The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1918-05-10

\ IL
the April number of The Cleaner.
Mr.. Simpson has been appointed
Superintendent of Farm Production
in Michigan and this "Open letter"
explains how the state is trying to
help the farmers.
Because of current statements some
what conflicting in their nature con-
corning what state authorities have
done and are doing to encourage and
facilitate greater farm production
take occasion to address, this open
letter to you through the columns of
The Cleaner, giving brief summary
of the states activities along the
above mentioned lines, together with
my most cordial personal greetings
and assurance of interest | feel in
the farmers part of the present big
Game.
The State has purchased $4,000
bushels of seed corn which is to be
distributed to the various sections
needing it, and sold to the farmers
at five dollars per bushel. This seed
has been inspected and tested by
State and the price Of five dollars is
to cover only the purchase price and
the actual expense of buying, trans
portation and distribution.
A small booklet submitted by Mr..
Cox, embracing survey of the corn
situation and embracing useful infor-
nation relating to the variety and
adaptability of this corn has been is
sued and is now ready for distri-
button to the farmers.
There has also been purchased to
date $4,000 bushels of spring wheat
for seed, which is being distributed
on terms similar to those governing
the seed corn. This wheat has been
provided to sections that can use car
lots, and whose farming conditions
seem to warrent its cultivation.
Emanating from the Department
of Public Domain, a movement has
already materialized which provides
for an appropriation to be used as
revolving fund for the purpose of
placing small focks Of sheep on the
farms of Northern Michigan.
The War Board has negotiated for
one thousand Ford Tractors to be
sold at cost to farmers in the agri =
cultural sections of the state.
| Negotiations are also pending
whereby the War Board hopes to dis
pose of large quantity of Michigan
potatoes for dehydrating purposes.
Other leads are being followed to-
ward a possible market for our
potato surplus.
In this connection | feel inpelled
TO extend my sympathy to the potato
growers. who, working last season
under the severe handicap of labor
shortage and decidedly unfavorable
season, succeeded in producing an
enormous crop only to find themselves
confronted bv the most serious prob
len, of all---that Of marketing.
Having been life long farmer, no
one more fully appreciates than ]
how discouraging in large measure
inevitably results from such con-
ditions, and this Office will spare no
efforts to relieve the situation. But
because Of the need of legions of
Young men that compose our armyand
because Of the principles and inter-
ests of worldwide scope that are at
stake we must grow all the crops
possible.
Our boys in France are there for
an indefinite. vital purpose. and re-
heated discouragement and loss will
not spell defeat for them. nor will it
deter them in their effort to gain
their one ultimate and sublime OBJ
iective Of Over the Ton and Victory.
For this they have enlisted; and to
this end they are ready to sacrifice
their lives.
Should not each of us remaining at
home consider himself under an en-
'istment not less vital and sacred?
While no. one can live on patriotism
alone. vet IL is to be hoped that the
farmers of Michigan will. be actuated
by motives bigger and better than
pecuniarv pain in doine their mart
in winning the war. and I have faith
that they will I believe that as a
class. there is none more loyal and
true than the American farmer. /
feel certain that in spite Of crop fail
ure and the marketing conditions of
last wear. the farmers of Michigan
will come right back this year with
their hest nossihle efforts.
Sire "Hun" has BECOME SYNONYM
for 81 that is despicable and terribly
iro. I am confident that without
atte~rtino to discover who put +he
hun into hunger. the farmers If this
State will demorstrate nv their effort
this wear that they have done their
share toward taking the hun out Of
hrrper.
7 have faith that the farroers Of
MICHIGAN will recocnize the inn
rortarce of their mart in the war. and
will discharge their duty as growers
of food products in manner that
will fnllv warrant the sendiro across
thn sea to the battle fields &c France
This reassurinp messacn---Co to IL
bows the farmers cf Michigan ore
back Of Won with all thoir snlend;d