TnE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 361 



fixed by congressional action — though congress lias recently established a reasonable 

 minimum price for some cereals. The purpose of the nation should be and will be 

 in protect the producer and consumer and to eliminate, so far as possible, the 

 insidious interference of the speculator. 



The farmer has not been, is not now, and will never be the principal offender in 

 unduly inflating the prices of food products, and if it were not for the unscrupulous 

 food speculator — fortified in his position as owner of products necessary to life 

 stored safely in warehouses — a national food commissioner, as now contemplated by 

 the government, might not be necessary. 



The writer is essentially a farmer, and he believes that the government's course 

 in appointing this food commissioner is a wise and honest one to pursue; to put a 

 check on the speculator and to insure the standard profit to which the farmer's skill 

 ami investment of capital entitle him. No particular pecuniary bribe is needed for 

 the farmer to do his duty to his nation. With the certainty of a reasonable profit. 

 liny, as patriotic citizens, will do their best to overcome the difficulties that will 

 surely be met in the course of their next year's work. 



The question of transportation may become serious. The scarcity of labor for 

 agricultural work may be accentuated as our young men join the colors. California 

 farming is in a class of its own, and often the limiting factor in the acreage utilized 

 for crip production is the scarcity of labor. This season when the plea came from 

 our President to increase the planting of food crops, the farmers of the state made 

 ready response. In many cases, however, the knowledge that labor is scarce am] 

 thai i"" extensive planting would involve great losses through an inability to bar- 

 rest, prevented the cropping of much land which, with an adequate supply of labor, 

 could be utilized. We realize this, and perhaps as the government is now providing 

 a food commissioner, national necessity may demand national action in drafting 

 labor for agricultural needs. Wo have soen most satisfactory service performed by 

 men and boys who are not accustomed to farm work. Next year, with better 

 organization and under a better system, we trust that these men and boys will be 

 able to do even better work. 



Wc realize that these adjustments can not be accomplished without a great effort, 

 and knowing that we have to face many special difficulties in these times of war. 

 the writer of these lines believes that a timely discussion of our farm problems is in 

 order; hence, most of the space of the September issue of the "Monthly Bulletin" 

 is devoted to an appeal to the agricultural interests by authoritative writers. 



G. H. H. 



Horticultural quarantine and preparedness. 



The Quarantine Division of the State Commission of Horticulture is cooperating 

 with the nation in the general scheme of preparedness, to the extent of keeping out 

 of the state and country insect posts and plant diseases that would reduce the yield 

 and increase the cost of crop production. Taking as a basis from which to compute 

 the value of this service, the reduction of the gross yields of merchantable crop 

 products brought about by the destructive work of the cotton boll weevil, alfalfa 

 weevil. Mexican, melon and -Mediterranean fruit flies, citrus canker and chestnut bark 

 disease, none of which — either as a result of good fortune or the diligence of the 

 quarautino ins]>cctois — are yet established in California, the Quarantine Division 

 may be credited with "doing its bit" towards the consummation of that national 

 teamwork in crop production and preservation so earnestly requested by the Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture. The quarantine office is a place of performance, not promise. 

 It is accustomed to meeting contingencies, dealing with the same in a straight forth- 

 right way. and officially recording the plain facts concerned with the occurrence. 

 Not being given to boasting, it is making no rash pledges of achievements to be 

 accomplished in a spectacular manner in the near future, but believing firmly in the 

 necessary purpose of its work it may be safely trusted to develop sufficient initiative 

 and acumen to keep up with the needs and spirit of the times. To drop into the 

 vernacular of the period, the quarantine service has been in action continuously for 

 twenty-seven years, and as a natural result of this experience the force is always 

 in a stalo of prime preparedness to meet the enemy — ready to go over the top of a 

 ship's si.io at sunrise every morning in the year — ami may be depended upon, if 

 adequately supported, to defend our thousand mile coast line against any invasion 

 of the insect pests and plant diseases that are eternally trying to rush the breast- 

 works. 



P. M. 



