The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-05-30

10 some OF mem.
prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture
There Is an after-the-war song run
ming something like this:
How you going to get him
Back on the farm,
After he's seen
Paree?"
The problem is one that the United
States department Of agriculture is
successfully attacking, not by "back
to-the-farm" propaganda, but simply by
informing soldiers of definite opportu-
mites to enter or return to agricul-
tural work. Already such opportuni-
ties have proved to be all that was nee
essary to induce many soldiers, sail
ors and marines to join or rejoin the
peace-time army of food producers.
At the rehabilitation camps agri-
cultural representatives are comforting
with soldiers about opportunities for
job in agricultural work. The infor-
nation they give the men is definite.
Each rehabilitation camp discharges
men from certain states. These rep
resentatives have list of all agricul-
tural jobs open in those states. These
lists are classified into different types
of farming, so that the soldier can
quickly be connected with the partic-
ular job he wants or is best suited to
fill.
Opportunities Shown.
If soldier wants to work on stock
farm, the lists will quickly show all
the opportunities open in the state to
which he intends going. And the lists
| contain similar information about gen.
eral farming, grain farming, dairying,
fruit and truck farming. Lists are al
so kept of farms for sale and for rent.
and farm owners who want partners.
Full descriptions of all opportunities
are obtained so that the soldier can
intelligently decide on job or an in
vestment. When q soldier intends 60
ing to state some distance from the
camp where he is discharged he is
given letters of introduction to the
county agent. The county agents have
lists of agricultural opportunities in
the army camps. The county agent can
usually place q man on a farm with
| out delay.
Many soldiers have saved some OF
| their pay while in the army. They
now want to start in the farming
business for themselves. The govern
ment helps them decide where they
can best make start with their linn
tied capital, and ofttimes helps them
secure credit for buying farm equip
ment. Local financiers are sometimes
willing to extend the soldier credit on
| his character and good intentions
rather than on any collateral he might
be able to put up.
Getting Soldiers Interested.
In the barracks Of the army camps
are placed attractive posters which call
attention to the presence in camp of
a representative OF the United States
department Of agriculture. These pos
ters ask pertinent questions and state
facts about different occupations that
remind the soldier who is soon to be
discharged that the farm is a mighty
good place to be If he Is suited or
trained for farm work.
Do you want Il farm job7 Have you
ever considered owning farm? Would
you like to rent a farm? Can you
drive tractor? Do you want to buy
a farm? These and many other ques-
lions are asked. No rosy pictures are
painted of life In flowery beds OF
ease on the farm. Straightforward
facts and figures are presented. The
government does lot want to send any
soldier to the farm unless be is fitted
to succeed there.
In some camps farmers institutes
are held. Experts In farm work lecture
and answer questions. These insti
tutes run q week with a different pro
gram every day. When a new bunch
of soldiers come in the work is re
peated. One camp reported that 25t
TO 400 soldiers attend every meeting
The camp libraries assist by placing
agricultural books and papers In thu
lecture halls.
Results Of the Work.
Where records have been kept the,
show that many soldier who woul'
have drifted to city goes back to tn
farm. In one camp, before the agri
cultural representative had informa
ton about definite Jobs and farm OF
portunities, so per cent of the farl
boys went to cities to get job. Afte
he had the information only per cen
of those with previous farm exper
ence chose the city.
There was q shortage Of farm labo