The Washington times., 1920-05-22
.STUDENTSOF c. WI.
WILL WORK FARMS
Many Respond to Appeal Of Sec
rotary Meredith to Help
Relieve Shortage.

George Washington University stu
dents are going TO turn farm hands
this summer to help relieve the
threatened shortage of food supplies
In nearby States.
In response to an appeal by Secre-
tary OF Agriculture Meredith for a
student army OF farmers, many
George Washington University stu
dents have announced their intention
OF following the plough for liveli-
hood during the summer vacation.
which starts within a week.
Farm in Maryland.
Most Of the students will do their
farming in Maryland and Virginia,
but a few, whose homes are In other
States. Wi" spend the season filling
the old family neids. The students
will report to the director OF agri.
cultural extension at the State Agri-
cultura, college in the State where
they desire to work. and he Will put
them in touch with county agents
who know farmers in need of help.
In a letter to William Miller Collier.
president OF the university, Secretary
Meredith points out that unless stu
dents prefer their services at once,
farmers will be forced to curtail their
paintings.
"Our country faces a possible cur
tailment Of food production due TO a
shortage OF farm labor-a shortage
that promises to increase as the sum
mer advances" says Secretary Mere
dith's letter to President Collier.
MAY urge that you bring this stu
alton to the attention OF the George
Washington University students with
the suggestion that, IL possible, they
spend their summer vacations helping
on the farms. A considerable num-
Der OF college men already make this
practice,
Special Need for Help.
"This year there is special need
for such help on the farms because OF
the Importance OF maintaining a nor
NAL production Of food. Reports re-
ceived by the Department of Agri-
culture show that the present supply
of hired farm labor is - per cent
less than last year and approximately
~ per cent of the normal supply
which was almost exactly the situa-
ton in 1913. The farmers and their
families are doing their utmost to
keep up production, but they can not
secure the hired help that they form
erly have had. In consequence, the
food supply may be measurably re-
duced unless assistance is given. II
within the next week students will
declare their readiness to aid during
the coming summer, farmers will be
more likely to make normal paintings.
Can Earn Good Wages.
"Of course. one with little or no
farm experience should not expect to
earn as much at first as a seasoned
farm hand, but in a few weeks prac-
tically all men and boys who are
adaptable, alert, and strong should
be able to earn good wages in the
harvest field.
THE demand for farm labor has
brought about n considerable increase
in the level of farm wages. This in
crease, however, does not permit the
farmer-employer to compete on equal
terms with many industries, but the
student should remember that he is
in n position to save a large proper
ton of his wages in the country than
in the city. At the same time he will
have had an experience both broaden
ing and wholesome.
Many students have relatives or
friends in the country to whom they
can offer their services. Others in.
terested should write the director OF
agricultural extension at the state
agricultural college in the state
where they choose to work, stating
| their qualifications, the time when
they can go to work and other de-
tails. The director will put them in
touch with county agents who know
| farmers in need of help"