The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-10-26
To solve FARM
LABOR PROBLEM
Men and Women From Towns
and Cities Go Into Country
to Assist Farmers.
LARGEST ACREAGE OF CROPS
How States Have Enlisted and Organ
lied Labor for Farms to Save
Seasons Food Harvest
"Shock Troops" Assist.

The cooperation Of people of VII
lagos. towns and cities in harvesting
the farm crops demonstrates in most
forcible way the patriotism OF the
American people and the active way IN
which they are supporting the pro-
gram of the government.
Farmers planted this year the larg-
est acreage Of crops in the history OF
our agriculture. Everywhere the farm
ers have responded to the call from
the government for greater food pro-
duction and are doing everything with
In their power to give to the country
the large supply that is so greatly
needed.
While crop production has been IN
creased, the farmers have been con-
fronted with labor difficulties in many
sections of the Union, and have had
to cope with the difficulty of cultivat-
ing and harvesting an increased acre
age of crops with a reduced amount OF
regular labor to do the work.
I'm order that this question might De
clearly placed before the people OF the
villages, towns and cities of the va
rious states, arrangements were maze
by the department of agriculture, IN
co-operation with state councils OF de-
tense. the agricultural colleges and the
u. S. department Of labor and state
departments Of labor, to hold meetings
with chambers Of commerce, business
mems associations, rotary CLUBS, anu
other organizations Of the cities anu
towns, placing before them the need
for AGRICULTURAL labor and urging &C
ton which will give adequate assist
ance. Everywhere the response mas
been large and gratifying. The result
of this campaign is that many thou,
sands of workers have been enrolled
and have done much to meet the emer
gency. There is reasonable assurance
that. in spite of difficulties, all the
crops will be normally harvested.
Business Men Save Potatoes.
The potato crop of Houston and
Wharton counties, Texas. has beer
saved through the aid Of the business
men In local towns. When 1t was real
lied that the potato crop would be los
unless the farmers received help, tn
state extension director, cooperating
with the farm help specialist of the de
partment of agriculture, explained tn
situation and the business men close
their offices. stores and banks, went t
the farms and worked with the potat
growers in harvesting the crop.
More than nine and one-half millio
acres of wheat were harvested in Kar
sas. Hundreds of towns organize
their forces and closed their store
Offices, and other places Of bushes
during the day, that the workers migf
go to the fields and help save this foo
crop.
The mayor and board Of publ
works of one O. the large middle ives
ern cities closed their offices ar
| worked in the wheat fields. The may'
| drove the binder while the other me
l shocked the grain. On a farm adjoi
! ing q Catholic institution In Indiar
q f<5 priests were found assisting in Il
harvest Of the alfalfa and clover hi
and the wheat and oats.
J, "Shock troops" have been organic
70 to assist the farmers in harvestil
their wheat. These so-called "sho
. troops" consist of business men, cler
and laborers who volunteer to asst
y In this way. These men perform the
: regular work in town during the d
and at o'clock are taken in auton
y biles to the country, where they ass
the farmers. In this way the regul
business is carried on and at the sal