2 EXPERTMEKT STATION BECOKD. fVoL 88 



specialists has served to relieve the unrest among younger men by 

 giving security in their work, but there is still some feeling of uncer- 

 tainty whether service does not imply a change of activity. 



There are some classes of specialists who are particularly needed 

 by the Government because the demand for experts has so enormously 

 increased, and included in these are many from the agricultural col- 

 leges. But let us not forget that the big work is not all on the firing 

 line. A vast amount that is absolutely fundamental and indispens- 

 able lies a long way in the rear. Back of the military preparation 

 and supporting efforts rest a great number of groups whose services 

 are none the less imperative because remote, and which are taking a 

 vital part in the conflict, each fighting in its own way. 



Agriculture has assumed a place of imperative importance in the 

 progress of the war. Before the first year was over the commander 

 of the French forces declared food production to be second only in 

 importance to the military operations and munitions supply, and this 

 has been emphasized in all the countries at war with each succeeding 

 year. Agriculture has become not only a national but an inter- 

 national requirement, and food production and control have taken 

 rank as a military necessity. Food has become a matter of grave 

 concern to America and her Allies, and the shortage of staples and 

 need of strict economy in their use has been brought home to us in 

 some measure in this country during the past few months. Ade- 

 quate supply is one of the most important means of strengthening 

 the Allies and their armies, physically and psychologically. 



The American farm is the great base of food supplies. In order 

 that the requirements may be met supreme effort is necessary, coupled 

 witii the highest attainable efficiency and most profitable employment 

 of resources. The guidance and aid and stimulation of the great 

 agricultural institutions of this country may go a long way in ac- 

 complishing this end and in furnishing the means of overcoming the 

 controllable factors in production and utilization. 



The experiment stations are a strong and indispensable link in the 

 comprehensive American system of agricultural institutions. They 

 stand back of the forces that are shaping the plans and giving prac- 

 tical aid and stimulation to the producers in the field. They are not 

 alone public institutions; they are part of a national system and as 

 a body are auxiliaries of the General Government, working for one 

 great end. Their staffs form a part of the agricultural corps, en- 

 gaged in service only second in importance to the military operations. 

 While this agricultural corps is organized mainly along State lines, 

 and is not a unified part of the military organization, it is no less 

 a great factor in furthering the ends for which the military branches 

 are striving. Recognition of this gives the position of the workers 

 in these institutions high importance. It makes it plain that the 



