas
in the south.
els there not some way that I can
be of greater service to my country,
in this great hour of need, than as
county agent? I know I am doing
good here in this community, but my
conscience is not satisfied, for feel
that l should don a uniform and be
of greater service. OF course, as you
know, / am in class A of the draft,