The Durant news., 1944-01-27
Record Crowd Sees
Holmes Farmers
Get a. Award
Copt. }. A. Boe and
T. M. Peterson
Speak on Program

in Lexington Monday afternoon in which
Holmes county farmers received the
governments "A" award for agricultural
achievement and production. Holmes
county is one of five counties in the
state to win this honor. Only about rs
counties in the United States, out Of
about 5000 got the award.
Capt. ]. A. Boe, officer in charge Of
the Quartermaster Market Center, at
Hattiesburg, presented the "a banner,
a beautiful green and white flag. The
flag was accepted by X. ID. Henry on
behalf of Holmes county farmers.
Mr.. Patterson
T. N. Patterson, of Jackson, chairman
Of the State War Board, was present
and told what Holmes farmers have
done TO further the war effort in their
food production. He outlined prospects
for the 1914 season saying that ferti-
lizers, nitrogens and phosphates, would
be more plentiful for the current season
than last year. He said the supply this
year would be l2 million tons against
1OA million tons in 1943.
There will not be available as much
farm machinery this year as we need,
Mr.. Patterson said, but there will be
more than we had in the past season.
Holmes county farmers have done re-
markable jobs in the past three years
and will be called upon to produce even
more this year, Mr.. Patterson said. More
farm products will be needed this year
and in 19a5 than have ever before been
needed in the history Of our country,
he stated.
"1944 looks like the most critical year
of the whole century to me-" Mr. Pat
terson said
The "a" certificate was presented by
the speaker to. II. l.. Nichols, chairman
of the County War Board, who presided
over the meeting and accepted the GER
tificate on behalf Of Holmes farmers.
Capt. Boo
Capt. Boe in presenting the "A ban
ner or flag said: II am here on behalf
Of III the men In tho army 10 thank you
personally for the food you have pro-
duced."
Saying that an srmy today moves on
its stomach the same as in the days OF
Napoleon, Capt. Boe stated the army
cannot fight without food any more than
it can fight without bullets.
"Without food Napoleon had to re-
treat from Moscow. The Nazi too has
found a scorched earth in Russia. His
tory is replete with stories Of battles
lost because of lack Of food" he said.
Today our men are fighting in coun-
tries where the people themselves are
starving to death because their food
has been taken by the invader. America
is using food as a weapon to win these
people over to the side of the Allies and
win their friendship and help.
Civilians today get Is percent OF the
food that is produced, according to the
statistics given by Capt. Boe. The army
took 7h percent in 1912 and Ii percent
in i943. Our Allies got percent in
1871. 6 percent in 1912 and 10 percent
in i943.
"We have the best fed army in the
world today" Capt. Boe stated. Great
strides have been taken in transporting
and processing foods. Mobile kitchen
units have revolutionized preparation OF
food on the battle fronts.
In concluding the officer stated the
day was one of hstric Importance, the
recognition of the greatest government
in the world of the contribution made
by free people to great cause.
"You symbolize the heart of America
ITSELF he said.
Other items on the program included
the invocation by the Rev. A. Y. Brown,
singing led by the Rev. Homer Robertson,
and recognition of various persons IN
the county who have contributed TO
making the Food For Freedom" program
successful.
Lexington business houses closed Tor
the hour of the program and large
crowd attended.