Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-04-10
FARM LABOR AND
PRODUCTION IN 1918
Board of Agriculture and Federal
Divisions Appeal to All
Delawareans.

The State Board of Agriculture and
the four Federal divisions in charge of
labor and agricultural problems in Del
aware have addressed the following to
all Dolawareans:
FOOD PRoDUCrIoN-ITs NECESSITY.
|. Our national administration states
that food production stands at the top
for State and individual effort Without n
large increase in farm output TO support
our troops and allies abroad, in addition
TO ourselves mt home, we cannot win tho
titanic struggle for human freedom, and
secure a safe and permanent peace.
COMMITTEE FORMED TOAD.
9. The undersigned have organized "a
n Joint Federal and State committee Of
sovon To assist all Delaware to increase
farm production, particularly as affected
by tho labor problem, 40 that Delaware
may stand at the top in State agricultural
increases for 1918 This committee or
part Of it will eventually become q sub
committee of tho now State Del once Coun-
cll IA aoon IA that body (recently au-
thorized at tho special session of the
legislature is properly organized and
tho numerous State activities on defence
work can he co-ordinatod and centralized
under the now administrative council
CENSUS AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATION.
8 At the preliminary mooting of this
committee Of seven tho first reports on
census and special investigation of farm
labor now under wny, indicates
(a) An active interest IL most sections
Of our State 20 increase production this
year and tho definite intention Of most
farmers 20 plant and till moro extensively
u,,l mt
III No Statewide concern in tho labor
problem go far as planting and tilllng, but
definite belief that large assistance will
bo needed during the harvest periods, IN
tho lat summer and fall of 1918
tcl General evidence that tho burden
of large increase in costs Of lasbor, etc is
falling moro heavily on tenant farmers
working on shares than on landlords.
which condition j. tending to discourage
tenant farmers, except where landlords
have recently voluntarily readjustcd their
share arrangements with tenants for
patriotic reasons to assure greater con
hdencc and action in tenant farmers. Ae
share agreements affect between Is and
70 per cent of tho farms of Delaware. his
question becomes highly important
DELAWARE FARMERS SNOW PATRIOTIC
EFFORT
4 Tho active interest 81 Delaware
farmers 10 increase their output FOR 1918
is evidence Of thcIr appreciation Of the
world-prohlcm and a proof Of their
patriotic effort that Is greatly to our
credit This committee of seven wishes
to convey to all agriculturiSts IN Delaware
the message from Washington that ma
tional support will be rendered 10 every
agricultural community needing labor
during the periods Of greatest demand on
the farm The committee also wishes 10
strongly supplement this statement from
the national government 10y the assurance
that the committee. through organized
work in the State Of Delaware and by act
ing in such capacity rs may be further re-
uuested hy the new State Defence Coun-
Gil, will prepare 70 supply farm labor for
long or short periods from the various
sources that are now being organized for
this purpose
Information on the detailed steps being |
taken 10 accomplish this end will be pub |
iiShed from time to time throughout the |
State. and Offices will shortly be opened |
at suitable central points in the farming |
districts OF Delaware 10 serve Is clearing |
houses. rs the actual needs develop, be- i
tween farmers and workers willing 10 !
;
arms during the period Of 1918.
HELPING WITH THE SUPPLYING or LABOR.
5 With this preliminary statement of
plans to carry out the enrolment OF avail /
able labor for tins purpose and for placing
such workers at proper times ON needed !
farms the committee Of seven makes tins |
urgent appeal TO every farmer IN the State
10 increase stu further his program for /
-arm products by additional planting tins |
spr1ng. with the full expectation that the |
national and State authorities, through !
the organization now being perfected Will /
be prepared to take care OF their additional |
abor needs when the harvest periods ar |
1ve for the different crops.
LANDLORDS CAN AID BY HELPING TENANTS. |
6 With reference 10 the Importance OF |
encouraging tenant farmers 10 greater |
activity, the committee Of seven also |
strongly APP eals to landlords who may |
lot yet have acted upon the change OF |
TO make a special study OF |
heir tenants problems and those ques-
ions which may be dlscouraglng the ten |
mt from a greater planting this spring |
landlords who have not yet taken up !