1916] EDITORIAL. 605 



overcome prejudice in some sections and convince farmers of their 

 fitness for farm work, agricultural demonstrations have been held 

 by women in doing various kinds of operations, such as plowing, 

 handling teams, shearing sheep, etc. 



The employment of women is even more extensive in other coun- 

 tries at war, and in many places the temporary employment of 

 soldiers has been of very great assistance. The Army Council in 

 Great Britain issued instructions the past season that as far as pos- 

 sible farmers be loaned draft horses, mules, and drivers for help 

 in harvesting in the neighborhood. In Germany special attention 

 was given this year to the prompt and proper harvesting of crops. 

 In many cases public work of all kinds was interrupted in order to 

 set free labor for that purpose. The extensive granting of furloughs 

 by the military authorities contributed considerable supplies of sol- 

 dier labor. In some sections the help of school children was enlisted 

 in gathering the potato crop. France, Germany, and England to 

 some extent, have made use of prisoners of war in carrying on farm 

 work, the custom being to require the employer to pay a small wage 

 for the services and provide suitable conditions for living. The 

 results have generally surpassed expectations. 



The various measures in aid of agriculture have presented fine 

 examples of cooperation between national, state, and local agencies. 

 There has been cooperation between the civil and military branches, 

 supported by a realization of the necessities of each, and between 

 governmental and private organizations, often formed voluntarily 

 for the purpose. The strength which this union of effort has given 

 has enabled agriculture to maintain itself under most trying condi- 

 tions. 



But the measures for maintaining the food supply and other neces- 

 sities have not stopped with the physical means of production. They 

 have extended to advice and direction on the side of better farming, 

 the conservation of supplies, and the utilization of new sources. The 

 effort has tested ingenuity and resourcefulness to an unusual degree, 

 and in this direction has led to new demands upon the various classes 

 of agricultural institutions. It is interesting to note especially the 

 effect upon the activities of the experiment stations and other agen- 

 cies of research. 



As was natural, there has been a decrease in the Irind of activity 

 which has characterized the European stations in normal times. The 

 product of their past work has, however, become a source of great 

 strength and resourcefulness in the countries at war. It has been 

 drawn upon to a hitherto unprecedented degree, even that of more 

 theoretical character. The years of experiment and investigation 

 and application have been realized upon in a way which has furnished 

 renewed conviction of the practical value of such effort. Coupled 



