The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-05-27
WITH THE EDITORS
FARM LABOR

The weather in this section of the northwest
this spring has been ideal for the starting OF the
farm crops. Nothing more clearly approaching
perfection could be imagined than the conditions
which have prevailed. Not only have the condi-
tions been right for the crops that have been
planted, but the unusual length Of 1.-THE season
has made possible thedplanting Of aen1uch larger
acreage than in ordinary years: Farmers gen
orally have taken advantage of these conditions
The reports indicate slightly Increased acreage
Of wheat and very largely increased acreage Of
the coarser grains and Of flax. All Of these grains
are urgently needed locally or in the general mar
kets, and the proper planting Of additional acres
is both an important public service and decided
advantage to the Individual who, with the enlarged
acreage and the prevailing high prices, will reap
increased returns from their fields fields ii .ii
This advantage to the nation and to the indi-
vidual, however, is conditioned not alone on the
proper planting Of the opeaid the right weather
conditions during its period Of growth, but in its
successful harvesting. Grain in the field is of
no service to anyone. It must be cut and shocked
and threshed before the work Of distributing it
to the places where it is needed can be begun.
And the harvesting Of the crop depends on the
quantity and quality Of the labor that is avail
able for this work.
Under ordinary conditions Of growth there
is not enough labor resident in the state Of North
Dakota to harvest the crop Of North Dakota.
Always we must import harvest labor, and some
times it must be imported in very large quantl-
ties. This year the supply Of labor available TOR
this purpose is restricted. Military demands have
taken into another field of activity some two mil
lion men within the past year, and this number
will be greatly increased before the year is over.
Many of these men have gone directly from the
farms, and very large number Of the others are
men who, under ordinary conditions, would have
been available for farm work. The manufactur-
ing industries which have been expended to meet
the needs of the war have not drawn heavily on
the farms directly for their supply Of labor, but
they have drawn heavily on those who would
otherwise have been available for farm work.
Under the circumstances it is imperative that
no time be lost in making careful and comprehen-
sive plans for supplying the labor needed at the
right time Exact information must be obtained
as TO- the number Of men not now on the farms
who will be required to care for this crop. Then
there must be careful investigation into the
labor that can be drawn from the towns and cities
within the state. This done we will know how
many men must be obtained from the outside, and
steps must be taken to see that these men are
Forthcoming.
In the villages and cities Of the state there are
many men who, if the right methods are en-
ployed, can be enlisted in farm work during the
time when the demand is greatest That period
is the dull time in the cities. There are clerks,
students and others who could spend couple of
weeks in the harvest fields with advantage to
themselves and to the farmers. Arrangements
are being made elsewhere for the utilization of
this labor. Similar arrangements should be made
here If this is done, and if the proper spirit of
cooperation is shown on both sides, while this
will not solve thes harvest labor problem, it will
aid materially in it's solution. This should be
done promptly and acknowledgement Forks
Herald thlt''