Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-17

strained by the parasites that look
upon the beetle as It'd bit-possibly.
too, affected by our climate-he be-
comes a voracious pest, verltable
scourge. Our scientists are busy
bringing over and setting to work its
natural enemies and lying awake
nights wondering what may be done
by way of check until the parasite
catches up on his job.
Then there is the corn borer. po-
tentially a curse OF no mean proper
tons: the gypsey moth. SO threaten
ing an enemy that war balloons are
assigned to the forces detailed to hold
it in check until the parasite reserves
may be brought up and put into ac-
ton: IS varieties Of white ants eat
ing the telephone poles in the South
and Southwest, and so on. truly
something not only to think about
but to get busy about.
BY way Of conclusion the writer in
the Herald has it that such facts
illustrate the great warfare OF para
sites against civilization, their attack
upon our food and economic neces-
Stiles" and again: The stake at
issue i. enormous" One must in
! deed be optimistic not TO agree that
ITO win a decisive victory will re-
quire the cooperative efforts Of all
civilized states"
Decisive victory? Why expect
that short of the Millennium? Yet
why be discouraged because OF what
confronts us? Are We not the SUI
periors of those who fought the
| plag CUES in the old days? Have We
not their powers Of endurance plus
experience, plus science? Why de-
spair? They learned that the price
OF liberty was eternal vigilance; We
are learning that the price of other
blessings is eternal vigilance as we'll.
They would lie down and bleed
awhile and then get up and fight
again; We are faced with the neces-
sity Of staying on our feet and fight
i ing continuously. yet need not be
! disheartened.
! Have We grown soft with the de-
fusion that We may push button
and have light without paying the
price? That We may invent a gas
| buggy and trundle along felicitously
and fatuously without cost OF effort
| to smooth the way? We best wake
up to the situation and not try 70
jump overheard in panic once We are
awake and face to face with the grim
, reality. When We have rubbed our
/ tons may not seem so appalling
i Man has learned by means Of firm
grasp 10 pluck a thistle without harm
| to himself and enjoy the conscious
, ness of his power so to do. There is
JOY in overcoming obstacles. the
| JOY Of expanding power and it is no
! delusion. The muscle. the brain, the
will all rejoice in rightful use and
! become degenerate with disuse. There
Is joy in battle, triumphant spirit
of coordination. Battling with fell
! low humans is passing, slowly. but
. surely of necessity. otherwise the
world will be peopled only by para
/ sites The delights of ponp and mill
tary display have left bad taste.
are losing their glamor. But the JOY
Of battle we must have with us or
we perish. it would seem. The spirit
| OF coordinated effort all over the
world is a like necessity. The an
cient expressed his advice in the
! words. "Gird up thy loins." The
moderns say: Buck up and go to it
! And this no longer refers to those
strong of thew. mighty OF speech or
Mars like in department. The war
fare of today calls for the GOODNESS
Of reason. the patience Of research.