Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-05
WOMEN AS FARM LABORERS-By Frederic J. Haskin

ing felt-suitable living conditions for the wom-
en- workers will be forthcoming either from the
farmers themselves or in the way OF suDscrlp-
tons to be used in the erection of sleeping
quarters.
In Great Britain where the employment of
women on the farms has long since been accepted
as necessary war measure, classes in milking,
cheese-making, pOultry-feedng and light farm
work are a feature of every village, town and
estate Local farmers, as a matter of patriotic
duty, nave loaned their cows and horses for such
instruction; the agricultural colleges board
en- farm students in their dormtories, and courses
of farm instruction are now offered by numerous
counties.
The United States at present is not in immi-
nent danger of being reduced to the difficulties
in which Great Britain found itself in the spring
of 1916 but should take care not to make the
same mistakes. Apparently, the German U-boat
maneuvers were not anticipated at the beginning
OF the war, Tor England let her food production
diminish to an alarmingly small output before
she realized her danger. The whole country be-
came aroused The soil, much of which had lain
idle, had to be treated, and other remedies insti
tuted. before food production could be restored
to a normal basis
had been sent to the trenches there nothing
to do but to ask the women to come to the rescue.
Women of leisure who had never done anything
more strenuous than to knit stockings and caps
for soldiers, enlisted for farm work along with
women workers of the cities milliners, shop
girls and domestics.
But at first, this voluntary aid was not ap-
preciated by English farmers. They were dubious
about hiring girls who had never seen COW,
could not handle horses So the government
offered to train the girls. A girl was sent to a
certain farm, where she had to agree to remain
for eight weeks. For the first four weeks, re-
garded a period of instruction, she was paid
ten shings per week by the government. After
that the farmer paid the wage, since it was as
sumed that by that time the girl would begin to
it.
The other plan adopted was that Of the So
called farm gang, such the woman's land
army of New York state has in mind in which
several girls under leader travel about the
various harvests. Sometimes they pick strawber-
ries farm; milk another; work in
the fields of yet another, and then end the season
by harvesting hops
Many of the women in these gangs go from
life of gentle leisure to Of considerable hard
ship. days program is apt to consist Of break
fast at half-past five in the morning; picking
strawberries until noon; a short interval IN which
small smack is eaten; then an afternoon Of
cleaning stables, churning butter, and milking
cows, and bed Immediately after supper
Physically, it does not seem to hurt the wom-
en-, according to British reports, although this
statement has been challenged by medical author
tiles who claim to have Investigated the matter.
Thousands of European women are suffering from
injuries received in industrial occupations that
are altogether beyond their strength is the asser-
ton of these investigators. Women farm labor
ers, for instance, have been injured by lifting
heavy weights.
While light farm work would to be
healthy occupation for women, the tendency is
to disparage it feminine pursuit in this
country movement has already started to pre-
vent women from entering Industries requiring
a mans strength, and in the opinion OF many peo-
pie farm work is distinctly in this category. Let
the women take the office jobs and release the
men for the heavy work, is the plea OF the ex-
pertS.